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Glossy vs Matte
- Thread starter fluidedge
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You hate choice? Perhaps you would rather someone dictate to you what you get to have and don't get to have?
Glossy makes colors look pretty, Matte makes colors look real.
Get glossy if you're going to use it for basic stuff and watching movies and games.
Get matte if you plan on doing any type of graphic design, as the colors look closer to real life.
If you didn't already know the difference, I'd guess you're probably just a basic user... so go with glossy.
Glossy makes colors look pretty, Matte makes colors look real.
Get glossy if you're going to use it for basic stuff and watching movies and games.
Get matte if you plan on doing any type of graphic design, as the colors look closer to real life.
If you didn't already know the difference, I'd guess you're probably just a basic user... so go with glossy.
it's been an option for about 4-5 months...not sure if it goes all the way back to the last MBP update
and i'm with g-ram, if you don't know the difference, go with glossy
and i'm with g-ram, if you don't know the difference, go with glossy
It's been an option for the macbook pro since it came out in January of 2006. Yes, there have been threads on this since then
Glossy v matte has been around for quite some time. Only the macbook has been glossy since the day it came out. The mbp has always had the option.
I disagree. Glossy can be really horrible if you're trying to type and there's strong lighting behind you. It can make reading virtually impossible under certain conditions. If you really don't know the difference, the answer is to go to a store and find out; not to settle for one or the other
OP, I assume you're buying a mbp for some work purpose (or other serious need) right? If so, I advise you to go to an Apple store or other retailer which carries Macs and see for yourself. Be warned however that the Apple Store does a good job of "hiding" the gloss on the glossy. To be certain that you see the true glare differences, hold up your cell phone to both (I assume your phone has backlit keys and screen-turn this on for this demo) and compare the reflection. The matte will produce a much less concentrated glare that disperses over a wider area. The glossy will indeed act like a mirror. However, if you're not sure how this will affect you, the only way is to go to a store and see for yourself.
I have a glossy and personally don't mind the glare. As long as I'm not working with a light directly behind me, its easy to ignore.
But I will present an argument against glossy. The screen (when turned off) tends to get dirtier faster than a matte screen does. So if you're extremely OCD, I'd go with matte.
But I will present an argument against glossy. The screen (when turned off) tends to get dirtier faster than a matte screen does. So if you're extremely OCD, I'd go with matte.
Ok...Take a coin, hold it in your hand, not too hard though...Now, flip it. If it's head, then go for glossy, otherwise go for matte. Either way you will love your screen, and immediately become a connoisseur on "glossy vs. matte" issues.
Also, you could try going to an actual Apple Retail Store, and SEE the difference for yourself, play around with each model. Most Stores have them next to each another so you can notice the difference.
Also, you could try going to an actual Apple Retail Store, and SEE the difference for yourself, play around with each model. Most Stores have them next to each another so you can notice the difference.
I third glossy (or is it 4...)
I love the glossy screens, things look a lot crisper and clearer, photos are beautiful to look at and it also looks nice and modern to match the crisp design
I love the glossy screens, things look a lot crisper and clearer, photos are beautiful to look at and it also looks nice and modern to match the crisp design
I chose glossy. Here are some of my insights:
I only see reflections if there is a light directly behind me at screen level. Ceiling lights in my room are not at the right angle. usually if there is a reflection, just angle the screen a bit and it goes away. If you go outside, you will get reflections. But I kind of like them... with matte and a lot of light (when outside) the whole screen sort of gets cast over with light and the picture gets washed out. With glossy you get to see pretty trees and things around you. It makes things everyday tasks (like typing a paper, surfin the net, etc... nice). But you will have to have the screen brightness up pretty high.... the reflections Just not distracting to me. I also noticed that under normal conditions you won't see reflections, but if you move your head from side to side, you can sort of see movement on the screen (which would be the reflections) but that is only if you shake your head a lot while computing. Maybe someone with a matte screen can confirm this only happens with glossy...could be some weird backlight thing. Overall, i'm glad I chose glossy. Never had issues, with it so... it's fine.
One thing to note though, I had to go through 2 replacements (this is my 3rd one) to get a screen without the bottom yellowing (this one still has it a little bit but I'm not going through that again). I ordered my MBP at the end of august, and didn't end up getting it (well, one that was acceptable to use) until Mid October.... so it was pretty horrible. it's possible that the glossy's are more likely to have this, but that is not confirmed. i
I only see reflections if there is a light directly behind me at screen level. Ceiling lights in my room are not at the right angle. usually if there is a reflection, just angle the screen a bit and it goes away. If you go outside, you will get reflections. But I kind of like them... with matte and a lot of light (when outside) the whole screen sort of gets cast over with light and the picture gets washed out. With glossy you get to see pretty trees and things around you. It makes things everyday tasks (like typing a paper, surfin the net, etc... nice). But you will have to have the screen brightness up pretty high.... the reflections Just not distracting to me. I also noticed that under normal conditions you won't see reflections, but if you move your head from side to side, you can sort of see movement on the screen (which would be the reflections) but that is only if you shake your head a lot while computing. Maybe someone with a matte screen can confirm this only happens with glossy...could be some weird backlight thing. Overall, i'm glad I chose glossy. Never had issues, with it so... it's fine.
One thing to note though, I had to go through 2 replacements (this is my 3rd one) to get a screen without the bottom yellowing (this one still has it a little bit but I'm not going through that again). I ordered my MBP at the end of august, and didn't end up getting it (well, one that was acceptable to use) until Mid October.... so it was pretty horrible. it's possible that the glossy's are more likely to have this, but that is not confirmed. i
Ummm...WHAT?
First off, the new screens on the mbps are LED backlit; they are not LEDs. Secondly, the glossy finish will still reflect light the same; this has nothing to do with how the screen is backlit.
This has been discussed before, and the general consensus is that while the threads can seem repetitive, poster always have the option of not posting or reading such threads. In addition, some posters have unique circumstances and their threads deserve as much attention as older threads have.
So you're in a unique position to provide the OP with some information about accurate color reproduction. When you print, does the image come out looking like it did on the glossy screen? Does the glossy screen make everything "prettier" than it really is?
If you don't need to do any photo editing for a profession, go with glossy. I love it for movies and entertainment.
Even non-media projects suffer under the glare of a glossy screen IMHO. A simple app like Word can become hard to use when there is excessive glare on the screen. Ultimately, the decision can only be made by visiting a store and looking at both side-by-side. Only that will provide the perspective needed to make a good decision.
Doesnt matter to me. They both have their advantages. I have matte because it happened to be the one that I got a deal on.
I do alot of photo editing, so sometimes I wish I had a glossy screen. But mostly I am perfectly happy with my matte screen.
I do alot of photo editing, so sometimes I wish I had a glossy screen. But mostly I am perfectly happy with my matte screen.