New Refresh , Still only Glossy

[Spike88]

Off topic but replated...

I remember reading a historical post from someone who removed the iMac's front clear glass plate using "suction cup" method. He took the glass away and used it as a template - to create a BLACK plastic outer ring. This plastic was purchased at his local glass/plastic window store. And this black plastic was the same thickness as the removed clear glass. He then took that outer plastic ring (after cutting and sanding it down with wood sanders), he then "fitted" this ring onto the front on this iMac display. Thus, covering up its hidden megnetic fasteners. Before and AFTER pictures were amazing. And best of all, NO front "over glossy" glass reflection - within his bright sunshine room.

If "good with tools", one might want to try this modification themselves. To me, it sounds do-able (if one is good with woodworking tools). It they get really good at it, perhaps they can then take it one step further, and turn it into a part time business?

Just a thought - to eliminate the "sometimes too glossy" factory clear glass.

Good luck...

 

[tomscott1988]

Or theres the fact that glossy screens aren't really made by any manufacturer other than Apple? Is that also why apple has dropped the matte 30" ACD for a glossy 27"?

If reflections annoy you, turn the brightness up a bit, then you can't see yourself..

Matte lightens colours. Its like looking through a fogged window, whereas a glossy screen is looking through a clean window.

I think this is generally the person who has no idea what so ever, 100% black on CMYK is a grayer black, whereas an RGB black isnt a true black, deeper and more contrasting. A glossy screen at some angles amost makes these colours look the same, so when you come to print you get two variations of the black being very annoying. The washed out colour you describe is generally how any media prints unless it has a glossy finish on the paper, 95% of people using a gloss display do not calibrate their monitors so when it comes to printing they will be very disappointed with their finish.

Generally 90% of media is matte and placed behind a glass pain which gives it more punch. Gloss is for amateurs simple. which is exactly what the imac screen is, it is matte put behind glass! honest to god some peoples ignorance drives me mad.

Glossy displays from apple are for viewing photos and video at a high punch just like the old gamma set up. Means that people who buy their macs to consume media get the best looking results but these are not true colours. It is all down to taste. There is no reason why you cant calibrate a glossy screen if you are serious about your work. It is just easier to get results from a matte display.

Most pros are mad that you cant get a matte option just for this reason. It is also even more annoying to look at yourself while your using it. 8+ hours a day using a mac and seeing every reflection from office strip lights is the most annoying thing in the universe.

Ive read a few of this guys posts and they are written to aggravate, and has obviously never used a computer in an environment where this matters. comment if you know what your talking about.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

You guys are totally missing the boat on the glossy screens thing.

They're PERFECT for figuring out when your boss is sneaking up behind you to see what webpage you're looking at.

You NEED glossy!

LMAO!! This sounds like a plan

 

[HLdan]

No? All the colours come true to life In glossy, whereas matte lightens colours so aren't suitable for any design work.

OMG, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Go to any professional printing company and you won't find a single glossy screen in the place. When it comes to printing, the only way to see the picture exactly as it prints out is from a matte screen. Any professional designer in any field will use or prefer a matte screen. Even in the PC world, the HP Elite and the Dell workstation notebooks all have matte screens.
Glossy computers are made for consumer multimedia stuff, any color critical work should never be done with a glossy.

 

[fred_garvin]

What about "Museum Glass"?

Ok, I've seen enough discussion that I have to ask a question that's been in the back of my mind. For reference, I have the late 2008 unibody MacBook Pro 15", glossy display. I also have the 23" cinema display I've had for around 6 years (matte obviously).

Working with iPhoto, iDVD, etc, the glossy is preferable. Working in text editors doing programming, reading webpages, etc the matte is preferable. My experience anyways.

I've had a bunch of prints professionally framed at Aaron Brothers. They offer glass, museum glass (non glare), acrylic, and museum acrylic (in order of increasing price). The acrylic weighs much less and doesn't shatter from a fall.

The difference is striking. The non glare (museum) is very clear, not like the cinema display diffuse image. From a few feet back, there is zero glare. If I move to an angle to find a glare, I can at a sharp angle, and the reflection of the ceiling light has a green tint, but generally, the print looks perfect.

If anyone is knowledgeable about framing, optics, etc, then why couldn't apple use a "museum glass" (or acrylic) sheet on their displays?

 

[TheBritishBloke]

Ive read a few of this guys posts and they are written to aggravate, and has obviously never used a computer in an environment where this matters. comment if you know what your talking about.

Yes, my sole purpose here is to annoy you of course.

And you say how 95% of people don't calibrate their displays. That is most likely because they don't know how to do it, or how to do it correctly, I don't use my Mac for work, but I still calibrate mine.

*snip*

have you ever thought about the fact of how low the supply of glossy displays are? Practically nobody sells them, except for apple. So have you ever thought that this is the reason people don't have glossy screens outside of apple?

 

[butch10x]

Because it would make the iMac look stupid. If they're selling millions of units with glossy screens, then they aren't going to care.

I also believe that the only reason they offered a matte option on the MacBook Pro's Is because they are portable computers, so you're likely to be using it outdoors at some point, whereas the iMac is a desktop so it should stay indoors, so there should be no issues with a glossy.

Glossy offers superior colour and clarity, matte just looks cheap.

Just buy the glossy, and be happy with it.

-------------
The above quote is just plain dumb. I prefer the matte screen since it eliminates the glares and reflections that glossy puts forth. With photo editing my primary use on my workstation, a matte screen isn't essential, but very much preferred by myself and thousands of other professionals. You sir probably liked the matte screen, but just as you said "Just buy the glossy, and be be happy with it."

Sorry about the rant, but I was anxiously waiting for a matte screen on the Imac as well. With the new release, I'm actually happy that they didnt since the Imacs are dead-end machines. (http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToChooseAMac.html ).

I will be going the Mac Pro route with a quality NEC 30" that can be calibrated with ease. My reasons: http://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2010/20100728_iMac--imac-macpro.html

I'm not trolling the post, just merely stating there are many users that prefer the matte screen.

Have a nice day.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

-------------
The above quote is just plain dumb. I prefer the matte screen since it eliminates the glares and reflections that glossy puts forth. With photo editing my primary use on my workstation, a matte screen isn't essential, but very much preferred by myself and thousands of other professionals. You sir probably liked the matte screen, but just as you said "Just buy the glossy, and be be happy with it."

Sorry about the rant, but I was anxiously waiting for a matte screen on the Imac as well. With the new release, I'm actually happy that they didnt since the Imacs are dead-end machines. (http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToChooseAMac.html
I'm not trolling the post, just merely stating there are many users that prefer the matte screen.

Have a nice day.

hows it dumb? It's true that they've sold millions of units, and its perfectly plausible because there will be more reflections if you're using a unit outside. The only reason most people who post on here want a matte screen is to stop reflections, and granted, they annoy some people, but the machines are still fantastic and it doesn't seem logical to not buy one and hold out for a matte option, as I just can't see apple doing this.

I'm only here to help... And I state facts to the best of my knowledge, yet I have people trolling against me because of their opinions. We are all entitled to our own opinions, but theres no reason for anyone to 'slay' me because they have a different view on the matter.

 

[Hellhammer]

I'm not trolling the post, just merely stating there are many users that prefer the matte screen.

Exactly. This is nothing more but a preference thing so I don't get it why this even has to be discussed. Apple hasn't offered matte for any aluminum iMac so I can't seen them doing that in the future. A redesign could possibly add it but I can't see it happening anytime soon. Sure you can add external matte monitor for iMac but that isn't very ideal.

I'm sure everyone agrees that it wouldn't hurt to see matte as an option for iMac so we wouldn't have to go through discussions like this and people could just get what they want.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

Exactly. This is nothing more but a preference thing so I don't get it why this even has to be discussed. Apple hasn't offered matte for any aluminum iMac so I can't seen them doing that in the future. A redesign could possibly add it but I can't see it happening anytime soon. Sure you can add external matte monitor for iMac but that isn't very ideal.

I'm sure everyone agrees that it wouldn't hurt to see matte as an option for iMac so we wouldn't have to go through discussions like this and people could just get what they want.

Thankyou. As I said, we are all entitled to our own opinions.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Look - 'glossy' screens are used for two reasons:

1. So that the truest colour timings/hues can be achieved. Materials such as glass are non-obtrusive; therefore, graphic designers and the alike can work with what should be real-time colours. 'Matte' displays on the other hand contain elements in the plastic that prevent some hues from breaking through. Glossy is essential for many people, and I think its pretty ignorant to suggest that "theirs no point in it". There clearly is, and I thank Apple for choosing such a great material.

2. Glass is recyclable.

Admittedly, to suit all crowds there should be a Matte option, but just be thankful that Apple wants whats best not just for the environment, but for those that work with colour.

 

[HLdan]

have you ever thought about the fact of how low the supply of glossy displays are? Practically nobody sells them, except for apple. So have you ever thought that this is the reason people don't have glossy screens outside of apple?

What the heck are you talking about? HP, Dell, Sony, Alienwware, Sager...etc.. all sell glossy computers and displays. What low supply? If anything, Apple was the last to stop using matte screens. Not sure what's in your coffee this morning?

 

[TheBritishBloke]

What the heck are you talking about? HP, Dell, Sony, Alienwware, Sager...etc.. all sell glossy computers and displays. What low supply? If anything, Apple was the last to stop using matte screens. Not sure what's in your coffee this morning?

I said it wrong. I mean how Apples computers still sell like hot cakes with glossy displays (with glass) and compare that to the lack of them in other manufacturers.

 

[HLdan]

I said it wrong. I mean how Apples computers still sell like hot cakes with glossy displays (with glass) and compare that to the lack of them in other manufacturers.

Well, I'll properly answer your question now that you've clarified. No, I haven't thought about there being a short supply of glass faceplates in the industry because Apple uses them and other manufacturer's don't. Sorry pal, I fail to see where your argument makes any logical sense. What about Aluminum? Is aluminum in short supply for computers because Apple is one of the very few companies that makes an all-aluminum computers? No. Just because you don't see companies implementing the idea doesn't mean the materials are in short supply. In terms of the glass faceplate, that's an extra cost that has to be factored in and the majority of PC notebooks are nothing but cheapo commodities and adding that glass faceplate would raise the cost. Most of the elite PC notebook computers or workstation notebooks (which are on par with the price of Apple's line) use Matte screens as I said earlier so they would have no use for a glassy faceplate.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

Well, I'll properly answer your question now that you've clarified. No, I haven't thought about there being a short supply of glass faceplates in the industry because Apple uses them and other manufacturer's don't. Sorry pal, I fail to see where your argument makes any logical sense. What about Aluminum? Is aluminum in short supply for computers because Apple is one of the very few companies that makes an all-aluminum computers? No. Just because you don't see companies implementing the idea doesn't mean the materials are in short supply. In terms of the glass faceplate, that's an extra cost that has to be factored in and the majority of PC notebooks are nothing but cheapo commodities and adding that glass faceplate would raise the cost. Most of the elite PC notebook computers or workstation notebooks (which are on par with the price of Apple's line) use Matte screens as I said earlier so they would have no use for a glassy faceplate.

I didn't mean in short supply. I just meant that other manufactures don't make similar products. Such as Dell don't use glass in their notebooks or computers displays.

So to clairify: By 'In short supply' I meant that not that many manufacturers make/sell devices similar to apple in regards to glass covered displays.

 

[HLdan]

I didn't mean in short supply. I just meant that other manufactures don't make similar products. Such as Dell don't use glass in their notebooks or computers displays.

So to clairify: By 'In short supply' I meant that not that many manufacturers make/sell devices similar to apple in regards to glass covered displays.

LOL, man, TBH with you. I can see why you've lost credibility on this thread and people are "trolling you" as you say. Twice you've corrected yourself for direct statements you said to me to clean up your wording. I'm only here for a fair discussion and not to give you a hard time but if you want people to give you a fair discussion as I am trying to do, please make sure to "read" what you are writing before you post it, otherwise you, yourself MAY appear as trolling the thread.

 

[Kebabselector]

Thankyou. As I said, we are all entitled to our own opinions.

Indeed, however.....

Just buy the glossy, and be happy with it

...doesn't sound like just an opinion

Glass is recyclable.

True, but if it wasn't included in the iMac it wouldn't need to be recycled.

Apple wants whats best not just for the environment, but for those that work with colour.

Apple could do more by offering a matte iMac - you know with out glass that needs to be formed at high temperatures and ultimately recycled. Where you get the idea that people who work with colour want gloss? If gloss/Colour vibrancy is so important why are people using Eizo or NEC matte screens?

All I want is choice, my current choice is non-Apple for monitors as they don't offer an option for me.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

...doesn't sound like just an opinion

It's also not forceful. It's a fact that there is only a glossy model, so if you want an iMac, buy it, it's genuine advice.

*snip*

well sorry for the misunderstanding, but if it's going to continue like this I may just stop posting. I'm getting slayed for giving genuine advice, and I'm sorry if I mis-worded some of my statements.

 

[Kebabselector]

I'm getting slayed for giving genuine advice.

I wouldn't give up posting, just expect when you post an authoritative statement others will take an opposing position. You are free to post what you want, of course we are also free to post a reply you may not like.

Anyway, the world would be boring place if we all agreed

 

[oilfighter]

Because it would make the iMac look stupid. If they're selling millions of units with glossy screens, then they aren't going to care.

I also believe that the only reason they offered a matte option on the MacBook Pro's Is because they are portable computers, so you're likely to be using it outdoors at some point, whereas the iMac is a desktop so it should stay indoors, so there should be no issues with a glossy.

Glossy offers superior colour and clarity, matte just looks cheap.

Just buy the glossy, and be happy with it.

Looks stupid? Maybe, Apple has always gone with Form over function. Just look at the iphone 4's antennagate

Glossy screen has more contrast, and is sharper. Problem is, it is too contrasty and too sharp for photo work. Imagine the surprise when prints comeback looking dull and muddy and crisp and sharp on the screen.

Glossy screen has it's good points, but so do matte screens, but I doubt "stupid" is one of its cons.

 

[CBAviator]

Glossy screen has more contrast, and is sharper. Problem is, it is too contrasty and too sharp for photo work. Imagine the surprise when prints comeback looking dull and muddy and crisp and sharp on the screen.

Not if you calibrate it correctly. I'm a professional photographer and I'm able to match my photos up almost identical to my glossy screen. As I said previously -- it doesn't matter to much extent which screen you have, as long as you know how to properly calibrate it.

 

[product26]

People need to chill out! Remember when ALL displays were made of GLASS?

 

[pprior]

People need to chill out! Remember when ALL displays were made of GLASS?

I've owned personal computers since 1982. I don't even want to think about how many I've purchased for my own use, but probably at least 25. I've owned low end and high end monitors, had one of the first 17" monitors (a sweet sony trinitron) that cost me nearly $2000 at the time (which would be at least double that in today's inflation adjusted dollars).

Never in all those years have I ever seen a monitor as reflective as the current Apple Glassy screens.

I'm sure there some here that go back further than I do, but AFAIK the mainframes running punchcards that came before my days didn't have glassy screens either.

In short, in this case "progress" is not a good thing at least for my use and my eyes.

 

[bigmacman]

Is it so really hard for apple to offer anti-glare option for the imac ? The Macbook pros got it, so why not apple just add that feature to the imac also? They just need to replace the glass in front of the screen with some surface which is not reflective - BAM.Everyone is happy Not everyone like glossy screens, but i guess Steve is so obsessed with that glossy thing that he forgot that While most laptops these days are with glossy screens more of the screens are still Matte.New ACD also coming to replace the 30 inch - and what ? Still only glossy . why ?

My old iMac G5 has sort of a matte screen (it's not glossy for sure), but I have no trouble adjusting to my brand new iMac's glossy screen. You just need to adjust the tilt and the brightness level to avoid any reflection.

 

[GyroFX]

i'm enjoying my glossy screen actually. It's just that my desk is right next to a window during the day. Although there are blinds, some light still gets through. At night, it's completely fine. So far, the colors do seem richer than my LCD.