TechRestore takes some of the gloss off of new MacBook Air with matte screen option
While there is generally no arguing with the aesthetic qualities of products that come from Apple, that beauty does sometimes come at the expense of functionality. A case in point is the unfortunate trend to glossy screens on Apple's portable computing devices. If all you do is gaze at your MacBook in a darkened space to watch movies, the shiny black screens look great. If on the other hand, like us, you need to actually get work done in a diverse range of environments, a matte screen that doesn't constantly display your own mug is preferred.
While Apple offers optional matte screen on the larger 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro, no such option is available on the new 11 and 13-inch Air models. Thankfully, the talented folks at TechRestore have come to the rescue with a retrofit. For US$249, TechRestore will replace the mirror on your slim new MacBook Air with a matte display that otherwise matches the specifications of the original. The display replacement service will be available soon, and TechRestore promises a 24-hour turnaround once they receive your machine.
Concord, CA - October, 22 2010 - TechRestore, Inc. announced today the only Matte Finish screen replacement service for 11- and 13-inch 2010 MacBook Air Unibody systems.
The new service offers an option for owners of the new 11- and 13-inch MacBook Air systems, that for personal or professional reasons, do not wish to use the high-gloss screen that is factory installed.
Unlike simple anti-glare covers, which can distort images and skew colors, the TechRestore upgrade involves replacing the super glossy, LED backlit LCD with a matte-finish screen that has the exact same specifications as the original; same resolution, same color depth, same LED backlight. We install a custom black bezel around the edge of the screen that matches the look of the unibody MacBook Pro systems and looks, well, pretty awesome.
"TechRestore was awarded a MacWorld Expo Best of Show Award for our 13" and 15" MacBook Pro Unibody Matte Screen replacement service", said Shannon Jean, Founder and President of TechRestore. "The service is wildly popular and remains the only way for Mac users to get a 13" MacBook Pro with an anti-glare, matte finish screen. We quickly received requests to add the incredible new 11- and 13-inch MacBook Air systems to our matte lineup and we are happy to oblige our customers."
Previewed at MacWorld Expo 2009, the TechRestore Overnight MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody Matte Finish Screen Replacement Service won a Best of Show award and received high praise by numerous publications, including MacWorld magazine that stated "This is, quite honestly, the machine I feel Apple should have launched as the new Unibody MacBook Pro. The engineering of the new bezel (in a nice matte black finish) is perfect; it looks just as good as the one on the stock MacBook Pro machine sitting next to it in TechRestore's booth."
The service will be available soon, with over 4000 convenient local drop-off locations throughout the country as well as local drop-off for SF Bay Area customers. The Overnight MacBook Air Matte Finish Screen Replacement Service has a 24-hour turnaround time and flat-rate pricing of $249 that includes installation of a new replacement LCD screen, free return shipping and a 1-year warranty on parts and labor. Enter your email below to be alerted when the service is available.
About TechRestore:
Created out of a passion for the products we sell and service, TechRestore brings together an unmatched repair and product expertise team of Apple Certified technicians to provide repairs, upgrades & recoveries for mobile devices such as MacBook & MacBook Pro systems, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and PSPs. With more than 20-years of experience providing award winning solutions for our customers, we've still kept our sense of wonder about how fortunate we are to work with these fantastic products and people each day. TechRestore customers can rest assured that while their products may fail them, TechRestore never will.
Contact Information
TechRestore, Inc.
925-689-9488
press@techrestore.com
http://techrestore.com
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While there is generally no arguing with the aesthetic qualities of products that come from Apple, that beauty does sometimes come at the...
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"While Apple offers optional matte screen on the larger 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro, no such option is available on the new 11 and 13-inch Air models. "
And neither are there any non-glossy options on iMacs or the current 27" LED Display for the Mac Pro. This is an issue for pro user and creative sorts who WORK at their macs. For Mac Pro users, many of us will be driven to third party displays.
Exactly the reason I won't be getting an iMac as my next Mac, I simply cannot work with those glossy screens.
Currently have a 2006 24" iMac (with a matte screen) and I'm looking to rplace it with either a refurb Mac Pro or a 17" Macbook Pro (with matte screen option) and a third party monitor (Eizo or Dell Ultrasharp).
Too bad, cause I really like the iMacs, I think the value for money is the best of the entire Apple range.
Sounds like a bad idea. A better idea than paying to void your warranty and getting a worse screen would be to change to a job that allows you to change your working location on a whim. And, seriously, who needs bright overhead lights, anyway? A small desk lamp will suffice.
October 25 2010 at 4:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf all you do is gaze at your MacBook in a dimly lit space or room with no windows, the matte screens look great. If on the other hand, like us, you need to actually get work done in a diverse range of environments including rooms with windows, an elevated train, your back porch, or on location at a customer site, a glossy screen that doesn't constantly display solid white diffusion obfuscating your entire screen is preferred.
October 25 2010 at 11:15 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyUgh, it was better with formatting, but the comment engine stripped it out.
"If all you do is gaze at your MacBook in a "
dimly lit space or room with no windows, the matte
"screens look great. If on the other hand, like us, you need to actually get
work done in a diverse range of environments"
including rooms with windows, an elevated train, your back porch, or on location at a customer site, a glossy screen that doesn't constantly display solid white diffusion obfuscating your entire screen
"is preferred."
You could also resume worrying about the weather. About on a par with "controversy" over glossy screens.
Ask any TV retailer.
Moans about glossy screens and volume / lock buttons as if it's the end if the world.
What a pathetic bunch.
Does anybody know if it's possible to replace my 13'' Macbook Pro screen (1280*800) for one of the new Air screens with bigger resolution?
October 25 2010 at 11:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAs I understand it from other reviewers, unlike regular/pro MacBooks, MacBook Air does NOT come with a protective glossy glass in front of the screen, so it's not nearly as reflective as they want you to believe.
Knowing how particular Apple is in their selection of screen technologies, I also highly doubt that the replacement screen is as good as Apple's, but I'm just guessing.
Would be nice of TUAW to check these sorts of issues first, rather than just reprint a press release.
Hi Richard,
You're correct, the 2010 MacBook Air does not have the mirror-like glass screen cover that the current MacBook Pro systems use. However, the MBA does use a glossy-finish LCD screen that is pretty reflective. For photographers and Mac users that need to see their screens better outside, the matte finish screen is a much requested option.
Regarding the screen itself, we use the exact same screen that Apple does, just in a matte, anti-glare finish. It is an incredible screen that Apple has designed for the new MBA - we just posted some take-apart photos of inside the screen, showing just how paper-thin it really is.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/techrestore/5112941225/in/set-72157625236059010/
Thanks!
Shannon Jean
Founder
TechRestore
Well Richard,
I'll believe it when I see some shots of the actual product with the new anti-glare screen. and black bezel. Or antiglare screen and silver bezel.
Right now all I have are those shoddy pics of a shoddy job, Show us a finished product.
TechRestore has notoriously always been terrible at replacing screens with a matte option.
Look how what a shoddy job they do: http://www.macworld.com/article/138574/2009/02/techrestorembp.html
It's horrendous.
Thanks for discussing our new 2010 MacBook Air Matte screen replacement service. We've had thousands of inquiries about the service, so clearly some folks still enjoy the classic, non-reflective screens.
Regarding the MacWorld review - the unit that they had received was an early prototype that did have some lower bezel scratches in it. They used a super-close up shot to show these small scratches on one of the first units we converted. If you watch the video review, you can listen to their comments about the high quality of the upgrade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRBar-oNKFU
We have performed thousands of these Matte Screen upgrades since this review and it remains one of our most popular screen replacement programs.
Thanks again,
Shannon Jean
Founder
TechRestore
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