I’m considering getting a MacBook Air, but I’m really concerned about the screen being too glossy to use outdoors. Why doesn’t Apple offer a matte screen option? I like using my iPad, but the reflectiveness of the glass gets a little out of control at times.

You’re in luck. Well, sort of, anyway. It’s true that Apple doesn’t offer a matte option on the MacBook Air, and we don’t really know why. We can reassure you a little bit that it’s less reflective than the iPad. It’s not covered with a layer of glass like the current iMacs and MacBook Pros. The bezel around the screen is aluminum, and although the screen itself does have a glossy finish, Apple kept the screen as thin and light as possible by forgoing the glass layer. We didn’t have too much trouble using it outdoors, but of course we got the best results with the brightness really cranked up.

Apple only sells 'em in glossy, but TechRestore has your back.
 
But here’s where your sort-of luck comes in: TechRestore is offering a matte screen replacement option for MacBook Airs. Instead of applying an antiglare coating to your Air’s screen, they’re replacing it outright with a matte screen with the same resolution, LED backlighting, and other specs, and they promise to do this overnight for a flat rate of $249. You can even drop your baby off at one of 4,000 locations if you can’t bear to put it in the mail. Check out TechRestore.com for more details.

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