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New iMac Glossy Screen...is it really that bad?

K

kikobarbada

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 28, 2007
195
0
Hello. Currently I have an LCD Glossy Screen on my room that have windows in front of the screen and to the right, but not behind the screen (behind me, when I am sitted in front of it). The LCD screen is a 22in Viewsonic and it works perfectly, never reflects, not a bit. Do you think the new 24in iMac will reflect and will be bad for me?

Thanks.
 
if it doesn't reflect on your glossy viewsonic, it won't reflect on the imac. it isn't like the laws of physics change from computer to computer.
 
If its anything like the MBP glossy coating then you wont see your reflection at all. The coating on those computers is really really good and surprising how unnoticeable the reflections are. In fact before looking across it at an angle you would swear it was matte. I assume they will use a similar coating in the imac.
 
Man, i don't post much but now i'll start. I've been using a Dell 700m, 12"!! glossy screen, in my room, in my office, on my porch, in the sun, in the shade, in the rain, since Dell came out with this product and I have never complained about it.

It's something that people have to get accustomed to, thats all. Everyone will have an opinion but ask those who've used glossy even before the hype. People tend to judge on impulse rather than patiently observing.

IMO, i'm sure you'll be fine. And considering you already got used to your Viewsonic, getting used to the iMac will be very easy.

Good luck with your decision ;)
 
siurpeeman said:
if it doesn't reflect on your glossy viewsonic, it won't reflect on the imac. it isn't like the laws of physics change from computer to computer.
Click to expand...
Maybe the glass in front of it will reflect, but I think it will be ok.
 
FuzzMunky said:
If its anything like the MBP glossy coating then you wont see your reflection at all. The coating on those computers is really really good and surprising how unnoticeable the reflections are. In fact before looking across it at an angle you would swear it was matte. I assume they will use a similar coating in the imac.
Click to expand...
I've already read somewhere it has more reflections than the glossy MBP but I think he will be ok anyway. If not just cover the Windows damnit.

"In a world without walls and fences, who needs Windows & Gates?"
 
Glossy screens cause CVS, eyestrain, headaches and eventually "lazy eye" from the constant focusing/refocusing between true image and the slightly out of focus reflections, eventually the pre-mature need for glasses will ensue.

Don't buy or stare into ANY glossy screen for long periods like one would do with a TV or a computer screen.

Ars Tech "Glossy vs matte"
MacPolls "Glossy vs matte"
MacSlash "Glossy vs matte"

All these polls people prefer matte over glossy screens.

Why does Apple push them? I don't know, perhaps to not be "shown up" by deceivingly better looking cheap PC's.

Someday somebody will do a blind test in a computer lab and see how many man hours people voluntarily log on the matte screens instead of the glossy ones.

I know I watch much less TV on glossy screens than matte ones. It's the annoying reflections hiding parts of the image.
 
tersono said:
Hell no - the screen is wonderful
Click to expand...

When I bought my iMac I was slightly concerned about this problem. I found however that moving a lamp or positioning your screen so its not right in front of a window will fix the problem. (obviously)

Because of this, I would say that the glossy screen is worth it. There are some obvious trade offs, but if you are in the right lighting situation, it doesn't affect you at all!

Desktop, I would definitely get glossy again.
Lapop, not a chance in hell. Position always changes, working outside, etc. Just not worth it... then again, I don't own one. So I don't have first hand experience with this.
 
I don't own any Apple computers with a glossy screen, but I do have an iPhone. As you can imagine, I have used my iPhone in any type of lighting possible, and it is fine. More than fine. You can see your reflection at times, but the display is so vibrant that it is very easy to look past this, as your image becomes drowned out.

I've used the iMac's in the Apple store and have never had a problem concentrating on the display and getting distracted by my reflection or the reflection of those around me.
 
I think the glossy screens are just fine. I think they look TONS better than the matte screens. I have a 24" inch and my eye is NEVER distracted by reflections. I'm sure some people just really can't get past the glossiness, but I think a majority of the detractors are just complainers that have never used the glossy iMac for an extended amount of time or even at all. :rolleyes:
 
Maybe, and I think there is, levels of 'glossyness'.

There is, museum glass, which is more expensive than ordinary glass, has virtually little reflective attributes. Would be a very suitable iMac replacement, but of course that leaves out the rest of the product line, plus glass is sort of dangerous in a laptop anyway.

From Wikipedia: Glossy Displays

Traditionally LCDs have had a matte anti-glare finish to scatter reflected light. This has the side effect of scattering the light from the display, increasing blur and reducing contrast ratio, colour intensity, and viewing angle.
Glossy LCDs use polarization and an optical coating to reduce the amount of external light reflecting from the surface without affecting light emanating from the screen. Reflections of external light sources are not diffused by glossy displays, so certain lighting conditions tend to favor a traditional, anti-glare screen. In controlled environments, such as darkened rooms, or rooms where all light sources are diffused, a glossy display may be more enjoyable for the viewer.

Glossy displays create more saturated colours, deeper blacks, brighter whites, and are sharper than traditional matte displays. This makes these types of displays more appropriate for viewing photos, watching movies, or even just general computer usage such as web browsing. Also, in extremely bright conditions where no direct light is facing the screen, such as outdoors, glossy displays can become more readable than matte displays because they don't disperse the light around the screen (which would render a matte screen washed out).


Despite the perceived increase in the quality of glossy displays, they tend to exaggerate colors and shade, to the point in which they over-saturate and have poorer grayscale accuracy.

This makes glossy displays unsuitable for people who seek to use their computers for graphics work which requires color accuracy. This is why detractors claim that glossy displays are used as a marketing gimmick.

Also, due to the reflective nature of the display, in most lighting conditions which include direct light sources facing the screen, glossy displays create too many reflections which can be distracting to the user of the computer. This is especially annoying to users who work in an environment, such as in an office, where the position of lights and windows cannot be avoided and thus create strong reflections.

End Quote

"glossy displays create too many reflections which can be distracting to the user of the computer"

Distracted users are less absorbed users, which leads to less computer use and interest.

Apple should at least offer a choice of either matte or glossy in their entire product line. Or find a way to eliminate the reflections.
 
I've used the iMac's in the Apple store and have never had a problem concentrating on the display and getting distracted by my reflection or the reflection of those around me.

Sure, you "see past the reflections" right?

But unknownst to you, your eye is rapidly auto-refocusing between the true image and the slightly out of focus reflections.

This is what causes eyestrain, headaches and eventually if you have to use a glossy screen for work/long periods over time, eye fatigue. Which requires glasses to fix.


I think the glossy screens are just fine. I think they look TONS better than the matte screens. I have a 24" inch and my eye is NEVER distracted by reflections. I'm sure some people just really can't get past the glossiness, but I think a majority of the detractors are just complainers that have never used the glossy iMac for an extended amount of time or even at all.

Well it's not just the iMac, it's the use of any glossy screen for extended periods of time. As a matter of fact I've used the glossy iMac for extended periods of time and notice my 30" matte Cinema is immediatly refreshing to my eyes, like they are getting a much needed rest.
 
It's not the gloss so much as the display quality. I had a 20" imac and after a week I returned it due to the "gradient issue" If you don't know what I'm talking about just google seach imac screen gradient and you'll get plenty of results. It's due to the displays inferior TN panel.
 
GlossyIsBad4U said:
.
Click to expand...


That's quite a handle, GlossyIsBad4U. Talk about a "single issue poster." However, unless you are an opthamologist, I think you are full of it. I do believe that you may have a point re color accuracy, but your eyestrain allegations are unsupported & undocumented. I can see reflections in my screen only when it is off or asleep. I have zero issues when it is actually turned on. (20" aluminum imac).

To the OP: I have a glossy imac in a room with a huge window. The screen is fabulous; you'll be fine, particularly in the room you describe.
 
Ok over all my years in computers I have pretty much seen them all, from the TRS 80 - Model 1 / Apple II to the iMac I have today.

I've had PC's made by every manufacturer imaginable, and some long forgotten.

This 24" iMac with glossy screen is by far one of the best I have ever worked on, and I do a ton of photo editing of antiques / collectibles / jewelry, along with anything else that catches my eye.

Some will talk of a 'gradient issue'. That's funny because I have seen quite a few say the following.....

1) Got it home, fired it up and was extremely happy

2) But the I *read* about ( no I did not see a problem ), read about this 'gradient issue' so I ran some tests I downloaded ( tests designed to exploit/enhance) this gradient issue.

3) Now I am unhappy.

Looking at that sequence of events, *that* user if he/she had not *read* about the so called 'gradient' issue, would be a happy user today.

Go out and look at all other larger LCD's and perform those same tests.

You will see some 'gradient issue' to some extent.

Two months in on my 24" iMac and I have yet to see anything that warrants me running any tests.

We have three non-Apple LCD displays here.

Dell 17"
Dell 19"
Gateway 23"

When I do screen fills on those 3, I can *see* some gradient issue. I can make it more or less severe by adjusting various settings on those displays. If I turn the display, or move it up and down I can see the gradient shift.

DO NOT let others sway you ..... go to an Apple Store, check them out .... adjust the brightness .... and then, when you decide you want one, have them bring it out, and fire it up. If it checks out okay, take it home and BE HAPPY! :D
 
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