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MBP: Glossy vs. Matte

D

DarthTreydor

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 25, 2007
292
0
Richmond, VA
alright guys, i'm getting ready to make the mac switch with a new 15" 2.4 ghz macbook pro!!

my question is: should i go with the glossy or matte display? i've heard that the glossy screen looks better but i plan on using my computer for live onstage performances and i'm worried about glare issues. so how bad is the glare on the glossy screen? should i just play it safe and go with the matte display?


what do you guys think?
 
It's personal preference. Just to go to the store, use them and choose whatever one you like best. If you are worried about glare, get the matte. If not, get glossy. It's really personal preference.
 
What kind of "live onstage performances"?

BTW, I struggled with this decision too, and I plan on getting a glossy screen my coming macbook pro. I've also heard that, in general, MBPs have less glossy glare issues than the MacBook. Also, I've even heard that the new LED screens have really reduced glare on top of that. Good luck.
 
I prefer matte, but I haven't had any problems with my glossy MB. The glare isn't that bad.

The only thing I don't like about glossy is how easy they get dirty.
 
Glossy is prettier to look at. But i would get a matte if i were you. The glare might affect you and you not loosing much with matte.
 
My first MacBook Pro (2GHz) had a matte screen, but I ordered my new 2.2GHz SR MacBook Pro with a glossy screen (thought I would see if I like the new displays). :)
 
I have a glossy myself and wish I had gotten the matte. The glossy finish attracts dust and smudges like crazy (no I don't touch my screen, but others do sometimes ><). I'm still one happy camper with my MBP though. Had it since December and no problems so far.
 
Having used both, I preferred the matte. The colors are just as vibrant as on the glossy imo and no glare. I think Apple used matte screens for all their high end ACDs for a reason.
 
This is the first MBP I preferred glossy (I have an Apple premium reseller so I had the possibility to check before to buy).
The difference stays in the fact with LED model I can tilt the display a little w/out to get black or solarized images. In such a way it is very easy to avoid any reflection. I have to point out I don't use my MBP outdoors (it never happened so far :)
 
I debated both, but decided on the matte because compared to my old PB G4, the matte display on this MBP is very shiny, no need for glossy.
 
ravenvii said:
Matte, no question. Glossy destroys the viewing angle, and makes the screen horrible for watching dark movies full-screen.
Click to expand...

I would have to disagree. I love my glossy and think it's great for movies and the viewing angle isn't any worse than the matte. The few times I've had some glare, I got rid of it by adjusting the screen a few degrees.

Alas, the never ending debate.
 
Yeah it does seem never ending. As someone who had an xglass screen on my PC laptop (which I sold because I realised how rubbish windows was) which I then changed for an new SR MBP, I went for the matte screen, it was a really hard decision because I really like the crispness of the glass screen however, I think that the colours are much more accurate on the matte and the lack of any glare combined with the excellent sharpness of the monitor anyway meant that I had to go for matte.

You need to spend some time in the apple shop, with them next to each other, I spent about half an hour watching the sample movies they have on the Imovie. The staff were starting to get a bit freaked out by me just standing there.
 
It is a personal choice, plain and simple. At least on the 15.4", both displays are excellent. I spent over an hour compaing the two side-by-side before settling upon glossy.
 
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