Display reflection in MBA 2013 vs. 2011/2012

[Saturn1217]

Photodon anti-glare for retina film

I know that this probably isn't what the OP is looking for but one option is to get an anti-glare film that is optimized for the retina displays. These are only very slightly anti-glare which IMO is what is needed for the MBAs because they aren't that glossy.

I used this company back when I had a 2009 13" MBP (the glossy display drove me nuts). Now they are selling a new film (the MXH-R type) which is supposed to provide some anti-glare without messing up the clarity of the retina MBPs. You can get the films cut for MBAs too so this might be an option. I am thinking of trying it and if I do I'll let you know how it works. It is only ~$20 with shipping included so not a bad investment if it works.

http://www.photodon.com/p/MXH-3540-02.html

 

[sbl]

So, I've been in the Apple Store near me - here are my personal findings when viewing all of the MBA and some of the MBP(r) displays:

In the 2013 MBA's I viewed they had both Samsung and LG panels installed (the LG panels in the 2013 13' MBA's had the same number as in my new 13' MBA). I also looked for the MBPr-series in the same light-off-mode from different viewing angles, holding the display into the artificial ceiling light as well as browsing the same websites and looking the same iTunes-movies with letter-boxing in a full-light mode.

For me, all displays of the ten 13' and 11' MBA's I examined had the identical reflective properties like my new MBA 13' and seemed to be totally homogenous in this way.

Also, in my unprofessional view, they were reflecting in the same way as the 13' and 15' MBPr-series and I couldn't see any purple, blue, green or gold coloring like in typical lens coating coloring effects in any of the MBA's or MBP's I viewed in the Apple Store as in my 'purple' MBA from 2011.

Again, these are my personal and subjective observations as a consumer - yours might be different. I was wondering and have been irritated, that I couldn't see any difference in the reflective properties from the MBA to the MBP series without the extra glass covering...

Thanks for your information.

It makes sense that LG panels with the same number have the same reflectiveness. I am wondering if you checked the panel number of Samsung panels used in MBA 2013 in the Apple Store near you? In my experience, LTH133BT01A03 (Samsung) was much less reflective than LTH116AT01A04 (Samsung).

 

[kafka0815]

Thanks for your information.

It makes sense that LG panels with the same number have the same reflectiveness. I am wondering if you checked the panel number of Samsung panels used in MBA 2013 in the Apple Store near you? In my experience, LTH133BT01A03 (Samsung) was much less reflective than LTH116AT01A04 (Samsung).

Within the 2013 MBA-series at the Apple Store, the Samsung panels (LSN133BT01A02) looked the same like the LG panels (LP133WP1-TJA7) regarding reflectiveness. I also looked for different MBP's and all made the same glossy (distracting) impression to me and none of them showed typically surface coating color changing in different viewing angles as my MBA 2011. To me, all the MBA and (glossy) MBP-series looked homogenous in reflection properties.

There was only a slight difference in the direct and near mirror effect of my face between the Mac-line and the iOS-devices (I looked for iPad's, iPhone's and iPod touches), in which the mirror effect was even a bit lighter/stronger and the color of my skin was even easier to detect. But this might perhaps be due to the other display (IPS) panels and (thicker/other) surface glass used in iOS-devices.

In my opinion, Apple does no longer differentiate the display reflection of the Mac-series within the 'glossy-line' and has abandoned the surface coating of the MBA-series in 2013 and probably - as your interesting findings indicate - began to switch even earlier within the 2012 MBA-series...

 

[Scott6666]

After seeing this thread, I held off on ordering until I had a chance to see in the stores. Just looked tonight and I did find them to be quite a bit more reflective than my 2011. I was all pumped up for an update but I think I'll just stay with the 2011. I don't need all day battery and I don't think the geekbench scores are that much better. I'll only upgrade when I can no longer live within the 256GB SSD capacity (which might not be that far off).

I'm surprised there is not more complaining on the glare. Except maybe for the fact that all the other macs (and iPads, and iPhones) seem to have just as much glare. Apple designers must be very beautiful in that they seem to love being able to look at themselves in their computer screens. If Ive and Tim were less pretty maybe we could have matte.

It's a shame that Apple seems to screw up something on *every* product upgrade and take us backwards on at least one feature. It should would be nice to be able to upgrade and not feel like I'm giving up something.

 

[Scott6666]

Has anyone looked at the glare from a rMBP vs the new MBA?

 

[kafka0815]

Has anyone looked at the glare from a rMBP vs the new MBA?

yes, to me, they 'glare' in the same way.

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After seeing this thread, I held off on ordering until I had a chance to see in the stores. Just looked tonight and I did find them to be quite a bit more reflective than my 2011. I was all pumped up for an update but I think I'll just stay with the 2011. I don't need all day battery and I don't think the geekbench scores are that much better. I'll only upgrade when I can no longer live within the 256GB SSD capacity (which might not be that far off).

I'm surprised there is not more complaining on the glare. Except maybe for the fact that all the other macs (and iPads, and iPhones) seem to have just as much glare. Apple designers must be very beautiful in that they seem to love being able to look at themselves in their computer screens. If Ive and Tim were less pretty maybe we could have matte.

It's a shame that Apple seems to screw up something on *every* product upgrade and take us backwards on at least one feature. It should would be nice to be able to upgrade and not feel like I'm giving up something.

Thank you for posting your comparison. Did you have your MBA 2011 with you? To me, the differences are more remarkably if you have a side by side comparison.

There is a petition for matte macs if you search e.g. for 'matte' and 'petition' in the web.

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Has anyone looked at the glare from a rMBP vs the new MBA?

There is a meaningful picture in a side-by-side comparison of the rMBP with the 'old' (2012) MBA at The Verge:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/11/3079157/new-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-vs-macbook-air

 

[Marx55]

Apple should offer a true matte option for all displays. Even if more expensive. It is a health and productivity issue.

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

when I saw the 2013 at the apple store yesterday I like them more than the 2012 ones. I actually prefer the slightly reflective, glass-like look since it looks more vibrant. Then again, I don't work outside either.

 

[vedmant]

I have the same problem, my old MBA is 2012 with screen with violet reflection color. I've bought new 2013 model, and next day, noticed that reflection is much brighter on new MBA compared to old, it's so reflective that I can't even work on balcony when sun is shining (with previous MBA 2012 I could work fine where now with MBA 2013 I can't, I just don't see anything at screen even at max brightness, just my own face).

I'm thinking about replacing screens from MBA 2012 to MBA 2013, I think it's possible, they looks identically.

 

[motrek]

...
What are your experiences in comparison to the 2011 and 2012 version?

Thank you in advance.

I had my 2010 11" MBA and my 2014 11" MBA at the same time for a couple of weeks. I actually put them side-by-side at one point to compare the displays for a while. The 2014 seemed to look slightly more washed out but that was it. Didn't notice any difference in glossiness or lack of glare.