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netdog

macrumors 603
Feb 6, 2006
5,760
38
London
My 13" MBA screen is every bit the equal to my Mid 2009 MBP 17.

In terms of precise color matching, my understanding is that the MBA is not as good however. But for everyday use, it's just as good.
 

skcrane

macrumors member
Mar 24, 2009
89
0
dayton, oh
any one have any comments on the macbook air 13 inch versus the macbook pro 15 inch screen, as far as quality, real estate, which you would prefer, etc..
 

gwsat

macrumors 68000
Apr 12, 2008
1,920
0
Tulsa
I have the 9CDF screen on my 13 inch MBA, not that I would ever have know that was what I had if I had not read this thread. Anyway, among the many things I like about my MBA, the quality of its display has been a particular delight.
 

pfjellman

macrumors regular
Mar 18, 2010
209
4
Oregon
i have the 13" MacBook Air and after using it for a week when I go back to my 15" MacBook Pro the screen looks clunky, dull, and bulky. the resolution is far better on my MBA. i don't know how to check which "version" of the screen i have.
 

Fuchal

macrumors 68030
Sep 30, 2003
2,614
1,137
In terms of brightness, my MBP 15 looks really dim compared to my 11" MBA and 27" iMac
 

drjsway

macrumors 6502a
Jan 8, 2009
936
2
you think the 13 air has the best screen? you think the 13 air is better than the 11?

To me, contrast and black/white levels are the most important and the thing most noticeable to casual viewers. Color gamut, on the other hand, is imperceptible to an untrained eye and only noticeable when viewing colorful images.

Out of all the MacBooks, the new 13" MBA has the highest contrast and the lowest black level.

The white macbook which is ranked last here actually had as good if not better specs than the macbook air's (2nd generation). Actually it may be the same screen

I disagree. The MacBook Air (both first and second generation) has a far more superior screen than the white MacBook, to the point where it's not even comparable.
 

gwsat

macrumors 68000
Apr 12, 2008
1,920
0
Tulsa
i have the 13" MacBook Air and after using it for a week when I go back to my 15" MacBook Pro the screen looks clunky, dull, and bulky. the resolution is far better on my MBA. i don't know how to check which "version" of the screen i have.
Open Display Preferences. Click on Color, highlight the top Display Profile, Color LCD, and click Open Profile. Scroll to the last item on the list, Apple display make and model information. Look at the information displayed below the list and you will see the model number of your display.
 

macbook123

macrumors 68000
Feb 11, 2006
1,869
85
Out of all the MacBooks, the new 13" MBA has the highest contrast and the lowest black level.

You can not generalize this unless you have looked at all different displays used in the new Air's. For example, 9CF0 and 9CDF in the 13.3" seem to be very different. Also, we don't know and will never know which one Anandtech tested, as their review is incomplete in this regard. The black level on my 9CF0 is not very good, definitely not as good as my 2009 17" MBP.
 

pfjellman

macrumors regular
Mar 18, 2010
209
4
Oregon
I have the 9CF0 model, and it's much better than my 15" MacBook Pro. Easily comparable (in quality, not resolution obviously) to an ASUS 24" and an HP 24" monitor, both of which are high dollar high contrast monitors hooked up to my Mac Pro with a Radeon HD4870 (1GB VRAM) card. Nothing like "looking through a thick fog"


Open Display Preferences. Click on Color, highlight the top Display Profile, Color LCD, and click Open Profile. Scroll to the last item on the list, Apple display make and model information. Look at the information displayed below the list and you will see the model number of your display.
 

SamTheeGeek

macrumors 6502a
Jan 12, 2010
569
51
United Kingdom
hmm good question, today i made a comparison video on boot up time and i saw both screens of my 2010 mbp and 2010 mba, i for one didnt notice any difference. They both look beautiful in my opinion. :)
 

macbook123

macrumors 68000
Feb 11, 2006
1,869
85
Is it too much to ask to go back three posts in the thread before posting a question that has already been answered?
 

milan03

macrumors 6502
Jul 16, 2002
440
13
New York City
Sorry, but putting MBA's display in front of any MBP AntiGlare, especially 15" HR/AG is straight up laughable.
How is the terrible contrast on MBA working for ya so far? Seriously, and be honest, of course if you've ever seen HR/AG MBP before.
 

Pipper99

macrumors 68040
Aug 14, 2010
3,823
3,772
Fort Worth, TX
Is it too much to ask to go back three posts in the thread before posting a question that has already been answered?

Yes, it's too much to ask.:mad:

I did look for the answer prior to posting, and I somehow missed it. I guess I was skimming too fast. I beg your forgiveness. After I posted my question, I saw the answer and I tried to delete my post unsuccessfully. I really do try to be careful with my questions, but there's always someone ready to pounce if you mess up.
 
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macbook123

macrumors 68000
Feb 11, 2006
1,869
85
Yes, it's too much to ask.:mad:

I did look for the answer prior to posting, and I somehow missed it. I guess I was skimming too fast. I beg your forgiveness. After I posted my question, I saw the answer and I tried to delete my post unsuccessfully. I really do try to be careful with my questions, but there's always someone ready to pounce if you mess up.

I apologize for coming across bitchy...:eek:

Did it work out for you, i.e. did you get the information you wanted (hope I didn't miss your post telling us your model...:rolleyes:)
 

happyslayer

macrumors 65816
Feb 3, 2008
1,031
579
Glendale, AZ
Compared to my RevB 13/3" Air with 1200x800 screen, my 11.6 is just plain amazing. Very, very crisp. I write on it for hours at a time and I truly love it.

Admittedly, I don't do much of anything with photos other than change my desktop every couple days, but when I do it looks very crisp and nice!

So compared to my old Air and most any PC laptop I have worked on...

11.6 Screen is best so far!
 

tim100

macrumors 65816
Original poster
May 25, 2009
1,368
0
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milan03 said:
Sorry, but putting MBA's display in front of any MBP AntiGlare, especially 15" HR/AG is straight up laughable.
How is the terrible contrast on MBA working for ya so far? Seriously, and be honest, of course if you've ever seen HR/AG MBP before.

ok how does it compare to mbp glossy
 

milan03

macrumors 6502
Jul 16, 2002
440
13
New York City
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ok how does it compare to mbp glossy

The PPI on MBA is looking gorgeous, but I believe the panel on MBP glossy is still superior. For some reason MBA's contrast doesn't impress me at all. Everything looks a bit dimmer and not nearly as color rich as MBPs glossy. It is definitely a different panel, coating, as well as the process of putting the display together.
 

gwsat

macrumors 68000
Apr 12, 2008
1,920
0
Tulsa
The PPI on MBA is looking gorgeous, but I believe the panel on MBP glossy is still superior. For some reason MBA's contrast doesn't impress me at all. Everything looks a bit dimmer and not nearly as color rich as MBPs glossy. It is definitely a different panel, coating, as well as the process of putting the display together.
I detest all of the MBP's glass covered displays because they all have horrible reflection problems. Although the MBAs are not as immune to reflection difficulties as the premium matte screens, they are far better in this regard than any glass covered display I have used, especially my iPad's, whose reflections make me crazy.
 

milan03

macrumors 6502
Jul 16, 2002
440
13
New York City
I detest all of the MBP's glass covered displays because they all have horrible reflection problems. Although the MBAs are not as immune to reflection difficulties as the premium matte screens, they are far better in this regard than any glass covered display I have used, especially my iPad's, whose reflections make me crazy.

The semi glossy coating that's been applied on MBA's could be the reason why they look a bit dimmer and lower in contrast than MBP's. I catch myself pressing brightness button on the keyboard all the time when on MBA.
 
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