iMac glossy display reviews wanted

[daveslc]

Please post your review only if you have actually used the new iMac display (either your own or in the store).

What do you think of the glossy screen?

If you own one, have you gotten used to it?

Are you happy with the display?

What sort of room/lighting/screen situations does it work/not work in?

*****


I tried one at the apple store for about 45 minutes.

The store was well lit and hence there was a lot of reflection.

When using word and indesign, the reflection wasn't too bad - the initial distraction went down with time. However, anytime I looked away and back, my eyes followed the reflections, not what was being displayed.

The mirror effect is worst when viewing anything in black/dark colors (i.e. the coen bros. movie trailer they had pre-loaded or the black and white desktop picture option). In this situation, I found that my beautiful mug would appear as a ghostly apparition on my screen.

At a distance (10 feet back), the mirror effect was worse. This would be a problem for watching movies.

The mirror effect didn't disappear when tilting the screen forward or back.

The black border is just plain dumb. It is always black and always reflects and always distracts.

The mirror effect seems to be much stronger than the glossy MacBook Pro, probably b/c of the thicker glass.

I'm still thinking of buying one, but the screen (and whether I could get used to it) is the deciding factor. I'll be using it mostly with indesign, web, and email. The cost is about right (the macpro is too much for my budget), and it's plenty powerful to run CS3.

 

[armani]

Hi, I have been using new iMac 24" for two days and I don't have any problems. I was sceptical about glossy screens, as I have always used matte. But what I noticed is that you see the reflection if I focus on it, if not, it does not bother me. I do a lot of video editing and so far I am fine. Only when the image is black or dark grey though. I like it. The contrast is better and black levels too, colors are nice. The screen is very bright. DVDs and pics look excellent. So, I like it.

 

[Leemo]

I really don't understand what people are complaining about with these glossy screens - personally I think they look fantastic. The colours are amazing, the blacks alone are worth the upgrade, everything just 'pops' out the screen.

I sit with a window behind me in my home office and I have no problems with reflections - I think your eyes just adjust quickly to it. Of course it's noticeable when you iMac is off, but once on all issues quickly disappear.

I guess people will always find a reason to moan.

-Leemo

 

[big.birdd]

thanks leemo, i might buy an imac afterall, the glossy displays look bearable

 

[Alloye]

The complaints about the glossy display are pure drama. The LCD transmits more than enough light to cancel any glare. I adjusted to it in about five seconds.

 

[Tyr.]

I just got a 24" iMac and I'm loving the screen. But then I've always preferred glossy screens for some reason.
It should be OK in most lighting conditions, but I wouldn't recommend putting it somewhere with a window or other lightsource directly behind it. As with all glossy screens you can see some reflections in the screen if you look carefully and have a dark background set, but you get used to this after a couple of minutes of use. Your brain filters it out as you concentrate on what's on the screen and you'll just be noticing how beautiful the colors are. It's certainly the best screen I've ever owned.

 

[anemone]

checking in

new switcher checking in. Bought my new iMac on Thursday. I'm loving it so far.

re: the glossy screen...

I work in a home office which is the room with the least natural light in the house for most of the day and for most of the year, despite two large windows (the room faces NNW and the windows open onto a large porch, which shades the windows). One window is maybe 5 feet to the left of my computer, the other is about 6 ft. behind me and 5 feet to the left.

The only time I have any issues w/ the glossy display and notice any glare so far are:

-looking at Web sites with large areas of black e.g. a black background
-when the small lamp against the wall behind me is illuminated.

I mostly use the two lamps which are located slightly behind and to each side of my computer, so that works great and also provides good illumination for the iSight camera.

As I'm transferring files over, I have my 4 year old Dell with a 17" flat screen monitor right next to the iMac. The new iMac makes the Dell look absolutely awful--the contrast, brightness and crispness of the iMac display put the Dell to shame.

I'm happy!

 

[ViperDesign]

This is my first glossy screen and I am very impressed. I rarely see any reflections in it and I have a lot of light coming into our house.

Solid solid color and I would buy one again if I had to.

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

I used the iMac today for about 30 minutes and not once did the glossy screen bother me, or did I even notice it.

The glossy screen is absolutely beautiful.

I used the machine for 30+ minutes today and not once did it bother me, or did I even notice it.

In fact i'm considering one myself. I'm a video artist/editor/photographer.

Glossy screen is beautiful, and a non-issue.

EDIT: Thought I would mention the lighting conditions of the store I was viewing. It's an Apple reseller, so it's brightly lit, white walls, white surfaces galore... The lights weren't a problem. Nothing was. I miss the computer already.

 

[dont24]

I just picked up a new 24" iMac this morning and it's amazing. Glossy screen is not an issue for us. Wife and are were skeptical when looking at them in the store. We decided since it was going into our finished basement, it wouldn't be an issue. We were right. We're not using it professionally, so I can't comment on calibration. If you're on the fence because of the glossy screen, go for it. You won't regret the purchase.

 

[Cosmo modo]

I purchased a 24 inch iMac the day it was released.
I used to have a 20 inch Cinema Display.

I can safely say this is the best display i have had so far. i LOVE it.
Colors are gorgeous. I did change the color profile to sRGB to get more saturated colors.

 

[tusker]

Same here. Got my 24" in Tuesday and glossy is not a problem, in spite of my initial worries.

 

[daneoni]

Glossy not a problem for me, in fact i dont see myself going back to matte.

 

[divedude]

I spent about an hour in the Apple store with one yesterday and even with all the lights I had no problems. The display looks gorgeous.

 

[erandall38]

Please ignore any complaints about a glossy screen from users on here who do not even own these iMacs. Some of them are basing their judgement off of pictures, jealousy of the fact they don't have one, or just off to make drama. I have no glare problems at all. Go look at this thing in person, and you wont ask any more question, you will just buy one.

 

[urbanskywalker]

What about the claim that glossy screens are damaging to your eyes? Could long terms use of a glossy screen, instead of matt, be bad for your eyes?

We need a mac using ophthalmologist..

 

[boeseknecht]

Ophthalmologist recommendations

What about the claim that glossy screens are damaging to your eyes? Could long terms use of a glossy screen, instead of matt, be bad for your eyes?

We need a mac using ophthalmologist..

Ophthalmologist recommendations:

http://www.visionworksusa.com/computereyestrain.htm
http://office-ergo.com/12things1.htm

Summary: Avoid glossy/reflective screens

And please: I've been to 2 different Apple Stores by now looking at the new models for a total of at least 1h. Basically all comments by customers were concerns about reflections and glare. If you like it or not is personal preference but it has nothing to do with people not being able to afford the new iMac. Most photographers I know will not upgrade as the screen is just unbearable for judging highlights and shadows (the previous models did pretty well at that). Those people (including me) couldn't care less about a few hundered dollars price difference. If you applaud apple actually using a worse screen on the new models (proven at least for the 20" model) please do not make unjust assumption about people with higher demands on screen quality.

 

[craig1410]

I've been using my 24" iMac for 3 days now and the screen is fantastic ( try to cycle my adjectives through gorgeous, beautiful, superb and fantastic for some variety...)

Reflections are there sometimes but are never a problem even though I have a south facing window 45 degrees over my right shoulder.

HTH,
Craig.

 

[OllyW]

Please ignore any complaints about a glossy screen from users on here who do not even own these iMacs. Some of them are basing their judgement off of pictures, jealousy of the fact they don't have one, or just off to make drama. I have no glare problems at all. Go look at this thing in person, and you wont ask any more question, you will just buy one.

I have tried a couple in the Bullring Apple Store and I'm sorry, the glare from the glossy screen puts me off purchasing the new iMac.

The display models had terrible reflections due to the bright lighting and the large front window of the store. I will wait until Selfridges gets the new models before making my mind up as the lighting is not as intense where their Macs are displayed.

I'm not going to rush my decision as I won't be buying until Leopard is released.

 

[mrmjd]

Bugger this....gonna have to buy a Dell I think! Was really keen on a new iMac....I seriously didn't exepect to be sizing up an inferior product to the previous version and I have no other options! Was looking at a Mac Book Pro with a cinema display, but that's far too expensive for me! Bugger Bugger Bugger!! What can I do?

 

[SBeardsl]

Summary: Avoid glossy/reflective screens

And please: I've been to 2 different Apple Stores by now looking at the new models for a total of at least 1h. Basically all comments by customers were concerns about reflections and glare. If you like it or not is personal preference but it has nothing to do with people not being able to afford the new iMac. Most photographers I know will not upgrade as the screen is just unbearable for judging highlights and shadows (the previous models did pretty well at that). Those people (including me) couldn't care less about a few hundered dollars price difference. If you applaud apple actually using a worse screen on the new models (proven at least for the 20" model) please do not make unjust assumption about people with higher demands on screen quality.

This is important for people to remember, different people have different needs. Some people are concerned about not being able to add a top of the line graphics card, some aren't. Some potential buys NEED a matte screen with high quality color calibration and even the 24" model does not meet there needs. Apple has made choices and some of their decisions make the iMac inappropriate for some user. That is one of the limitations of the all-in-one form factor, you can't please all the people all the time.

Note for Pros: If you like the iMac except for the screen and are willing to pay for it, buy a second high-quality screen and attach it to the iMac, that gives you two screen to work on, if you work flow supports that configuration. (As a programmer, a 2nd screen to allow me to debug an app with all the debugging junk on the 2nd screen is great but I don't need a quality screen for that).

 

[hologram]

Also, keep in mind that a lot of people are EXPECTING to see terrible reflections, so they'll be looking for them, and won't ever be able to get past that. That's all they'll be able to focus on.

I'm not saying the new screens are for everyone, but I am saying that, judging by some of the threads and posts here, quite a few people are just incapable of making a decision for themselves and give far too much weight to what other people, who are NEVER satisfied, might have to say.

If you work with color for a living, and/or your environment is surrounded by bright lights that you have no control over (like the Apple store) you might want to give it a pass. Otherwise, it will probably be fine. I'll be getting a 24" myself, as soon as they come with Leopard.

 

[tomd89]

The problem with matte screens is that any light that shines on the screen is spread across the whole screen, making the picture dull. On glossys that light is just a problem in a small area, and not the whole screen. IMO glossys are much better!

 

[nagromme]

I'm a die-hard matte fan, and don't like any hint of reflection in dark images.

That said, I played with the new iMacs at the Apple Store and tried them at different angles. There are a lot of bright lights there: other screens, room lighting, and since I was right by the glass storefront, a bright sunny sky outside. And despite these bright sources, I didn't find it to be a problem.

There is definitely some kind of anti-glare coating on there. Matte? No. But anti-glare--yes. Much like my eMac (CRT) which never bothered me.

Those sources would have reflected at close to full brightness off of normal (non-computer-display) glass. But they didn't--they had a dimmer, hazy reflection. You could certainly SEE the glossiness, but reflection did not compete with the detail on the screen.

In a less bright setting, I imagine it would be even better.

I still like matte best, but I'd give up my matte screen for the PROTECTIVE quality of glass in a heartbeat. (Having both at once would be my ideal.)

 

[Toddgabweg]

My new 24" imac has arrived has arrived and I just set it up... it is amazing... I have no glare issues in my family room... I am so pleased with everything so far... this looks amazing... I love the design... I'll have pics later...