blogs.zdnet.com — There’s a lot of buzz online about the glossy LCD screen on the new generation of iMacs, called the Aluminum iMac. Some people love it and some hate it. However, its new glossy screen may have a deeper meaning in Apple’s positioning for consumer, business and professional systems.
Aug 24, 2007 View in Crawl 4
mrmintyAug 26, 2007
Yup."There's something obviously wrong with the computer equipment that I just spent 2k on, and the company that sold it to me won't address the problem as well as not addressing the similar problems that other people are having, but that's okay. Apple is so unique and different and pretty."
inkswampAug 26, 2007
Not offering an alternative to the glossy screen was an awful decision. I've been using Macs since the early 90s, have owned several and I've loved every version of the iMac that Apple has produced (own the G4 "iLamp" too) but I loathe the glossy screen. This is one of the worst decisions Apple has ever made. I made this point repeatedly over on the MacRumors discussion forums where it was dismissed as crazy talk, but for those of us with less-than-perfect eyesight, any glare or reflection off the surface can cause eyestrain and splitting headaches after staring at it for too long. The change to matte LCD displays was a godsend for me. As much as I like Macs, this new iMac is off my list despite the fact that I will be in the market for a new machine early next year. I have no need to spend the extra on a PowerMac and the Mac Mini is too little power. Apple literally doesn't have a computer for me right now. If Apple doesn't offer an alternative by early next year, I may not be buying a Mac. That sucks.
Closed AccountAug 26, 2007
Return it to the Apple Store, then get a new one. Problem. solved.
chrism1128Aug 26, 2007
Glossy is great in my CAVE. Every time I go to a big store and compare matte and glossy side by side, I always like the matte. I can't stand the reflections.If I were designing a home theater, I would go for glossy, because I could control the lighting. However, if you are in most other environments, say an office, outdoors, part of a home that has other people, you get stuck with that horrible glare.I think that I (and probably a lot of other people) would be in those type of environments very often.
elf25Aug 26, 2007
While I've not seen one IRL, with the glossy screen.. it kind of reminds me a Star Trek TNG console. (#1, Warp 5 on my mark, Engage.)
vermifaxAug 28, 2007
People who troll on and generalize ALL Mac users in an unflattering light - Well, they're intellectually and emotionally inferior. We guys already knew that.
Closed AccountSep 15, 2007
Fact ofthe matter is that glossy is simply painful for the eyes
seasparrowOct 8, 2007
Listen, it's a 101 fact: Designers HATE glossy screens. They DO reflect insane amounts of ambient light like lamps, windows, even your own mug. It's borderline useless for pros. IMO, Apple's decision to go with a glossy screen is a calculated one. This is a company who thinks of 50 different ways to soften a corner on an iPod. They know full well that designers will balk at the glossy-only iMac, and hence be forced to spend freaking 5k on a desktop model. What is that? It's shameless, methodical marketing. Of course, I liken it to taking a wizz on their own loyal base to spur higher desktop sales. Nice, eh? At the end of the day it's not about me, or you. It's about stock-holder expectations being met. When desktop sales start slumping due to the iMac's success, this is how marketers apply their strategic "creativity."So anyway, I don't need a HUMMER-sized mac for web design and development. A matted screen option on a 24" iMac would have been ideal , and they know this. Which is why they decided not to offer it. Case in point, 99% of people out there are using non-glossy screens. So why would I want to design on something they won't be able to experience (glossy, saturated colors etc). Duhhh!!!I'm bitter at Apple for a stunt like this because it deliberately leaves me no option but the most expensive one. Is it likely they thought this through? You can bet on it. They have the best of the best thinking for them. They don't miss obvious stuff like this. And with that I simply say... L A M E.
robogoboOct 18, 2007
exactly. Some of us can't afford to drop $5000 on a tower. "Professional" doesn't mean rich.
nkthenFeb 27, 2008
<a class="user" href="http://www.seewebdirect.com">http://www.seewebdirect.com</a>
newmac007May 23, 2008
I noticed loads of glare in the store; they said it was the lighting. There is reflection in the screen; most notably if you watch a space video with a lots of background black screen. Sure you can close the blinds; etc; but matte is prolly better. Looks sexy tho; and the computer itself is wonderful. So why did Apple choose to go glary?
danielflorienApr 7, 2009
So how did I purchase an iMac with a matte screen if they never made them?I'm sorry, but it's you who don't know what you're talking about. I bought one. They made them. Now they stopped making them. It sucks not to have a choice.