Glossy or matte (regular) on MBP 17?

[zach7485]

I need help! For my 13th b-day, June 14, my parents let me order a 17 inch fully loaded (if I wanted, but I didn't) MacBook Pro. But, I did order it with a glossy screen, though I still have time to cancel it and change it to an anti-glare matte screen. Which one should I choose? Hurry, because I only have little time before Apple starts the shipment preparation, which then I won't be able to cancel it and be stuck with a (possibly) worse screen type.

 

[jaxstate]

I have a glossy 15" MBP, and I love it. The screen is so nice. But that's just my likes. Get your parents to take you to bestbuy or anohter computer store, where you can compare the two.

I need help! For my 13th b-day, June 14, my parents let me order a 17 inch fully loaded (if I wanted, but I didn't) MacBook Pro. But, I did order it with a glossy screen, though I still have time to cancel it and change it to an anti-glare matte screen. Which one should I choose? Hurry, because I only have little time before Apple starts the shipment preparation, which then I won't be able to cancel it and be stuck with a (possibly) worse screen type.

 

[ncook06]

I owned a MBP 15" with matte before this, and personally I like the glossy. It's much easier to keep clean. Also, this screen is not like a mirror, it's only slightly glossy. However IMO, the matte is more proffessional, as it shows you the real color, like in Photoshop or Final Cut when it matters.

Also, congrats on the 17. I would have gotten one if I was not a college student on a budget. The 17 costs more than 2x what my MB did!!

 

[Makosuke]

Me, I'd go with the matte (I did, in fact, although when I bought I didn't have the option). It's not quite as pretty, and picks up fingerprints more easily (keep your hands off!), but it does keep colors more balanced and I can use it with my back to a window during the day with functionally no reflection.

Note that there's really not a huge difference--the newest matte ones aren't THAT matte, and the glossy ones aren't THAT shiny. Probably not a massive difference either way.

 

[zach7485]

Thanks! Now, I'm glad I chose the glossy screen. It don't really matter about the "professional" look to me, because I DO edit photos, just not professionally, so I think I made the right decision. But if anyone else wants to give me more good reasons to go with glossy, or to object, feel free. I like reading the comments.

 

[Pressure]

Thanks! Now, I'm glad I chose the glossy screen. It don't really matter about the "professional" look to me, because I DO edit photos, just not professionally, so I think I made the right decision. But if anyone else wants to give me more good reasons to go with glossy, or to object, feel free. I like reading the comments.

No pro would pick the glossy over the matte . . .

You want true color representation and nothing that can skew the colours, if you work with photos etc.

I am confident that you will be happy with your screen as it is.

Been playing with a MacBook and MacBook Pro for some time now and the difference really isn't that big.

 

[bbrosemer]

Me, I'd go with the matte (I did, in fact, although when I bought I didn't have the option). It's not quite as pretty, and picks up fingerprints more easily (keep your hands off!), but it does keep colors more balanced and I can use it with my back to a window during the day with functionally no reflection.

Note that there's really not a huge difference--the newest matte ones aren't THAT matte, and the glossy ones aren't THAT shiny. Probably not a massive difference either way.

I agree my matte is very not matte for a matte, if anyone knows what I mean, and my friends glossy isnt that glossy, I wish I had pics, becasue we lined up an old dell with a matte next to my 17'' MBP matte, next to his 17'' MBP glossy next to my friends Gateway glossy and the Dell and the Gateway were the only two that looked very different screen wise, (all were booted in XP with a blank rolling hill bg).

 

[zach7485]

I agree my matte is very not matte for a matte, if anyone knows what I mean, and my friends glossy isnt that glossy, I wish I had pics, becasue we lined up an old dell with a matte next to my 17'' MBP matte, next to his 17'' MBP glossy next to my friends Gateway glossy and the Dell and the Gateway were the only two that looked very different screen wise, (all were booted in XP with a blank rolling hill bg).

Yeah, I guess it really don't matter. Won't be a big disappointment if Apple somehow sends me a matte screen. Least it gets rid of a glare . Oh, and anyone who wants a free (maybe if thats my best offer) iBook G3 (the white square ones, not the clams), that probably has seen its better days, look for my thread under buying tips etc. It'll say "iBook 3, for sale". Self explanatory. Well, I must check the status of my beloved MBP. Just reading about it makes me happy . Ya'll have a great day

 

[Spectrum]

No offence, but if you are about to blow $2-3K on a computer, AND you're concerned about the screen, I think you should have taken the time to view the options in a store.

But anyway... My take is very much in the glossy-sucks camp. But it IS a personal preference. Which is why, if you think it will bother you, you should take a look at how they look/perform in a store.

For me, the Macbooks are way too glossy (but obviosuly they are not for others), and even the matte 17" MBPs have a slight glossy finish (compared to 15"PB/MBP), so if you are going 17", there may not be a big difference between glossy/nonglossy.

On the other hand - maybe the 17" glossy is REALLY glossy.

But until you see one you'll never know.