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Glossyness: Al iMac vs MacBooks

C

colorspace

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 5, 2005
325
12
I'm about to order a new 24" iMac -- my big concern is reflections off of the screen in my work environment. If the iMac display is about as reflective/glossy as the Macbook, then I think the iMac will work well for me. Not so if it significantly worse.

Can anyone that is familiar with suing both the Al iMacs and MacBooks in the same environment please comment on how reflective these screens are relative to each other.

Thanks
 
colorspace said:
I'm about to order a new 24" iMac -- my big concern is reflections off of the screen in my work environment. If the iMac display is about as reflective/glossy as the Macbook, then I think the iMac will work well for me. Not so if it significantly worse.

Can anyone that is familiar with suing both the Al iMacs and MacBooks in the same environment please comment on how reflective these screens are relative to each other.

Thanks
Click to expand...

One thing to remember here is although you can compare 'glossy' LCD screens the iMac has a pane of glass that adds to the reflectivity. So comparing the 2 isn't exactly fair as the MacBook doesn't have the glass. What your seeing on the MB is the actual reflectivity off the LCD screen itself, on the iMac your seeing the glass reflectivity.

iMacs DO have standard glossy LCD's but they also have the added pane of glass that a lot of people confuse as the actual display/LCD quality. It's not. The glass is acting just as it physically should, being reflective. Keep that in mind when comparing.

IMO it's not THAT bad. It is very reflective (the glass) but it also adds to the beauty of the LCD underneath it.
 
I worked with CRT monitors for decades, and never had issues with their 'glossy' display (glass reflectivity). Why would it be different now?
 
Mindflux said:
I worked with CRT monitors for decades, and never had issues with their 'glossy' display (glass reflectivity). Why would it be different now?
Click to expand...

I never said it 'was' an issue. I just wanted the OP to understand you can't really compare the iMac display with the MB display as one has glass one does not. A CRT monitor would show a different reflectivity than an exposed LCD monitor even if it's glossy coated (which is what the MB and MBP's are) which is what most laptops have (there are a few exceptions but the MB isn't one of them).

To the OP I say go look for yourself if you can. Otherwise the conclusion you get may not be accurate for your needs.

I own the 24" Al iMac and the glass IS reflective as all get out (my opinion) but it doesn't bother me. In good lighting it works pretty good, I don't have a window behind me to reflect off of but again, I'm happy with my choice, but it is more reflective than my coworkers MBP with the glossy screen and I LOVE it.
 
I can't really notice any reflections on my iMac. The only time I notice them is when it is off, or there is a dark screen.
 
colorspace said:
I'm about to order a new 24" iMac -- my big concern is reflections off of the screen in my work environment. If the iMac display is about as reflective/glossy as the Macbook, then I think the iMac will work well for me. Not so if it significantly worse.

Can anyone that is familiar with suing both the Al iMacs and MacBooks in the same environment please comment on how reflective these screens are relative to each other.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm using a glossy, high-res 17" MacBook Pro + a brand new iMac in a work environment without any problems. The iMac is a tad glossier than the MBP, but that's due to the glass cover. Provided you don't have a window or something busy-looking with a lot of bright highlights right behind you (which can a problem with ANY screen) you should be okay.
 
Mindflux said:
I worked with CRT monitors for decades, and never had issues with their 'glossy' display (glass reflectivity). Why would it be different now?
Click to expand...
It's entirely different. All decent CRT monitors had extremely effective optical anti-reflective coatings; the ALU iMacs have NONE. You can easily demonstrate this by turning off the computer and staring at yourself in your perfect iMirror.

LK
 
With no backlight, yes, it's a perfect mirror.

The backlight on it is really bright though - mine is turned down to less than half otherwise it's almost too white - and with that on, you don't see the reflection any longer.

With the screen on, I really don't notice the glossiness unless I put a floor light (which is directly behind me) on. Because it's so bright, it does shine onto the glass and I notice it. That's the only occasion where I've thought yikes and my eyes don't filter it out without getting a slight headache.

I have a window to one side of the iMac (and a few feet away). That so far hasn't caused me a problem. The overhead light causes me no problem.
 
I used the 24" iMac in an Apple reseller on the weekend. It was a bright sunny day and there were large windows behind me.
I didn't think the reflections were overly distracting. In a normal home user situation I'd say the relections would be a total non issue.
 
colorspace said:
Wow.

Is it as bad as Leon states here?
Click to expand...

It's a personal preference. It seems Leon is super sensative to screen characteristics. I don't even notice the glossyness of my iMac screen until it's turned off. I DO notice how bright, crisp, and clear it is when it's turned on, though! :D
 
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