Should I avoid the glossy screen on Macbook pros? at DVinfo.net

Scott Shama · April 19th, 2009, 10:05 PM

Hi All,

Trying to find out if the general consensus is to avoid the glossy screen due to how it artificially affects contrast and color... An advice would be appreciated..

Thanks,
Scott

Mathieu Ghekiere · April 20th, 2009, 01:29 PM

It does, but more importantly: the glare on these new screens is (to me) really distracting...
It's even more glossy then the first glossy screens on their Macbook Pro's. I suppose the black edge around the screen makes it worse and more distracting.

I do hope that they will offer matte versions again on the 15" Macbook Pro's in the next upgrade... In that regard, the 17" update was a bit comforting.

Earl Thurston · April 20th, 2009, 05:46 PM

I recently bought a MacBook (just a regular one, not Pro) and one of my considerations was the glossiness of the screen. Whereas the older, CFL-backlit glossy screens (like on the 2009 white MacBook) are a bit dimmer, the brighter, new LED-backlit screens (on the new aluminum MacBooks and MacBook Pros) are much too reflective -- like a mirror with a picture on the other side. I ended up getting the white MacBook (but also because I also wanted Firewire).

I saw the matte version of the MacBook Pro at the Apple Store yesterday, and I would definitely say it's an improvement over the glossy ones.

Brendan Donohue · April 21st, 2009, 07:15 AM

to me, it's really just a matter of personal preference. back when I bought my first macbook 13.3" glossy, I was also concerned about the screen and I had read some sour reviews about it, but also some saying that it was fine. You don't really know until you sit down and put in some hours in front of it...so I went ahead and got one...didn't really have a choice with the white macbook, that's all they offered.

I've had no complaints about the glossy screen to this point, definitely not as big of a deal as people make it out to be. If I'm doing any in depth editing or design work, I usually have it running through an external monitor in clamshell mode anyways. I'm not sure of the technicalities with how the screen affects color and contrast.

Anyways, I just bought a refurb. MacBook Pro recently (early 2008 model...not the new unibody)...it has the glossy, LED-Backlit screen and I think it looks absolutely brilliant, but like I said before, some people just hate the glossy screens.

~brendan

April 19th, 2009, 10:05 PM	#1
Scott Shama Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 399	Should I avoid the glossy screen on Macbook pros? Hi All, Trying to find out if the general consensus is to avoid the glossy screen due to how it artificially affects contrast and color... An advice would be appreciated.. Thanks, Scott

April 20th, 2009, 01:29 PM	#2
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	It does, but more importantly: the glare on these new screens is (to me) really distracting... It's even more glossy then the first glossy screens on their Macbook Pro's. I suppose the black edge around the screen makes it worse and more distracting. I do hope that they will offer matte versions again on the 15" Macbook Pro's in the next upgrade... In that regard, the 17" update was a bit comforting. __________________ http://productionsofthe3rdkind.com http://pr3k.com

April 20th, 2009, 05:46 PM	#3
Earl Thurston Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Burnaby & Maple Ridge BC Posts: 289	I recently bought a MacBook (just a regular one, not Pro) and one of my considerations was the glossiness of the screen. Whereas the older, CFL-backlit glossy screens (like on the 2009 white MacBook) are a bit dimmer, the brighter, new LED-backlit screens (on the new aluminum MacBooks and MacBook Pros) are much too reflective -- like a mirror with a picture on the other side. I ended up getting the white MacBook (but also because I also wanted Firewire). I saw the matte version of the MacBook Pro at the Apple Store yesterday, and I would definitely say it's an improvement over the glossy ones. __________________ Earl R. Thurston, Stargate Connections Inc. Made with GY-HD100: The Container Adventures: The Rescue

April 21st, 2009, 07:15 AM	#4
Brendan Donohue Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 161	glossy is fine by me to me, it's really just a matter of personal preference. back when I bought my first macbook 13.3" glossy, I was also concerned about the screen and I had read some sour reviews about it, but also some saying that it was fine. You don't really know until you sit down and put in some hours in front of it...so I went ahead and got one...didn't really have a choice with the white macbook, that's all they offered. I've had no complaints about the glossy screen to this point, definitely not as big of a deal as people make it out to be. If I'm doing any in depth editing or design work, I usually have it running through an external monitor in clamshell mode anyways. I'm not sure of the technicalities with how the screen affects color and contrast. Anyways, I just bought a refurb. MacBook Pro recently (early 2008 model...not the new unibody)...it has the glossy, LED-Backlit screen and I think it looks absolutely brilliant, but like I said before, some people just hate the glossy screens. ~brendan