Poll: What type of screen do you prefer on the MacBook (Glossy or Matte)

MacRumors · Oct 24, 2006, 07:33 PM

Vote: Poll: What type of screen do you prefer on the MacBook (Glossy or Matte)

Superdrive · Oct 24, 2006, 07:37 PM

After using the two, going back to a matte screen from a glossy reminds me of going to a crt from lcd. My school laptop (Dell

), has a kind of half and half finish on it. I still love the MacBook.

travvy49423 · Oct 24, 2006, 07:58 PM

My main concern with a glossy screen is glare. Isn't this a problem?

janitorC7 · Oct 24, 2006, 08:06 PM

I love the glossy, not perfect in florsent light.........

i cant wait untill we get the option to have it on desktops

OwlsAndApples · Oct 24, 2006, 08:13 PM

I like glossy..but...it makes it much harder to look at someone's screen from a wierd angle, showing something no doubt more interesting than what's in front of yourself

The contrast is better but be careful in direct sunlight (not that I get much in England

) or really bright places.

dondark · Oct 24, 2006, 09:23 PM

I love glossy, but why so many ppl choose matte?

Analog Kid · Oct 24, 2006, 10:04 PM

How weird-- I'm surprised matte is outvoting glossy...

I first saw the glossy display a few years ago in Japan at the Laox Mac store and brought back overlays for my Powerbook G4 along with 2 more in anticipation of having displays to affix them to: one for a 23" Cinema and one for a 12" Powerbook we'd planned on getting for my wife.

It's nice that Apple is giving the option now-- installing those filters were a major pain.

scott523 · Oct 24, 2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dondark

I love glossy, but why so many ppl choose matte?

Maybe because so many people are lazy to make a tiny angle adjustment to the screen? I don't know but I, too, love glossy screens. I leaves my sister's old matte screen in the dust compared to my glossy one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Analog Kid

How weird-- I'm surprised matte is outvoting glossy...

Yea I'm surprised too. Usually brighter colors mean better picture, etc. I guess I may be wrong but a vote is a vote.

~Shard~ · Oct 24, 2006, 11:24 PM

I haven't been able to use either one myself, but from just looking at them the glossy screen sure does seem to have a nice, rich look to it above the matte display. And as for glare, um, can't you just make a slight viewing angle adjustment to rectify that?

me_94501 · Oct 25, 2006, 01:27 AM

I've grown to like the glossy screen after going from an iBook to MacBook. I love the richer color and the fact that I can actually read the screen outdoors on a sunny day (provided I don't reflect the sun in my eyes).

jobberwacky · Oct 25, 2006, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott523

but a vote is a vote.

Not if Diebold is collecting them

iJaz · Oct 25, 2006, 03:53 AM

It's a pain to be a couple of persons and watch a DVD on a glossy MacBook.
It's really a one person only screen, but using it as such is fine but not spectacular.

pimentoLoaf · Oct 25, 2006, 04:05 AM

Matte, as I've had my days with a glossy CRT screen ruin my vision (eye strain) and cause distractions (stuff going on behind me).

It's a minor issue having colors more vibrant on glossy.

ibook4a · Oct 25, 2006, 06:47 AM

I prefer the glossy..... I just think it looks better.

superninjagoat · Oct 25, 2006, 08:32 AM

If you're a color-minded professional, you know that a matte screen is the only way to go. If you're doing work that will end up in print, you don't want supersaturated colors, because they won't show up in the final product anyway. You certainly don't want glare interfering with your color perception.

I guess if you're going to watch a DVD in the dark, glossy's cool. But, that's what televisions are for.

ImNoSuperMan · Oct 25, 2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimentoLoaf

Matte, as I've had my days with a glossy CRT screen ruin my vision (eye strain) and cause distractions (stuff going on behind me).

It's a minor issue having colors more vibrant on glossy.

I`ll second that. Initially i really loved the glossy display on my MB comparing to the dull iBook screen. It looks really fantastic when you see it from a distance and/or doing stuff like watching video or photos. But reading text on this machine gives me way more headache than iBook ever did. I can remember using iBook for hours and not feeling as much eye strain as i get by using MB for an hour of surfing.

My vote goes definitely for matte now. It might not look as delicious as the Glossy one but I know matte will be much better for my eyes in the long run. I m now thinkin of replacing my MB with the new C2D MBP with a matte screen. All I need to do now is find someone studying in USA and coming to India some time soon........

Warbrain · Oct 25, 2006, 09:18 AM

Matte all the way.

I used the MacBooks and I can say that I don't like the glossy screen. It's too reflective even if you adjust the screen. And I just prefer the way that the matte screen looks compared to the glossy screen.

Cybergypsy · Oct 25, 2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibook4a

I prefer the glossy..... I just think it looks better.

Ditto!

shecky · Oct 25, 2006, 09:33 AM

as i have said on one of the other 39 threads about this, i think that glossy is horrible. its like Lindsay Lohan; nice looking at first, but sloppy and freaky when you really look at it.

i think the glare is bad, and even if there was no glare, the way it makes everything look wet and hypersaturated is really annoying. its like the display equivalent of the bottom reflection on all the web 2.0 crap you see these days.

SpaceMagic · Oct 25, 2006, 09:44 AM

I'm glad MR did this poll. I'm having such a dilmea deciding. I feel people are so used to matte that the thought of glossy is a scary one so people shy away from it. I voted don't know because whenever I've seen Sony's glossy laptops i've always thought wow. After using a MacBook I love the colour reproduction and the reflections have never really been a problem... but then i've never used the laptop in say a glass building or by a window with a lot of light. Arghhh... i don't know.

59031 · Oct 25, 2006, 11:33 AM

I loathe Glossy Screens.

iBookG4user · Oct 25, 2006, 11:40 AM

My sister has a glossy screen on her laptop and I don't like it much, too much glare and it supersaturates the colors which isn't good because I'm going into graphic design.

cwt1nospam · Oct 25, 2006, 11:45 AM

Glossy is fine if you aren't in bright light, but if the sun is shining, give me matte.

Squonk · Oct 25, 2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobberwacky

Not if Diebold is collecting them

Nice one!!!

thias · Oct 25, 2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Analog Kid

How weird-- I'm surprised matte is outvoting glossy...

"Don't Know" is quite a few too. I voted "Don't Know" and today I had to go to an Apple reseller to compare. Honestly, I have no strong preference. But matte is not on option on the MacBook that I'd like, so that helps. Thanks Steve.

Oct 24, 2006, 07:33 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Poll: What type of screen do you prefer on the MacBook (Glossy or Matte) Vote: Poll: What type of screen do you prefer on the MacBook (Glossy or Matte)

Oct 24, 2006, 07:58 PM	#3
travvy49423 macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Michigan	My hesitations... My main concern with a glossy screen is glare. Isn't this a problem?

Oct 24, 2006, 08:06 PM	#4
janitorC7 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Hollywood, CA	I love the glossy, not perfect in florsent light......... i cant wait untill we get the option to have it on desktops __________________ 15" MacBookPro, 2.4 GHz, 2GB RAM, 500GB HD; 160 GB iPod Classic; 32 GB 3G S⃣ "The products suck! There's no sex in them anymore!" steve jobs

Oct 24, 2006, 08:13 PM	#5
OwlsAndApples macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK	I like glossy..but...it makes it much harder to look at someone's screen from a wierd angle, showing something no doubt more interesting than what's in front of yourself The contrast is better but be careful in direct sunlight (not that I get much in England ) or really bright places. __________________ Cyber Nations, A nation simulation game

Oct 24, 2006, 09:23 PM	#6
dondark macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2006	I love glossy, but why so many ppl choose matte? __________________ 24 inch HD display, 2GB ram 500GB HD, 7600 256Vram MBP 12"

Oct 24, 2006, 07:37 PM	#2
Superdrive macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN	After using the two, going back to a matte screen from a glossy reminds me of going to a crt from lcd. My school laptop (Dell ), has a kind of half and half finish on it. I still love the MacBook.

Oct 24, 2006, 10:04 PM	#7
Analog Kid macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2003	How weird-- I'm surprised matte is outvoting glossy... I first saw the glossy display a few years ago in Japan at the Laox Mac store and brought back overlays for my Powerbook G4 along with 2 more in anticipation of having displays to affix them to: one for a 23" Cinema and one for a 12" Powerbook we'd planned on getting for my wife. It's nice that Apple is giving the option now-- installing those filters were a major pain. __________________ "Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand... Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk hand-in-hand." --Peart

Oct 24, 2006, 11:24 PM	#9
~Shard~ macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 1123.6536.5321	I haven't been able to use either one myself, but from just looking at them the glossy screen sure does seem to have a nice, rich look to it above the matte display. And as for glare, um, can't you just make a slight viewing angle adjustment to rectify that? __________________ My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants. - J. Brotherton

Oct 25, 2006, 01:27 AM	#10
me_94501 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alameda, CA	I've grown to like the glossy screen after going from an iBook to MacBook. I love the richer color and the fact that I can actually read the screen outdoors on a sunny day (provided I don't reflect the sun in my eyes). __________________ Let's Go A's!

Oct 25, 2006, 03:53 AM	#12
iJaz macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2004	It's a pain to be a couple of persons and watch a DVD on a glossy MacBook. It's really a one person only screen, but using it as such is fine but not spectacular. __________________ Home: PM G5 2.3 GHz 4.5 GB RAM, 20" ACD, 1G 512 MB and 2G 1GB Shuffle, 4 GB nano RED, 80 GB iPod, iPhone 3G S⃣ 32 GB Black. Work: MacBook C2D 2.0 GHz 4GB RAM

Oct 25, 2006, 04:05 AM	#13
pimentoLoaf macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The SimCity Deli	Matte, as I've had my days with a glossy CRT screen ruin my vision (eye strain) and cause distractions (stuff going on behind me). It's a minor issue having colors more vibrant on glossy. __________________ A pate is nothing more than a French meat loaf that's had a couple of cocktails....Carol Cutler

Oct 25, 2006, 06:47 AM	#14
ibook4a macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK	I prefer the glossy..... I just think it looks better.

Oct 25, 2006, 08:32 AM	#15
superninjagoat macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Apex, N.C	If you're a color-minded professional, you know that a matte screen is the only way to go. If you're doing work that will end up in print, you don't want supersaturated colors, because they won't show up in the final product anyway. You certainly don't want glare interfering with your color perception. I guess if you're going to watch a DVD in the dark, glossy's cool. But, that's what televisions are for. __________________ The revolution will not be televised.

Oct 25, 2006, 09:18 AM	#17
Warbrain macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chicago, IL	Matte all the way. I used the MacBooks and I can say that I don't like the glossy screen. It's too reflective even if you adjust the screen. And I just prefer the way that the matte screen looks compared to the glossy screen. __________________ WARBRAIN Twitter \| Blog MacBook, 2.1 GHz C2D, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD iPhone 3G 8 GB

Oct 25, 2006, 09:33 AM	#19
shecky Guest Join Date: May 2003 Location: Obviously you're not a golfer.	as i have said on one of the other 39 threads about this, i think that glossy is horrible. its like Lindsay Lohan; nice looking at first, but sloppy and freaky when you really look at it. i think the glare is bad, and even if there was no glare, the way it makes everything look wet and hypersaturated is really annoying. its like the display equivalent of the bottom reflection on all the web 2.0 crap you see these days.

Oct 25, 2006, 09:44 AM	#20
SpaceMagic macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Munich, Germany	I'm glad MR did this poll. I'm having such a dilmea deciding. I feel people are so used to matte that the thought of glossy is a scary one so people shy away from it. I voted don't know because whenever I've seen Sony's glossy laptops i've always thought wow. After using a MacBook I love the colour reproduction and the reflections have never really been a problem... but then i've never used the laptop in say a glass building or by a window with a lot of light. Arghhh... i don't know. __________________ MacBook 2Ghz Core2Duo, 320GB HD, 3.3GB RAM + 24" LG LCD

Oct 25, 2006, 11:33 AM	#21
59031 Guest Join Date: Sep 2005	I loathe Glossy Screens.

Oct 25, 2006, 11:40 AM	#22
iBookG4user macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California	My sister has a glossy screen on her laptop and I don't like it much, too much glare and it supersaturates the colors which isn't good because I'm going into graphic design. __________________ Canon 40D \| Lenses \| MacBook Pro/Air \| iPhone \| iPod Nano \| Amazon Kindle

Oct 25, 2006, 11:45 AM	#23
cwt1nospam macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2006	Glossy is fine if you aren't in bright light, but if the sun is shining, give me matte.

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