New MacBook Air somewhat Anti-Glare?

[mshahnoora]

Hi All,
I've been using my 13 in. MBA for some time now, and have noticed something (possibly) interesting. It seems like the new LCD front panel is notably more anti-reflective than Macbook Pro/base models. Although the screen's still glossy, it's not so glaring as the above mentioned models.

Have you guys noticed something similar?

Also, as a sidenote for the 13 in. MBA, have you guys noticed that changing the brightness level (via the function keys) is much faster than even the 11 in. MBA and all other models (MBP, MB)? Again, minor sidenote.

Thanks!!

 

[zedsdead]

Hi All,
I've been using my 13 in. MBA for some time now, and have noticed something (possibly) interesting. It seems like the new LCD front panel is notably more anti-reflective than Macbook Pro/base models. Although the screen's still glossy, it's not so glaring as the above mentioned models.

Have you guys noticed something similar?

Also, as a sidenote for the 13 in. MBA, have you guys noticed that changing the brightness level (via the function keys) is much faster than even the 11 in. MBA and all other models (MBP, MB)? Again, minor sidenote.

Thanks!!

It is a glossy screen. The Macbook Pros have a glossy screen, then an extra layer of glass in front if it. That is why the pro's are more reflective. Matte would have even less glare.

 

[omgitscro]

Hi All,
I've been using my 13 in. MBA for some time now, and have noticed something (possibly) interesting. It seems like the new LCD front panel is notably more anti-reflective than Macbook Pro/base models. Although the screen's still glossy, it's not so glaring as the above mentioned models.

Have you guys noticed something similar?

Also, as a sidenote for the 13 in. MBA, have you guys noticed that changing the brightness level (via the function keys) is much faster than even the 11 in. MBA and all other models (MBP, MB)? Again, minor sidenote.

Thanks!!

And as for the last part, the function keys are all under the same key repeat rate that you set for your keyboard. My keyboard is set at the fastest key repeat with the shortest delay, so my brightness/volume go from one end to the other in less than a second.

 

[Adidas Addict]

It's the best of both worlds, you get the sharpness of the glossy screen without the reflections.

 

[neteng101]

Having used many a glossy screen (sans glass in front), it seems like the MBA glossy is doing a rather great job at eliminating a ton of reflections... definitely the best of both worlds.

 

[puma1552]

It's a regular old glossy screen, the same thing manufacturers have used since forever.

Everyone just makes a big deal over Apple's MBP glossy screens because of the glass. Apple is the only people that do that.

The rest of the industry's glossy screens are just the same as the Air. Is this your first computer? Think back to two years ago, all computers with glossy screens were this way, and still are sans the MBP.

 

[WardC]

How does the gloss factor of the NEW MacBook Air compare to the old MacBook Air screens, which were glossy too (but without glass also). Or, are they about the same?

 

[neteng101]

It's a regular old glossy screen, the same thing manufacturers have used since forever.

Having seen and used plenty a glossy screen on PCs in the past, I have to say the MBA screen seems less prone to reflections than other glossy screens on PCs (sans glass). My 20" Dell monitor right beside my MBA at the moment is showing far more reflections.

The angle of view seems to make a difference too, viewed dead on center, the reflections are minimal, if you view from more extreme side angles, then you can force the reflections to appear much more easily.

I do wonder how the old MBA was in this regard. Whitebooks seemed more reflective from what I can remember seeing in stores.

 

[Hankster]

Compared to my MB the glare off my MBA is much less, something I'm very happy to see since I can't ever use my MB outside. It's nearly impossible to see the screen.

 

[drvelocity]

There are definitely varying levels of quality in anti-reflective coating processes out there for both glossy and matte LCD's. The coating Apple uses is one of the best I've seen used on any screen, and to me it looks like the Macbook Air uses the same exact coating Apple has used in their Macbook line for years (most likely ever since they went glossy).

A high quality AR coating like this is another invisible part of the cost equation commonly omitted when people complain about the Apple tax. But as has already been stated, there are actually three levels of LCD's in the apple line now - matte, glossy with no glass, and glossy with a glass cover. The Macbook Air falls into the middle category.