Filed under: Other Events, Macbook Pro, MacBook
Engadget goes hands-on with new Apple products
So far, they have played around with all of the products except the MacBook Air. You can see the hands-on pictures by clicking the links below:
You may have noticed from the pictures (i.e. the one above) that the new MacBooks/Pros only have glossy screens (and by glossy, we mean like a mirror). Apple tells me that the screens are in fact glass, and not a plastic overlay.
We want to know how you feel about Apple's move to all-glossy screens. Be sure to express your thoughts in the comments, and take part in our poll.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
grull27 said 8:34PM on 10-14-2008
Yes, it's just as awesome as my iMac's.
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B said 9:52PM on 10-14-2008
They're completely separate products with separate audiences that happen to operate under the same management. Apple can't slide an invite to and save a single seat for a blog devoted to its products? Sorry, but someone at TUAW is asleep at the wheel.
Jash Sayani said 6:15AM on 10-15-2008
Yeah, the whole display is taken from the new iMacs....
Really waiting to get one......
B said 8:42PM on 10-14-2008
That is one stop-you-in-your-tracks ugly laptop. Never mind how functionally neutered the pro models are compared to their predecessors. Congratulations to the consumers -- you have won this battle and probably the war.
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B said 8:45PM on 10-14-2008
And on a side note, how does the Unofficial Apple Weblog not score an invite to an Apple event, while a blog under the same umbrella does? Someone over there needs to spend less time writing about Flashlight iPhone Apps and learn a little public relations relations.
puhsitch said 9:04PM on 10-14-2008
Apple probably figured that it wouldn't be worth it to invite more than one blog representing Weblogs, Inc. Darn that larger-readership Engadget!
CWhite said 11:24PM on 10-14-2008
I just placed an order... for the previous Macbook Pro. I didn't see enough in the update (New case, better GPU, faster RAM) to justify the difference between a discounted older MBP and a new one. The fact that it's only glossy just helped make it an easier decision. I've never seen the appeal of glossy screens. More glare is not a good thing.
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Alain Edouard said 8:52PM on 10-14-2008
Seriously Apple. You must be kidding. MacBook Pros were originally designed to be used by professionals that are in the industry. We don't want to have a mirror we want to have a nice screen, that doesn't deform colors. I agree that the movies and pictures look better with a glossy screen, but we need to have an idea of what your design will look like for example for a graphic designer. I am not planning to upgrade my MacBook Pro with one of the mirrors. Horrible.
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TMM said 9:15PM on 10-14-2008
That was my first reaction, too.
But then I remembered that it is not a cheap glare coating, like on the white MacBook, or on the millions of cheap PC notebooks, but REAL FRIGGIN GLASS!
We've all been working on CRT displays not long ago, many of us refusing to switch to TFT, because the glass screen would be so much better than the matte TFT ...
I have to say that I really, really, extremely love the design. It's awesome.
There is no other even close to what Apple showed today.
And for the screen: since it is REAL FRIGGIN GLASS ;) and a LED backlight, I really have to check it out in person before I start to speculate and call bullshit ...
nick@mixdmedia.com said 11:06PM on 10-14-2008
As a design professional I have to agree with TMM. My first reaction was OMFG no way. But I'm going to have to check these out in person not to mention wait and see what reviews say regarding the effects on color accuracy. As much as I've come to love matte displays, maybe we do need to go back. Although - and this is the important catch - no matter what you know third party accessories companies are just itching to develop matte covers like they did for the iphone.
mcg said 11:48PM on 10-14-2008
Hmm, that the glass might make a difference is a good point I hadn't thought of. But taking that further, it also suggests that perhaps Apple could offer an upgrade to an anti-reflective coating, like you find in high-end (art quality) photo frames. Then you could get the benefits of glossy without the drawbacks.
atuck said 11:11AM on 10-15-2008
TMM, you give me hope.
Thanks! Seriously. You may be right. My first inclination was to freak out, but then I thought to myself, one really shouldnt be using ANY laptop screen for color critical work. What really bothered me was the fact that they didn't give it as an option for the cinema displays... but your point about the ol' CRT's is a damn good one. I hope hope hope hope hope you are right.
PSM said 1:48AM on 10-15-2008
You can see the reflection of the guy taking the picture in the photo above. That's all I need to see. When I use my laptop I generally am forced to face a certain way. The fact that it's portable does not mean I have any control over the surroundings in which I use it. I can't believe Schiller used that stupid excuse.
ill trooper said 3:39AM on 10-15-2008
I am a design professional, working primarily in illustrator and photoshop... and I have to say that gloss screens show deeper blacks, so if you can work in an environment where the lights stay consistent during your work session you'll probably be fine.
Also, the glass will be a welcome thing in my (Mac)book, as it will be easier to clean and it certainly won't develop the keyboard marks that you see on well-travelled ibooks, powerbooks, mackbooks and mackbook pros from the keys rubbing against the screen while it's closed.
If I have to be disappointed with today's announcements, it will be with the lack of an option for a blu-ray burner, as I would love to use one for backing up data.
TUP' said 4:43AM on 10-15-2008
Finally somebody said it. Don't forget the iPhone uses a glass screen too. I live in the VI so sun-glare (and tropical storms in a few hours) is always something I have to consider.
I've been using a matte screen protector for the iphone and I think it looks and works excellently.
This is coming from someone who opted for a matte screened 15" Macbook Pro.
Alain Edouard said 9:05PM on 10-14-2008
***And by the way, Phil Schiller answered the concerned like this:
11:01AM Q: Concern about the glossy screens. Are you going to offer another option?
Phil: You offset the reflection by the brightness, and consumers love it. One of the great things about a notebook is you can turn it however you want!
Seriously?
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SubGenius said 9:13PM on 10-14-2008
Hopefully a third party will offer an antiglare screen film for the MacBook Pro. My only concern is that considering an antiglare screen film for the iPhone costs $15, I guessing a 15.4" screen film will run about $99!
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Bloobie said 10:27PM on 10-14-2008
You can get Power Support anti-glare film on the Apple online store for about $35.
Dave S said 9:17PM on 10-14-2008
Well I was really excited leading up to this morning, i just started school for Graphic Design/Vicom and was in the market for a new notebook and was gonna make the switch to a Mac after being a PC for about 15 years now. However i gotta say im a little disappointed with the refresh and probably wont make the switch now. I was in the market for the 17″ macbook pro, but dont like that now i have to choose between a series of options that i can only get on one but not the other. I want a 17″ with a matte screen with 16001200 resolution, the new graphics chip, the new keyboard and trackpad, and the new housing(least important) but i cant have all of that all on one machine, I have to choose. This doesnt really make sense to me. I can have a low res (1400900 maximum) 15″ glossy thing i wont be able to see when there is light in the room with all the new features or i can pay full price for the 17″ that doesnt come with any of Apples new break-thrus, what gives? Hopefully enough people will complain and by the new year and i will be able to purchase the macbook pro with all the features that i want, if not they have lost one customer already. Its to bad too because i will be purchasing a copy of Adobe CS4 before next semester begins for what ever operating system I own at that time as well. Meaning whatever version i get (either mac or pc) will dictate what the next few computers i will purchase will be over the next few years, since you cant change versions of the software without purchasing a new full version. But anyway hope they address this, peace.
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jonathan ober said 10:35PM on 10-14-2008
perhaps you should look before you leap into accusations against Adobe's switching policy. Anyways, here is a link that has some of the info: http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2007/05/cs3_switching_p.html