While most of the time either screen will perform very similarly, any condition that makes the glossy screen hard to use will be equally, and probably more challenging to use the matte screen.
Photographer's eyes are no different than eyes belonging to a doctor, they often see different things.
I completely disagree with Wayne Fox's analysis of the glossy screens. I'm glad he's happy but I'm not. I don't know one art photographer in NYC who would agree with his analysis either.
I've worked with both screen types (not by choice), in the field and in the studio, and the differences astounded me. The matte screen handled reflections much easier and most important, any reflections were diffused, making them far less distracting if they did appear. In bad lighting situations, the glossy screens needed to be physically moved and sometimes required relocating in a room to see a screen without sharp, distracting elements. If a group of people needed to view the glossy screen at the same time, the room had to be dark and windowless.
Reflections aren't the only problem with glossy screens. Photographic images look COMPLETELY DIFFERENT on a glossy screen. Glossy adds contrast and eliminates shadow detail. If I'm not supposed to care about contrast and shadow detail, why on earth pick photography as a career?
As a professional who retouches and prints from a non-glossy monitor, WHY ON EARTH would I want to view my images or encourage anyone else to view my images on a screen different than the one used at my workstation?
I LOVE my images as they appear on my digital workstation in my studio. And with my matte screen MacBook Pro, I am capable of duplicating that viewing experience for any client, within reason. Consistency helps define professionalism. You can't create the same viewing experience with a glossy screen and I don't appreciate the way a glossy screen changes my art.
Glossy screens are for consumers who enjoy shine and overly whitened teeth. (My housekeeper owns an iPhone and I don't.) Slick and shine is fine for some marketing and merchandising but not always. It's definitely not fine for my professional presentations. I view high contrast and lack of shadow detail as tacky.
Apple seems hell-bent on making more money and I can't fault them for that. But, abandoning their professional loyalists will attract some negative heat (and maybe some new competition). Glossy screens are sparking quite the debate at Apple Discussions.
Poor PhotoExpo seminar leaders. Imagine comparing a glossy screen image to the same image projected on a white screen. Apple, give us professionals a break.