Is the Anti-glare screen for the 15 worth it?

Specifically is it worth the extra 150 in tax that I have to pay since I can't find one anywhere other than the Apple store?

 

It's strictly a personal preference issue.
"Anti Glare", gives the first impression that anyone would want it, especially that it comes at a premium. However, if you are not primarily using the computer in settings where glare from overhead or rear lighting is an issue, then you might want to have the standard screen. You also have to understand your own reactions to screen reflections.

For me, neither is an issue. So I'd be hard pressed to opt for the matte screen even if it was not an extra charge. I simply prefer the gloss style and the inherent apparent better contrast.

 

As someone who just spent a couple of hours drooling on Macbook Pro's in the local Apple store, I can tell you that I'm definitely planning to get the hi-res matte screen. I found the glare extremely distracting. Also, all the glossy screens in the store were showing tons of fingerprints - and that was with a Mac person running around cleaning them up once in a while, so it had to happen quickly. Finally, the hi-res screen just has a better resolution, which is a big deal for me (especially after suffering through a 1368 x 766 screen for 4 months now - never again!).

However, I'm not an owner yet, and I think what the above poster said is perfectly true: it's a personal preference. I'll gladly pay the $150 extra for hi-res matte though.

 

I have both a glossy X200 and a matte X200t. I like them both, but occasionally the glossy screen can be a bit annoying. As SP pointed out a lot will depend on the usage. For me the matte version was $125 more and I didn't want to pay that much, so I went with the glossy.

 

I kept my Pre-Unibody AntiGlare MBP for a long time right until Apple finally released the Anti-Glare screen for the Unibody in 2009. I take my Mac everywhere and I think that it is must. Sure the glossy screen looks good, and technically is more protected than the Matte finish. I use Adobe CS exhaustively and with glossy screens the screen to print difference is dramatically difference with a glossy screen than a matte.

Bottom line: If you are using your mac for some hardcore use everyday and you need a screen that will make a huge difference in what you do then buy the antiglare online.

 

I always go with anti-glare. It used to be the norm for laptops many years ago and then it came to the point that you had to order business models to get the antiglare screens. I often use my systems for coding work and don't like the distractions of the glossy screens.

 

My last notebook was glossy and I will not buy one again. As noted, the anti-glare coating pays off if you use your notebook in different lighting situations; you will be at a particular disadvantage if there is a lighting source behind you (windows especially).

Something important I learned about glossy screens: I find that reflections tend to overwhelm their visibility at low brightness levels. Matte screens are a lot easier to see.

 

anti-glare for the win.

 

The anti-glare is better but some people might mistake your mb for the older models.

 

Yes it does. My MBP core i5 has the anti glare screen.
I choose it because I have to stare at my laptop all day long at work. Anti Glare Screen doesn't give me as much constraint as an glossy screen does.
It also give me higher resolution, which benefit for multi tasking.

 

The "anti-glare" or matte screen does not give you higher resolution.....

The higher resolution screen can be ordered without the anti-glare, fyi