It's interesting how many people seem to know what Apple's consumer research results are... but I'd certainly like to see any results of Apple's research about laptop display preferences which actually target various markets - consumer/home users, professional/commercial users - even broken down to types of businesses/functions. Just to get the real picture. My guess (only a guess here...) is that Apple is primarily going after the home/consumer user, the iPod/iPhone crowd, the college crowd, the slightly more affluent home consumer - just look at their ads. None are targeted at commercial/professional markets, not even in Mac publications. They sort of have taken that market for granted, but Photoshop and tons of creative apps actually work quite well on Windows platforms now, and Apple just isn't competing anymore in that world. Heck, Adobe doesn't even update their apps for Mac before they do for Windows - even for the consumer (PS Elements for example.)
What this tells me is that for the consumers Apple has gone for the snazzy first impression - slick stores, shiny computers, etc. They figure the pro crowd will just stick around due to OS X, which might be true. But, if they ever surveyed professional creatives (publishing, graphic arts, photography, web development, writing, advertising, etc..) about their display preferences, I honestly think you'd see a big split in favor of matte screens, while on the consumer side you'd see the opposite. Just my opinion, based on my own anecdotal experiences in the field. Which would mean that the "pro" line of laptops from Apple aren't really targeting the "pro" market at all (other than the 17" MBP or Mac Pro desktop line.) Yet, Apple realizes that the name Macbook "Pro" will make consumers feel better about their purchase, so they use it as a label.
Of course a professional can work with any tool that will do the job, even if it's not perfectly suited for it - I'm not making that arguement. A pro can use a Mac Mini or a Macbook, or a cheap Dell under many circumstances, but they're still not really "pro" tools. A pro mechanic can certainly use a cheap wrench from Walmart to tighten a nut, but will probably invest in better tools over the long haul that he can depend on (Snap-On, MAC, etc...) because they're proven to do the job and take the beating only professionals will generally give them day after day...
I'm one who hopes Apple will actually consider their professional market (the market that gave them legitimacy and hung in there with them when consumers certainly weren't doing it..) and actually listen to or survey them, and even if it costs a bit more, will offer additional options like the non-glare screen. It's a legitimate concern for a fair number of people, whether the naysayers and Apple newbies get it or not. But the only way this will happen is if enough people actually communicate with Apple. If you get surveyed at work, respond to it. I wouldn't be surprised if someone at Apple finally addresses this directly down the road. Again... this is only my opinion...
