Argh.

I’ve had those cursor issues on both my Macbook (old) and iMac, although it doesn’t seem to happen as frequently as you describe. It’s definitely not a typing thing, it’s exactly as you describe, no cursor, move it for a couple seconds, and then it reappears.

I agree that it’s really annoying, and I actually can’t believe they haven’t resolved it yet. Maybe it’ll be a quiet feature of Snow Leopard.

Fortunately, I usually work in my dim dark office which is the optimal lighting condition for these glass screens and I love it but I can understand the side of the matte fans. In normal lighting conditions or bringing it out on the day time – its a huge bitch to adjust. Although I’m quite happy with my new units its annoying when I bring this out to work in a coffee shop because I find found myself avoiding windows and sitting in the darker and more dim areas of the shop.

I’m sorry apple but I really not going to buy any new black border products. I think it will be time to try x86 project with a hardware that is better.

I hope Apple will bring out an alternative to that mirror – an speaking of lifeless colors. Try to look from top at the glossy display. The contrast will fade much much faster as it does on the matte displays. The black and glossy just pretend to show better and brighter colors (colors allways look more saturated on a black background).

For a Pro worker (and I go with Ben here) the glossy screen is a semi-popular decision, fun for some, a punch in the stomach for Pros.

Sometimes the better ideas aren’t really noticed when introduced. I think the trackpad is amazing, and in a few years you’ll see most laptops using something similar.

Further, I see Apple’s new unibody technique as being a huge thing. Sure, from a consumer standpoint there appears to be no immediate benefit, but consider this:

1) It’s not just that eliminating so many parts reduces rejects in the factory, it should also reduce issues for those that reach consumers. HP, Dell, etc. don’t care that much about support, but Apple does, and it’s expensive. If Apple can reduce mechanical glitches, it’s big savings and allows them to continue to provide customer support that’s the envy of the industry.

2) When the time comes to add a new port or make other design changes, it’s largely just a program change in the CNC cutter. They won’t have to retool 29 other parts for just one new change. I think this will make Apple a lot faster and more flexible with design changes as needed in the future.

I think that changing the screen slightly is not an example of going through some kind of process. The “change position” I’m talking about is a little more then the shifting one would do in the course of a normal few hours work anyway. Not sure why people always seem to think glossy fans are suggesting you have to stand on one leg with a hand over your head like adjusting an aerial for TV in the 70s.

As for the part about not noticing it, it’s just as true for matte displays. Geez, matte fans like to act as if the screen isn’t dull and boring. Well, it is, and using one I always have to get used to that.

Finally, the idea that a “rich” and “exciting” screen can’t be a “readable one” makes zero sense to me. The text is razor sharp on this thing and incredibly readable. In my opinion, far more so than a muted matte display.

I have no direct answer for you other than to suggest there will likely be matting options for these screens from third partys shortly.

However, I think your characterization of the screens is backwards. The glossy enhances nothing, and is in fact showing the “real colours”. I guess the reason those used to a matte display think glossy looks enhanced is because it’s simply not being “muted” by the “filter” of the matte screen.

The matte display is altering the light to reduce reflection, and in the process it is absolutely altering the colors as well. How could it not be? It is impossible for the matte display to alter just the light you don’t want, and leave everything else.

Don’t misunderstand me. I understand that the desirable effects of the matte display far outweigh (for you and many pros) the effects of not having it. I simply take issue with saying that somehow a matte display is “real” and glossy is artificial. If anything, it’s more correct to say it’s the other way around — especially if there are no reflections.

In any case, since laptop displays utilize 6 bits per pixel (instead of 8) and dither the remaining 2, it’s unclear to me how a professional does anything but fairly basic touch ups on a laptop. That’s especially true if they do not find a location where they can have control over the room lighting.

What are we to do?

No, this is different. When the cursor disappears when typing it immediately reappears as soon as you move it. I use that option on my other MacBook and like it. But what I’m seeing on the new machine is something else. I move on the trackpad and it is definitely not showing the cursor at all. It takes a second or two to appear. Not every time, but a few enough times to notice.

I notice that on the new MB the option to ignore when typing is no longer there. I assume it’s always on. The issue I see may be somewhere in that functionality (after all, I’m sure it’s a software glitch) but no matter where the glitch is what I’m seeing is definitely not a case of normal functionality.