Would you buy a 14/16" MacBook Pro that has a matte display?

[DHagan4755]

This topic is not meant to be controversial. In lamenting the demise of the matte display in the MacBook Pro would you welcome its return to the line? This is not a thread about putting the nano-etched display on the MacBook Pro; it would be a PITA to clean. Just the traditional matte finish that existed on MacBook Pros through the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro that were produced until 2013 or so. Your thoughts?

 

[pshufd]

I bought the matte display on my 2008 MacBook Pro 17 as I was using it for work. These days, though, I don't see a real difference in being able to work with the models from 2014.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I would, yes. Back in 2009 I paid $50 extra for this option, the standard screens were horribly reflective in sunlight.
They were quite resilient and could take quite frequent cleaning, also with some force.

So I'm still using it daily right now, actually it sports a used replacement screen (hinge problem) but also from that era. Really had to stop photo editing on it a while ago but for anything non colour critical it's still doing ok.


Edit: In retrospect, the screens have become quite stunning. I'd need to see both but would veer toward matte.
Another point in 2009 with matte was the bezel remaining seamlessly silver with the rest of the MBP. I recall at the time not liking the contrasting black bezel with the rest (except KB) being silver.

 

[DHagan4755]

With a black aluminum frame around the display, a matte finish mini-LED P3 retina display could be a compelling option. Hopefully someone with influence inside the Apple design team reads this thread & gets on this right away (if they're not already!)

 

[jav6454]

No, I'll stick to glossy.

 

[Moonjumper]

The MBP screens are far less reflective than they used to be. I sold a previous MBP from 10 years or so ago because I couldn’t cope with the reflections, but the screens are totally different now. I wouldn’t go for a matte display even if it was offered. Matte causes some grain to the screen, which is much more noticeable with the tightly packed pixels of retina resolutions, while only smearing reflections, not eliminating them.

 

[DHagan4755]

This has come up because of some confluence going on with me over the past 24 hours.

Yesterday a friend of mine called for advice on a new TV. She wants a model that has a less reflective screen than the TV she has now. In looking into the Samsung frame, this year’s model has a matte finish whereas last year’s was glossy & had reflection handling issues.

This morning the reflections on my 2021 MacBook Pro’s screen from the window behind me was noticeably bothersome. It was just the way the light was coming in on this particular day. But it made me think of my matte screen 2009 17” MacBook Pro.

Yes the silver bezel around the screen wasn’t ideal. But since Apple has gotten good at anodizing aluminum — note the double black anodized keyboard well — Apple could certainly have a matte screen with a black frame.

 

[Novius89]

Hell yeah! I use an anti reflective screen protector on my MacBook.

I absolutely, intensely hate the delicate glossy screen. Worst choice ever on a laptop.

Just stop it, or give us a choice between glossy glass or Matte glass.
Hell, give us a choice between this glass and a normal laptop screen. I would go for the normal laptop screen anytime

 

[VaruLV]

Matte display+no silly glass on top of it, thus slightly recessed into the display assembly to avoid un-needed friction against keyboard+increase overall display resilience/durability with bigger gap between it and the keyboard.

 

[elmarjazz]

I always optioned for the matte screens on the pre-2015 MBPs. Just got an MBP 14” and wouldn’t bother. I don’t notice any problems with reflections in my use, and any matte surface will not be as sharp.

 

[Saturn1217]

I've made my peace with it a long time ago, but yes, I would always prefer a matte display for any screen larger than a phone. I put matte screen protectors on all my iPads for example because I can't stand glare.

Apple's anti-reflective coating is quite good these days though. I don't miss matte nearly as much as I used to.

 

[Sterkenburg]

A few years ago I would have answered: yes, in a heartbeat.

However, on current Retina screens reflectivity is much less of an issue than it used to be. The anti-glare coating can't be perfect, but it is good enough that I am unsure whether I would be willing to make a tradeoff with sharpness.

 

[spiderman0616]

I'm a maybe on this one. The coating they used on the XDR display seems pretty fragile, so if the MacBook had that same setup, I wouldn't do it. If it was something more durable, I'd at least consider it.

 

[TinyMito]

I prefer the glossy with anti-glare coating (like camera lens coats) than matte coating that causes to glow.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I think this question and poll, the direction it took is quite interesting. Matte display preference, myself included, led stronger at the onset. It's not unreasonable to assume that various good arguments brought forth may have swayed people toward this or that direction, maybe. Greater statistical representation, certainly.

Ultimately that's what discussion here is meant to be all about. To offer some reasonable alternative of thought and not try force fact-less opinion onto someone.

As for me? I have once again made the fatal mistake of visiting an Apple retailer and looking at the MBP14/16 M1 displays. Not dangerous in itself but a bit demoralising coming home to a 13yr old matte screen. Just..wow!! Equally impressed by the speakers, where does such 3D sound come from? What is this magic?

 

[Fishrrman]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but...

... haven't ALL MacBook Pro retina displays been "matte" since the line was introduced?

They ALL have that odd sprayed-on anti-glare coating that can be problematic if it's cleaned to much or too aggressively.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but...

... haven't ALL MacBook Pro retina displays been "matte" since the line was introduced?

They ALL have that odd sprayed-on anti-glare coating that can be problematic if it's cleaned to much or too aggressively.

The pre retina MBPs had a purely matte screen as a BTO option vs the highly reflective standard screen. I think this was from 2009-2012? I still recall ordering this matte option in 2009 for $50. It was (is) extremely resilient.

 

[spiderman0616]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but...

... haven't ALL MacBook Pro retina displays been "matte" since the line was introduced?

They ALL have that odd sprayed-on anti-glare coating that can be problematic if it's cleaned to much or too aggressively.

Nope. Matte finishes, at least high quality ones, are typically textured. Anti glare coating is something entirely different.

 

[TSE]

I would not get a Matte finish on an Apple screen. I am extremely happy with their current display coatings. They are a good balance between glossy and matte. They aren't as glossy as they were a decade ago but still sharp and they aren't actually Matte but the reflections aren't obnoxious.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

In looking into the Samsung frame, this year’s model has a matte finish whereas last year’s was glossy & had reflection handling issues.

Looking at the advertising, they really do look like canvas artwork in a subtle wooden frame.

 

[SymeonArgyrus]

I would have to see it to decide, although I'd likely stick with the existing coating.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I just had to come back to this thread, as I was a fan of the matte screen dating back 13 yrs. Now I've been using my M2 MBP for a few months:

No way would I want a matte screen..ever again! That mini LED is just magic. Just hoping it will hold up in the long run as it "seems" just so fragile in comparison to my old MBP.

 

[Mick84]

Yes. Glossy blackens everything. Matte/AntiGlare/NanoTextureGlass gives you a brighter, whiter, more color accurate display without the reflections of glossy. With the 500 nit SDR cap raised to 1000 or 800 nits using 3rd party apps that do this you would get an amazing experience even while doing everyday SDR stuff like word processing, web browsing etc. And matte/NTG with HDR content would rock. I wouldn’t mind cleaning the NTG MBP display using the special cloth.​

Here’s a good video on matte vs. glossy.

This topic is not meant to be controversial. In lamenting the demise of the matte display in the MacBook Pro would you welcome its return to the line? This is not a thread about putting the nano-etched display on the MacBook Pro; it would be a PITA to clean. Just the traditional matte finish that existed on MacBook Pros through the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro that were produced until 2013 or so. Your thoughts?

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Yes. Glossy blackens everything. Matte/AntiGlare/NanoTextureGlass gives you a brighter, whiter, more color accurate display without the reflections of glossy. With the 500 nit SDR cap raised to 1000 or 800 nits using 3rd party apps that do this you would get an amazing experience even while doing everyday SDR stuff like word processing, web browsing etc. And matte/NTG with HDR content would rock. I wouldn’t mind cleaning the NTG MBP display using the special cloth.​

Here’s a good video on matte vs. glossy.

I have my 2009 matte MBP still and the M2 MBP side by side. Of course it's an unfair comparison as the 13 yr old display now has substantially lost brightness and colour accuracy quite a while ago. I do however recall back in 2009 how highly reflective the normal version actually was and how difficult it was to use in sunlight. This is in no way a problem with the 2023 model I'm now using.

I get your point re colour accuracy but would add that it's still fantastic as a photog hobbiest. If colour accuracy is required professionally then there are enough external monitors for the purpose. To the point of cleaning. I'm petrified to do this on the M2. Have an electrostatic swifer for dust, some 70% wipes and an Apple cloth, and try not sneeze or cough in front of it. The Matte was easy, lots of elbow grease and absolutely no feeling of fragility.