University claims Apple's glossy screens may cause injury
An Australian University is warning its faculty and students about some potential adverse health effects of using Apple's notebook and other products with high gloss screens, saying prolonged use could lead to injury if precautionary measures aren't adopted.
The advisory, published a few months ago by Brisbane, Australia-based Queensland University of Technology on its Health and Safety website, specifically addresses Mac users with Apple 'glass' or high gloss monitor screens and urges them to assess the manner in which those products are positioned and used.
"Reflections and glare on high gloss monitor screens and their relation to the angle of the monitor screen, could cause the operator to adopt awkward postures when viewing the monitor screen and using related equipment," the advisory says. "These reflections on the screen can be from internal and external sources such as the overhead lighting and/or position of windows."
Queensland recommends that users of such products conduct an assessment of the area in which those products are to be used to ensure the sources of reflections and glare are eliminated or minimised to reduce the potential for injury. It advises users to close their blinds or window shades and place the glossy displays at a 90 degree angle to any overhead lighting to minimise glare and reflection.
The university even goes as far as to recommend that students and faculty consider not purchasing products with glossy displays. Those who must, however, are urged to consult with a "Facilities Management Lighting engineer to determine if overhead lighting can be modified e.g. tube removed and still provide adequate levels of light to enable reading, writing and screen based equipment work tasks to be performed."
Other recommendations for those who must use glossy displays include adjusting the contrast to a 'low brightness' setting, which the school says will increases readability for users of high gloss monitor screens with a glass surface.
Apple began offering glossy displays as an option on its high-end MacBook Pros a few years ago before making them standard on its redesigned aluminum iMac line (review) in the summer of 2007. While introducing its all-new line of unibody MacBooks (review) and MacBook Pros (review) last fall, the company announced that glossy displays would be the new standard for its notebook lines with no build-to-order option available for downgrading to a matte display.
An early generation MacBook Pro compared to one of the latest models sporting a high gloss display.
Apple's new 24-inch LED-lit Cinema Display (review) also sports a glossy screen.
The advisory, published a few months ago by Brisbane, Australia-based Queensland University of Technology on its Health and Safety website, specifically addresses Mac users with Apple 'glass' or high gloss monitor screens and urges them to assess the manner in which those products are positioned and used.
"Reflections and glare on high gloss monitor screens and their relation to the angle of the monitor screen, could cause the operator to adopt awkward postures when viewing the monitor screen and using related equipment," the advisory says. "These reflections on the screen can be from internal and external sources such as the overhead lighting and/or position of windows."
Queensland recommends that users of such products conduct an assessment of the area in which those products are to be used to ensure the sources of reflections and glare are eliminated or minimised to reduce the potential for injury. It advises users to close their blinds or window shades and place the glossy displays at a 90 degree angle to any overhead lighting to minimise glare and reflection.
The university even goes as far as to recommend that students and faculty consider not purchasing products with glossy displays. Those who must, however, are urged to consult with a "Facilities Management Lighting engineer to determine if overhead lighting can be modified e.g. tube removed and still provide adequate levels of light to enable reading, writing and screen based equipment work tasks to be performed."
Other recommendations for those who must use glossy displays include adjusting the contrast to a 'low brightness' setting, which the school says will increases readability for users of high gloss monitor screens with a glass surface.
Apple began offering glossy displays as an option on its high-end MacBook Pros a few years ago before making them standard on its redesigned aluminum iMac line (review) in the summer of 2007. While introducing its all-new line of unibody MacBooks (review) and MacBook Pros (review) last fall, the company announced that glossy displays would be the new standard for its notebook lines with no build-to-order option available for downgrading to a matte display.
An early generation MacBook Pro compared to one of the latest models sporting a high gloss display.
Apple's new 24-inch LED-lit Cinema Display (review) also sports a glossy screen.
Comments
I don't blame Apple any more than anyone else, but these glossy screens can impact your posture.
If I buy a Macbook Pro 13 inch this summer I will make sure to waste $30.00 on a matte screen "protector". I think it will protect me more than the screen.
Now we know a lot of comments about Apples glossy screens are about to flood this site, it wouldn't hurt anybody to look at some of this university's other recommendations before commenting.
They even outline how you should was your hands, how armrests could be harmful and how to find out if the 'seat' pan is suitable for you. http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafe...ely/chairs.jsp
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There are starving children out there, we are destroying our earth..... Nope let's waist money on trying to shame Apple into offering an anti-glair option on their portable computers...
And if you get a back ache that's fine just make one of your girlfriends rub your back.. Thats what their there for.
The only question is why focus on Apple. These screens have been around for quite some time, as has the problems identified. It makes no sense not to issue a general comment. Why focus on any particular manufacturer?
They mad cause they don't have a iPhone 3G S. In the hood we call them, Haters!
The only question is why focus on Apple. These screens have been around for quite some time, as has the problems identified. It makes no sense not to issue a general comment. Why focus on any particular manufacturer?
First, Apple fans should have much higher standard for Apple compared to other brands. Lowering the bar just to entertain the consumers is not what Apple fans should expect from Apple and Apple fans should be angry about that. Second, you're on an Apple fan site.
First, Apple fans should have much higher standard for Apple compared to other brands. Lowering the bar just to entertain the consumers is not what Apple fans should expect from Apple and Apple fans should be angry about that. Second, you're on an Apple fan site.
So you're saying the University is an Apple Fan on this Site????
Dam people! Stop whining so much. Grow a pair. Only a bunch of pussies will complain about their back hurting because of a shiny computer screen. This school should be putting their resources into more important things then a back ache because someone up there has a vendetta with Apple for not offering matte LCDs.
There are starving children out there, we are destroying our earth..... Nope let's waist money on trying to shame Apple into offering an anti-glair option on their portable computers...
And if you get a back ache that's fine just make one of your girlfriends rub your back.. Thats what their there for.
No need to shame Apple. Apple already has the anti-glare option ONLY for the 17" Macbook Pro. This goes to show that Apple acknowledges the glaring issue of the glossy screen already and does not want to admit it because bunch of ignorant consumers like the glossy screen.
So you're saying the University is an Apple Fan on this Site????
Nope, all I'm saying is that it is rightful for Appleinsider to report this news and it is reasonable for Apple fans to take serious about the fact that Apple has lowered the bar just to entertain the consumers, especially when Apple obviously acknowledge the glaring issue! Responding to your "why focus on Apple", I don't see why Appleinsider needs to pick on issues from other brand names.
Apple knows that glossy screen has glaring issues. How do I know? Because they have an anti-glare option for the 17" MacBook Pro. They just don't want to admit the issue because many ignorant consumers like the glossy screen.
If the glare was such an issue then why is it only on the 17?. Why is it only an option? Why do customers like it more if it?s such a problem?
So in essence it's not the glossy screen that causes damage it's the moron that adapts a non ergonomic position that precedes the damage.
Off to a fun week.
Dam people! Stop whining so much. Grow a pair. Only a bunch of pussies will complain about their back hurting because of a shiny computer screen. This school should be putting their resources into more important things then a back ache because someone up there has a vendetta with Apple for not offering matte LCDs.
There are starving children out there, we are destroying our earth..... Nope let's waist money on trying to shame Apple into offering an anti-glair option on their portable computers...
And if you get a back ache that's fine just make one of your girlfriends rub your back.. Thats what their there for.
This issue won't go away, no matter how much you try to gloss it over.
//Yes, I was just waiting for an opening to say that.