Get a Matte Book Pro for $199

The lack of a matte option on the unibody MacBook line continues to elicit protest on the Internet. I used to be a squealing member of this camp, since my reaction to my own reflected physiognomy is Medusa-like, if not in calcification than in nightmarish, shrieking ululation. But it's funny how quickly I became a convert: while the occasional reflection is annoying, ultimately, the colors on the screen really do look a lot better, and the ability to wipe mysterious genetic filth off of the screen with anything on hand can't be underestimated. Glass is great.

Regardless, if you still want a matte MacBook Pro screen, Techrestore can hook you up. It's not just a cheap matter overlay: it's a replacement LCD said to be the "same specs" as Apple's. I don't actually think the price is that unreasonable: $199 for the replacement LCD, which seems cheap compared to some of the $500 MacBook paintjobs some companies sell.

Matte Screen MacBook Pro [Techrestore via Ars via Crunch]

[#1 posted by pork musket , January 20, 2009 9:51 AM]

I was specing out a 17" MBP a few days ago, and they have the matte (I think they called it anti-glare) option for $50. I think I managed to convince work to order one for me in a month or so... hooray. But my point is: it may be a factory option sooner rather than later.

[#2 posted by Skep , January 20, 2009 11:19 AM]

I gotta say I think $199 to replace the entire screen on a 15" unibody MBP seems pretty darn cheap, especially when just having a service technician even look at your computer can cost $150.

I'm not sure about the Apple optional matte offering on the 17" unibody MBP. The Apple Reps swear it is the same LCD, just without the glass bonding, but the apparent brightness of the matte was significantly lower than the glossy--even after setting both computers to factory default calibration and turning off the auto dim feature. Hard to know what to believe, especially since the color temperature of the two was significantly different, even though it should have been identical thanks to the factory color calibration setting.

[#3 posted by dhl , January 20, 2009 3:55 PM]

It may have the "same specs" on paper but how does it actually look? I think the screen on my unibody is awesome. $199 installed, *plus* they keep your apple screen may not be such a great deal. It all depends on the panel they're using.

[#4 posted by Michael Leung , January 20, 2009 7:15 PM]

Same specs? Full crisp HD, near Cinema Display-quality panels?

I doubt it.