14 DAY TRIAL // Lenovo recently ran an online poll asking its customers their personal preference, and the results are revealing. An overwhelming 86% of respondents preferred the old-school anti-glare matte finish for their laptops, with only 8% voting for the glossy reflective finish. Only 5 % were indifferent. Clearly, non-glossy is the king. I only wonder what's with the 1% missing.
Comments were made by Arstechnica, which wonders, if people dislike glossy screens so much, how come you can see entire rows of laptops equipped with them? There are some advantages to having a glossy screen: in particular, outdoor visibility is greatly increased. However, most of us don't work on our laptops outdoors, but many people do use them in a work situation, where overhead lighting causes massive glare on glossy screens. Glossy screens also have richer, more vibrant colors, which may explain their prevalence on the display shelf. Newer coating technologies are able to reduce glare somewhat while maintaining bright colors and a glossy sheen.
Lenovo's poll may not reflect the true preference of the buying public in general, as online polls tend to be self-selecting, and ThinkPad customers are more likely to use their laptops in work environments. However, the results are still dramatic. While glossy screens may be the current fad, manufacturers would be better served by offering their customers a matte option for all models, said the same source.