Apple adds antiglare to 15-inch MacBook Pro

(Credit: Apple)

Apple on Tuesday added an antiglare upgrade option to its 15-inch MacBook Pro line of notebooks.

The option of an antiglare display has already been available on the 17-inch MacBook Pro. The 13-inch counterpart continues to offer only a glossy display.

First reported by AppleInsider and confirmed for CNET by Apple, the antiglare display is a $50 upgrade via Apple's online store.

The glossy versus antiglare debate has been ongoing since the glossy version was first introduced on notebooks. For some, it's a matter of aesthetics or eye strain. And then there are creative professionals who maintain that color is more accurate on an antiglare display. Others say it doesn't really matter.

[fokkwp]

Anti-glare! Another innovation from Apple that will turn the industry on its head!

[LaTene_Man]

Please stop trolling.

[ckh1272]

@fokkwp and dano10000--- Please get a grip on reality next time. This article did its job in baiting people like you to get more hits. Now, if someone could find a way to stop the trolling epidemic, that would be innovation. It is about time Apple offered the anti-glare for the 15" model though. It seemed a little silly that it took this long.

[dirtykid]

It's about time. I've been hating this revolution of seeing my face on whichever page, file of error message I am trying to read... Now if only the option could become 'free' like it used to be before shiny screens took over the universe.

[benjwah]

Yeh, I was wondering when "not having your laptop double as a mirror" became an added extra.

[BogusBasin]

@fokkwp

How sweet. Are we mad? Tired of all the attention Apple gets for innovating? Waaaaaa

Amen

[Seaspray0]

Apple doesn't design or make screens and other OEM's already use antiglare screens from the companies that actually do design and make the hardware.

I do think it is a positive step for apple. It shows they are listening to the customers who have complained about this issue. Now customers have a choice.

[BogusBasin]

@Seaspray

That is the least offensive post from you yet. Kudos. Now please enlighten us. Post a link to another laptop manufacturer that offers Matte AND glossy finish as an option and the price they charge for it? Please?

Thanks Seaspray. You're the best!

Amen

[monkeyfun14]

@BogusBasin

Thats not an innovation at all. Simply an option. Yay you get to choose the screen. Good luck on your choosing of the other parts.

[BogusBasin]

First of all, I wasn't suggesting that including a matte finish option was an innovation. I was simply pointing out the fact that fokkwp was being sarcastic about the industry's fascination with Apple innovations.

@monkeyfun
You mean like my ability to choose the processor, memory, hard drive and operating system of my Macbook Pro? Including the option of choosing MS Windows? Thanks dude, but you don't need to wish me luck on choosing the parts. Apple gladly provides me with plenty of options. Maybe you should become more informed before you make yourself look like, well..............a monkefun14.

Amen

[dhavleak]

@ BogusBasin

You're going to town on the trolling, aren't you? Very well, let me indulge you.

First -- go to Dell's website and check out the Vostro 1520 display options. Note that you have an option between glossy (Dell calls it TrueLife) and matte (Dell calls it Anti Glare). Note how they are priced *exactly the same* for the same resolution. You'll get that same option on other Vostro laptop models as well. If you prefer glossy screens, you have their entire Inspiron and XPS models to choose from as well. If you prefer matte screens you have their entire Latitude lines to choose from. Not to mention that they offer an excellent variety in display resolutions for each model as well.

It took me 3 minutes to get this information on Dell's site. You claim to have spent 10 minutes there and not found the option (let alone the pricing information)? I guess that's what we should expect from trolls.

[BogusBasin]

@dhavleak

Uh oh. Look again my friend. Vostro 1520 does in fact include the matte finish at no extra cost. They charge extra for the glossy. But that's different because....well it's different. Good call on the Inspiron and XPS not giving you any option except glossy and the Latitude not giving you any option except matte. Wow. You really showed me how you don't get option and when you do, you PAY for it.

I am humbled.

Amen

[dhavleak]

Dell Vostro 1520 display options:

15.4 inch WXGA Anti-Glare LED Display [Included in Price]
15.4" Premium WXGA+ Anti-Glare Display (Wide View) [add $79]
15.4" Premium WXGA+ Display with TrueLife? (Wide View) [add $79]

How to get here? Go to Dell.com > Small and Medium Business > Laptops > Vostro > 1520 > select the second package (any package will probably do , that just happens to be the one I clicked on), and then scroll down to display options.

Perhaps you don't understand the specs listed? In that case, you should stay away from commenting on technology news. In fact, you should not have such strong opinions/biases if you understand this stuff so poorly.

[BogusBasin]

@dhavleak

This is really fun. Thanks for posting those specs for me. You did a good job of proving my point that it costs $79 extra for the Glossy option. Wow. Apple gives it for free. And they only charge $50 for the Matte finish. You sure showed me!

Keep it coming! I am having a really fun time!

Amen

[pithenumber]

@Bogus
Matte is far superior to Glossy
its just that people like shiny things

[dhavleak]

The price difference is for a higher resolution. Thanks for playing :)

[surfandwork]

Why should there be a $50 "upgrade" fee? Is the screen better? Those MacBook Pros cost a lot to begin with.

[kelmon]

It depends on your requirements. If you use your MBP as an entertainment laptop then the glossy screen will give you the best experience and a stock model will be fine. However, if you need colour accuracy (such as photographers) then a matte display is essential because a glossy display tries to "enhance" the colours in your images.

[badasscat]

Glossy screens don't give *anyone* the "best experience". They do nothing whatsoever besides act as a neutral density filter, which you can do just as easily yourself by turning the usually-blinding default brightness down, and which manufacturers could help with by turning down the backlight (or giving us the option to do),

All glossy screens do in practice is add ridiculous reflections. But they fulfill a certain uneducated niche's idea that shiny things are better, hence their popularity.

Hopefully it is a fad that will end soon.

[lazycat202]

"
All glossy screens do in practice is add ridiculous reflections. But they fulfill a certain uneducated niche's idea that shiny things are better, hence their popularity."

ouchccc!! that hurt!! :)

[ballmerisanape]

I've been enjoying the glossy screen on my iMac.. but can see why a glossy screen could be a problem on a laptop in various lighting conditions.

[G|Net]

Heh, I love it, an "upgrade" price to reintroduce a feature the 15" MacBooks and PowerBooks used to have...

[BigGuns149]

It isn't the first time that Apple has backpedaled on something with their laptops. They backpedalled on excluding FW800 on the first gen 15.4" MBP. They backpedalled on excluding FW on the 13" Macbooks and now they are backpedalling on allowing a non-glossy screen for the 15.4". Since 2006 Apple keeps trying to see what they can get away with and then people balk and then they bring a removed feature back.

How much you want to bet that they will bring back Expresscard/34 on the 15.4" MBP? When USB 3.0 hits the market I sense that a lot of people will feel ripped off that their ~2K not only is missing a useful feature, but has no ability to even add USB 3.0 ports via an expresscard slot.

I somewhat wish they stayed with DVI as opposed to go to mini-Displayport because there are virtually no monitors that use Displayport and save for Apple's 24" none use mini-DP forcing one to use an adapter to hook up virtually ANY external display.

[DR.Bod]

Great, buy a macbook pro and pay more for what is standard with other companies...

[BogusBasin]

I spent about 10 minutes on Dell website. Can't find a laptop that even offers a matte finish. So I can't say whether or not they charge for it.

Amen

[badasscat]

Lenovo does not charge for it on ThinkPads.

[BogusBasin]

Can't find the option with Sony or HP either. Looked at a Lenovo Thinkpad. Couldn't find it there either. BTW:
Lenovo Apple
2.4Ghz 2.26Ghz
WinVista Ultimate Mac OSX Ultimate
12.1 glossy screen 13 glossy screen
Intel graphics 4500mhd NVIDIA 9400M 256MB
160GB HDD 160GB HDD
2GB Ram 2GB Ram
$1239 $1194

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/systemconfig.runtime.workflow:LoadRuntimeTree?sb=:00000025:00001CCF:&smid=6194D04805DF4296B0D1A64481A943A4

http://macmall.com/ttsvr/n/macNavLinks-305?q=7836991

So much for the Apple tax. And so much for paying more for what is standard with other companies....

Amen

[The_happy_switcher]

No, you're allowed to keep your Dell Laptop/boat anchor.

[sting7k]

@BogusBasin, Latitudes and business models still have them.

[BogusBasin]

@sting7k

Links? Costs?

Amen

[monkeyfun14]

@BogusBasin

http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/notebooks/laptop_latitude_e6500/pd.aspx?refid=laptop_latitude_e6500&s=bsd&cs=04

Starting at $776

[BogusBasin]

@monkey

Sorry dude, still no option of a matte finish. Keep trying though! Why would you post a link to a laptop with no matte finish option? Why would you do that monkey? Why?

Maybe you would like a nice box of crayons.

Amen

[pithenumber]

@Bogus
as a business laptop, Latitudes have matte as their only option
Thinkpads also have matte screens by default

[BogusBasin]

@pithenumber

Give me a link to a laptop that gives you the option of either glossy or matte and doesn't charge a fee for either option. Go ahead. Please. I agree the option should not cost extra. What I'm saying is, too bad. Because I don't see ANYONE offering a CHOICE that doesn't involve a difference in price. Some laptops come with matte. Some come with glossy. Those that offer a choice charge you a fee. I don't agree with it, but it isn't just Apple.

Amen

[kelmon]

Better late than never. However, I will never understand why they removed the option of a matte screen in the first place and why it took them so long to bring it back. Absolute madness.

[La_Mont]

In this economy even apple has to bow to market forces.

[darthstupid]

So is this an anti-glare coating on a glossy screen or is this a regular matte screen?

[assman]

It's a regular matte screen.. that question made me laugh though.

[sting7k]

Excellent question. Just go back to the matte finish!

[tektaktyks]

wow,that corporation is brilliant i must say,i wonder whats next.maybe they can rearrange the keyboard and say that this is better but hey if u want the old (perfectly good )layout u can pay us 50 bucks. they r worst that other corporations in the computer business but some actually believe its cool to support them.brilliant.

[The_happy_switcher]

Is English your first language?

[tektaktyks]

no,u wanna point out my grammar?:)

[The_happy_switcher]

No, your ignorance/rambling comes through just fine the way it's written.

[Dalkorian]

@happy, it will be when he graduates from elementary school. :D

[BogusBasin]

Actually, I think the grammar and spelling actually enhance the ignorance! Good job!

Amen

[Perry_Clease]

"no,u wanna point out my grammar?:)'

Begin a sentence with an upper case letter. Begin a pronoun with an upper case letter. Put a space after a comma, and a period. Spell out words, "you" instead of "u" and so on.

Yes, Apple could rearrange the keyboard and call it better because indeed it might be better, or it may not. Remember the Dvorak keyboard, it never took off for a number if reasons. Anyway, on the virtual keyboard of iPhone you can have a number of international keyboards, Spanish, Arabic, Greek and so on. If you are typing an email and need to insert an Arabic or Russian word you can touch a "key" with a "globe" icon, and the keyboard with toggle to the next language in your preferences settings. It is entirely possible for Apple to include a Dvorak keyboard on the iPhone. Personally I think that we will see virtual keyboards for Mac and MacBooks, as well as the MacTablet. Now there will be those who will argue that they need a physical keyboard. Well I have gotten used to the virtual keyboard on the iPhone as well as the glossy screens of my iMac.

[santuccie]

@Perry_Clease:

Actually, you begin a proper noun with a capital letter, not a pronoun. Pronouns are like "he, she, they, it, etc." So while we're helping people brush up on their grammar, there's a pointer for you.

That said, I have yet to experience an optical keyboard, but will probably be sticking to tradition in this case. Antiglare is not a bad idea, though. Too bad it doesn't come on a PC; my next purchase will probably be a Studio XPS. I am in need of some fairly quick graphics processing, and am looking at the X1640-026B.

[Perry_Clease]

"Actually, you begin a proper noun with a capital letter, not a pronoun. Pronouns are like "he, she, they, it, etc." So while we're helping people brush up on their grammar, there's a pointer for you."

I stand corrected.

[tektaktyks]

@Dalkorian,please explain how graduating any school teaches u english if they dont teach english in those schools,u must be a mac genius...

[Seaspray0]

Lay off, people. If I had my way, every one of you would have your comments deleted... except for the one made by Perry_Clease. Nice post, Perry.

[gogoyo]

So what about those of us that bought our 15" mac book pro's 3 weeks ago? I am still on debate with myself which I like better. I honestly think that the Glossy screen gives it a better picture and definition quality. But at the same time I hate seeing everything that is behind me, especially in a room with lots of lights.

[Inconnux]

a reasonable option, many times I wish my Toshiba had it.

[sting7k]

Man do I HATE glossy screens. To me the single greatest advantage of LCD panels was their matte finish that gave zero glare. These glossy screens are like mirrors, I don't know what any company was thinking switching to them. Or understand who likes them in comparrison, they hurt my eyes and are a pain to use because of the horrible reflections and glare.

[EvanSei]

anti-glare is a great idea, but come on macs are overpriced to begin with, why on earth are they charging more to get anti-glare. for the "best computer on the market" it should be free! all this shows is that apple cares more about getting your money than giving you a fare shake. they might have great products but how far can they go before people begin to recognize the major screwing going on!

[chris_d]

Wow, when I got mine the matte screens didn't cost more. Then they got rid of them. Now they're back but cost extra? Really lame, Apple.

[LaTene_Man]

agreed, agreed, should just be an option, no additional cost.
It's like they opted for cheaper glare screens and took the matte away and then all of a sudden said, you can have your matte screens back, but it'll cost you extra. It's like floormats on cars or something. Jeesh!

[BogusBasin]

BTW, for all the fud I am spreading in here. Which is really, really fun by the way; I agree the matte option should not cost extra for what it's worth.

Amen

[Vegaman_Dan]

Matte screens are indeed cheap. I bought a replacement screen for my 15" MacBookPro for less than $200. Glossy screens were well over $300 for the same unit.

[sodapop2k9]

i hate the glossy

[BogusBasin]

You are in luck! Our good friend dhavleak pointed out that you can get a Dell Latitude or a Vostro 1520 with a matte finish at no additional charge! Unfortunately, you can't get glossy as an option on the Latitude. You CAN in fact have a choice with the Vostro 1520! Uh, oh; that option will cost you $79! The nerve of some people to charge extra for options! Where's the humanity I tell ya!

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?amp;cid=fast_Config&dgc=IR&lid=V1520ci&c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=bqcwc3zb&s=bsd

Amen

[dhavleak]

You are seriously the worst Troll ever.

The $79 is for the upgrade from WXGA to WXGA+ resolution. If you can't understand these simple things, stay away from tech blogs.

[BogusBasin]

@dhavleak

And the only option for that laptop that has a glossy screen is the upgraded WXGA+ which does in fact cost $79 as per your above post which I will now copy here for you. Again, thanks for proving me right.

Would you like a box of crayons?

Amen

Dell Vostro 1520 display options:

15.4 inch WXGA Anti-Glare LED Display [Included in Price] ================matte finish (Free)
15.4" Premium WXGA+ Anti-Glare Display (Wide View) [add $79]===========matte finish ($79)
15.4" Premium WXGA+ Display with TrueLife? (Wide View) [add $79]=======glossy finish ($79)
Please show me where it says glossy finish [Included in Price]
If you can't understand these simple things, stay away from tech blogs.

[Vegaman_Dan]

@BogusBasin;

The Dell Latitude line does indeed have glossy screens as an option. It's a choice you make during your order process.

i'm in the business of dealing with this sort of thing every day. Are you?

[BogusBasin]

@Vegaman

Link please

[msjonker]

Wow, good thing CNet is only obsessed with Apple. There would be thousands of these blog entries if they did this for every manufacturer...

[Perry_Clease]

CNET has stories on a number of products and services. http://news.cnet.com/latest-news/?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

[jscott418]

Gloss was done for the simple fact of adding a sense of more color to the screen. To the untrained eye user's think its better. Some would say it allows manufactures to use a cheaper screen. What ever the real reason I think its a shame Apple feels it has to charge $50 for it. I for one like the glossy screen as a screen but hate it when I have back lighting that causes so many reflections. One reason I kept my old iMac so long because it still had a matte screen. When I bought my next desktop I went with a Mac Mini just to avoid the glossy screen on the iMac. I ended up with a nice Dell because of this. Maybe all this glossy hype will run its course one day and we will get back to a choice at least.

[ppgreat]

My eyes!! My eyes!!

[BogusBasin]

+1

[davidmichelle--2008]

It's about time! Apple should extend the anti-glare option to the rest of it's products. I hope the glossy screen fad will pass soon.