17" MBP LCD vs 24" iMac LCD

[Neutral Gamer]

I was gonna wait for Leopard to come out before taking the plunge and buying myself a brand new 17" Macbook Pro but I just couldn't resist anymore and decided to go for it.

So I went down to my local store to have one final, close look at it and to check out the new iMacs. That's when I realised just how amazing the new iMac screen looks. It's so sharp and bright, especially when viewing photos which look so life like you feel that you can reach out and touch them. I don't think I've ever seen any screen look that good before!

But then I went over to look at the 17" MBP and it just seemed so much duller and softer than I remember. Also when moving my head up and down, by not really that much, half the screen would change brightness/colour. I wasn't expecting the vertical viewing angle to be so low on such an expensive latop - the horizontal viewing angle was alright though.

So basically I feel a bit underwhelmed with the MBP's screen now, when put in context with the iMac's. The MBP did have a matte screen - would a glossy one make a considerable difference to the:

Viewing angle
Brightness
Sharpness ?

Or is it just that all laptop screens are inferior to their desktop counterparts? Does anyone who uses the 17" MBP (glossy and matte) have any problems with the vertical viewing angle when using it?

Also I'd want to connect the MBP up to a 30" ACD. If I had a glossy MBP would it look strange when switching from the MBP's screen to the matte ACD screen?

I really want a MBP but I can't get that amazing iMac screen out of my head!

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

Bottom line: are you going to take advantage of the portability? If yes, then it's MBP for you.

 

[Santa Rosa]

This could be a complete stab in the dark but by your username are you planning to play games on your Mac? If so I would go for the Macbook Pro for its better graphics card. Getting a glossy display will also make it look more like the iMac as they are all glossy now with the front glass panels.

Hope that helps!!

 

[Cybergypsy]

LOL i walked in to get a new imac and walked out with a MBP, I did not like the new imacs at all, I am more of a at home laptop person, I love having it next to me instead of having to sit at a desk all the time, and i guess now I relize that after going back and forth to and from desktops......the glossy is awesome I ended up getting a matte for the first time and love it........try the glossy

 

[Neutral Gamer]

Bottom line: are you going to take advantage of the portability? If yes, then it's MBP for you.

Yeah, I would like to be able to take it around the house and garden. I suppose theoretically you could do that with the iMac as well as there's hardly anything to carry Bit on the big side though!

This could be a complete stab in the dark but by your username are you planning to play games on your Mac? If so I would go for the Macbook Pro for its better graphics card. Getting a glossy display will also make it look more like the iMac as they are all glossy now with the front glass panels.

Haha, I see my name gave it away! Yeah, I've read the posts about the new iMac's graphics card with great interest and it'd be great to have a portable gaming solution when playing LAN games at friends' houses. If the MBP's is better than that's what I'd go for.

......the glossy is awesome I ended up getting a matte for the first time and love it........try the glossy

Yeah, I really love glossy displays, makes everything look so much nicer. And I don't care about colour accuracy so glossy would be my choice. Is the glossy display good when viewing it outside in sunlight?

Thanks for the replies so far; I just need someone to confirm how good the vertical viewing angle is on the 17" in actual use and I'll be sold!

Cheers

 

[mpr131]

The 17 inch MBP should be purchased with the HD option and you should see the same quality display if you choose glossy on the MBP. They should have glossy MBPs in store.

 

[vicious7]

Bottom line: are you going to take advantage of the portability? If yes, then it's MBP for you.

Good answer.