Bob,
I agree. I did an in-store test of the new 17" MBP with the matte screen against the new gloss screen 17" and 15". It may be a personal thing, but the matte screen looked equal in colors, gamut, brightness, etc., BUT it lacked the annoying glare from the gloss. I was hoping and praying that Apple would "wake up" and put the matte screen back onto the 15", since the 15" is a bit easier to tote around. No deal there. It is looking like Apple is trying to separate the machines in the line....17" is the only really "pro" machine at this time, given its port/connection options. (How is a pro video guy going to do streaming video stuff on the smaller machines that lack the ability to connect several FW800 or eSATA or other combinations that were possible through the EC/34 slot?)
So, if you absolutely have to have the bit smaller size of the 15" for whatever reason, you are stuck with the glossy screen. It is nice, but some of us do find the reflections rather annoying. If you want matte, there is a company that was doing a matte screen job on the 15" for about $200 (w/warranty and shipping). Basically, they remove the glass and replace the bezel with one that is like the older matte screen MBPs. Otherwise, get the 17" and be happy with the bigger matte screen and extra ports and stuff. I started checking, and the 17" will still fit in a lot of packs and stuff like the 15". Not the smaller ones, but many of the others, mainly because the 17" is not really that much bigger (less than an inch each way), but it still is thinner than most 15" screen sized PCs, so things tend to fit. Worth the look and test in a shop if critical.
LJ