[Ron K]

I am now considering a 13" MacBook Air, so I am waiting for the next generation to come out soon. When I review the options for current model upgrades, i notice there are none for a matte screen. Is the new MBA scheduled to include that option? Also, can anyone tell me why Apple has decided that the glossy screed should be the default choice in the MacBook line? Some years previously the matte screen was the default and I like it a lot as I could use my laptop in a variety of conditions. The glossy screen is OK if you have a controlled environment, but otherwise it is just an annoyance. Why would Apple choose to annoy its customers? Is it worth the money to them? On one level it seems absurd. Are the matte screens that much more expensive to include? Thanks for your time and consideration in replying.

[Waragainstsleep]

Matte screens have an extra layer to make them matte instead of glossy so this makes them more complicated and therefore more expensive to produce. Glossy screens give better contrast, darker colours tend to look richer where on matte panels they can wash out a bit. Apple deemed this preferable for consumer grade machines and then just all machines. It was probably a combination of this and the availability of glossy panels from suppliers that caused the change in policy.

All MacBooks and Airs have had glossy screens since their inception. The non-unibody MacBook Pros had matte displays and they are now the only Macs with a matte option from Apple. The iMacs and Cinema Displays are all glossy without exception. Even behind the glass panels.

I can say with a very high level of confidence that the next Airs will not have matte displays, optional or otherwise.

Apple checked their complaints department for messages about glossy displays and they only found two. One from Veltliner, and one from SierraDragon

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by Waragainstsleep 

Matte screens have an extra layer to make them matte instead of glossy so this makes them more complicated and therefore more expensive to produce.

Yup.

Apple today is primarily a consumer electronics company, and base-level consumers are thriving on cheap glossy displays; just walk in to Costco or in to Wal-Mart.

Originally Posted by Waragainstsleep 

...Apple checked their complaints department for messages about glossy displays and they only found two. One from Veltliner, and one from SierraDragon

Needless to say, I disagree with this part... The facts also disagree.

Actually Apple found very large negative response from images professionals regarding glossy-only displays, duh. That is why they now go to the trouble to include matte as higher-end options in the top end MBPs - and why many images pros now buy external displays from Eizo, NEC, Viewsonic etc. rather than buy glossy-only Apple Cinema Displays. A shame really, because Apple's industrial design is so superior that many of us used to willingly pay the premium for ACD.

We do agree that the glare displays present stronger color and stronger contrast. Whether or not that stronger color and stronger contrast is desirable each purchaser should individually decide based on A-B comparison under the various different lighting conditions experienced with laptop use.

Personally I find that matte displays better approximate the way that my eyes/brain sees things, and better approximate the way the original image as perceived by my eyes/brain views printed on Epson Premium Lustre or Matte Paper using an Epson Stylus Pro 3800. Also IMO, glossy displays present the same image as relatively more vivid, and I do not want a client asking why the end result does not look as vivid as the MBP-viewed image did. Of course I could print Velvia-type work on glossy, but I outgrew that a few decades ago.

We do agree that in a carefully lighted viewing location glare can be minimized. Star Wars viewed in a darkened room will be more dramatic on a glossy display. Of course, most folks buy laptops for portable use and viewing locations may not be ideally lighted.

We also agree that the high resolution matte-display option is likely only to be found in the higher end "pro" laptops. MBAs will probably remain positioned at the low end and as such probably will not be offered with a high resolution matte-display option.

One can add an external matte display to any Mac; performance consequences will depend on the Mac and the apps.

-Allen Wicks

[Ron K]

Thank you so much for the advice and insights. I've had an iMac with a glossy screen for a few years and I guess I am just tired of looking at my own reflection, even though I can control the lighting conditions for the most part. Since I will be traveling for the next 9 months, I really need to purchase the lightest option Mac notebook that still has some power, and this 13" seems to work. In addition, if it got stolen, I would not be out as much money as the MBP series. Thanks again.

[SierraDragon]

Sounds like a new MBA may suit you well. I only say may because we have not seen them yet. Personally I am guessing that the new MBAs will rock.

Traveling I suggest laptop insurance (not Applecare), and also getting cheap card reader and SDHC cards like
Amazon.com: Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card with Card Reader TS16GSDHC6-S5W: Electronics
for images and other data backup. Keep backup always separate from the theft-target laptop. SDHC cards are small and cheap enough that you could even routinely mail them home.

However note that I have no idea how prone to data corruption and/or theft such cards may be in the mail. Security folks worldwide often have huge egos coupled with pea brains, so who knows what they may do with SDHC cards.

-Allen

[Ron K]

Thanks Allen

what laptop insurance do you recommend? I will do all that I can to protect both the laptop and the data by keeping the backups separate from the laptop. But, I can't "guard" it all of the time, especially since I will be staying in hotels and resort cottages.

[Mojo]

Ron, I am planning on buying an 11" MBA for traveling when the new models are released. I do not care for Apple's "glassy" displays, which is why I snagged an MBP 15" when the unibody models were announced and there was no apparent anti-glare option. While the MBA display does not appear to be as glassy as the MacBooks, it is still reflective.

TechRestore is planning on offering an anti-glare MBA replacement screen but it may not be available in time for you. TechRestore's anti-glare LCDs for MacBooks are around $200.

I am going to use the Power Support anti-glare film: Anti-Glare Film - MacBook Air 13" - Shop | Power Support USA.

I have used the same film on an iPad for over a year. It was easy to apply (no air bubbles!), it eliminates fingerprints and it has held up well. It eliminates glare and I do not notice any degradation of the display. People have even commented about how nice the display looks compared to the stock iPad LCD. The iPad film is the most expensive product that I considered, but this review First Looks: Power Support Anti-Glare and Crystal Film For iPad | iLounge and my own experienced confirms that it is worth every penny. Unlike some films, it is relatively thick, which makes it easier to apply and it resists scratching.

I purchased the anti-glare film before my iPad arrived. Since I applied the film as soon as I removed the iPad from its box, there was no dust to deal with and I didn't have to clean the iPad display. I use Radtech OmniCleanz for cleaning the iPad and it does a great job without harming the film. (I also use OmniCleanz on all my electronics and camera lenses. It is non-conductive, so there are no worries when using it on portable Macs, keyboards, etc..)

If you wind up trying the Power Support film I hope that you will return to this thread and let us know how it works for you. You are not alone in wanting a fix for Apple's glassy displays...

[Ron K]

I have just been researching laptop insurance to cover loss by theft or damage. There are very few companies that offer a reasonable policy; and by reasonable I mean both in price and in guarantee. Here is one company that I contacted that be suitable: Laptop Insurance from the leading laptop insurance provider | Worth Ave. Group
I am not sure how I can get around the Applecare policy since it offers such good phone support, and repair. The big drawback is that I am traveling in the Philippines and may not get the quality repair I can get domestically. However, I do know that the Philippines does have Mac support, as a friend of mine brought his laptop to an Apple store in Cebu and was satisfied with the result. So, what alternative is there to Applecare, in terms of support and warranty repair issues?

[SierraDragon]

Your FREE warranty covers a year, no need to buy very expensive AppleCare now. At the end of a year you can decide if the high price of AppleCare is justified to cover parts failures of a then year-old computer for months 13-36, damage and theft not covered. Don't worry, at about 11 months Apple will not let you forget that the opportunity to spend your money insuring parts on an already-depreciating computer is fast disappearing.

Statistically AppleCare is a ridiculous expenditure from a warranty-expenditure cost-effectiveness standpoint. However the phone support may well be worth the cost for many folks.

HTH

-Allen Wicks

[OreoCookie]

I do recommend AppleCare: 3 years is (almost) the life span of the computer for me. If you use your computer as a professional tool, IMHO there is no way around getting a three-year warranty.*

* There are some Mac distributors in Germany that offer their own version of AppleCare which also cover accidents.

[SierraDragon]

The value of buying an extended warranty or not is just about cost/benefit and risk, it has nothing to do with what you use the box for. If the box fails under extra-cost extended warranty you take it to Apple for repair. If the box fails out of warranty you have additional choices:

• Take it to Apple for repair. No difference from AppleCare as to how quickly it is back working, the only difference is who pays for the repairs.

• Buy a new box immediately. Note that this may be the fastest return to operation if the box is mission-critical with the kind of backup that a mission-critical tool deserves.

• Fix it yourself (or third party like OWC, etc.) with newer/faster less expensive parts. Since hard drives are often what fails, replacing the hard drive yourself always provides a larger/faster drive at a fraction of the cost of AppleCare, and AppleCare would only be giving you back the original slower/smaller drive.

Once you exclude hard drives and other inexpensive fixes, the failure rate of Macs during months 13-36 is tiny. AppleCare is good for those who have extra money now but cannot safely self-insure I guess, but that issue is less important now that prices have fallen so much and keep falling.

[Ron K]

I am ready to purchase the new 13" MBA. I have initially settled on the 1.70GHz i5 256GB model (MC966LL/A) at MacMall for $1,502.52. However, I am wondering if it is really worth the money to upgrade to the 1.80GHz i7 model (ZOME-18GH4GB256) which is priced at $1,614.08? That is a difference of $111.56. And then the next upgrade is to the 2.13GHz i7 using Nividia GeForce 320M model (Z0JH-2.13-4GB) which prices out at $1,749. This is a difference of $246.48 and starts getting a bit pricy for my pocket. So, I would like to know what real advantages there would be in upgrading, and is it worth the price?

In addition, I must prepare to transfer all of my data from my iMac and dread using the USB 2.0 port as it is slug slow and takes hours and hours to transfer. Previously, when I had a MBP, I was able to use the FireWire port, but the MBA does not have one, and the Thunderbolt port is pretty useless since there are no reasonably priced peripherals. My iMac has an ethernet port, so I am would like to know if a USB ethernet adapter would provide a faster transfer rate? My only serious complaint with the MBA is that Apple has not provided at least one fast transfer port that is currently in use, like FireWire 800 or USB 3.0. I can purchase portable HDs that employ one or both of those ports. Obviously Thunderbolt will be supported some time in the future, but for now all I have are these super slow USB 2.0 ports which I have never used on my iMac to transfer data since I have both ethernet and FireWire 800. Any and all advice and suggestions will be much appreciated.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by SierraDragon 

Once you exclude hard drives and other inexpensive fixes, the failure rate of Macs during months 13-36 is tiny.

Actually, the slot-in drives have a ridiculous failure rate. And they are expensive to get fixed by Apple.

Myself, I self insure. But for my parents, I will get Apple Care. At around $ 185 (cheapest online), that's really not that bad.

-t

[Ron K]

Applecare is priced at $175.00 which is the cheapest online that I have found. Here is the site link: http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/index.cgi?command=dispitem&sku=10125&type= sku

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Actually, the slot-in drives have a ridiculous failure rate. And they are expensive to get fixed by Apple.

Myself, I self insure. But for my parents, I will get Apple Care. At around $ 185 (cheapest online), that's really not that bad. -t

I do not have hard data but I find it hard to believe that the rate during months 13-36 could be all that high (1-12 months warranty failures do not count).

However I did not know that AppleCare could be had for ~$185. That price is civilized, as opposed to the $349 Apple wants on an $1800 MBP. At $185 my arguments against AppleCare are seriously weakened.

-Allen

[SierraDragon]

Deleted by poster.

[Mojo]

I have recommended the L.A. Computer for AppleCare for several years. Unlike eBay sellers, the L.A. Computer Co. is an authorized Apple reseller. It consistently has the best AppleCare prices.

And in my experience, if anything is likely to break on a Mac (particularly MacBooks), it will be the optical drive. The more the drive is utilized, the more likely it will die a premature death. Having seen several dismantled Apple optical drives up close, I can attest to the fact that they are mainly plastic and not particularly sturdy...

Amazon usually has an external Samsung DVD drive for around $40 that has a lot of positive reviews. If it should break the cost is only another $40 vs. up to $300 depending on the MacBook model.

IMO, the sooner Apple gets rid of optical drives, the better.

[Ron K]

This is all good information that I did not have before. I am still having the battery tested this morning just to make sure. It is critical for me to know before I leave the country for 9 months. I think the advertised testing for battery life could be more thorough however. That would mean that the tests cover different use scenarios such as you described above so a person can get a good idea as to what to expect over a range of use scenarios. The use of Flash is not mentioned in the testing analysis. By just testing in the generic low use category, which most people do not follow, the battery life looks good. But when compared against real world scenarios it would be more honest to say that the battery actually last 5 hours or less depending on what one is doing. The testing results always try to reflect the "best case scenario" in a perfect world, so that they can advertise 7 hours. But this is unrealistic propaganda for the normal user. A more honest approach would be to say that the battery life is variable based on different scenarios, and then to illustrate those scenarios to give the buyer a more realistic projection.

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by Ron K 

The use of Flash is not mentioned in the testing analysis. ... A more honest approach would be to say that the battery life is variable based on different scenarios, and then to illustrate those scenarios to give the buyer a more realistic projection.

This is standard practice in all better reviews, e. g. the Anandtech review I've linked to in the other thread. There is explicit mention of Flash since, as you can see, it has such a humongous impact on battery life. You should definitely install Click2Flash or some other equivalent browser plugin. Very often, Flash goes haywire and eats up all cpu cycles.

Apple's estimates of the battery life are actually not too far off. Anandtech's light browsing non-Flash battery benchmarks shows that the `up to 7 hours' battery life claimed by Apple are realistic, although most users will empty their battery in less time.

[Mojo]

It all comes down to compromises: if you want small and light you must give up some battery power. If you want the longest possible run times from an internal battery, then you must select a heavier portable Mac.

Battery tests show that the 13" can run up to 7 hours, but in the real world it will actually be more like 5 hours. That's just the way that it is... The question to ask yourself: how often do I anticipate working for seven hours without access to AC?

IMO a sensible compromise is to use an MBA in conjunction with a rechargeable external battery. A battery with a reasonable amount of juice doesn't take up much space or add a lot of weight. It can be used to charge other items such as an iPhone. And it can be left behind when extra power is not needed.

I travel with only two carry-on bags and weight is very important to me. But I have no problem finding the space for a relatively small battery. It's more important to me that my computer be small and light. An external battery provides options that don't exist if I should choose an MBP for its longer battery life. My travel bags and their weight are more when traveling between locations. My day-tripping bags are smaller and weigh a lot less, and the size of the computer makes a big difference.

You can go round and round on this issue, but the physics are not going to change before you leave on your trip.

HyperJuice External Battery for Apple MacBook, iPad, iPhone, iPod, USB Devices

60wh review got 4 hours under a heavy load: HyperJuice (formerly HyperMac) 60Wh External Battery for Apple MacBook/iPad/iPhone — Henry Yong Foto — Perth Photographer, Western Australia International Documentary Events and Portrait

More reviews at News