How to get a MacBook with a matte (anti-glare) screen?

[jas5279]

Hello guys,

I've used Windows all my life and never Mac. For sometime now I've been wanting to get a MacBook. The ONLY thing that is stopping me is that the newer models do not come with matte (anti-glare) screen anymore which sucks big time for me. I've got some eyes issues and I cannot look at any non-antiglare screen for more than 30 seconds.

I also don't want to buy an older model used MacBook that has an anti-glare screen. So the only thing that I can think of now is screen replacement on a brand new MacBook. Is this something that may be possible? That I buy a brand new MacBook and get its screen replaced with an anti-glare screen. Will it create any kind of problems for my new machine?

Please advise.

Thank you!

 

[Phil A.]

I wouldn't go down the route of replacing the screen as it would void your warranty. Have you considered an anti-glare screen protector?

 

[jas5279]

I wouldn't go down the route of replacing the screen as it would void your warranty. Have you considered an anti-glare screen protector?

I have. But even if I buy the most expensive one, I'm afraid it won't be as good as an anti-glare screen that my eyes are used to of. And if it still bothers my eyes with the anti-glare protector, all the money I spend buying the Mac would be wasted. Or do the anti-glare protectors work just as an anti-glare screen?

 

[Phil A.]

I have. But even if I buy the most expensive one, I'm afraid it won't be as good as an anti-glare screen that my eyes are used to of. And if it still bothers my eyes with the anti-glare protector, all the money I spend buying the Mac would be wasted. Or do the anti-glare protectors work just as an anti-glare screen?

Sorry, I don't know as I've never used one - maybe someone else who has will see this and offer an opinion

 

[jas5279]

Any suggestions, people?

 

[BorderingOn]

The new MBPs have AR coating on the screen to reduce reflections. If they were to go matte, clarity would be reduced.

 

[Synchromesh]

I believe there are screen covers that make the screen appear more matte. I'd look on eBay for those, they're inexpensive, easy to attach and don't require any hardware modification. Also, easily removable.

Modern Retina machines do have anti-glare coating standard so that should help too.

 

[blesscheese]

You should look at something like this:
https://www.moshi.com/ivisor-12#black

I use one on my MacBook Air. In general, I don't think it diminishes the screen brightness at all, and it reduces the glare/reflection tremendously.

These are easy to put on, there is an adhesive on the part that just makes contact with the bezel...nothing adhesive goes on the actual screen. You can also take it off and adjust it, but I never have.

 

[bingeciren]

The new MBPs have AR coating on the screen to reduce reflections. If they were to go matte, clarity would be reduced.

This is precisely the point most people are missing. The AR coating is very effective and it works the best.

Matte screens are never as sharp as the clear screens and putting a matte film on top of display afterwards would even make it worse. I know it because I tried using matte film on my iPads and iPhones before. Even the finest quality films like Moshi or Power Support reduces the sharpness.

 

[MarkC426]

Have you been into an Apple Store to try one out, it may not be as bad as you think.
I know where your coming from with the matte preference though.
I don't have any trouble looking at a glossy screen, but I prefer matte.
I had an Apple display for many years (matte), when it threw its hand in I got Dell Ultrasharp, because the current Apple offering was only glossy.
Another option is to use a matte monitor (reducing portability).

 

[jas5279]

The new MBPs have AR coating on the screen to reduce reflections. If they were to go matte, clarity would be reduced.

I believe there are screen covers that make the screen appear more matte. I'd look on eBay for those, they're inexpensive, easy to attach and don't require any hardware modification. Also, easily removable.

Modern Retina machines do have anti-glare coating standard so that should help too.

You should look at something like this:
https://www.moshi.com/ivisor-12#black

I use one on my MacBook Air. In general, I don't think it diminishes the screen brightness at all, and it reduces the glare/reflection tremendously.

These are easy to put on, there is an adhesive on the part that just makes contact with the bezel...nothing adhesive goes on the actual screen. You can also take it off and adjust it, but I never have.

This is precisely the point most people are missing. The AR coating is very effective and it works the best.

Matte screens are never as sharp as the clear screens and putting a matte film on top of display afterwards would even make it worse. I know it because I tried using matte film on my iPads and iPhones before. Even the finest quality films like Moshi or Power Support reduces the sharpness.

Have you been into an Apple Store to try one out, it may not be as bad as you think.
I know where your coming from with the matte preference though.
I don't have any trouble looking at a glossy screen, but I prefer matte.
I had an Apple display for many years (matte), when it threw its hand in I got Dell Ultrasharp, because the current Apple offering was only glossy.
Another option is to use a matte monitor (reducing portability).

Thanks, guys!

I see no one recommended/suggested screen replacement so I am guessing it is out of option. I really thought this might be an option since I got my HP's screen replaced in 30 minutes when it broke. I guess replacing a MBP's screen to a matte screen is not as easy as I thought it would be.

This leaves the only other option to be a matte screen protector such as Moshi that was recommended here. I knew about this (found it on Amazon) but I'm not sure how good it will work.

 

[pushover486]

Based on my personal experience, I would not recommend matte screen protectors. Buying one was a regret for me. If you are determined to buy one I suggest you to get help from an expert when applying and test it before buying if you can.

Lacking matte screen was one of my reasons selling my Mac and buying a PC.

I am disappointed that in 2016 series there is still no matte option among Macs, in spite of high prices.

 

[wjgan7]

pushover486, what was your issue with the matte screen protector? Considering getting the Moshi one or returning my pro for a matte PC.

 

[shaunp]

If you are coming from a PC I honestly wouldn't touch any of the current macbooks as there are now better PC's with a matte screen. Look at the Lenovo X1 Carbon if you want something light with a matte screen, or the Dell XPS 13/XPS 15.

 

[wjgan7]

I've been a Mac user for a while. A PC is an option, but if the anti-glare protector is capable of reducing reflections significantly, I'd probably stick with the Mac.

 

[Moonjumper]

Hello guys,

I've used Windows all my life and never Mac. For sometime now I've been wanting to get a MacBook. The ONLY thing that is stopping me is that the newer models do not come with matte (anti-glare) screen anymore which sucks big time for me. I've got some eyes issues and I cannot look at any non-antiglare screen for more than 30 seconds.

I also don't want to buy an older model used MacBook that has an anti-glare screen. So the only thing that I can think of now is screen replacement on a brand new MacBook. Is this something that may be possible? That I buy a brand new MacBook and get its screen replaced with an anti-glare screen. Will it create any kind of problems for my new machine?

Please advise.

Thank you!

I understand your concern. I have always gone the matte route where possible and hate reflections.

I had one of the early unibody MacBook Pros that had a reflective screen. It was awful, I couldn't use it without getting a headache.

Later I saw one of the newer models after Apple claimed to have reduced the reflections (reduced glass layers and AR coating). It was a totally different beast and got one. I had it hooked up to a matte monitor (HP ZR24W). The MBP was less reflective. It was so much better that I ended up replacing the monitor.

The MacBook screens are not matte, but neither are they glossy. Try for yourself in an environment similar to you work in. Apple Stores are very bright, yet the screens are still useable.

 

[wjgan7]

Yeah moonjumper I have a similar problem with reflections. For me it's an issue if I can see my reflection when the screen is off, and I can in the new MBPs.

 

[Moonjumper]

Yeah moonjumper I have a similar problem with reflections. For me it's an issue if I can see my reflection when the screen is off, and I can in the new MBPs.

For me it is a trade off. All most matte screens do is smear the reflections, so they are not as sharply defined, but that means they are spread over a wider area. More important to me is the intensity of the reflections is less with a MBP.

I don't know of a monitor that uses moth eye or similar technology. Not having reflections would be very different.

 

[Mick84]

Any suggestions, people?

Just saw this searching for something related. Email Tim (tcook@apple.com), let him know you have eye issues and request him to give an option of glossy and matte again like they used to pre 2012 (anti glare screen on the MBP for an extra $50 was the price in 2011) and more recently in the 27" iMacs (nano texture glass). I myself have severe eye strain using glossy. I emailed him asking to bring back the 17" MBP and I dont know if it was because of that email but a while after that the 16" MBPs were released. I also requested matte/anti glare screens but those weren't put on the MBP but were put on the 27" iMacs. So, you never know, he just might listen if you ask him. I will email him too. I have to add I'd already requested the anti glare screen in a feature request through the feedback page on the site but no luck so far.

 

[groove-agent]

and I dont know if it was because of that email but a while after that the 16" MBPs were released. I also requested matte/anti glare screens but those weren't put on the MBP but were put on the 27" iMacs. So, you never know, he just might listen if you ask him. I will email him too.

I think the 16"s were a result of thinning the bezels on the 15s. The actual screen themselves are about the same as the 15s. Since then I've been using Moshi antiglare filters which work very well. I put them on all my screens (iPad, MBP, iPhone, and even my car).