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1920x1200 17" MBP - Anyone seen it?
- Thread starter technogeek
- Start date
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The 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York has 3 of the 1920x1200 displays. All of them are matte, none glossy, which is a bit odd because the display signs that are sitting next to them say that the 1920x1200 displays can only be bought with glossy screens. Weird.
Anyway, I agree the displays are amazing. Even though the icons are smaller, the increased pixel density more than compensates. Compared to the new 15" screens, the icons are just plain sharper, more crisp. It is definitely noticeable. Even in comparison to the 23" cinema display, the new 17" screen is sharper, not as grainy. The only fault - and this is only in comparison to the 15" LED display - is that the 17" screen is not as uniformly lit as the 15" LED screen. The best of both worlds would be a 17" 1920x1200 LED. Nevertheless, the 17" is still an excellent screen.
Anyway, I agree the displays are amazing. Even though the icons are smaller, the increased pixel density more than compensates. Compared to the new 15" screens, the icons are just plain sharper, more crisp. It is definitely noticeable. Even in comparison to the 23" cinema display, the new 17" screen is sharper, not as grainy. The only fault - and this is only in comparison to the 15" LED display - is that the 17" screen is not as uniformly lit as the 15" LED screen. The best of both worlds would be a 17" 1920x1200 LED. Nevertheless, the 17" is still an excellent screen.
Thanks - looking forward to your review and I would love to see some pictures to better see how small the graphical UI elements got.
BTW - I ordered the high-res w/ 250 gig drive. Just want to know if that was the right decision.
Do you think it's worth going with the 17" high-res over the 15" then? That uniformly lit screen is really a nice thing...
Well, the usual disclaimer that you should check it out in person if you can but yes, if you need to buy now, I'd spring for the 17" for the increased resolution and pixel density. It's not that the 17" has poor uniformity - it's just not as uniform as the 15" LED. I suspect if you didn't have it side-by-side, you wouldn't notice. But try to check it out in person if you can. Your opinion may differ. Good luck and I'm envious
I posted this in another thread on the same topic but here are my impressions of the screen:
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The 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York has 3 of the 1920x1200 displays. All of them are matte, none glossy, which is a bit odd because the display signs that are sitting next to them say that the 1920x1200 displays can only be bought with glossy screens. Weird.
Anyway, I agree the displays are amazing. Even though the icons are smaller, the increased pixel density more than compensates. Compared to the new 15" screens, the icons are just plain sharper, more crisp. It is definitely noticeable. Even in comparison to the 23" cinema display, the new 17" screen is sharper, not as grainy. The only fault - and this is only in comparison to the 15" LED display - is that the 17" screen is not as uniformly lit as the 15" LED screen. The best of both worlds would be a 17" 1920x1200 LED. Nevertheless, the 17" is still an excellent screen.
---
The 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York has 3 of the 1920x1200 displays. All of them are matte, none glossy, which is a bit odd because the display signs that are sitting next to them say that the 1920x1200 displays can only be bought with glossy screens. Weird.
Anyway, I agree the displays are amazing. Even though the icons are smaller, the increased pixel density more than compensates. Compared to the new 15" screens, the icons are just plain sharper, more crisp. It is definitely noticeable. Even in comparison to the 23" cinema display, the new 17" screen is sharper, not as grainy. The only fault - and this is only in comparison to the 15" LED display - is that the 17" screen is not as uniformly lit as the 15" LED screen. The best of both worlds would be a 17" 1920x1200 LED. Nevertheless, the 17" is still an excellent screen.
You made the right decision, I think. I'm extremely pleased already. I'll try to get some pics up later tonight. As for the difference in UI elements and their size, that was my main concern, too. If you're using a 1440x900 resolution right now, go to Apple's Web site, click on the MBP link, then reduce your font size once in Safari ("Make text smaller"). The new font size is about what it will look like at its default size on the 1920x1200 display.
The difference in sizes is noticeable, but not nearly as striking as I had expected---and that's a good thing.
xpovos -
Any more impressions of the 17" hi-res screen?? Dying to hear your thoughts - maybe even see some pictures.
Any more impressions of the 17" hi-res screen?? Dying to hear your thoughts - maybe even see some pictures.
Nice overview on the hi-res screen after reading sharper and more crisp images i drooled a little =P~
Anyway the uneven backlighting on the 17" is nothing new, I think it's been unevenly lit since the earlier 2 revisions. Once it gets LED backlighting and a 1920 x 1200 res, oh wow i might have to put on sunglasses to use it.
MBP 17" matte hi-res
I ordered mine (17" MBP with hi-res display matte) on June 6th from a premium reseller (in Austria) via the Apple Store Austria;
they don't even know a date yet!!!!
somehow I get the feeling that I still will have to wait another couple of week until I can hold "my precious" in my hands!! - big bummer though 'cauz I've been waiting for the new MBP for more than 6 months now!!!
but since I am located in Austria we might be one of the last people in the queue being served/deliverd to
Thomas
I ordered mine (17" MBP with hi-res display matte) on June 6th from a premium reseller (in Austria) via the Apple Store Austria;
they don't even know a date yet!!!!
somehow I get the feeling that I still will have to wait another couple of week until I can hold "my precious" in my hands!! - big bummer though 'cauz I've been waiting for the new MBP for more than 6 months now!!!
but since I am located in Austria we might be one of the last people in the queue being served/deliverd to
Thomas
What is the downfall of the non uniform lighting? I was thinking of going to the 5th avenue apple store tomorrow. Do they also have the LED screens (obviously they must). I wonder if they've gotten 17" glossy screens in. I'd probably buy a matte screen.
People seem to be divided on that. However, the issue may be academic given that Leopard aims to be resolution independent.
Posting from one now at the Regent Street Apple Store. The screen is noticeably dimmer and greyer/more shimmery than the new 15.4" screens, although a tad better than my last MBPC2D. However, the resolution is perfect for me. As a desktop replacement, it fits the bill. Fonts are crisp and easily readable, and the increase in screen real estate will benefit spreadsheets and design apps.
One further advantage is that the crispness mitigates against any graininess. This is not apparent on this particular matte screen. It does not feel any cooler than my new MBP, however, particularly around the left palm area up to halfway up the left speaker.
If you can wait, then do so for the LED backlit versions. Your eyes will love you for it.
One further advantage is that the crispness mitigates against any graininess. This is not apparent on this particular matte screen. It does not feel any cooler than my new MBP, however, particularly around the left palm area up to halfway up the left speaker.
If you can wait, then do so for the LED backlit versions. Your eyes will love you for it.
I'm working from home this morning and have a lot to do, so pics will have to wait until later today---but I'm taking a coffee break and decided to write up a little bit more detailed review than yesterday.
The machine is awesome. For current owners of 17" C2D MBP models, the upgrade is incremental (obviously, from the specs), but the new high-res screen alone is nearly worth the price of admission, if that sort of thing is important to you.
The higher resolution and resulting smaller UI elements took me about an hour to get used to, after which I find that I really prefer the high-res. Going back to my 20" iMac and 15" MBP, suddenly the UI on those machines looked a little too big and a little less refined somehow. Pixel density is the thing, because even though the fonts & icons are noticeably smaller (but seem to get bigger as you acclimate), everything is very crisp.
The screen is bright! I'm not certain about comparison with the last 17" MBP because I no longer have that one for a side-by-side comparison, but I'm going to go out on a limb and wager that the new screen is somewhat brighter than the last one. (Note that the screen on the new 1680x1050 model has exactly the same mmod in profiles as the previous one; it's the exact same make/model of screen as before. The new high-res screen is designated 9C69, for anyone wanting to research its manufacturer and tech specs.)
I'll agree with a previous post in saying that the backlighting isn't quite as uniform as on the new 15" LED displays, but I would also say that it's definitely more uniformly lit than the old 17" display. It's really a gorgeous screen. Aside from being non-LED, I would say it's probably the nicest screen Apple has ever sold. Although I had been hoping for 17" LED screens with this update, I don't think I'll have any non-environmentally-related regrets about going ahead with the purchase. I'm really, REALLY impressed with this display.
Operating temperatures seem no higher than on the last-gen 17" MBP, maybe slightly cooler but time will tell. Noise levels are about the same as the last one, too. My particular unit vibrates at a frequency that sets up a resonance on my work desk at home, but then so do most of my electronics on that particular desk. On all other surfaces at my house, no problems there.
If I wanted to really nitpick, I guess the only "flaw" I can find so far is that the lid is about 0.5mm higher on the left than the right when closed. Since 5 of the 6 MBPs I've owned, along with most of the others I've seen, show the same ever-so-slight difference, this is the one "problem" that my overly neurotic a** can live with.
I haven't really done anything intensive enough to show off the differences in the new GPU. I did notice that the grey boot-up screen now scans down instead of just popping up instantaneously, so I'm betting that the new monitor has a slower response time.
Viewing angles seem slightly improved over the last rev.
Umm, I can't think of anything else. I'll try to get pics up later. Any questions?
The machine is awesome. For current owners of 17" C2D MBP models, the upgrade is incremental (obviously, from the specs), but the new high-res screen alone is nearly worth the price of admission, if that sort of thing is important to you.
The higher resolution and resulting smaller UI elements took me about an hour to get used to, after which I find that I really prefer the high-res. Going back to my 20" iMac and 15" MBP, suddenly the UI on those machines looked a little too big and a little less refined somehow. Pixel density is the thing, because even though the fonts & icons are noticeably smaller (but seem to get bigger as you acclimate), everything is very crisp.
The screen is bright! I'm not certain about comparison with the last 17" MBP because I no longer have that one for a side-by-side comparison, but I'm going to go out on a limb and wager that the new screen is somewhat brighter than the last one. (Note that the screen on the new 1680x1050 model has exactly the same mmod in profiles as the previous one; it's the exact same make/model of screen as before. The new high-res screen is designated 9C69, for anyone wanting to research its manufacturer and tech specs.)
I'll agree with a previous post in saying that the backlighting isn't quite as uniform as on the new 15" LED displays, but I would also say that it's definitely more uniformly lit than the old 17" display. It's really a gorgeous screen. Aside from being non-LED, I would say it's probably the nicest screen Apple has ever sold. Although I had been hoping for 17" LED screens with this update, I don't think I'll have any non-environmentally-related regrets about going ahead with the purchase. I'm really, REALLY impressed with this display.
Operating temperatures seem no higher than on the last-gen 17" MBP, maybe slightly cooler but time will tell. Noise levels are about the same as the last one, too. My particular unit vibrates at a frequency that sets up a resonance on my work desk at home, but then so do most of my electronics on that particular desk. On all other surfaces at my house, no problems there.
If I wanted to really nitpick, I guess the only "flaw" I can find so far is that the lid is about 0.5mm higher on the left than the right when closed. Since 5 of the 6 MBPs I've owned, along with most of the others I've seen, show the same ever-so-slight difference, this is the one "problem" that my overly neurotic a** can live with.
I haven't really done anything intensive enough to show off the differences in the new GPU. I did notice that the grey boot-up screen now scans down instead of just popping up instantaneously, so I'm betting that the new monitor has a slower response time.
Viewing angles seem slightly improved over the last rev.
Umm, I can't think of anything else. I'll try to get pics up later. Any questions?
How do movies feel like? Do you play games and if you do, do you max out the settings? Do the games slowdown if you have them set at 1920 x 1200 resolution? Does the 1920 x 1200 resolution look really that much smaller than the 1680 x 1050 resolution on the 17" MacBook Pro?
Movies are great IMO. I don't really do much gaming, so I haven't tested it for that yet. I don't really think the 1920x1200 looks that much smaller than the 1680x1050. It is smaller, but I had expected it to be more so than it actually is. For about the first hour, I wasn't 100% sure how I felt about it being smaller, but after I got used to it it's fine.
Yes, but unfortunately, running at less-than-native resolution results in a less crisp image. That's true on your current Mac as well.
In the interest of full disclosure, I've always preferred small type and UI elements anyway. One of the first things I typically do on a fresh install of OS X is reduce the desktop icon size to 36x36 and the font size to 10pt. (On the high-res, I reduced the icons as usual but left the font size at default 12pt.) I can fully understand how some folks would find the UI too small on the 1920x1200. For my tastes, it's perfect.
I ordered the high res. screen, 7200rpm drive on the 5th. My ship date was 4-6 weeks due to the drive. They have since got the drives in stock and have charged my bank account. The US online store is showing 1-3 days across the board last time I checked (on the 17"). Good luck!
I've just picked mine up (spec below) and so far I absolutely love it. One small observation that I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed. The hinges on the 17" (as opposed to my 'old' 15" Core Duo) aren't nearly as firm. With the old machine I could pick it up by the base and move it in any direction at any speed without the screen moving. On the 17" if I just gently tilt it forward the screen falls, not closing completely but falling to about a 45 degree angle.
Is this just a consequence of the larger/heavier screen on the 17", or do you think the hinges need adjustment?
Thanks all,
Tom
Is this just a consequence of the larger/heavier screen on the 17", or do you think the hinges need adjustment?
Thanks all,
Tom