3M AG173W9B AG 17.3W9 Anti-Glare Filter

It was so bad that I threw it in the trash. The sharpness of the display became so bad.

I have long suffered with using my computer on a bright day - our living room has a lot of light coming into it, which is lovely, but somewhat of a hindrance when you need to see your screen. I feel like I have spent a lot of time with my blinds closed, as I get headaches from squinting at my screen otherwise.The performance of the 3M AG173W9B 12.3 W9 Anti-Glare Filter is fabulous for those times of day when the sun is too bright for me to easily use my screen to work on. It not only cuts down on the actual glare, but also removes those irritating reflections that are prone to distract me.The flip-side of this brilliant filter, is that it is distractingly obvious when you are back to lower levels of background light. What I have found best is to remove the sticky strips, and to just use it as a removeable screen filter. I prop it into place during the daytime, and then take it back off again afterwards. This gives me the best of both worlds.Overall, I think the performance of this filter is at times brilliant, and at others it is plain annoying. As such, I am giving it a four star review, with the added suggestion that perhaps you should follow my lead (and that of other reviewers) and remove the sticky strips in favour of being able to get the best of the filter during the day only.

This anti glare filter is for a desktop LCD monitors with a 17.3” screen (measured diagonally). Unlike some other filters I have used, this is re-attachable, which is useful. It is also light, very thin and it does help reduce glare and reflection in a bright, or sunny, room.I use privacy screens and filters all the time, but, if you are not used to them the screen does look a little dark and even hazy. If you have never used one before, then just be aware that they do not necessarily alter the visibility, but they do take a little getting used to. I am not that keen on the adhesive strips and prefer just to fit the screen in unattached (if you tilt slightly, it stays well enough and is more easily removed). These are so expensive though and you do lose some visibility, which is worth considering before you purchase.

Bit of an odd one, this. On the face of things, it's a good idea, glare on a screen can not only be really annoying but affect what you're doing, or trying to do. Does this work? Well, I've tried it out under various conditions; natural light, bright sun, old style exposed light bulbs and new ones. In general I'd say it works with varying degrees; outdoors you can definitely notice the difference, inside not so much.As far as problems go, the watermarking on the edge of the filter annoyed me and was visible at times, although possibly only because I knew it was there and was unconsciously looking for it, but really, there was no need for it at all. But the biggest problem I have with it is the price. Even the reduced (at the moment) Amazon price of £43 (down from an RRP of almost £75) that's still way too much for what is effectively a thin piece of plastic. I personally wouldn't pay anywhere near that and even then I'd only consider it if I was going to constantly use my laptop outdoors.

What you get in the cardboard wallet is a piece of plastic measuring 393 mm by the 25 mm, a cleaning cloth and some sticky strips. The piece of plastic is clear –not smoked and it is very slightly frosted so that when you place it over the screen. It gives a matt finish rather than a shiny one. The sticky strips enable you to stick it in place. There is a right and wrong way round.I suppose it does work to a certain degree by cutting down the glare from the screen – I think some screens are made with this slight matte finish– or at least they used to be. I could see how this might be useful if you are trying to use your PC in a bright environment such as in the garden or conservatory. It's clear and provides no help with eyestrain. If anything it just seems to make the text slightly less distinct.The touch screen functions still works with the screen in place.As to how it justifies the huge price tag I have no idea.

I have a fairly new Acer laptop with a high gloss screen that gives great definition but does suffer from reflections so I thought I would give this anti-glare filter from 3M a go.Although slightly larger than my screen it did cut down easily using a very sharp craft knife and I fitted it using the attachment strips as described in the instructions.The filter went on without problems, no bubbles that seem to plague so many filters, but from the outset I wasn't particularly happy with the performance of the filter.The filter utilises fresnel rings to disperse reflections and I just couldn't not see them. It also had the effect of 'softening' the on-screen image and while I could possibly live with it for word processing or spreadsheet use I couldn't use it for graphics work which is the main thing I use this particular laptop for.Shame really, it isn't bad but it just didn't work for me.

FILTER=======We have a few gadgets around the house in our family and so I was quite pleased to try out this privacy screen.This is designed for the shape of a generiac 17" laptop. As such it doesn't look as smart as the ones that are specific for an individula laptop.USE====I like to read on the train and I hate when I can feel people peer over my shoulder.The concept is similar to the screens some offices have: You can read straight ahead, but for a neighbour it's impossible.There's a niche for people who need their privacy and this fulfils that niche.No problems so far, I'll update the review if it develops any issues.