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drlaine · Jun 23, 2006, 11:43 AM

Anyone have one yet. Thinking about ordering one. How does the screen look. If you had it to do over again, would you order the glossy screen ?

Burn · Jun 23, 2006, 01:09 PM

Yes. Do it (there is a lot of reading out there regardiong earlier 'book problems. But mine is flawless.)

Last week I received my MBP, glossy screen, 7200rpm hd... I would suggest the glossy screen for sure. It will show reflections of any light sources if they're located directly behind you... but other than that.. it is gorgeous. Unlike a curved or even the more modern 'flat' crt (glassfront) displays, the lcd has no curve to it, so it doesn't catch as much glare as a conventional tv/monitor.

euphras · Jun 23, 2006, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Burn

Yes. Do it (there is a lot of reading out there regardiong earlier 'book problems. But mine is flawless.)

Last week I received my MBP, glossy screen, 7200rpm hd... I would suggest the glossy screen for sure. It will show reflections of any light sources if they're located directly behind you... but other than that.. it is gorgeous. Unlike a curved or even the more modern 'flat' crt (glassfront) displays, the lcd has no curve to it, so it doesn't catch as much glare as a conventional tv/monitor.

Dude you´re comparing apples with pears.

You have to judge side by side with a Powerbook/MBP with a matte screen.

I did see a MB in person and i pray Apple will give us the option to choose either matte or glossy for the Pro books

iREZ · Jun 23, 2006, 02:40 PM

i thought they did?

Tomchu · Jun 23, 2006, 02:48 PM

Go for the glossy! I have a 15" glossy, and my friend here at work as a 15" matte. She looked at my glossy, and then exclaimed that she hated me.

Reflections are nowhere near as bad as people who haven't used them think -- I have fluorescent lights almost directly reflected in the screen, and it doesn't bother me at all. The contrast and brightness (and colours) are SO much richer on the glossy.

amazing · Jun 23, 2006, 03:00 PM

When you buy a laptop, you're stuck with the screen for as long as you keep your laptops. That means you should definitely go to an Apple Store and compare glossy and matte side by side, because it's your eyes and your preferences that are gonna dictate your satisfaction. There's no shortcuts because you yourself have to see them in person.

Personally, I'd never go for glossy, because I've seen the glossy screens and I know that I, myself, would hate all the reflections. Many people can manage to ignore them, so it's an individual preference.

euphras · Jun 24, 2006, 04:54 AM

Originally Posted by iREZ

i thought they did?

I mean in the nearer future.

fesdds · Jun 24, 2006, 07:21 PM

I've got a Macbook and think the glossy screen is great. True, every so often I will have to adjust if the lighting changes, but that is rare.

SEkker · Jun 24, 2006, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by amazing

When you buy a laptop, you're stuck with the screen for as long as you keep your laptops. That means you should definitely go to an Apple Store and compare glossy and matte side by side, because it's your eyes and your preferences that are gonna dictate your satisfaction. There's no shortcuts because you yourself have to see them in person.

Personally, I'd never go for glossy, because I've seen the glossy screens and I know that I, myself, would hate all the reflections. Many people can manage to ignore them, so it's an individual preference.

Ditto here.

Neub Detat · Jun 25, 2006, 03:56 AM

you can always buy one of those glossy films.
If you hate it, just peel it off, if not, tada!

andreas_g4 · Jun 25, 2006, 10:35 AM

I yesterday put a MB, a MBP matte and a MBP glossy side by side and I have to say that the MBP glossy is the most beautiful screen I have ever seen. The worst was the MBP matte screen, the MB's screen was a lot better and the MBP glossy topped it all. It's viewing angle is über-good and the colors are just brilliant. I vote for the glossy option.

gnomexp · Jun 25, 2006, 11:57 AM

In my situation, I much prefer the matte screen. My MBP, for now, is used either in my room, or in the lab, both of which have many light sources. The matte screen simply appears clean, other than the few smudges I put on it. I have played with the glossy before, and it is beautiful and vivid. There isn't anything more pretty than a MB in a CompUSA. However, with my very LARGE screen size (17in), the massive reflections would distract me and detract from my computing experience.

If it were a 15in, I'd say it's a toss-up. Being a 17in you want, I'd seriously consider matte. The best advice in this thread, however, was posted by amazing. The ONLY reason I know my preference is because I have seen both in person at multiple stores.

Tomchu · 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by andreas_g4

I yesterday put a MB, a MBP matte and a MBP glossy side by side and I have to say that the MBP glossy is the most beautiful screen I have ever seen. The worst was the MBP matte screen, the MB's screen was a lot better and the MBP glossy topped it all. It's viewing angle is über-good and the colors are just brilliant. I vote for the glossy option.

A-men.

I was out in the field by Killarney Community Centre in Vancouver with my girlfriend and her friend yesterday, and I was showing off my MBP to the girl (who's a closet Mac-lover). My girlfriend whipped out her camera and started taking pictures, and I thought they did a good job of showing off the capabilities of the glossy screen even in daylight.

Here is a shot from an extreme angle showing its reflectiveness, and the level of light (the Sun was in the process of setting). Don't ogle too much at the boob, it's only 16 years old.

A bit of a less extreme angle (notice how reflectivity is a non-issue?).

And finally from almost straight-on. In person it looks even brighter than this.

Generally, the glossy screen is God. My iBook G4 was *COMPLETELY* useless outside, no matter what level of light. The matte screen diffuses both the incoming and outgoing light, and it makes things look like ass. The glossy screen is so usable and bright, even during mid-day, that I have no idea why anyone would opt for the matte.

Burn · Jun 25, 2006, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by euphras

Dude you´re comparing apples with pears.

You have to judge side by side with a Powerbook/MBP with a matte screen.

I did see a MB in person and i pray Apple will give us the option to choose either matte or glossy for the Pro books

Dude, do you think I'd purchase a $3000 (CDN) computer without seeing it in real life first?

Of course I have compared them.. This isn't my first computer. Along with my 22+ years of computer experience and years of laptop ownership, I stand by my review. I remember Sony laptops getting these screens a few years ago... and was quuuite impressed. I am glad we have them now also. As was already mentioned, I believe the option is there for MB's as well.

This isn't new technology guys... just new for Apple machines. It's a personal pref though. Go look for yourself. It's a free option so get what you want. The main things I notice, Blacks are richer.. certain things feel crisper. Hard to explain, but the verbiage Apple uses is pretty much correct.

Tenacious Dyl · Jun 25, 2006, 06:34 PM

I replaced my 12" powerbook, with a new 17" glossy mac book. I didn't know what to think, as just seeing them at the apple store doesn't really give you the full experience. I have since used the glossy macbook at the office, outdoors, in dark areas, in light, etc. It is simply amazing. I can't stand looking at other screens now. Even my 20" Alu Cinema Display looks a little... foggy... when its next to the macbook! I would get it... hands down.

Jason · Jun 26, 2006, 11:56 AM

Personally i've had no problems with the glossy screen, although to be frank, my limited time with a macbook with a glossy screen was also quite interesting. When looking at the macbook's in the Apple store, i was able to pick up a fair amount of reflection, although when i was using my friends one which was at night time, i didnt see any reflections what so ever, thus proving the point that obviously, if you are in a highly lit area, you are going to be in for a hell of a time with the reflections, and of course, if you are in a nice dark area or area with medium lighting, you will have no problems at all.

So if your house is pretty much lit like a christmas tree during the day time, maybe the matte screen might be the way to go! I know it is for me. Also i'm going with the matte screen because im a graphic designer, and having a colour show up on the monitor as close to what it is going to look like when the job is printed is very important.

lizardgator · Jun 26, 2006, 12:04 PM

It's funny, I've always read that glossy displays are terrible outdoors and in sunlight but from my experience the glossy screens are way better outdoors than matte screens. I had a 1.67GHz 15" Powerbook and the display on my patio was useless. My wife has an HP laptop with a glossy screen and it is way better than the Powerbooks matte display was.

x user · Jun 26, 2006, 12:35 PM

I bought a refurb 15" MBP to replace my aging 12" PB when the MB's didn't come out in time. My wimpy 1.83 matte screen was great for the price, but if I'd have paid full price I would have gone with the glossy. I really don't like the matte screen outdoors, which is where I use the machine about a third of the time. I low light the matte is great, in direct sunlight, glossy is the only way to go.

Tomchu · 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jason

if you are in a highly lit area, you are going to be in for a hell of a time with the reflections

I beg to differ.

[Pictures deleted ages ago, sorry]

The coating is very similar to that anti-glare stuff they put on glasses. Whatever reflects off the screen absorbs that purplish/pale colour, making it barely noticeable. Due to the way your eyes focus, if you're focussing on the screen, the reflection becomes barely noticeable. If you re-adjust your eyes to focus on the source of light that is being reflected in the screen (farther focal point), then obviously it's quite visible.

pearle · Jul 3, 2006, 09:16 AM

Will the GretagMacbeth EyeOne Display 2 calibrate the glossy screens?

euphras · Jul 3, 2006, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Tomchu

I beg to differ.

A picture of my corner of my lab at work -- it's pretty well lit considering the size of the room:
[i]http://tomchu.com/pub/ref1.jpg[/img]

And the effect this lighting has on my MBP's glossy screen:

If you can tolerate THAT reflections, well, way to go. I call such a screen almost completely useless