macbook air screen quality

[shenfrey]

Hi guys, just purchased a macbook air, was going to get the macbook pro as i won't really be taking it out the house much, not really a high flying businessmen kinda guy, just work as a scaffolder lol.

Reason I bought the Air was it suited my needs perfectly, all I do is browse the web, and watch video. Don't really play games on it, and don't really use it as a music machine (My 27" Imac fills that role) now my only concern is as the title says, the screen quality on the display.

Now I am not savvy in the tech world, but from what I could tell when I was comparing the two with the apple guys (Their stores are very helpful) the only thing I noticed that caught my eye was the screen quality and brightness on the macbook pro. The screen looked alot brighter, and the images looked more crisp, I know the macbook pro has glass protection covering the screen, but is the display it self different to the Mac book airs?

Its not a deal braker for me, I love my macbook air 13" (I bought the top of the line model) its extremely quick, it looks the part and its extremely light for when I do want to either take it upstairs or vice veser or take it in the backgarden on a nice hot summers day, but I just feel a bit gutted that it didn't look as bright as the macbook pro considering that I was debating over the two.

Whats up with it then guys? Is it just my eyes, or are the screens actually different, and also with it not being protected by glass should i be worried about damaging the screen? Iv noticed when I got to clean it with a soft cloth, the screen ripples, makes me a bit on edge about damaging it : P

Thanks guys.

 

[joejoejoe]

Hi guys, just purchased a macbook air, was going to get the macbook pro as i won't really be taking it out the house much, not really a high flying businessmen kinda guy, just work as a scaffolder lol.

Reason I bought the Air was it suited my needs perfectly, all I do is browse the web, and watch video. Don't really play games on it, and don't really use it as a music machine (My 27" Imac fills that role) now my only concern is as the title says, the screen quality on the display.

Now I am not savvy in the tech world, but from what I could tell when I was comparing the two with the apple guys (Their stores are very helpful) the only thing I noticed that caught my eye was the screen quality and brightness on the macbook pro. The screen looked alot brighter, and the images looked more crisp, I know the macbook pro has glass protection covering the screen, but is the display it self different to the Mac book airs?

Its not a deal braker for me, I love my macbook air 13" (I bought the top of the line model) its extremely quick, it looks the part and its extremely light for when I do want to either take it upstairs or vice veser or take it in the backgarden on a nice hot summers day, but I just feel a bit gutted that it didn't look as bright as the macbook pro considering that I was debating over the two.

Whats up with it then guys? Is it just my eyes, or are the screens actually different, and also with it not being protected by glass should i be worried about damaging the screen? Iv noticed when I got to clean it with a soft cloth, the screen ripples, makes me a bit on edge about damaging it : P

Thanks guys.

Yes, the screens are different.

The MBA 13'' screen has a higher resolution than the 13'' Pro. The Pro might be brighter, but the resolution alone makes the MBA take the cake for a better screen.

 

[Oli3000]

The air supposedly has poorer 'colour gamut'. Essentially, it is not as good at depth of colour.

However, overall, it is a better screen due to the higher resolution!

Discussed here (with pictures):

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ba...creen-quality-can-it-finally-replace-the-pro/

And here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3991/apples-2010-macbook-air-11-13inch-reviewed/5

 

[superego]

The differences you perceived between MBPs and MBAs is all about panel lottery. If you see a MBP with a bright screen in the store, the one you actually buy might not be as bright. This is because Apple uses different panels that are supposedly all up to specifications, but some are really just worse than others. MBAs should be on par with MBPs when it comes to brightness.

Otherwise MBAs have slightly poorer displays when it comes to display quality. Brightness distribution and viewing angles could be slightly worse when compared to MBP models. MBP displays definitely have better colour gamut and MBA 13" has better resolution than its MBP counterpart. To most people resolution is a lot more important than the quality of colours. Also, the glass in MBP displays causes very disturbing reflections can cause eyestrain and be of constant annoyance. MBA suffers much less of that problem.

 

[BENJMNS]

you guys must be half insect or something - bugeyes

 

[trip1ex]

MBAs have a great screen. Color gamut isn't as good as MBPs but Anandtech's measurements had it ahead it other areas - contrast and such like that especially the 13".

 

[onthecouchagain]

I'm curious, how does the glass display cause eye strain? I notice my eyes indeed do strain a little on my Pro 13" 2011. Can someone explain?

 

[RealScience]

I'm curious, how does the glass display cause eye strain? I notice my eyes indeed do strain a little on my Pro 13" 2011. Can someone explain?

Because of the glass covering the Pro's display, there are more reflections in the screen. It is my understanding that glare and reflections make your eyes work harder to focus on the things you want to see because there's more for your eyes to filter out and disregard. I'm afraid I don't know more beyond that.

The MacBook Air's screen is still glossy, but less reflective than the glass. The optional matte display on the Pros is supposed to be the easiest on your eyes.

 

[shenfrey]

Because of the glass covering the Pro's display, there are more reflections in the screen. It is my understanding that glare and reflections make your eyes work harder to focus on the things you want to see because there's more for your eyes to filter out and disregard. I'm afraid I don't know more beyond that.

The MacBook Air's screen is still glossy, but less reflective than the glass. The optional matte display on the Pros is supposed to be the easiest on your eyes.

But can I damage it easily due to it not being covered by glass? As I said I'm my post I get a ripple effect when cleaning it, is this dangerous for the screen (i just use water)? Or should I not be concerned are they just as durable?

Thanks

 

[RealScience]

But can I damage it easily due to it not being covered by glass? As I said I'm my post I get a ripple effect when cleaning it, is this dangerous for the screen (i just use water)? Or should I not be concerned are they just as durable?

Thanks

I'm not an expert on this, but there's obviously a difference in durability. One screen is protected by a sheet of glass, the other is not. The unprotected screen would be easier to puncture, for example, if you poked it with something sharp.

However, it's important to remember that most computer manufacturers don't cover their screens with glass at all, and Apple didn't do it until a few years ago. Taking basic precautions when using the computer should be sufficient, in my opinion. I wouldn't let the glass be a substantial factor in your decision-making.

 

[bloodycape]

What is the nit rating on the 13in MBP vs the Air, because that could be the reason why the Pro looks brighter, and could affect how readable/usable it is in sunlight(glossy vs anti-glare vs matte is also a factor in this matter).

 

[superego]

What is the nit rating on the 13in MBP vs the Air, because that could be the reason why the Pro looks brighter, and could affect how readable/usable it is in sunlight(glossy vs anti-glare vs matte is also a factor in this matter).

It seems to vary, because there are panels from different manufacturers in both MBA and MBP. Basically they should be about on par with brightness, but you could just as well get a brighter Air or Pro. It sucks, because you can't tell what the panel is until you try one. Anyway, MBP doesn't have any brighter panels as a standard. It's all about lottery.

 

[Padraig]

Just choose a 13 inch MBA over the MBP mainly because of the incredibly distracting gloss on the latter - the resolution is also very poor for a pro machine. Apple really should have a matte option across their entire laptop range.

 

[picar]

Correct me if I am wrong. I remember that pro series uses 72% NTSC panel which covers more sRGB color. This is the reason why the LCD of MBP is much more vivid than other NB. However, MBP still uses TN panel, not IPS.

 

[bloodycape]

Correct me if I am wrong. I remember that pro series uses 72% NTSC panel which covers more sRGB color. This is the reason why the LCD of MBP is much more vivid than other NB. However, MBP still uses TN panel, not IPS.

I would think that in the 13in as the 15in and 17in would have a higher color gamut to compete better with higher end notebooks.