Hello there. Next week, I'll be able to purchase a macbook pro. I'm questioning whether I should get a refurbed 2.0/1GB/100GB/256MB VRAM with a matte screen, or a brand new 2.0/512MB/80GB/128MB VRAM with a glossy screen. I have to keep it under 2K. I mainly do graphic design, and I noticed with the macbooks that colors appeared more vivid with the glossy screen, so I most likely want to go with the matte screen to better represent a typical web user's screen, correct? Then again, it would be nice to be able to actually work outside, for a change. Any thoughts?
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MBP: Glossy or Not?
- Thread starter nicoritschel
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glossy = bad. Seriously, I've seen MacBooks in both the Apple Store and CompUSA, and they're very reflective.
Matte - not reflective. Go with the matte for productivity, or the glossy for watching movies in a dark room.
Matte - not reflective. Go with the matte for productivity, or the glossy for watching movies in a dark room.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking, but after actually using a macbook at a friend's house, the glossy screen didn't seem nearly as reflective as a vaio screen. Thanks for the opinions.
I personally love glossy screens, in my opinion they look fantastic. I spent an hour with the macbook at the apple store today and loved it. I think it would be a lil exessive on a 17" though.
When I compared the glossy screen (Macbook) next to the matte (Macbook Pro) at the Chestnut Hill store in MA, I noticed the glossy screen was way way too saturated. The matte screen, in my opinion, looked much better.
it's really up to you . . . i kind of like glossy but i'd be happy either way. if you're not incredibly picky like i've noticed some other mac users are, sorry bros
, you should be happy with glossy if it's default. it's really nice, either way you should be happy with matte or glossy.
, you should be happy with glossy if it's default. it's really nice, either way you should be happy with matte or glossy.
i agree that glossy and matte are personal preference, but they're both great screens. things like extra hard drive space, more VRAM, and more installed memory (i.e., your option #1) is far more important and distinguishing, imho.
It's really a pretty easy decision: where will you use the laptop most often?
If you plan to use the laptop the majority of a time in an office environment or your home where the lighting is flat and controlled, then a glossy screen is fine.
But if you are using it as a portable computer, often using it outside or in a place like a coffee shop where harsh lighting is the rule, a matte screen is best.
Anedotal evidence is that most people look at a glossy screen and prefer it -- the same way they prefer glossy TV screens. But that does not make them better -- in fact, in use many regret their choice.
Frankly, I think Apple went with the choice for this reason, and that they got the screens for a cheaper price.
I've always felt that Apple laptops were overpriced and under powered -- but I felt their matte screens were a great feature. Now, the laptops are going Intel and will not be as underpowered, but now they are going with glossy screens -- might as well buy a Dell (of course, its the Mac OS that is the deal breaker).
If you plan to use the laptop the majority of a time in an office environment or your home where the lighting is flat and controlled, then a glossy screen is fine.
But if you are using it as a portable computer, often using it outside or in a place like a coffee shop where harsh lighting is the rule, a matte screen is best.
Anedotal evidence is that most people look at a glossy screen and prefer it -- the same way they prefer glossy TV screens. But that does not make them better -- in fact, in use many regret their choice.
Frankly, I think Apple went with the choice for this reason, and that they got the screens for a cheaper price.
I've always felt that Apple laptops were overpriced and under powered -- but I felt their matte screens were a great feature. Now, the laptops are going Intel and will not be as underpowered, but now they are going with glossy screens -- might as well buy a Dell (of course, its the Mac OS that is the deal breaker).
I was trying out the Macbooks a few weeks ago in the Apple Store on Regent street and I must admit, I didn't like the glossy screen at all. My dad recently bought a core duo PC laptop and it has the glossy screen too. I've been trying to get used to it be when I come back to the Powerbook I'm thankful that it's a matte screen. And it has OS X.
Glossy = no, bad stuff.
Glossy = no, bad stuff.
I'd go with the refurb for 2 main reasons:
1.As a professional in graphics, the glossy screen will produce colors that aren't "true". So you'll have to "correct" this effect of a glossy screen in your graphics work.
2. 20 more GB, 512MB more RAM, and 256VRAM? A lot more for your money if you ask me
1.As a professional in graphics, the glossy screen will produce colors that aren't "true". So you'll have to "correct" this effect of a glossy screen in your graphics work.
2. 20 more GB, 512MB more RAM, and 256VRAM? A lot more for your money if you ask me
numediaman said:
Since when have you been able to use a Matte screen outside? Every PowerBook I've had, and my MBP are unreadable outside.
That said, if you're doing graphic design work, I'd go with Matte because it gives more accurate colore reproduction.
numediaman said:
Not here. I've had 2 Powerbooks, an iBook and a couple of Windows PCs with matte screens. They're fine. Don't have a problem but I really do like the glossy screens so that's what I went with for my new Macbook Pro and I'm SO glad I did.
It's not to everyone's taste but it is to mine. As for glare, my old matte Powerbook looked awfully washed out in office lighting... even on full brightness but the new MBP is working fine for me. In part due to the better backlight no doubt.
I actually find matte screens a little worse because they diffuse the light and for me, the glare is greater. Glossy screens give you a more focussed, glare or reflection so there are pros and cons to both. I had to get a glossy anti-glare filter for my screen at work.
Being glossy is not necessarily bad. It's a matter of preference.
There's fanboys of both sides. I use an ASUS W3V currently and the glossy screen I find to be a big turnoff when I'm trying to use it with natural light in the room. But I do love how the pics I've taken have a super-saturated color tone to them...
I guess it's a tradeoff.
I guess it's a tradeoff.