Torn on keeping nano-texture vs switching to standard

[alphabet753]

Hi all,

Software developer here - never do anything with photos or video but I stare at small text all day (VScode and shell).

I ordered a nano-texture MacBook Pro 14” earlier this month. Originally I loved the screen but after a few days of not sleeping well (for other reasons) I started noticing the less-sharp text of the nano-texture. I started questioning whether the blurriness was me being tired or me missing the sharper text of the standard display.

I ended up going to the Apple Store and comparing the two side by side. There I noticed the difference and decided to order the same laptop with standard display - it’s arriving in a few days.

However, since then I’ve been using the nano-texture display and given that I stopped thinking about it, I haven’t noticed the less-sharp text anymore. Someone did mention to me that once I stopped thinking about it, my brain would stop noticing it and would get used to it. Had to work from the car yesterday and truth be told the lack of glare was nice.

I’ve got to return one of these machines this week, and I won’t have much time to use the standard display before I have to make my decision. Any other software developers go through this? What was your decision in the end?

For what it’s worth, I don’t work outside much at all. It’s rare. Most of the time I’m in a hotel room or my office at home where I’m in control of the lighting. I assume that it if I can control the lighting, the standard glossy display is always the better screen? Anyone have any thoughts on which one is better for your eyes when coding?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

I have had multiple nano devices and the biggest, IMO, when it comes to sharpness is distance. When I had the Apple Studio Display with nano it was hard to see at arms distance for me so I had to get glossy. When I use the iPad or MacBook with nano on my lap or closer it was much easier for me to adapt and not notice.

Nano is really good on the iPad but primarily for its very smooth surface and reduced fingerprints. If you don’t have to worry about touching the display or reflections then glossy is the practical choice.

 

[DMG35]

I'd go everything Nano if I could. I have the Pro Display XDR in Nano, the MacBook Pro in Nano, and the iPad Pro in Nano. I can't stand the glare of the glossy displays. I even put a matte screen protector on my iPhone because I like the reduced glare. I wish Apple would make a phone that had a Nano display but I doubt they'd ever do it because they would get scratched too easily.

 

[dmccloud]

Hi all,

Software developer here - never do anything with photos or video but I stare at small text all day (VScode and shell).

I ordered a nano-texture MacBook Pro 14” earlier this month. Originally I loved the screen but after a few days of not sleeping well (for other reasons) I started noticing the less-sharp text of the nano-texture. I started questioning whether the blurriness was me being tired or me missing the sharper text of the standard display.

I ended up going to the Apple Store and comparing the two side by side. There I noticed the difference and decided to order the same laptop with standard display - it’s arriving in a few days.

However, since then I’ve been using the nano-texture display and given that I stopped thinking about it, I haven’t noticed the less-sharp text anymore. Someone did mention to me that once I stopped thinking about it, my brain would stop noticing it and would get used to it. Had to work from the car yesterday and truth be told the lack of glare was nice.

I’ve got to return one of these machines this week, and I won’t have much time to use the standard display before I have to make my decision. Any other software developers go through this? What was your decision in the end?

For what it’s worth, I don’t work outside much at all. It’s rare. Most of the time I’m in a hotel room or my office at home where I’m in control of the lighting. I assume that it if I can control the lighting, the standard glossy display is always the better screen? Anyone have any thoughts on which one is better for your eyes when coding?

Appreciate any advice.

When I upgraded my MBP last month, I went with the nano texture display primarily because the M4 Pro config had 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD and the nano texture for $150 more than the base M4 Max with 36GB RAM and 1TB SSD. While I was unsure regarding the nano texture display, the moment I went to set up the new Mac and was sitting in front of it instead of looking at in the Apple Store I was sold.

I use my machine for a lot of coding, web design, and photo/video editing, so my use case definitely overlaps with yours. To my eyes, the nano texture is easier on the eyes specifically due to the reduction in glare and less reflections on the display itself.

 

[Bako-MacAddict]

I went to the Apple Store to compare them side to side, it was an easy decision for me, went with the standard display. I couldn't do it, felt like a screen protector on a beautiful screen compromising its sharp display in my opinion.

 

[mdhaus72]

Personally, I think the nano texture takes a lot away from the high quality Apple screens. They simply aren’t as sharp looking and for me, that’s unacceptable for a $150 premium.

I just don’t think that the anti-glare benefits outweigh what you lose in visual quality. You can usually manually control the glare on a standard screen - You can’t manually give yourself back the lost detail in a nano screen.

 

[zarathu]

If you don’t work in light where adjusting the screen doesn’t help, the nano is a waste of money. Its like not getting Apple care because the nearest Apple store is 300 miles away, and so same day service is impossible and you would be without your mac for 7-10 days. Easier to get an Allstate insurance policy, and buy a new one.

 

[Bako-MacAddict]

Personally, I think the nano texture takes a lot away from the high quality Apple screens. They simply aren’t as sharp looking and for me, that’s unacceptable for a $150 premium.

I just don’t think that the anti-glare benefits outweigh what you lose in visual quality. You can usually manually control the glare on a standard screen - You can’t manually give yourself back the lost detail in a nano screen.

Well said …

 

[SnoFlo]

I had the M4 14" MacBook Pro with nano-texture display. The nano-texture is fantastic, but the very slight haze around small text (pdfs) made me switch back to a standard display. I don't use the laptop outside, so I'm just better off saving the $150.

 

[kevintech]

For those wondering, the non-texture display is the equivalent of putting an anti-glare screen protector on your iPhone. It's less crisp sharp, but works very well minimizing glare in sunlight.