MBP: Glossy or Matte?

advocation · Oct 18, 2006, 10:05 AM

What are you opinions? I'm going to be ordering my 15" MBP and I cant seem to decide what i want! I've given up waiting for rev 2....

I wont be doing much stuff outside but I will be working indoors, in an office environment, and while traveling, so at airports, on planes, and on busses etc.

what would you guys reccomend?

MaTiCeK · Oct 18, 2006, 10:08 AM

I never had any glossy screens, I have a matte MBP and I'm happy with it. I am impressed by the colors glossy screens display, but I'm afraid of the mirror effect just too much.
I can imagine that while on the road light conditions are not always the best, that's why i'd buy a matte one.

bearbo · Oct 18, 2006, 10:20 AM

i bought and loved glossy, 1/2 of the time when i use it, there's sun directly shining on the screen.. but that doesn't bother me much

and is 3 trillion other thread on this very same topic, with the same title not enough for you?
for example, this this and this

also try this

maycontainnutz · Oct 18, 2006, 10:27 AM

i went with matte... i'm use to matte

Teddy's · Oct 18, 2006, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearbo

and is 3 trillion other thread on this very same topic, with the same title not enough for you?
for example, this this and this

also try this

come on, our friend is a 'newbie'
I bought matte.

XP Defector · Oct 18, 2006, 11:01 AM

Well I'm on a MacBook so I didn't have the choice. However, I'm more than happy with it nevertheless. I very rarely use my notebook outside, so the sunlight never bothers me. I was using my friends MacBook Pro and his screen just looked dull in comparison. Either way, the displays Apple use are amazing.

kevinliu4 · Oct 18, 2006, 11:12 AM

I would go with glossy screen all the way. The colors are just a lot more vibrant and alive. Matte is just dull and lifeless.

I don't know where you are planning to use your laptop, but I don't use mine outdoors. I'm not sure who would use their laptop more outdoors than indoors.

bearbo · Oct 18, 2006, 11:14 AM

i dont know why this thread is not closed.. but in case the OP is still wondering.. one of the only reason i'd go with matte is that if you want your LCD to display the true color as you printer would... glossy is a bit too rich in color than the true color

ready2switch · Oct 18, 2006, 11:45 AM

It's completely dependent on your personal preference. I'd suggest visiting a retailer (apple store, etc) and comparing the matte and glossy screens. You'll have an instant reaction to one or the other.

Personally, I love the glossy, but I know a lot of people hate it.

timmillwood · Oct 18, 2006, 11:47 AM

i was gonna go for glossy, but the colours a truer on matte and it wont double as a mirror

pianoman · Oct 18, 2006, 11:49 AM

i have a glossy and there is hardly any reflection. the reflection that is there is only bothersome if you specifically focus on it. if you think you'll get distracted by the "mirror" effect, go with the matte and you'll never have to worry about it. i like the glossy because it seems sharper and i rarely notice the reflection.

CrackedButter · Oct 18, 2006, 12:09 PM

Attention Mods:

Can we make this a sticky please? It gets asked so often.

extraextra · Oct 18, 2006, 01:13 PM

If you're not doing anything too color-minded (like professional photography, graphic design), the glossy MBP is nice. It seems a little less glossy than the MB in the store, I'm not exactly sure why.

slffl · Oct 18, 2006, 03:48 PM

I don't own a glossy, I own a matte 17" PB. But if there's one thing I've noticed from all these glossy vs matte threads, it's that most people who are against glossy have never used one (except for a few minutes in the store) and most you like glossy own one.

It's kinda like how most who think 17" is too big have never owned one.

extraextra · Oct 18, 2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slffl

It's kinda like how most who think 17" is too big have never owned one.

I don't need to own a 17" notebook to know that it's too big for my needs.

TowerRat · Oct 18, 2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ready2switch

It's completely dependent on your personal preference. I'd suggest visiting a retailer (apple store, etc) and comparing the matte and glossy screens. You'll have an instant reaction to one or the other.

Personally, I love the glossy, but I know a lot of people hate it.

I totally agree.

Glossy here too. Go check them out....

iBookG4user · Oct 18, 2006, 09:32 PM

I went Matte, glossy displays are harder to "clean" (shirt wiping away dust

). I also need more realistic color, as I am going to go into graphic design.

Nar1117 · Oct 18, 2006, 10:01 PM

If you get glossy, you're putting the Consumer screen on the Pro laptop.

Just think about that for a bit... it helped me decide to get matte.

mdntcallr · Oct 18, 2006, 10:07 PM

at the end of the day. most people prefer matte. They are easier, less glare and offer great visuals.

If you do glossy. you get reflections and have the clean the screen even more often because you will see almost anything on it.

you be the judge, but to me the choice is clear.

Also Stores like have glossy, because it gives the impression to purchasers that it is new and shiny. wow. looks nice, but over time... you will psychologically get tired of that when you have to deal with glare.

daze · Oct 18, 2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinliu4

I would go with glossy screen all the way. The colors are just a lot more vibrant and alive. Matte is just dull and lifeless.

I don't know where you are planning to use your laptop, but I don't use mine outdoors. I'm not sure who would use their laptop more outdoors than indoors.

I had a MacBook for a bit with the glossy screen, and apart from your own reflection when turned off, it was really good. So go with glossy.

CaptainCaveMann · Oct 18, 2006, 10:10 PM

Matte! For the love of God, Matte.

freshS0LE · Oct 18, 2006, 10:14 PM

for your case...matte because you work outside a lot.

but i love the look of glossy. it's something different since
the older macs before were all matte. plus it does make
pictures look just a little more vivid and bright.

Me1000 · Oct 18, 2006, 10:16 PM

Can i get an image of a glossy one compared to a matte ?

plinkoman · Oct 18, 2006, 10:17 PM

i've seen both, and all I can say you can pry my matte screen out of my cold dead hands.

you say you don't notice the mirror effect like I do; I say I don't notice the dullness like you do.

my point being, don't listen to people who state their opinion as if it were fact. look at both and make your own determination.

skipsandwichdx · Oct 18, 2006, 10:40 PM

I think the sunlight issue is reversed: a matte screen is very hard to see outdoors, whereas glossy is not.

Oct 18, 2006, 10:05 AM	#1
advocation macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yeovil, UK	MBP: Glossy or Matte? What are you opinions? I'm going to be ordering my 15" MBP and I cant seem to decide what i want! I've given up waiting for rev 2.... I wont be doing much stuff outside but I will be working indoors, in an office environment, and while traveling, so at airports, on planes, and on busses etc. what would you guys reccomend? __________________ 15" Macbook Pro 2.33 2gb 120gb; 1.66 Mac Mini 8gb iPhone 3G; 30gb iPod; 8gb Red Nano

Oct 18, 2006, 12:09 PM	#12
CrackedButter macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: 51st State of America	Attention Mods: Can we make this a sticky please? It gets asked so often. __________________ "Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not, Add what is uniquely your own" - Bruce Lee http://jonathanjk.viewbook.com/

Oct 18, 2006, 03:48 PM	#14
slffl macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, UT	I don't own a glossy, I own a matte 17" PB. But if there's one thing I've noticed from all these glossy vs matte threads, it's that most people who are against glossy have never used one (except for a few minutes in the store) and most you like glossy own one. It's kinda like how most who think 17" is too big have never owned one. __________________ Why waste your time posting how much you hate Apple products?

Oct 18, 2006, 09:32 PM	#17
iBookG4user macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California	I went Matte, glossy displays are harder to "clean" (shirt wiping away dust ). I also need more realistic color, as I am going to go into graphic design. __________________ Camera \| MacBook Pro \| iPhone \| iPod Nano \| Amazon Kindle

Oct 18, 2006, 10:07 PM	#19
mdntcallr macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Los Angeles, CA	at the end of the day. most people prefer matte. They are easier, less glare and offer great visuals. If you do glossy. you get reflections and have the clean the screen even more often because you will see almost anything on it. you be the judge, but to me the choice is clear. Also Stores like have glossy, because it gives the impression to purchasers that it is new and shiny. wow. looks nice, but over time... you will psychologically get tired of that when you have to deal with glare. __________________ "Bite my Shiny Metal Ass!" Bender (Futurama)

Oct 18, 2006, 10:08 AM	#2
MaTiCeK macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2006	I never had any glossy screens, I have a matte MBP and I'm happy with it. I am impressed by the colors glossy screens display, but I'm afraid of the mirror effect just too much. I can imagine that while on the road light conditions are not always the best, that's why i'd buy a matte one.

Oct 18, 2006, 10:20 AM	#3
bearbo macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2006	i bought and loved glossy, 1/2 of the time when i use it, there's sun directly shining on the screen.. but that doesn't bother me much and is 3 trillion other thread on this very same topic, with the same title not enough for you? for example, this this and this also try this

Oct 18, 2006, 10:27 AM	#4
maycontainnutz macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2006	i went with matte... i'm use to matte

Oct 18, 2006, 11:01 AM	#6
XP Defector macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2006	Well I'm on a MacBook so I didn't have the choice. However, I'm more than happy with it nevertheless. I very rarely use my notebook outside, so the sunlight never bothers me. I was using my friends MacBook Pro and his screen just looked dull in comparison. Either way, the displays Apple use are amazing.

Oct 18, 2006, 11:12 AM	#7
kevinliu4 macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2006	I would go with glossy screen all the way. The colors are just a lot more vibrant and alive. Matte is just dull and lifeless. I don't know where you are planning to use your laptop, but I don't use mine outdoors. I'm not sure who would use their laptop more outdoors than indoors.

Oct 18, 2006, 11:14 AM	#8
bearbo macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2006	i dont know why this thread is not closed.. but in case the OP is still wondering.. one of the only reason i'd go with matte is that if you want your LCD to display the true color as you printer would... glossy is a bit too rich in color than the true color

Oct 18, 2006, 11:45 AM	#9
ready2switch macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2006	It's completely dependent on your personal preference. I'd suggest visiting a retailer (apple store, etc) and comparing the matte and glossy screens. You'll have an instant reaction to one or the other. Personally, I love the glossy, but I know a lot of people hate it.

Oct 18, 2006, 11:47 AM	#10
timmillwood macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Abergavenny, Wales, UK	i was gonna go for glossy, but the colours a truer on matte and it wont double as a mirror

Oct 18, 2006, 11:49 AM	#11
pianoman macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Washington, D.C.	i have a glossy and there is hardly any reflection. the reflection that is there is only bothersome if you specifically focus on it. if you think you'll get distracted by the "mirror" effect, go with the matte and you'll never have to worry about it. i like the glossy because it seems sharper and i rarely notice the reflection.

Oct 18, 2006, 01:13 PM	#13
extraextra macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: the o.c., california	If you're not doing anything too color-minded (like professional photography, graphic design), the glossy MBP is nice. It seems a little less glossy than the MB in the store, I'm not exactly sure why.

Oct 18, 2006, 10:01 PM	#18
Nar1117 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2006	If you get glossy, you're putting the Consumer screen on the Pro laptop. Just think about that for a bit... it helped me decide to get matte.

Oct 18, 2006, 10:10 PM	#21
CaptainCaveMann macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Diego, California	Matte! For the love of God, Matte. __________________ I give up caring. Apple disappoints me every Tuesday. Looks like I'm going to Alienware. At least their computers can glow red. -TantalizedMind

Oct 18, 2006, 10:14 PM	#22
freshS0LE macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2006	for your case...matte because you work outside a lot. but i love the look of glossy. it's something different since the older macs before were all matte. plus it does make pictures look just a little more vivid and bright.

Oct 18, 2006, 10:16 PM	#23
Me1000 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2006	Can i get an image of a glossy one compared to a matte ? __________________ TimeTable: The Freelancer's Tool

Oct 18, 2006, 10:17 PM	#24
plinkoman macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York	i've seen both, and all I can say you can pry my matte screen out of my cold dead hands. you say you don't notice the mirror effect like I do; I say I don't notice the dullness like you do. my point being, don't listen to people who state their opinion as if it were fact. look at both and make your own determination. __________________ 17" PowerBook \| 1.67GHz

Oct 18, 2006, 10:40 PM	#25
skipsandwichdx macrumors regular Join Date: May 2006	I think the sunlight issue is reversed: a matte screen is very hard to see outdoors, whereas glossy is not.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode