Glossy Screens

They certainly look all nice any shiny when the computer is turned off, or when you're trying to discern the exact hues of blue on your facebook newsfeed, but other than that: USELESS.

The basic specs often cited by manufacturers give the appearance that these two styles of displays are closely matched,

Glossy Screens:
    Higher color accuracy
    Has glare
    Fancier looking because shiny

Matte Screens:
    No glare
    Cheaper looking because plasticy

The reality of the situation is much more one sided. Having been seduced by shininess and marketing, I am the not-so-proud owner of a glossy screen laptop going on 3 years now. Let me expand on a couple things about glossy screens that you may not have known about. Or maybe you had noticed, but you have been ignoring to rationalize your expensive glossy buying spree. Don't fret, we've all been there at some point.

1. Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Make Sure I Can't Work At All
Glossy screens are essentially mirrors, and as such they cannot be used with great success outdoors, or in any remotely bright environment. So much for vitamin D! If you do plan on leaving the basement, you'll have to be very strategic. Any bright source of light directly behind you can cause a complete inability to see anything on your screen. Even when you are positioned in such a way where no bright lights are directly behind you to cause glare, there will be a clear reflection of yourself and the environment behind you competing with the images on the screen. And God forbid you'd like to use your screen at a lower brightness to prevent eyestrain. For glossy screens, the lower the screen brightness, the more vivid and distracting the reflection becomes.
Constantly repositioning your computer to the perfect angle for avoiding glare is not luxury computing, it's a design flaw. Likewise, it should not be a constant part of your workday or study session to battle with the strong evolutionary inclination to focus on movement in order to keep your eyes trained on the text on your screen instead of your typing hands, ugly face, or the people behind you.

2. Glossy Screens Only Look Good The First Time They Are Used
Computer manufacturers increase sales by making their machines stand out in the showroom. Certainly the most beautiful and elegant looking machines have sparklingly fresh glossy screens. When searching for a laptop, be sure to keep in mind that the goal is to buy an easy to use tool, not a difficult to maintain fashion accessory. Unless you'd like to spend your time cleaning the screen on a daily basis, dust, fingerprints, and other grime will quickly become visible. In fact, most glossy screens on laptops are positioned in a way so when the laptop is closed, the screen closes directly onto the keyboard where your grubby, Dorito covered fingers were just happily dancing around on.

3. But What About Color Accuracy?
If you want to use a laptop on a daily basis for news, instant messaging, social media, and practically all professions besides photo-editing then Matte is the way to go. There is not much of a discernible difference in color accuracy, at least for my poor quality male eyes. For the sake of argument let's say you absolutely need the best image representation ability while looking at pictures or movies. If image representation is that important for you, then, and only then, do I permit you to buy a glossy screened monitor or television to keep indoors in the most dim environment with a microfiber cloth on standby.