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Laptops Screens, Glare or Matte?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the the-glare-it-burns-us dept.

An anonymous reader writes "This weekend I spent half a day surfing the web looking for a new laptop. I just want (to be able to switch to) 1650x1280, or at least ...x1024, and a *non*-Glossy Display . To my surprise I found out that many vendors leave me not that much choice: ...x800, and glossy, i.e., higher-reflective type screens seem to have become the promoted defaults. Should I give up on my non-glossy wishes, or should I start flaming vendors?" I still can't understand the glossy screens. They make my eyes hurt almost immediately in any sort of ambient light, and do nothing in low light. Glossy laptop screens are like TVs on the shelf in the store with their colors all whacked out to look brighter. Once you get them into the real world, you realize that the colors are just wrong.

18 of 663 comments (clear)

  1. The better to see you with, my pretty... by The+Assistant · · Score: 5, Funny

    Glossy is better for looking at scantily clad ladies. Makes them look like they do in them thar magazines!!!!! :)

    1. Re:The better to see you with, my pretty... by jollyreaper · · Score: 1, Funny

      Glossy is better for looking at scantily clad ladies. Makes them look like they do in them thar magazines!!!!! :) Glued together?
      --
      Kwisatz Haderach
      Sell the spice to CHOAM
      This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
  2. Re:ThinkPads still use non-reflective screens by RedHelix · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just wipe it with some isopropyl alcohol, it'll tear the gloss right off. Disclaimer: Don't do this

  3. How can one find such a thing? by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 3, Funny

    It is still obviously better to just buy a better screen capable of better black levels.

    Well, yes, but trying to find that is probably going to be harder than trying to find a screen that does true 24-bit or 32-bit color, instead of 8-bit or 16-bit with dithering.

    Where do we start?

    --
    Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    1. Re:How can one find such a thing? by TheLink · · Score: 4, Funny

      Haven't you heard? There's this new fangled advanced "CRT" tech that's available in some places already:

      24 bit colour
      Good colour gamut
      Extremely good black levels
      Good contrast ratios.
      Really fast grey to grey transition times
      Extremely low input lag (some say zero, but there's no such thing right?)
      Cheaper than LCD at the lower resolutions (imagine that!).

      Cons:
      Higher power consumption.
      Heavy.

      But hey I'm, sure they'll fix the cons real soon now right? They've already solved the burn-in problems in the earlier models. ;)

      --
  4. Re:Glossy is more like reading paper by aliquis · · Score: 2, Funny

    No I had an Amiga ;)

  5. Re:Glossy is more like reading paper by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey, anyone remember 16-color EGA? :) I remember Hercules Monochrome, you insensitive clod!
  6. Re:Etch it yourself by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Because anyone who have bought a Macbook would use a recipe from someone on Slashdot on how to apply sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide to their screen

  7. Re:ThinkPads still use non-reflective screens by nmg196 · · Score: 5, Funny

    > I'm thinking about getting one of those 3-M privacy filters.

    I don't know... People spend a fortune buying expensive LCD screens with a 178 degree viewing angle, and then turn them into a $50 monitor by adding a privacy filter. It's much cheaper to simply stop looking at porn at work.

  8. Re:ThinkPads still use non-reflective screens by Applekid · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's much cheaper to simply stop looking at porn at work. That's crazy talk.
    --
    More Twoson than Cupertino
  9. Re:Glossy is more like reading paper by Guysmiley777 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "forced" into a glossy screen because the rest of this laptop was exactly what I wanted Problem solved:
    Matte Spray Paint

    Not really. But I wonder...
    --
    Coding with assembly is like playing with Legos. Coding an application in assembly is like building a car with Legos.
  10. Re:ThinkPads still use non-reflective screens by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, but at 6 bits per pixel, you may as well kill yourself.

  11. Eek. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm more concerned about airports, airplanes... ...the bozo across the way leaves his window open.

    If that happens you have bigger problems than lighting conditions.
  12. Re:ThinkPads still use non-reflective screens by Smauler · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's a cool link - I just learnt that my brand new spangly 1920 * 1200 screen shares the same aspect ratio with good old CGA at 320 * 200. I can simultaneously run 36 CGA screens on my system - that's something I really need to figure out how to do, just as soon as I get my third armpit.

  13. Re:ThinkPads still use non-reflective screens by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You're not the person I had in mind. It's the guy sleeping while the laser beam of sunrise blinds everyone in the row of seats across the aisle from him.

  14. Re:obligitory post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    What if I have only one finger you insensitive clod!

  15. Re:ThinkPads still use non-reflective screens by MBGMorden · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is Madness!!! Madness? THIS. IS. SLASHDOT!!!!

    --
    "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
  16. Re:Agreed- glossy sucks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    It's something like a 400:1 contract ratio screen with many other vices. Wow... I'd never buy one without my lawyer present.