The October '07 edition of Consumer Reports is less than kind in its review of the new 15-inch MBP with LED. They say that skin tones look "green" and image saturation / contrast isn't as pronounced as in previous (non-LED) models. I've been waiting to order a 17-inch MBP because I want the extra battery life an LED screen provides, but now I'm having second thoughts. Has anyone else experienced this symptom with a new 15-inch MBP, or did Consumer Reports get a defective or uncalibrated notebook?
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Consumer Reports Review Doesn't Like MBP LED Screen; Is Their Review Accurate?
- Thread starter Spring Lake Bob
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Here's What They Said & the Link
Here's the Review: "Apple. The MacBook Pros in our best computer Ratings
use a typical fluorescent backlight for the screen. The new 15-inch model, which we're testing for the November issue, has an LED backlight that's brighter and less power-hungry. However, images had a greenish tint, flesh tones were less natural, and colors were less saturated. The new 17-inch model, which has a conventional backlight, did a bit better than the one in the best computer."
Here's the link: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...op-computers-9-07/overview/0709_comp_ov_1.htm
And, yes, I'm waiting for the 17-inch with LED.
Here's the Review: "Apple. The MacBook Pros in our best computer Ratings
use a typical fluorescent backlight for the screen. The new 15-inch model, which we're testing for the November issue, has an LED backlight that's brighter and less power-hungry. However, images had a greenish tint, flesh tones were less natural, and colors were less saturated. The new 17-inch model, which has a conventional backlight, did a bit better than the one in the best computer."
Here's the link: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...op-computers-9-07/overview/0709_comp_ov_1.htm
And, yes, I'm waiting for the 17-inch with LED.
It's likely that they did not calibrate the screen because once done, the brightness and the colors are quite vibrant.
Buy Now Another review of the MacBook Pro LED screen
Rob Galbraith has a fairly thorough evaluation of the LED screen on the MacBook Pro 15-inch. His conclusion is that, "for now, the MacBook Pro 15 inch with LED backlight is definitely a step up from any laptop display we've looked at before."
So it seems like we have a pretty well-informed differing opinion on the Apple LED displays. He's coming at it from the standpoint of a professional photographer using a laptop to evaluate shots in the field. He also has some great tips on calibrating color on both the new and old Apple notebook displays.
Check it out here:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-8741-9027
Rob Galbraith has a fairly thorough evaluation of the LED screen on the MacBook Pro 15-inch. His conclusion is that, "for now, the MacBook Pro 15 inch with LED backlight is definitely a step up from any laptop display we've looked at before."
So it seems like we have a pretty well-informed differing opinion on the Apple LED displays. He's coming at it from the standpoint of a professional photographer using a laptop to evaluate shots in the field. He also has some great tips on calibrating color on both the new and old Apple notebook displays.
Check it out here:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-8741-9027
The Ron Galbraith Review
This review is very helpful & lends credence to the theory that Consumer Reports tested an uncalibrated 15-inch MBP. So, I'll continue to wait for the 17-inch with LED...as long as it's introduced by the end of the year!
This review is very helpful & lends credence to the theory that Consumer Reports tested an uncalibrated 15-inch MBP. So, I'll continue to wait for the 17-inch with LED...as long as it's introduced by the end of the year!
Please for the love of god, never rely on Consumer Reports for a basis of how well a product is. It's basically for the consumer that goes out to buy something with never looking/hearing/touching a product themselves. Look for personal reviews, your own take, friends, and publications that are dedicated solely to that field/industry. I can't tell you how many times I would have a customer come into a store I used to work for asking for Technics speakers, because Consumer Reports said they are the best speaker out there. Biggest load ever. They're not even the best as a standard consumer speaker. The store I worked for sold B&W as an example, and I own a pair of Focal speakers, you couldn't pay me enough money to own a pair of Technic speakers.
*Rant is over, and the above wasn't directed to you personally. I've just seen people rely on Consumer Reports one too many times, and then get burnt and regret their purchase or non-purchase. Also when it comes to displays, they usually never look good right out of the box without some sort of calibration. I can guarantee from experience that CR did not calibrate. I used to work in the high end audio/video industry for a number of years. Look at the links and the great help and reviews you'll get from individuals here. They won't lead you astray.
Personally I don't think you'll go wrong with your purchase at all. Enjoy it when you get it!
*Rant is over, and the above wasn't directed to you personally. I've just seen people rely on Consumer Reports one too many times, and then get burnt and regret their purchase or non-purchase. Also when it comes to displays, they usually never look good right out of the box without some sort of calibration. I can guarantee from experience that CR did not calibrate. I used to work in the high end audio/video industry for a number of years. Look at the links and the great help and reviews you'll get from individuals here. They won't lead you astray.
Personally I don't think you'll go wrong with your purchase at all. Enjoy it when you get it!
I can vouch for the green tone whilst the LG screen on my brother's SR has no yellowing issue when we put my pre SR next to the SR model you can definitely see the green tone but my brother says it doesn't bother and he in fact only noticed it when both machines were side by side.
Overall its a very good screen but like all notebook screens it has at least one thing that differentiates it from the previous or next gen screen which some would find to be an issue.....there's always one thing.
Overall its a very good screen but like all notebook screens it has at least one thing that differentiates it from the previous or next gen screen which some would find to be an issue.....there's always one thing.