Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
9C84 better than 9C85 on New MBP's?
- Thread starter James17
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
My first MBP was one with a 9C85 display. For unrelated issues, I got a replacement, which happened to have the 9C84 panel. I calibrated both screens to the same, and brightness levels were also set to the same (3 notches down from max). In person, there was a huge difference. The 9C85 had a yellowish tint that I didn't realize existed until I had the 9C84 right next to it. The white is much whiter on the 9C84. BUUUUUT, I would have been happy with the 9C85 because it already appeared to be so vivid in colour.
I snapped a photo of both side-by-side (9C84 on left, 9C85 on right)... sorry for my smudge marks on the one on the right... they were just around the left edge as I grab on to the side to adjust the angle every so often.
I snapped a photo of both side-by-side (9C84 on left, 9C85 on right)... sorry for my smudge marks on the one on the right... they were just around the left edge as I grab on to the side to adjust the angle every so often.
Attachments
so which one is which on that pic? and i cant tell a big difference from that pic.
left 9c84, right 9c85 - if he described it correctly. There is a fairly significant difference looking at that picture.
It doesn't make any sense to talk about "teint" unless both screen are set to native Gamma and Color-Temperature!
OS X comes with an activated color-profile that surely isn't optimized for the different screens. So what looks good on one may look "yellowish" on the other. But that's not the screen then, but the profile. You can set the profile to native settings by using the "Calibration" button in the monitor settings.
And even then your impression will be purely based on what color temperature your room light has. Furthermore even if you turn your room into complete black darkness you cannot tell which of the two screens your eyes will adapt to (like the more brighter one).
The only way to tell the difference is to use a hardware calibration device (Eye One 2, Spyder, whatever).
OS X comes with an activated color-profile that surely isn't optimized for the different screens. So what looks good on one may look "yellowish" on the other. But that's not the screen then, but the profile. You can set the profile to native settings by using the "Calibration" button in the monitor settings.
And even then your impression will be purely based on what color temperature your room light has. Furthermore even if you turn your room into complete black darkness you cannot tell which of the two screens your eyes will adapt to (like the more brighter one).
The only way to tell the difference is to use a hardware calibration device (Eye One 2, Spyder, whatever).
I generally agree. ILikeALion on page two did a comparison of a 9c84 vs a 9c85 after calibrating with an Eye One 2
I checked my 84 at native Gamma and Color-Temperature and found out that the first 7 gradations are missing completely (actually gray 7 does exist, but it's the same as grey 8), which means they are plain black regardless of viewing angles. Additionally the vertical viewing angles are so narrow that the breaking point between being able to see dark gradations and having black wash out to gray is very close together.
Even worse in order to make light color gradations visible you need to use vertical viewing angles that make most of the dark gradations turn into black as well (and if you go further into some blueish/black teint).
The 4 light gradations are also missing completely, which means they are plain white regardless of viewing angles.
A whole band of supposely pure blue gradations is way off into purple because of bad FRC (dithering) implementation.
All in all the screen looks nice enough, but I'm really not impressed by the small vertical viewing angles and lack of dark gradations. It's practically impossible to find a viewing angle that allows to see both dark and light colors at once.
I take it the 9C84 is a TN? If I look from the bottom the colour inverts just like any old cheap TN. My old MBP had a much better screen. Speakers are **** on this one too.
I have the 85, and so far i have no problems with it what so ever....they colors are amazing and everything is sharp.
I've got the 9C85 and before calibration, using the default, it is a little yellow (warm) but you don't notice that until you compare it to another calibration. Mine is uniform brightness throughout. When I first got it, the brightest setting seemed extremely bright, but now a month later it doesn't seem as bright. I wonder if I'm just used to it, or maybe the panel is not as bright now. I'm sure it's just my mind playing tricks on me.
What people don't realize is that the monitor itself isn't "yellow" it's just that the white balance is set a little too warm in the default configuration. If you do any type of photography or photo editing, you know how easy a fix this is. It's really not a big deal folks and a simple monitor calibration will fix it.
What people don't realize is that the monitor itself isn't "yellow" it's just that the white balance is set a little too warm in the default configuration. If you do any type of photography or photo editing, you know how easy a fix this is. It's really not a big deal folks and a simple monitor calibration will fix it.
Surely with a calibration device or profile, both screens will looks the same ? The reason I ask is because I have a gorgeous 84 screen, but I'm getting a replacement within 2 weeks or so, and I don't want a screen with a lower brightness/quality as the main use for this is Photography.
NStocks
NStocks
Not necessarily, I'm afraid. I have a 9C84 and a 9C85, each independently calibrated, and of these two units the 84 is obviously the superior screen. Not saying that's necessarily the case with all of them, but definitely with these two. Used by itself, the 85 is a great screen and looks gorgeous---until you set it next to the 84, at which point the 85 looks yellowish and noticeably less bright.
I concur... the 85 I had on its own was brilliant, UNTIL the 84 was next to it, then the 84 was less bright (even on highest bright setting) and a bit more yellow (see enlarged photo I attached above).
That's kinda disappointing. I don't want to get a new Mac with a less better quality screen ( imo ), I love the blueish tint rather than the yellow any-day... I just hope it's not that bad or I get a 84 screen !... what are the chances of this is I get a replacement in 2 weeks ?
Anyone prefer the 9c85 over 9c84?
My new Macbook Pro has the 9c85 screen, and I've noticed the spotlights when displaying a full screen black image, as well as a slight overall yellow tint. I have seen a 9c84 screen on display and the whites seem whiter. I am using a calibration profile from another Macrumors thread.
While I am enjoying my new foray into the world of Apple, I must admit it does bug me to know that my screen is not as good as it potentially could be. Generally with new gadgets I go through a couple of weeks inspecting for flaws and then forget about that and just enjoy the machine.
Display quality is one of the most important factors for me, and I don't like feeling like I got the lesser of two possible displays.
Is the 9c84 really the better display?
My new Macbook Pro has the 9c85 screen, and I've noticed the spotlights when displaying a full screen black image, as well as a slight overall yellow tint. I have seen a 9c84 screen on display and the whites seem whiter. I am using a calibration profile from another Macrumors thread.
While I am enjoying my new foray into the world of Apple, I must admit it does bug me to know that my screen is not as good as it potentially could be. Generally with new gadgets I go through a couple of weeks inspecting for flaws and then forget about that and just enjoy the machine.
Display quality is one of the most important factors for me, and I don't like feeling like I got the lesser of two possible displays.
Is the 9c84 really the better display?
Not for everyone. I think individual differences are more significant than the typical difference between the two panel types.
I have two machines, one with 9c84 and one with 9c85. Before calibration, the 9c84 probably is slightly better. Also before calibration both are slightly more yellow than looks ideal. But after calibration, it's a coin toss between the two. I think people worrying over this should spend their time on other things. Both of these screens are much higher quality than on previous 15" MBP.
I hate that feeling that I've missed out on something... i have the '85 screen.
It always seemed quite warm, but I wouldn't describe it as "yellow", more of a bronzed tint, which was bearable. The calibration posted did wonders however, and now it is fantastic! Huge thanks to whoever posted it. My mbp has no problems at all so far, except the crummy speakers, which I dont think is worth risking a dead pixel on a replacement. Great thread!
It always seemed quite warm, but I wouldn't describe it as "yellow", more of a bronzed tint, which was bearable. The calibration posted did wonders however, and now it is fantastic! Huge thanks to whoever posted it. My mbp has no problems at all so far, except the crummy speakers, which I dont think is worth risking a dead pixel on a replacement. Great thread!
The more you look, the more flaw you will find over time. If the display is vivid, why not just enjoy it? There will always be a display that "might" be better, brighter, more vivid than your own. For all the time you sit there wondering if there's something better out there when you could be enjoying your new laptop... its an endless cycle. the term paralysis by analysis can't be more true.