Comments on: Down with reflective screens

More TVs and laptop displays are equipped with glossy screens designed to enhance brightness and contrast--but are they worth the dramatically increased reflectivity?

[swrobel]

I'm amazed that...

they still haven't moved the arrow keys down so that the right shift key isn't in that awkward position! I have a Dell 700m and I love it (especially the reflective screen, which I think is AWESOME) but I HATE the right-shift key position! Come on Dell, just about everyone else out there has figured it out (and how hard is it to figure that out). The keys don't need to be arranged in a perfect rectangle...

[swrobel]

I'm amazed that...

they still haven't moved the arrow keys down so that the right shift key isn't in that awkward position! I have a Dell 700m and I love it (especially the reflective screen, which I think is AWESOME) but I HATE the right-shift key position! Come on Dell, just about everyone else out there has figured it out (and how hard is it to figure that out). The keys don't need to be arranged in a perfect rectangle...

[electron6]

I'll second that!

Yes, some people may like them but for heaven's sake, reflective screens shouldn't be mandatory. I was surprised that CNET gave the black Apple MacBook an 8.2 rating, even though it is saddled with this design flaw that you have to bump up to the MacBook Pro to avoid. That's another $1,000!

[electron6]

I'll second that!

Yes, some people may like them but for heaven's sake, reflective screens shouldn't be mandatory. I was surprised that CNET gave the black Apple MacBook an 8.2 rating, even though it is saddled with this design flaw that you have to bump up to the MacBook Pro to avoid. That's another $1,000!

[genotypewriter]

Reflective's only good when...

... watching movies since, for some reason (deeper blacks?), it makes the compression artifacts less obvious than the non-reflective ones. But it's a small matter that anyone can get used to.

Apart from that, I just hate reflective screens for the same reasons mentioned by everyone.

[genotypewriter]

Reflective's only good when...

... watching movies since, for some reason (deeper blacks?), it makes the compression artifacts less obvious than the non-reflective ones. But it's a small matter that anyone can get used to.

Apart from that, I just hate reflective screens for the same reasons mentioned by everyone.

[markdoiron]

No to Reflective Screen

I completely agree with the article. My own laptop (Dell 6000) has a non-reflective screen, while my son's (Dell 1405) is saddled with a reflective screen. I hate using his--especially when there's a window to be reflected in it. And, I just bought a new TV, and I rejected out-of-hand any TV that was reflective. It's a joy to experience the enhanced viewing pleasure after replacing my old CRT with its screen that reflected my living room lighting, furniture and windows.

--mark d.

[markdoiron]

No to Reflective Screen

I completely agree with the article. My own laptop (Dell 6000) has a non-reflective screen, while my son's (Dell 1405) is saddled with a reflective screen. I hate using his--especially when there's a window to be reflected in it. And, I just bought a new TV, and I rejected out-of-hand any TV that was reflective. It's a joy to experience the enhanced viewing pleasure after replacing my old CRT with its screen that reflected my living room lighting, furniture and windows.

--mark d.

[doublerig]

That mirror picture was priceless.

I have a laptop with a reflective screen that I occasionally use as a mirror, so that picture of the mirror AS a flat screen really hit the mark.

[doublerig]

That mirror picture was priceless.

I have a laptop with a reflective screen that I occasionally use as a mirror, so that picture of the mirror AS a flat screen really hit the mark.

[migius]

Let's hear it for choice

Apparently in Europe it is impossible to get a notebook withOUT the annoying reflective screen. Not even on special order, from any manufacturer, anywhere in Europe. So when I bought a notebook a few months ago, I had to bend over backwards so as to order it from the US, and then they wouldn't send it because my billing address is non-US, even though my credit card is from an American bank and the shipping address was in the continental US. I won't get into the flame war but honestly, for there to be a flame war in the first place, that means there are enough of us on BOTH sides of this issue. It's a bit funny that the manufacturers would choose to ignore half of us.

[migius]

Let's hear it for choice

Apparently in Europe it is impossible to get a notebook withOUT the annoying reflective screen. Not even on special order, from any manufacturer, anywhere in Europe. So when I bought a notebook a few months ago, I had to bend over backwards so as to order it from the US, and then they wouldn't send it because my billing address is non-US, even though my credit card is from an American bank and the shipping address was in the continental US. I won't get into the flame war but honestly, for there to be a flame war in the first place, that means there are enough of us on BOTH sides of this issue. It's a bit funny that the manufacturers would choose to ignore half of us.

[Stabbing_The_Drama]

In refereance to the point made below

I have no idea what you're on about.
We have the choice between the two screen types on all customisable laptops that I've seen, and that's a lot.
It's true they all set glossy as default, but that's easily rectified and I've never seen a price difference between the two.

[Stabbing_The_Drama]

In refereance to the point made below

I have no idea what you're on about.
We have the choice between the two screen types on all customisable laptops that I've seen, and that's a lot.
It's true they all set glossy as default, but that's easily rectified and I've never seen a price difference between the two.

[acmwallace1]

reflecting everywhere

I really noticed this on a long plane flight. Trying to watch a movie on the seatback screen while I was wearing a light yellow shirt... blech. Down with reflective screens.

[acmwallace1]

reflecting everywhere

I really noticed this on a long plane flight. Trying to watch a movie on the seatback screen while I was wearing a light yellow shirt... blech. Down with reflective screens.

[GingerSnap9]

I returned Dell XPS1210

I bought Dell XPS1210 in April. I used it for a few days. I liked everything about the laptop except for the reflective screen. I couldn't stand the reflection in my office. Worse yet, I took it out to my backyard to work in the lawn chair, and I couldn't read the screen at all. I ended up returning the laptop to Dell. Down with the reflective screen!

[GingerSnap9]

I returned Dell XPS1210

I bought Dell XPS1210 in April. I used it for a few days. I liked everything about the laptop except for the reflective screen. I couldn't stand the reflection in my office. Worse yet, I took it out to my backyard to work in the lawn chair, and I couldn't read the screen at all. I ended up returning the laptop to Dell. Down with the reflective screen!

[CheddarTrek]

Just say NAY to reflective screens

I bought the XPS M1210... I was very happy with every aspect of it except the screen. I returned it.

Laptops, and ultraportables especially, are meant to be carried around. There are a lot of great performing, lightweight, small laptops out there for this purpose. The problem is that once you've taken it with you somewhere, you can't see it to make use of it. Or maybe you can see it a little, but you have to strain your eyes and try to find a dark closet to sit in to manage that much.

If the m1330 had a matte/anti-glare screen, I would have bought one already. As it is, I'm not even considering it.

So... do you think there is any chance that they might add the option? I seriously doubt it, but I'd love to know.

[CheddarTrek]

Just say NAY to reflective screens

I bought the XPS M1210... I was very happy with every aspect of it except the screen. I returned it.

Laptops, and ultraportables especially, are meant to be carried around. There are a lot of great performing, lightweight, small laptops out there for this purpose. The problem is that once you've taken it with you somewhere, you can't see it to make use of it. Or maybe you can see it a little, but you have to strain your eyes and try to find a dark closet to sit in to manage that much.

If the m1330 had a matte/anti-glare screen, I would have bought one already. As it is, I'm not even considering it.

So... do you think there is any chance that they might add the option? I seriously doubt it, but I'd love to know.