Which one of the new MBP screens do you prefer?

[aristobrat]

“People have done glossy displays in the past, but it is only now that the quality is at a level that we are happy to put in our products,” said Schiller. “We left it out because the color changing just wasn’t acceptable to us.”

http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/05/16/macbook/index.php

The only glossy screens I've seen have been Dell, and they didn't impress me. Having said that, perhaps Apple really has done something different with theirs?

And FWIW, the 15" and 17" MBP screens would have looked like crap (with their viewing angles set so you pretty much have to view them head-on to see the colors correctly) if someone took a picture at the same angle as the one above where it's on the floor next to the guy's legs.

 

[celebrian23]

For me gloss is bad. I'll mainly be using it my room, on my table, which is just mere inches from my window which I keep open a lot. From my experiences with a pc laptop w/ gloss, it makes it harder to see, which isn't cool for someone who has bad vision already.

 

[dylanemcgregor]

So the MacBook Pro has the option of matte or glossy screens, does the MacBook have the same option?

In the summer probably 50% of my computer work is outdoors in bright sunshine, it is hard enough to read my screen right now in these conditions and I have a feeling a glossy screen would be much worse.

 

[yadmonkey]

So the MacBook Pro has the option of matte or glossy screens, does the MacBook have the same option?

In the summer probably 50% of my computer work is outdoors in bright sunshine, it is hard enough to read my screen right now in these conditions and I have a feeling a glossy screen would be much worse.

Only the Pro gives you the option. The Macbook is glossy by default.

 

[Doctor Q]

I will have to try these screens out for myself before deciding. Another good excuse to head to my friendly neighborhood Apple Store.

 

[dylanemcgregor]

Only the Pro gives you the option. The Macbook is glossy by default.

Thanks, that's too bad. The glossy screen, poor battery life, and heavy weight are enough for me to pass on this Macbook. Hopefully they will have come out with a more travel oriented notebook by the time I'm ready to buy at the end of the year.

 

[nylon]

I went and had a look at some PC Notebook glossy screens. From what I can tell, the smaller 13.3" screens look quite nice when they are glossy. Reflection and glare are minimal due to the smaller surface area of the screen. 15" and above glossy screens are a disaster. The larger surface area increases the amount of area that the light can shine on. I think Apple has been smart by giving the MBP's an option. The regular MB's are stunning with the glossy screens people should not be too concerned.

 

[BWhaler]

Thanks, that's too bad. The glossy screen, poor battery life, and heavy weight are enough for me to pass on this Macbook. Hopefully they will have come out with a more travel oriented notebook by the time I'm ready to buy at the end of the year.

Poor battery life? 6 hours? Please.

And why don't you see the screen first.

People are so negative.

 

[dylanemcgregor]

Poor battery life? 6 hours? Please.

And why don't you see the screen first.

People are so negative.

Sorry, didn't mean to be negative, but 3.5 hours of battery life with wi-fi on is not very good. My current laptop got about 8 hours solid with wireless turned on when it was new. Maybe when people get their hands on them we'll find that Apple is being overly conservative with the battery life estimates, if that's the case I'll reconsider.

Didn't mean to drag this thread off track, please continue with matte vs. glossy.

 

[conditionals]

The "mirroring" is totally outweighed by the fact that the colours look absolutely amazing on the glossy screens. I've been waiting for mac to switch to x-brite for ages.

Also, just as a previous poster said, I really can't see my current powerbook g4 screen outside at all. I'm willing to live with some mild reflection in exchange for a screen that doesn't look like ass.

 

[dpaanlka]

Need I say more? Anybody that thinks this is the optimum display option is a complete idiot, sorry.

 

[~Shard~]

Need I say more? Anybody that thinks this is the optimum display option is a complete idiot, sorry.

Yeah, I can't say I would ever want to buy one of those - the screen would get too annoying for me. It would be one thing if it was on a desktop monitor, which I'd only use in my room where I could control the lighting, natural sunlight, etc., however the whole purpose of having a laptop is portablity - taking outside, wherever - in which case that glare would present a real annoyance.

 

[dpaanlka]

It would be one thing if it was on a desktop monitor, which I'd only use in my room where I could control the lighting, natural sunlight, etc., however the whole purpose of having a laptop is portablity - taking outside, wherever - in which case that glare would present a real annoyance.

Notice how that picture was taken inside a building. Imagine if that was outside! It must be like a mirror. I cannot get over how stupid this glossy screen idea is. I mean, there is a large market for third party products that reduce screen glare, why in gods name do we want to enhance screen glare???

 

[Malcster]

Just a thought but im not sure Apple had a choice, i have *never* seen a 13.3" LCD Panel that wasn't glossy (Dell, Sony etc) Just go to any laptop section in a computer store.. there *all* glossy these days.

Im not sure Apple could actually source a 'matte' 13.3" display for the MacBook.

Remember Apple don't make the panels, they have to see whats available and pick one.

 

[dpaanlka]

Im not sure Apple could actually source a 'matte' 13.3" display for the MacBook.

I'm pretty confident that history has proven time and time again that Apple can do essentially anything they want.

 

[Malcster]

I'm pretty confident that history has proven time and time again that Apple can do essentially anything they want.

At any cost? if there wasn't one available and then still make the macbook a competitive price? i doubt that.

 

[ryanb]

Like most of you, I was very, very skeptical regarding these glossy screens. My boss asked me to order two MacBooks immediately after they were announced. In short, they've arrived and I've spent the last two days with them. I've viewed the screens in every lighting situation I could think of (multiple outdoors environments, flourescent lighting, etc., etc.). My opinion has been radically altered.

This is a nice screen! Generally speaking, any glare is easily corrected by tilting the screen 1/4 of an inch, up or down. It's that simple.

What's next? I'm ordering a MacBook Pro and I'm choosing the glossy option. Sorry guys, seeing is believing.

 

[~Shard~]

Like most of you, I was very, very skeptical regarding these glossy screens. My boss asked me to order two MacBooks immediately after they were announced. In short, they've arrived and I've spent the last two days with them. I've viewed the screens in every lighting situation I could think of (multiple outdoors environments, flourescent lighting, etc., etc.). My opinion has been radically altered.

This is a nice screen! Generally speaking, any glare is easily corrected by tilting the screen 1/4 of an inch, up or down. It's that simple.

What's next? I'm ordering a MacBook Pro and I'm choosing the glossy option. Sorry guys, seeing is believing.

Thanks for the feedback, I think many people here will appreciate it. Many (but not all) of the negative comments regarding the glossy screens have been made by people who were going off past experiences, and who hadn't actually thoroughly used the new MacBooks yet. It's nice to hear a review like this to dispel some people's pre-conceived notions. Of course, some people may still find the screen too glaring and overall annoying, as it is also partially a personal thing, but it's good to know that Apple evidently has not completely @#$% the bed on this one.

 

[eAspenwood]

Its interesting what the Apple site has to say about this:

"MacBook Pro offers an antiglare coated widescreen display that’s perfect for color-minded professionals. For a more immersive viewing experience, you can configure MacBook Pro with a glossy finish. This gives everything you see a richer, more saturated feel."

This is from the MBP page under the Graphics tab.

I'm no "color-minded proffessional" but I went with the matte screen anyways, since I'm pretty sure I'd get annoyed by the glossiness.

-- J.

 

[hajanen]

glossy

I accidentally got glossy screen (my fault ). First of all I was wandering to change it, but I got used to very quickly and I'm 99.9% comfortable w glossy screen now, I like it . I hardly ever see something that I do not want to and for viewing movies or whatever it is great.
I accept many people do not like it. Before buying it, TRY IT both. That is best You can do.
More incomfortable is heat and whining, but it is a different issue...

 

[yah00z]

Well

The Glossy Screen on the MBP are SOOOO much better than the MB. That is, they are very, very, very much more subtle and do not have ANY glare.

 

[JimmyB248]

How many people who have voted on this have actually used a glossy MBP/MB in a real life situation? Not seen pictures, not played on it in a store with harsh industrial lights, real life. I have, and it's incredible. Reflections are not bad at all, same as if you were to watch video on your 5g. Outside on my MBP matte screen I cannot see a thing, it's unuseable, exactly the same on my old PB, however using my Mum's glossy MB is incredible, outside in incredibly bright sunlight shining straight on the screen and there's no problem reading small text or anything perfectly.

From what I've been reading a lot of people here are too set in their ways and are just going off previous reputation.

 

[risc]

I like matte but for no other reason than all of the computer displays and the 2 LCD HDTVs here are matte. When I was in my local reseller checking out the glossy displays I have to say I was impressed with them, they looked great.

 

[/dev/toaster]

I *HATE* glossy screens and will never buy one. Honestly, if Apple started to force them on users I would buy another machine and fine a way to get OS X on it. Not legal, I know ... just making a point that I hate them so much I will go out of my way to prevent purchasing one.

Honestly, if it ever got to that stage I would also pay more for a non-glossy screen.

I am the type of guy that will go outside in the summer, under an umbrella in my backyard and work by the water side.

 

[macenforcer]

It only glares if light is DIRECTLY behind you. Not above, to the right, to the left or in front of you. So you see, its not that bad.