OK, here goes. I spent an hour plus at the Apple Store in Albuquerque yesterday, which has all versions of the new Macbook Pros. Like many in this forum, I went in very up in the air on the high resolution upgrade, because at age 42 my eyes are not as good as they used to be and I was worried about the smaller text/icons/menus. Also, I've grown used to the glossy screen in my current Macbook Pro, but I think I preferred the matte screen on my prior Macbook Pro. After working with all versions, there are CLEAR winners (although this is always subjective, I was surprised at the obviousness of the result to me).
First, the high-res upgrade is significantly better in all respects. Yes, the icons/menus/font are a bit smaller -- but the clarity and precision of the images is notably improved which makes up for it. Better yet, there is an easy fix (without going into computer or application preferences/fonts) to making a web page easier to read -- Control Plus takes the whole page and bumps it up to almost identical size of the low-res computer. There is no blurriness (such as when you adjust the resolution of a given monitor to something other than its non-native res). Sure, the menus/icons remain small, but who spends a ton of time reading menus? The added screen space is an advantageous trade-off to slightly smaller icons/menus. More tellingly, after working with the high-res I returned to the low res and was completely frustrated with its image quality, and the absence of screen real estate. Here, the high-res is a clear choice. It should be standard, or simply a choice, in such a high-end laptop.
Next, the glossy vs. matte choice was similarly obvious to me. I can't believe I ever got used to the glossy screen of my current MacBook Pro. Sure, the single glass pane/black edge is prettier when the computer is turned off! But when using it, only in a dimly lit room are my eyes not constantly having to work to view the screen as opposed to what is reflected off it. Sure, if you want to watch DVD's in the dark, snag the glossy. But for ANYTHING else, the matte rules. Pics, text, web.... I'd venture to say its even better for gaming because of the absence of extraneous light from around the room (you can forget about taking the glossy outside). Colors on the matte are pure, not enhanced -- but its not like you can't see them. The matte screen was gorgeous, and the silver bezel (yes, its not black) actually grew on me in a vintage/Macbook kinda way. It matches the unibody design, and is put together well (less likely to collect crumbs and dirt than the prior generation Macbook Pros which were all matte). So, I'm buying a matte screen Macbook Pro.
The ONLY issue remaining for me is 17 vs. 15 -- the extra screen real estate (particularly with the high res -- which you have to get on the 17) was sweeeet! The weight is about the same, at least in feel. The keyboard on the 17 is a little further up the base of the computer (of course), which was frustrating but I guess I would get used to it. I'll probably go 15, but as a true desktop replacement the 17 is absolutely incredible.
Hope that helps --
