Apple Brings Back Matte LCD to 15'' MBP

News
By Marcus Yam
published

MacBook Pro is back in matte.

When Apple launched its unibody MacBook like in October 2008, we were fairly impressed with the design of the hardware.

What we didn't like was the glass cover over the LCD, making it ultra glossy and reflective. While the glass looked exceptional when the screen is off or under controlled lighting conditions, it was simply a headache to deal with in bright conditions.

Perhaps in response to professionals wanting a more versatile display, Apple has finally reintroduced the matte option to the MacBook Pro 15-inch model.

The option, termed "antiglare" by Apple itself, was already available on the 17-inch model since its launch in early 2009 as a $50 option. The same option for the 15-inch also costs $50. Mind you, the antiglare option was previously a no cost thing, but at least it's back for you thinking about picking up a MacBook Pro 15-inch.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
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23 Comments Comment from the forums
  • dman3k
    Only Apple and Sony would charge more for a cheaper product...

    But only Apple could brand a cheaper and older product like "antiglare" as innovation. At least Sony's PSP2, although cheaper, is in fact newer.
    Reply
  • Pei-chen
    Apple is going to release a UV spectrum screen next time and charge people to "convert" the screen back to visible light.
    Reply
  • mindless728
    Pei-chenApple is going to release a UV spectrum screen next time and charge people to "convert" the screen back to visible light.
    nope they are going to ship the laptops without the lcd panel and charge extra for it
    Reply
  • bk420
    Apple might as well put a plasma screen. Doesn't glass make this heavy and dangerous?
    Reply
  • jdamon113
    Good, a shinny screen on a laptop is stupid anyway.
    Now its worth buying.
    Reply
  • zubai
    I want real tech news.
    Reply
  • 10tacle
    I've always preferred the glossy screens. I've got one on a Dell 17" Inspiron laptop (1920x1200). The display just looks clearer than a friend's non-glossy Inspiron 17" with the same resolution. Same goes for my Sammy 40" 1080p LCD with a glossy screen compared to his 40" Sony XBR7 with a matte screen. Games and movies just seem to "pop out" at you better.

    That said, if you absolutely *must* use a laptop in broad daylight or where ever else you could possibly be in overlit conditions, you can always buy a glare reducing insert. But, to each his own as with just about everything else in life.
    Reply
  • jerther
    50$? Wow, that's crazy...
    Reply
  • hillarymakesmecry
    If this wasn't from Apple I'd be amazed at the $50 markup. That's ridiculous.
    Reply
  • hellwig
    10tacleThat said, if you absolutely *must* use a laptop in broad daylight or where ever else you could possibly be in overlit conditions, you can always buy a glare reducing insert. But, to each his own as with just about everything else in life.I would debate the logic in purchasing a Laptop you never intended to take into uncontrolled lighting situations. If you plan to just set it up in a design studio with muted lighting, get a desktop, it'll be more powerful for the same money. For everyone else, I've found even sitting in the living room or kitchen can cause unsightly glare on a glossy screen (not my laptop). When there is no price difference between glossy and matte, go matte. If Apple wants to charge you $50, however, that anti-glare insert might be a better purchase (along with avoiding Apple altogether).
    Reply