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17" - Has anyone bought the matte display and regretted it?
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I have a June'08 Matte 15" MBP purchased after the glossy unibody Macs were available.
I love the smart, upmarket look of the glossy screens but it's just not practical for me.
I use my computer everyday in our motor home with clear windows left, right and behind me plus a clear skylight overhead. Reflections on Reflections.
I love the smart, upmarket look of the glossy screens but it's just not practical for me.
I use my computer everyday in our motor home with clear windows left, right and behind me plus a clear skylight overhead. Reflections on Reflections.
I have a one week old 17" glossy and find it absolutely gorgeous. I have been using a glossy 24" iMac at work (video etc) for almost the last 2 years and I don't have an issue with the reflections, so I suppose I am used to it.
I definitely don't regret getting glossy.
As dlo604 says, however, each to their own.
to be honest i thought the matte just looked absoultely beautiful compared to the glossy in stores. i know there are plenty of other people who beg to differ but matte was the way for me.
I only grow to love my matte screen even more each day I use it. Believe me, I was having doubts in the beginning, but after comparing the two side-by-side, the matte wins hands down for me (after calibrating). There are some times when I am reading a webpage or a document, and I truly feel like I am just looking at a piece of paper--only everything is in 1920 x 1200 resolution. I have had matte screens before (lenovo T series, Dell, panasonic, etc.) and it never looked this good--where it was like paper.
Also keep in mind that with a glossy model, you may need to keep the brightness up to cut down on the glare.
I was in a hospital room today (dimly lit) and I was surfing the web with EASE with only 1 bar on the brightness. I am not joking or exaggerating: I used the bar just before the screen shuts off to browse the web and I felt more than comfortable doing so (no squinting, fatigue, strain, etc.). I have never used a glossy model with the settings that low, so I don't know if they can do it, but I was amazed with my matte display.
Also keep in mind that with a glossy model, you may need to keep the brightness up to cut down on the glare.
I was in a hospital room today (dimly lit) and I was surfing the web with EASE with only 1 bar on the brightness. I am not joking or exaggerating: I used the bar just before the screen shuts off to browse the web and I felt more than comfortable doing so (no squinting, fatigue, strain, etc.). I have never used a glossy model with the settings that low, so I don't know if they can do it, but I was amazed with my matte display.
Yeah. Don't forget to put them side-by-side so you get a good comparison. Open up a picture, a video, a word document and a webpage (same type of each on both computers).
Then see which one you like.
Under system preferences > universal access > contrast, make sure both are set at zero. Also adjust the brightness to the same setting, and make sure the resolutions are the same.
Whichever one you like should be what you get. Just go with your gut.
Then see which one you like.
Under system preferences > universal access > contrast, make sure both are set at zero. Also adjust the brightness to the same setting, and make sure the resolutions are the same.
Whichever one you like should be what you get. Just go with your gut.
Second going to a store, and bringing a AG laptop next to a normal one, then running your normal utilities (say ilife, iwork, safari, your normal go to web pages, an apple trailier or two to see how they look in dark and light video sections etc).
Personally went with AG matte, but the glossy's nice, nothing against it, I just liked a little less reflection. Your eyes kind of focus out of it, so don't see the reflection most of the time, but if you're looking for it, or just glancing at the screen you can see more of the reflection.
Pretty much nothing is as much personal opinion as the matte/glossy debate. The reflections are there, but most folks "see" in a way that they're easily ignored. Me, I see them pretty well on my 3 month old glossy 17" uMBP, but was learning to deal with it. My brother-in-law came over last week with his refurb previous generation 17" MBP, and I used it for a while in my usual spot with some windows behind me. It wasn't even close. The matte screen was much nicer to use. Damn. I can see that I'm going to have to sell my glossy, take the big hit, and get a matte screen.
I went from matte PB to unibody glossbook 15inch. The powerbook matte screens is actually considerably more 'matte' than the ones they use in the MBP line. When I first saw a matte MBP I thought it was the glossy model. Seeing both in stores and using both I'd have to say the matte screen is better for all uses. The glossy gives terrible reflections that is really bothersome at times. That said I've really gotten used to the glossy, and am still happy with my purchase. I would have gotten a matte display if it was available on the 15inch unibody when it came out. A caveat to that, I'm not sure I like the way it looks without the black boarder.
In conclusion I don't think you will regret either decisions. honestly.
In conclusion I don't think you will regret either decisions. honestly.
Stealth Mode!
My wife purchased the 13" macbook in January. She cannot stand the glossy screen. She lets me use it so I can get use to it before I purchase the 13" mbp. I try to use it every day but I find myself going back to my much slower 12" powerbook instead.
I make sure I take her 13" mb out in public (Starbucks etc.) so I can sit in stealth mode and like a ninja or an owl I can see perfectly my entire surrounding.
My wife purchased the 13" macbook in January. She cannot stand the glossy screen. She lets me use it so I can get use to it before I purchase the 13" mbp. I try to use it every day but I find myself going back to my much slower 12" powerbook instead.
I make sure I take her 13" mb out in public (Starbucks etc.) so I can sit in stealth mode and like a ninja or an owl I can see perfectly my entire surrounding.
I never thought of it that way... so there are some advantages to a super glossy screen
Is there a Difference in the Glossy Macbook Screens?
Has anybody noticed a difference between the Unibody 13" Macbook glossy screen and the new Macbook Pro 13" glossy screen, it appears to be more Macbook Air like?
Thanks for your help
Has anybody noticed a difference between the Unibody 13" Macbook glossy screen and the new Macbook Pro 13" glossy screen, it appears to be more Macbook Air like?
Thanks for your help
Went with glossy and feeling saucy.
My first experience with glossy was with the late 2006 17" MacBook Pro. The vivid colors and clear contrast sold me. Since then every MacBook Pro and iMac we purchased for our company has been glossy. We wish the 30" Cinema was available in glossy. If they ever release such a beast, we'd replace the screens on our Mac Pros in a California minute.
The only time I notice the glare is when I read forums like this. ;-)
My first experience with glossy was with the late 2006 17" MacBook Pro. The vivid colors and clear contrast sold me. Since then every MacBook Pro and iMac we purchased for our company has been glossy. We wish the 30" Cinema was available in glossy. If they ever release such a beast, we'd replace the screens on our Mac Pros in a California minute.
The only time I notice the glare is when I read forums like this. ;-)
Last year I got a 15" MBP with matte screen but that was replaced with a Unibody model (by Apple). At first I loved the screen but over time the reflections became more and more distracting. That's why I got a used 15" matte MBP a couple of weeks ago and haven't regretted my decision to switch back at all. I'm hoping this will last as long as possible since I don't know when matte screens are back in smaller Apple notebooks or if there will be something that won't make me miss them. High gloss is not for everyone. I didn't like it.
Everybody who has bought the matte option has lived to regret it. The bezel isn't even black and looks totally out of place on it and completely spoils the ascetics.
At least the matte model comes with spell-check.
Everybody who has bought the matte option has lived to regret it. The bezel isn't even black and looks totally out of place on it and completely spoils the ascetics.
I actually find the matte bezel much much nicer. I'm no fan of the black bezel and think the matte 17" looks so much sexier.
I bought a matte screen and I will never regret it... It's absolutely amazing. I don't have to deal with glare... the glossy screens are smudge and dust magnets.
Also, I personally prefer to have the silver bezel with the AG screen. It makes the macbook look more uniform (and sexier personally).
Um no they haven't. The black bezel makes the laptop look like it was made from two different pieces, whereas the silver bezel matches the aluminum frame and makes it look much nicer. Plus I can place my hand on the side of the screen to push it back without making a handful of fingerprints on it.
Also, I personally prefer to have the silver bezel with the AG screen. It makes the macbook look more uniform (and sexier personally).
Everybody who has bought the matte option has lived to regret it. The bezel isn't even black and looks totally out of place on it and completely spoils the ascetics.
Um no they haven't. The black bezel makes the laptop look like it was made from two different pieces, whereas the silver bezel matches the aluminum frame and makes it look much nicer. Plus I can place my hand on the side of the screen to push it back without making a handful of fingerprints on it.
Watch out for pirates!
What is wrong with you Onay having those smudges (finger prints) is a great way to prove it's yours if the pirates over take Starbucks and steal your aluminum, see just another great thing about Glossy.
What is wrong with you Onay having those smudges (finger prints) is a great way to prove it's yours if the pirates over take Starbucks and steal your aluminum, see just another great thing about Glossy.
Unnecessary... with the glassy you'll be able to see the pirates behind you long before they can get to the laptop!
Make your matte!
There is a good idea you can spend a couple hours puttin finger prints on the display or what til' it all the dust sticks to the static screen and then you will have your own matte screen. Why did I not think of this before? I should probably eat an entire bag of Lays potato chips first.
There is a good idea you can spend a couple hours puttin finger prints on the display or what til' it all the dust sticks to the static screen and then you will have your own matte screen. Why did I not think of this before? I should probably eat an entire bag of Lays potato chips first.
Facing the same decision...
I have decided on the 17... even ordered some extra's (remote, palm guard, keyboard protector)... All that is left in making the desicion is Anti-Glare or Glossy... My buddy has and loves glossy... I can definitley see the appeal, aside from the reflections in the poor Apple store lighting the glossy looks sweet! I did not equalize the settings on both and do a good compare.
When looking at the anti-glare in the store I thought it was pretty amazing as well. I do like to sit on my balcony and work which with my current Thinkpad (I cannot do easily past 3:00PM) with a matte'ish finish to it...
So I am torn, but 2700.00 is a lot of money for me and I plan on getting 2700.00 worth of use out of it.
The display is one of the biggest parts of everyday use.. ugh.... decisions....
What I am hearing about the glossy so far is that once you start using it you don't notice the reflections as much, that is is more colorful and pretty under the right lighting conditions...
I also hear people making statements about the majority who by anti-glare regret it (though I don't see anything in this forum or on the web that really substantiates those statements).
Right now I have one foot firmly on the anti-glare side and my other lifting off the glossy but I will spend some more time in the store comparing and do know that whatever I end up getting will be awesome!
This is my first 'real' mac purchase. I have in the past picked up a mac or two out of facination but they were always a few years behind and so never anything comparible the whatever PC I had at the time.
I have wanted to find an excuse to get a mac for some time and recently the Windows group at my clients site became the main support for all MAC and X-Server products... As a consultant they could not provide me a Mac but I was told if I had my own I could get involved... Been saving for a bit and about ready to make the dive! Look forward to sharing my new experiences with this great crowd of Mac users!
I have decided on the 17... even ordered some extra's (remote, palm guard, keyboard protector)... All that is left in making the desicion is Anti-Glare or Glossy... My buddy has and loves glossy... I can definitley see the appeal, aside from the reflections in the poor Apple store lighting the glossy looks sweet! I did not equalize the settings on both and do a good compare.
When looking at the anti-glare in the store I thought it was pretty amazing as well. I do like to sit on my balcony and work which with my current Thinkpad (I cannot do easily past 3:00PM) with a matte'ish finish to it...
So I am torn, but 2700.00 is a lot of money for me and I plan on getting 2700.00 worth of use out of it.
The display is one of the biggest parts of everyday use.. ugh.... decisions....
What I am hearing about the glossy so far is that once you start using it you don't notice the reflections as much, that is is more colorful and pretty under the right lighting conditions...
I also hear people making statements about the majority who by anti-glare regret it (though I don't see anything in this forum or on the web that really substantiates those statements).
Right now I have one foot firmly on the anti-glare side and my other lifting off the glossy but I will spend some more time in the store comparing and do know that whatever I end up getting will be awesome!
This is my first 'real' mac purchase. I have in the past picked up a mac or two out of facination but they were always a few years behind and so never anything comparible the whatever PC I had at the time.
I have wanted to find an excuse to get a mac for some time and recently the Windows group at my clients site became the main support for all MAC and X-Server products... As a consultant they could not provide me a Mac but I was told if I had my own I could get involved... Been saving for a bit and about ready to make the dive! Look forward to sharing my new experiences with this great crowd of Mac users!
Alright, thought I'd pop back in and offer my two cents.
I couldn't decide between the glossy or matte, so I decided to buy the glossy and give it a whirl, knowing I could return it within 14 days. I strongly believed that by using the glossy it would merely consolidate my decision to go with the matte.
Anyway, after about a week, I can say that I am not entirely dissatisfied with the glossy. I think some accounts of glare have been exaggerated. Now, in my case, it's largely a desktop replacement, so I don't really have to deal with changing lighting conditions.
I will return the laptop tomorrow, and upgrade to the higher processor and faster HD, and probably the matte screen. Not because I dislike the glossy, just that I can get the same quality out of the matte without needing to worry about lighting conditions. The sacrifice I will be making is only aesthetic (glossy looks nicer IMO), but this is a machine for school, so I'm afraid it's function over form for me.
Well, I've tried to be as unbiased as possible. As a portable machine, I can't really see why anybody would select the glossy over the matte (unless they were hung up on the looks).
I will pick matte, but that's not to say the glossy isn't tempting me. After all, I'm a designer. It's all about the look.
Anyway, hope this helps.
Also, so happy I've gone with the 17". The added real estate and resolution is incredible. And they size, very manageable. Almost the same weight as my last 15" laptop!
I couldn't decide between the glossy or matte, so I decided to buy the glossy and give it a whirl, knowing I could return it within 14 days. I strongly believed that by using the glossy it would merely consolidate my decision to go with the matte.
Anyway, after about a week, I can say that I am not entirely dissatisfied with the glossy. I think some accounts of glare have been exaggerated. Now, in my case, it's largely a desktop replacement, so I don't really have to deal with changing lighting conditions.
I will return the laptop tomorrow, and upgrade to the higher processor and faster HD, and probably the matte screen. Not because I dislike the glossy, just that I can get the same quality out of the matte without needing to worry about lighting conditions. The sacrifice I will be making is only aesthetic (glossy looks nicer IMO), but this is a machine for school, so I'm afraid it's function over form for me.
Well, I've tried to be as unbiased as possible. As a portable machine, I can't really see why anybody would select the glossy over the matte (unless they were hung up on the looks).
I will pick matte, but that's not to say the glossy isn't tempting me. After all, I'm a designer. It's all about the look.
Anyway, hope this helps.
Also, so happy I've gone with the 17". The added real estate and resolution is incredible. And they size, very manageable. Almost the same weight as my last 15" laptop!
My advice, visit an Apple Store, chances are they should have one of each for you to view. I think it's rather stupid if they didn't especially since Apple charges a premium for the matte.
Personally, I prefer the Matte better. Just feels easier on my eyes.