MBA screen and resolution

[Aspen]

I'm writing this from a 2011 13" MBP and comparing it to the MBA which I would like to buy (the hopeful potential new version that is) as well as my older 15" MBP with the NVIDIA 9400 graphics care.

I can't quite put my finger on what I'm seeing but does the current 13" MBP screen seem dull? It doesn't seem as bright or vibrant as my several generation old 15" MBP with the 9400 or maybe it's just my imagination. How does this compare to the MBA? The MBA's I've seen are all in the stores with a lot of ambient light and it's difficult to compare; they seem dull but maybe it's the lighting.

When looking at the MBA resolution, once again I can't quite identify what I'm concerned about. Maybe it comes to the higher resolution and smaller native font (?) compared to the 13" MBP. If the MBA font size is made bigger, what's the point in having the higher resolution MBA? Wouldn't that then leading to about the same amount of scrolling as the 13" MBP for web browsing?

Thanks for the help. Hopefully some of you will know what my questions actually are!

 

[leftywamumonkey]

I think you should watch this Click me! It will discuss viewing angles and color contrasts.

 

[marrzie]

Theres either 2 or 3 different manufacturers for the 2011 led panels. Some are apparently not as bright as others. Also try to calibrate the monitor as some have assumed it might be related to the hd 3000 graphics.

The higher resolution air will show more of the web page therefore you would have to scroll more with the lower resolution mbp. The font is actually a bit smaller on the higher resolution air.
Also to clarify if you have a 2011 15" mbp with 1440x900 screen and a 2010 macbook air 13" with 1440x900 screen you will see the exact same thing on each screen only the air will show everything smaller because it has to pack the same amount of pixels onto a much smaller screen size.

Check mbp forums about the screen brightness issues when comparing 2010 mbp to 2011 mbp screens. Most say the 2010 is bright and super nice and overall superior to the 2011 screen.



Also the 2010 13" and 2010 11" macbook airs I have used have been anything but dull in my experience. This is coming from a dell user recently converted.

 

[Aspen]

Thank you for the replies.

You are correct though when comparing to a Dell and I need to keep it in perspective. I have an HP laptop that I travel with and boy, are all MBP screens nicer looking.

Back to the MBA resolution. Using the native resolution and standard font sizes, do you find the text large enough to comfortably read? When testing larger font sizes with the MBA, I've noticed that some web pages don't format nicely.

 

[42streetsdown]

I think you should watch this Click me! It will discuss viewing angles and color contrasts.

Hm, this is really interesting. Do we expect IPS in the new Airs, or is that a no go? I plan on buying the new Air when it comes out, and i'm a little concern with this screen issue. I mean, it probably won't matter to me in the long run but i'd like IPS i guess.

 

[entatlrg]

The video referred to is incorrect in my experience.

Poor screen on MBA? And, the 13" MBP gives a "better viewing experience" couldn't disagree more...

 

[marrzie]

On both the 13" and 11" air models they are just fine for me. I never once had to zoom with the 13" or the 11" but there are occasions where I did zoom albeit very rarely to make reading a bit more comfortable.
I have 20 20 vision but could see this becoming a problem if my vision was any less. I was certain I would hate the 11" after using the 13" but was very surprised that both models are very useable for a person with perfect vision.

 

[Apple Expert]

The video referred to is incorrect in my experience.

Poor screen on MBA? And, the 13" MBP gives a "better viewing experience" couldn't disagree more...

Same here. Seem many side by sides and the MBA still has better display.