The nice thing about Apple screens is that even at 1440 x 900 on a 15" MBP movies and photo's still look excellent.
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15" standard vs. 15" hi-res
- Thread starter M-1
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Hi guys,
I going to pick up the MBP 15". As with many of you, im quite worried and can't decide if i want high resolution or not because there is no Apple store for me to go down to and do a comparison.
My mate just got the Dell XPS 16 today so i quickly popped over to look at the screen. I must say the high resolution screens do look gorgeous. Movies looked great. The specs are 15.6" (1920x1080). I surfed the web and this forum for a while. The fonts are definitely smaller but not unreadable.
The Apple in comparison would be 15.4" (1680x1050). So it would be similar i guess. I found it tiring to read the fonts for a while. Maybe you need to get used to it. Or maybe its my eyes going. ha ha..
This is purely a personal preference issue. I'm leaning towards the std 1440x900 as i find it's the sweet spot for me. I have a 24" high resolution monitor so i'm not worried about screen real estate.
To each his own.... Just get what works for you.
Sometimes i find that you can't over analyze everything , you will only make yourself unhappy...
But how i wish there was an Apple store here as well so i can judge for myself what i want and like before i part with two and a half grand
Cheers
So, my question is that does a higher resolution=more screen estate? Pictures/Display wise, is it still the same or better as compared to a standard resolution screen?
I'm glad (selfishly) that I'm not alone in this dilemma. I'm going around in circles & I can't believe I haven't decided & ordered it already!
I got to compare 2 of the 15" side by side (high res AG & standard glossy). I thought seeing them together was going to make it an easy decision, but it didn't. The HR is as gorgeous as everyone says, but the standard looked pretty good to me, too, & it beats my current 1280 x 800. The HR sizing is perfectly readable, but I'm not gonna lie - it did look quite small to me. I do a LOT of reading online and I already zoom in to increase the size for a more comfortable experience, so I guess I can continue to do that with HR if I go that way. But what worries me are all the people saying that after a few hours they're experiencing eye strain. I'm practically glued to my current MacBook spending many hours a day on it, so that's not going to change with the new MBP.
Also, I tried a few sites that I frequent while I was in the store so I could compare. A couple of the sites seemed to format strangely on the HR. I'm very low tech so I'm sure there's an easy explanation & fix ??, but instead of showing more on the HR screen, some of the sites showed the same as the standard res only much smaller and with weird spacing on either side which looked - well - weird!
But still, I WANT the HR just because, you know?!? I also think in about 3yrs when I go to sell, having a HR screen will give me a better resale value. But I don't want to end up with headaches and eye strain in the meantime.
Clearly I'm over thinking this, but I'm having a hard time deciding. Everyone's got a valid opinion and makes very good points. Yet the dilemma continues!!
I got to compare 2 of the 15" side by side (high res AG & standard glossy). I thought seeing them together was going to make it an easy decision, but it didn't. The HR is as gorgeous as everyone says, but the standard looked pretty good to me, too, & it beats my current 1280 x 800. The HR sizing is perfectly readable, but I'm not gonna lie - it did look quite small to me. I do a LOT of reading online and I already zoom in to increase the size for a more comfortable experience, so I guess I can continue to do that with HR if I go that way. But what worries me are all the people saying that after a few hours they're experiencing eye strain. I'm practically glued to my current MacBook spending many hours a day on it, so that's not going to change with the new MBP.
Also, I tried a few sites that I frequent while I was in the store so I could compare. A couple of the sites seemed to format strangely on the HR. I'm very low tech so I'm sure there's an easy explanation & fix ??, but instead of showing more on the HR screen, some of the sites showed the same as the standard res only much smaller and with weird spacing on either side which looked - well - weird!
But still, I WANT the HR just because, you know?!? I also think in about 3yrs when I go to sell, having a HR screen will give me a better resale value. But I don't want to end up with headaches and eye strain in the meantime.
Clearly I'm over thinking this, but I'm having a hard time deciding. Everyone's got a valid opinion and makes very good points. Yet the dilemma continues!!
Could someone be kind enough to answer this question for me please?
Thanks
Mak
Higher res just means more screen real estate. Instead of a photo taking up 100% of the physical space on the screen it will take up about 80%. Everything visually is smaller because its a higher pixel density so text can appear too small for some people.
I own a previous generation 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo Unibody and just sold it to upgrade to the new 15" High-Res Core i7.
I soley upgraded for the increase in resolution.
I cant beleive people complain about eye strain. Get glasses. Are these people old? wtf?
There have been many many notebooks in the 13 - 16 inch size range with much much higher resolution... its all about screen real estate.
High-Res for the win. I just wish that 1900x1200 was offered on the 15". Who cares if the text is small... thats what the
key and + is for.
I soley upgraded for the increase in resolution.
I cant beleive people complain about eye strain. Get glasses. Are these people old? wtf?
There have been many many notebooks in the 13 - 16 inch size range with much much higher resolution... its all about screen real estate.
High-Res for the win. I just wish that 1900x1200 was offered on the 15". Who cares if the text is small... thats what the
key and + is for.Perhaps I am wrong, but there seems to be a general consensus concerning the usefulness of the two resolutions:
1440 x 900: less eye strain when reading text for long periods of time; less room for image/sound/video editing
1680 x 1050: better clarity and more room for image/sound/video editing; more eye strain when reading text for long periods of time
In my field, I use the computer primarily for text, and since my eyes don't adjust well with the glassy screens, this model is not for me. I only hope Apple will re-offer a matte version of the 1440 x 900 or include resolution independence in the VERY near future.
1440 x 900: less eye strain when reading text for long periods of time; less room for image/sound/video editing
1680 x 1050: better clarity and more room for image/sound/video editing; more eye strain when reading text for long periods of time
In my field, I use the computer primarily for text, and since my eyes don't adjust well with the glassy screens, this model is not for me. I only hope Apple will re-offer a matte version of the 1440 x 900 or include resolution independence in the VERY near future.
I own a previous generation 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo Unibody and just sold it to upgrade to the new 15" High-Res Core i7.
I soley upgraded for the increase in resolution.
I cant beleive people complain about eye strain. Get glasses. Are these people old? wtf?
There have been many many notebooks in the 13 - 16 inch size range with much much higher resolution... its all about screen real estate.
High-Res for the win. I just wish that 1900x1200 was offered on the 15". Who cares if the text is small... thats what the
wtf?? Sheesh. I can't believe people complain about other peoples' eyes! Are these people, what, like, 11?
haha. Do you think we all have perfectly healthy eyes?? sheesh....
Yeah mate, more space to work with example you can fit in more of any program on the screen as everything is reduced in size and sharper as well.
But at the expense of being abit smaller.
I'm planning to hook mine up with a cheap HR Dell 24" on my desk so i will have plenty of space. i'm not constanly bringing my MBP out so its not an issue for me.
Another person might have to work in a lab or something and need to bring the MBP out everyday . He/she would definately love the higher resolution offered.
It all boils down to individual needs
I would suggest going to the Apple store and decide for yourself . i dont have one near me so have to rely on other sources ...
I'm in the same boat. I would not worry too much about selling in 3 or 4 years. Are u going to suffer and be in agony for that long?
I was just thinking . When i look at my Samsung LCD Tv, Its 42 inches and the resolution is only 1980x1080 . And that's a 42" !!!
That's a lower resolution than the Apple Cinema Display.
Hence my theory that the standard resolution is just right for 15" . Dont flame me thats my own opinion. Others will have their own views.
So why am i over thinking this i have no idea... probably because of the high cost of course. But i'll be happy with Standard res than straining my eyes as i do alot of word editing and reading.
Picture and Video edits --> hook up to my matte 24" high resolution monitor.
Hey Presto ! Problem solved.
Side Story:
When i was deciding to buy a TV last Yr ( it was PLasma or LCD question). People were saying plasma is better so movies blah blah . The blacks are blacker etc etc. It may be true but i bought an LCD anyway mainly for PS3 and general Tv and movies and i have no regrets so far . The blacks still looks black to me. Plus LCD's power consumption is far less.
Back to the dilemma:
Watching movies on HR MBP or the standard resolution is not going to be hugely different. Plus i'm not really bothered about watching movies on the MBP (only on planes rides anyway).
So gonna head to the reseller tomorrow and getting the std res. Might post some pictures for the undecided....
One benefit would be if there is any issue from the MBP i can go straight to the shop and ask for an exchange on the spot, instead of sending it back to apple and waiting for it to come back.
(Seeing that some are having screen problems such as yellow tint, reddish tint on fonts, screen not aligned etc etc making me wary of these issues. (everyone deserves to get a near perfect machine for the price being paid)
Did you make a decision yet?
As many stated here I'd like to try the Anti Glare screen, but having to go hi-res to get it ... I just can't decide.
For sure I don't like small fonts, I'm using my 15" in brighter conditions/outdoors more now that summer is here ... I could do without the reflection but at the sacrifice of eye strain from small fonts ... I don't know...
Kilamite -
Did you exchange your notebook today, what did you end up with?
Well...... After I got my 15" i7 Hi-Res, I replied to the thread starter that I think I had made a mistake and that the small text was causing severe eye strain; in fact, I was dead set on returning it and opting for standard res.
I did, however, give my eyes a few days to adjust to it. And guess what? I'm typing on it right now. It just (at least for me) took a bit of an adjustment period. Plus, coming from a 2006 15", the brightness and crispness of the display probably had as much to do with the initial eye strain as the smaller text.
I think all things considered, if you feel like Hi-Res is the way to go, pull the trigger and give it a week. If you find that you don't acclimate in a comfortable manner, then take it back and pick up the standard.
Just my two cents. Best of luck with your purchase, I'm sure you'll enjoy the thing either way.
M
2010 15" Macbook Pro i7 @ 5400 w/ Hi Res
First gen iPhone
iPhone 3G
TV
2006 15" Macbook Pro 2.16ghz
24" Cinema Display
MacBook Air, First Generation
I did, however, give my eyes a few days to adjust to it. And guess what? I'm typing on it right now. It just (at least for me) took a bit of an adjustment period. Plus, coming from a 2006 15", the brightness and crispness of the display probably had as much to do with the initial eye strain as the smaller text.
I think all things considered, if you feel like Hi-Res is the way to go, pull the trigger and give it a week. If you find that you don't acclimate in a comfortable manner, then take it back and pick up the standard.
Just my two cents. Best of luck with your purchase, I'm sure you'll enjoy the thing either way.
M
2010 15" Macbook Pro i7 @ 5400 w/ Hi Res First gen iPhone iPhone 3G TV 2006 15" Macbook Pro 2.16ghz 24" Cinema Display MacBook Air, First GenerationI got 15" hi-res anti-glare option and I love it (apart from the anticipated yellow tinge at the bottom, beware all high resolution considerers)!!
I agree that the text is considerably smaller, but what I did was set minimum font to 14 in Safari and its great. I definitely wouldn't give up the screen real estate!
The other thing that I have to admit that due to high resolutions the games look awesome in native resolution, but I have to roll down some settings to keep my mac from being over driven.
All in all high resolution matte is GREAT (if you don't get the yellow tinge..).
I agree that the text is considerably smaller, but what I did was set minimum font to 14 in Safari and its great. I definitely wouldn't give up the screen real estate!
The other thing that I have to admit that due to high resolutions the games look awesome in native resolution, but I have to roll down some settings to keep my mac from being over driven.
All in all high resolution matte is GREAT (if you don't get the yellow tinge..).
Exchanging it tomorrow.
I love the matte screen so much; I had an original unibody MBP and tolerated the glassy screen. I sold it off when the 15" came out in matte again, but decided to go with the 17" with matte display. The 1920x1200 resolution was just crazy and literally the next day I took it back and got the 15" matte. Was beautiful.. no reflections, nice and easy resolution on the eyes. Biggest mistake ever was selling it.
My eyes are strained from using the 15" at 1680x1050. I thought I'd adjust, but things are just too small for comfort. I can read everything fine, but it isn't comfortable. I use my laptop for hours on end each day; Uni work to hobbies.
I'm going to hate the glassy screen again, but at least I'll not be straining my eyes from reading small fonts all day.
My main dilemma is if Apple did bring back 1440x900 matte display for the 15", I'd end up having to sell yet another freaking laptop to be happy.
I'm not going to be happy with the glassy display (again..) but I can't use the high res display.
Aha, I was wondering if text is bigger in Mac OS X than in Windows. I've never had a Mac before, but I am considering a 15" MBP and wonder what resolution to get.
Based on a 15" 1400x1050 laptop I already have (which has text that isn't too small), I was certain that a 15.4" 1680x1050 laptop would have text that is too small, but after looking at the hi-res laptop at the Apple store last week, I didn't think the text was too small. So I guess Macs display text larger than Windows does. Maybe I will get the hi-res after all. I will go to the store one more time to make sure.
I forgot that when I went in to the Apple store and was looking at the hi-res model, some text did not seem too small. But when I opened up the Calendar app, all the text seemed really tiny. When you talk about the "pinch/zoom gesture", I assume that only works in Safari, or does it work in all apps?
They won't charge a restocking fee for that? Wouldn't want to pay $200 to change my mind.
I thought Steve was supposed to make all these decisions for us
If I was in the market for a new 15" I'd be in the same quandary as you. I'd go to the nearest Apple store and spend extended time with the high resolution display, maybe on multiple occasions, before deciding if you can tolerate the smaller chrome, menus, and text.
This site can help one make approximate comparisons of how small or large objects will be on different screens with differing resolutions.
Yeah, each monitor has its own dot pitch which you can calculate based on its size and resolution. But then the OS also has a DPI that is independent of the screen's DPI. In Windows, you can set the DPI to either 96 or 120. I wonder what is the DPI in Mac OS X?
I would get the hi res. I have bad eyesight too, and even text on my 13" MBP w/ 1280x800 is hard to read. But when that happens, I put on my glasses or contacts, and that remedies the situation.
If I were you, i'd get the high res screen, and if you ever have toubke reading text, put on your glasses or contacts.
Of course, if you don't have glasses then that nullifies my entire post.
If I were you, i'd get the high res screen, and if you ever have toubke reading text, put on your glasses or contacts.
Of course, if you don't have glasses then that nullifies my entire post.
I had some luck, (I think
) ... found a late '09 15" MacBook Pro, new in box, C2D, 2.8ghz I'll add ram to 8gb and put in my 256ssd when it arrives.I hope it lasts until Apple brings out an anti glare display in normal resolution or offers resolution independence in future OS upgrades.
Until then I have the resolution I want, anti glare, no reflections no eye strain.
It just sucks to go backwards one model year to get the spec's I want in a notebook....