So, the two big questions with the MacBook introduction have been the $150 premium for the black MacBook, and the debate over the laptop’s glossy screen. John Siracusa of Ars Technica throws out his two cents on the glossy screen issue over on his blog, FatBits:
Glossy displays have effectively taken over the entire laptop market. Why are they so popular? Here are three possible reasons.Siracusa’s comments aside, I have to admit that the glossy screen is one of the things giving me a moment’s pause as I decide whether or not to commit to a new laptop. I’m one of those people who really hates to spend money unwisely, to the point where I sometimes totally clam up, even in this case where I do really need a new laptop. After all, you use the screen constantly on a laptop; it’s hardly the sort of thing you just want to gloss over.
- They are better than matte-finish displays.
- They are cheaper than matte-finish displays.
- People are idiots.
Sure vibrant color is nice, but you don't see it all the time. A lot of time you just see pure glare on half the screen and your good ol' vibrance on the other. Arg! I hope they don't permanantly put them in MacBook Pros.
Your quote from Siracusa's post is potentially misleading: he suggests those three reasons as possible causes for the switch to glossy, but then discounts the first two and concludes that Apple switched to glossy mostly because people are idiots who like shiny things. They think they want glossy screens because they're shinier and more eye-catching (and with higher brightness and contrast). The glossy screen looks great in a store, but doesn't work so well for real-world usage, especially on a laptop which will be used in all sorts of variable lighting conditions.
As quoted above, you make Siracusa sound like he is suggesting that all three reasons are true, which makes the "people are idiots" line sound as if it means that people who don't like glossy screens are idiots. He's actually suggesting the opposite.
Reading the article, it's strange how some people love to call everyone else stupid. Yeah, everyone is stupid, except of course for the people who make the comment. "Only an idiot would want a laptop with a glossy screen." Right. Sure. Whatever. If matte screens are so much better with glare than glossy ones, then why do companies make and sell hoods for laptops for outdoor use LONG before glossy screens were available on laptops? It seems that they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Calling people idiots for prefering one over the other isn't cool.
I don't think that's what he was suggesting. I understood it just fine. Some people have trouble wth double negatives. Don't you think?
Seems like the glossy is a real "extra" that's more a kick in the pants than it is useful. I saw one. and was horribly unimpressed. even if it runs faster its no excuse especially since used ibooks are popping up like bob dole.
This new switch to intel, though, has me completely abandoning the mac. I've never liked intel, and intel scares me. it just shows apples will to conform for the sake of sales. just the same with the glossy display, it seems.
i sucesfully got ubuntu running on my mini with a 20 inch cinema. so now i know it works. as soon as i cant get updates, im making the switch. i'd encourage the same for all of you archaic ppc users.
...no, I definitely knew that he meant people who like glossy screens are idiots.
I've seen the new glossy screen, it is attractive, and bright, but too reflective for me. I could see some folks dealing with the glare, a trade-off for them. I'm just happy they are buying a Mac.