racoma.netI love to write. I write to live. I live to love.

Of all the notebook computers, netbooks and LCD screens I’ve ever had, only two had glossy screens. Most of the others have those dull, matte screens. Now most laptop and netbook marketing materials would want you to believe that glossy screens are the best. Well, to some extent they are good. They give crisper colors, brighter images and higher contrast levels.

But that’s not all. Do you know that glossy screens come with tremendous amounts of glare as well?

Glossy screens are bright and rich when the surrounding environment is relatively dark. These are great for watching movies and videos. But when you’re using your laptop and you have a bright window behind you, then chances are you’ll have to strain your eyes just to filter out the glare. And don’t even think about using your computer outdoors in the sunlight!

Matte screens, meanwhile, might not be as crisp or contrast-y. But they’re better for use in situations where you might have bright lights around you, such as in a workplace or even outdoors. There’s not much glare, after all.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against glossy screens. Both matte and glossy screens have their own purpose, and each has its own advantage and disadvantage. Glossy screens are great for multimedia–watching videos, DVDs, and viewing photos. Matte screens, meanwhile, are great for working on documents, spreadsheets, and the like.

I prefer matte screens, as my work mostly involves writing and reading a lot of stuff on the Web. I just want something that’s comfortable on the eyes, especially during extended use.

Some manufacturers, like Apple, give you a choice between the glossy or matte screen. Most of the time, though, you don’t have a choice. With other computer makers, glossy screens even come at a premium! There are even after-market modifications that will turn your matte screen to a glossy one (with a glossy overlay). I think many hardware manufacturers and marketers are quick to praise glossy screens too much. After all, most people want their computers to be multimedia machines, with bright and crisp screens. But it’s just hype. Consumers should be able to decide based on what they want and need.

Have you bought a laptop, netbook or LCD screen lately? If so, did you make an active, conscious decision whether to go for matte or glossy? If you were to buy one now, which would you choose?

image credit: flickr/halans