matte screen protectors, easy on the eyes?

I'm shopping for a new laptop, and like many other on these forums, worried that new glossy screens will be more straining on my eyes, since I'm on my computer probably 6 to 8 hours a day. I use my computer for mostly reading and writing, but also some photo editing. The folks at the computer stores here all say that if the glossy screens do cause strain, adding one of these matte film protectors can make it "just like a matte screen." But I wonder if other's find this to be true. What do you guys find to be the best screen for reading and writing? It seems most folks on photo editing forums prefer matte, especially the Macbook pros for their color accuracy. I think if the thinkpad screens were brighter, I'd probably get a T61. On the other hand, the LED displays from Sony and Fujitsu are both bright and get better battery life. But again, I think my main concern at this point is eye strain, and the usefulness of film protectors.

Thanks!

 

The best screen for reading and writing is definately a matte screen.
Im sure someone will say otherwise but a Glossy screen will cause eye strain faster because you get reflections that your eyes will try to focus on.

 

Yes, but what about the stick on "screen protectors" that are supposed to reduce glare? The guy at the dealer told me it's just as good as having a matte screen, but he didn't have one for me to compare, and I'm a bit worried that it'll affect color accuracy...

 

I can't say anything about a matte screen protector, because I really don't know it.

But I use a few Sony VAIOs with their glossy x-black display and I use a Fujitsu Lifebook T2010 with a glossy display, too. I prefer glossy display, as you see.
BUT not every glossy display looks the same:
Sony uses glossy displays without almost any reflections! If you look at some VAIO x-black displays you will see, that they use an advanded technique. If you place a light source in front of the display these displays don't mirror the light source as a mirror, no, they dim this light source and it get's "purple", so it doesn't blend you and it doesn't bother you anymore. If I compare this display to my Fujitsu T2010, which uses a normal glossy display, then I have to say, yes, the Fujitsu display acts like a "mirror", but it still doesn't cause eye strain for me

I only saw this advanced glossy technique on VAIOs (BX397 and TX2), don't know if all VAIO and any other manufacturer uses this displays, but if you want a good display take a LED backlit and if you want bright colors, take a glossy display, and if you want a perfect display, take a VAIO with this technique (don't know if every VAIO uses this display)

FYI: You could look at this thread:
navprotector ag for T2010
in which an anti glare screen protector is applied on a glossy Fujitsu T2010 display. And as you see, it reflects the light as matte screens. So maybe it works

 

i do have to admit that i do get annoyed using glossy screens sometimes. I run a 17" matte external LCD dual monitor, and that has been awesome since i got it. I can see the reflections of my fingers when i type when i look at the glossy screen on my laptop. I don't really see any difference in depth or quality of the colour. You can always adjust the contrast, brightness and gamma settings to your liking.

If you are even thinking about using your glossy laptop outside, then definitely look into getting a matte screen protector. i might look into getting one of those too. i bet ebay would have something cheap.

 

I just bought one for the HP dv6000. I'll be sure to tell you how it looks.

 

This is a very interesting subject for me. I'm sick of these glossy displays taking over the laptop world!

 

I've also just ordered one of these for my Vaio SZ. The amazing thing is that I've also received an email about one hour after ordering saying that it has been shipped! Wonder how this "matte screen" will turn out to be.

 

Just received my matte screen protector from Nu Shield today. Just from first impressions, it's pretty decent. While it doesn't match true matte screens (gives the screen a "grainy look"), it does a fine job on cutting back on glare.