engadget 17" unibody matte mbp hands-on

[jjahshik32]

Here is a glossy picture. This is a fully lite office with windows and big lights overhead. Who can spot the glare? Can you see me standing behind it with the camera? I can't...nor do I ever see myself.

Here is my 15" unibody glossy with the backlighting at full and no windows behind me (actually a window infront of me).

 

[sushi]

Here is a glossy picture. This is a fully lite office with windows and big lights overhead. Who can spot the glare? Can you see me standing behind it with the camera? I can't...nor do I ever see myself.

Sorry, but it doesn't look like a well lit office.

Also, it appears that you are not perpendicular to the display, so sure you won't see your reflection.

Next!

 

[Pagga]

The more and more I see pics of the 17" with the silver bezel, the more I like it over the black border.

I feel the excact oposite!

 

[Joey Raia]

...besides the obvious glare issue, the look of the matte display with its aluminum bezel looks *way* better and more professional...the glossy seems like more of an afterthought when looking at the computer as a whole; like it doesn't belong...looks kind of corny even. i'm definitely sold on getting my 17" with the matte display.

i also bet the lighter weight of the display itself (without that heavy glass) lends to better hinge life.

 

[derek1984]

I like the black border better than the silver. I haven't seen the matte screen in-person yet but it looks like the silver border on the matte is separate from the screen as opposed to the black which looks like it's all one piece. The black also matches with the keys. That being said, I would still rather have a matte screen over the glossy.

 

[chuckjones]

Had the last model of the MBP 15" in matte. The screen appears to be of exactly the same quality as that...

I was fearful of screen flex, and it's about the same as the last model.

I'm really in love with the touchpad - and (gasp) the keyboard. The last one you had to hit harder, and I was scraping off the matte finish with my fingers after 3 months. Glad to have the glossy ones - I can wipe off the fingerprints.

This came 6 days earlier after after the initial delay date.

And I do love the silver bezel, but I never hated the black either.

Biggest change for me is the 7200 RPM HD so far. Seems snappier. But may be the RAM speed, or lack of stuff installed...

 

[jjahshik32]

I like the black border better than the silver. I haven't seen the matte screen in-person yet but it looks like the silver border on the matte is separate from the screen as opposed to the black which looks like it's all one piece. The black also matches with the keys. That being said, I would still rather have a matte screen over the glossy.

Only reason I like the black border is because it matches my 24" LED ACD.

 

[detz]

Sorry, but it doesn't look like a well lit office.

Also, it appears that you are not perpendicular to the display, so sure you won't see your reflection.

Next!

The office is fully lit, that picture is from my iphone. The photo was taken at the angle I see it which is what's important.
The only time i see glare is when the background is fully black or really dark which doesn't happen all too often, if at all.

We don't need another glossy vs anti-glare discussion, it comes down to PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

I would like to see a full screen shot of both side by side in normal lighting conditions to see how much not having the glass changes the colors and sharpness.

 

[derek1984]

We don't need another glossy vs anti-glare discussion, it comes down to PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

I would like to see a full screen shot of both side by side in normal lighting conditions to see how much not having the glass changes the colors and sharpness.

I am also interested in comparing different viewing angles of both as well.

 

[stepheneleven]

snip

Here is my 15" unibody glossy with the backlighting at full and no windows behind me (actually a window infront of me).

I can see him sitting there with the camera in his hands, i dont know what you guys are talking about, face it glossy looks nice (to Apple fanboys) and matte functions nice (for professionals). Get Owned. End of story.

 

[darngooddesign]

Okay, Apple needs to seriously consider getting that matte finish on the 15 inchers.

Yes they do, as a choice.

is it just me or does a silver w/ black outline look so sexy? It looks way more professional than just a plain black screen. Now THAT'S a pro computer.

Nope, it looks like something they rushed out the door without thinking it all they way through. It should either have a grey outline like the Air, or a black bezel to match the rest of the lineup. It really looks like one of those White MacBooks that someone swapped the keyboard from a black MacBook and then took a sharpie to the edge of the bezel..

And please, those with glossy screens stop pretending to be pros. You guys are obviously of the Macbook crowd. I've owned many glossy screens and it doesn't come close to any matte screen I've owned.

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Enjoy your parts-bin looking machine.

 

[jjahshik32]

The office is fully lit, that picture is from my iphone. The photo was taken at the angle I see it which is what's important.
The only time i see glare is when the background is fully black or really dark which doesn't happen all too often, if at all.

We don't need another glossy vs anti-glare discussion, it comes down to PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

I would like to see a full screen shot of both side by side in normal lighting conditions to see how much not having the glass changes the colors and sharpness.

Try retaking that photo directly sitting infront of the display with a black background and I'll 100% guarantee you that you will see yourself.

The problem with the glossy is that it gets more reflective with darker colors and I love looking at a full black background and while it is very black due to the saturation from the glossy screen, you cant really enjoy it because half the time you'll be staring at your own reflections. Especially watching a movie with a lot of dark scenes are a pain in the ass.

With the matte you hardly ever see yourself and if you do see some sort of reflection (and you do sometimes when there is a very bright light source directly behind you or off angle) its like a very very slight muddiness reflection which is hardly noticable in dark colors such as black, blue.

Not to mention the matte is vibrant due to the led backlighting and still can be used outside without being washed out + being very detailed. Its like looking at a piece of real life paper. Also the glossiness masks the details because of the overly saturated reflective screen.

This is my take on it, while the 15" mbp has the glossy screen, I dont mind it too much because I dont do color work and sometimes it does look really gorgeous in certain lighting conditions but all around I'd choose a matte display in a heart beat if it were available.

 

[jjahshik32]

Yes they do, as a choice.

No they dont, last time I checked the 15" unibody mbp is only available in glossy and with matte only being an option for the 17" mbp.

Only if you want the last gen 15" non unibody mbp you can get the matte screen.. but then their plagued by the defective 8600m gt cards.

 

[jjahshik32]

I can see him sitting there with the camera in his hands, i dont know what you guys are talking about, face it glossy looks nice (to Apple fanboys) and matte functions nice (for professionals). Get Owned. End of story.

Also that picture does no justice. In real life you can see yourself even more than it is portrayed on that shot.

 

[derek1984]

Yes they do, as a choice.


Nope, it looks like something they rushed out the door without thinking it all they way through. It should either have a grey outline like the Air, or a black bezel to match the rest of the lineup. It really looks like one of those White MacBooks that someone swapped the keyboard from a black MacBook and then took a sharpie to the edge of the bezel..


Whatever helps you sleep at night. Enjoy your parts-bin looking machine.

I agree with you. The silver bezel does look cheap. I think the black looks much more professional and classy. I haven't seen the silver in-person yet so I can't really pass judgement yet, I guess. I like the black better, but I like matte better than glossy.

 

[jjahshik32]

I agree with you. The silver bezel does look cheap. I think the black looks much more professional and classy. I haven't seen the silver in-person yet so I can't really pass judgement yet, I guess. I like the black better, but I like matte better than glossy.

I noticed that many new mac buyers/switchers like the glossy + black bezel look. But I guess its a nostalgic look to us veteran previous gen powerbook/macbook pro users.

However, I do love the black bezel look on the new 24" LED ACDs.

 

[fil3333]

come on boys! please list some nice arguments or do some comparison. this silver or black really gets annoying imo! i give a bs about the color of the bezel, i mean both look good because its a damn nice notebook!

 

[derek1984]

Maybe someone can help me with this: The black glossy screen is all one piece; completely flat across. The silver matte border is not all one piece; the silver border sticks out a tiny bit...? Thanks

 

[chuckjones]

Maybe someone can help me with this: The black glossy screen is all one piece; completely flat across. The silver matte border is not all one piece; the silver border sticks out a tiny bit...? Thanks

Yes, this is correct, it's pretty much exactly what the last generation looked like. Beautiful.

 

[taphil]

The glossy has a glossy LCD and a piece of glass with the black border over the entire front. The matte is a matte LCD, and instead of the glass with the black border, it's just a silver bezel. It's as though there were a hole cut out of the glass cover, and the border is silver instead of black.

 

[darngooddesign]

Yes, this is correct, it's pretty much exactly what the last generation looked like. Beautiful.

Except for that awful dark grey rubber thing.

 

[darngooddesign]

No they dont, last time I checked the 15" unibody mbp is only available in glossy and with matte only being an option for the 17" mbp.

Feel free to read my post before replying to it. I was replying to this comment:

"Okay, Apple needs to seriously consider getting that matte finish on the 15 inchers."

 

[marbles]

Now that's a nice looking computer, complete without vanity mirror too

I am also interested in comparing different viewing angles of both as well.

and me

In the darkest hour of night it would look the same but sharper.

fixed that for you

Here is a glossy picture. This is a fully lite office with windows and big lights overhead. Who can spot the glare? Can you see me standing behind it with the camera? I can't...nor do I ever see myself.

Keep on telling yourself that you cannot see your reflection and one day you will believe it , just don't expect us too, we've all seen the notebooks in store or elsewhere, obviously a little trickery with positioning going on ( as mentioned by someone else)

 

[derek1984]

Yes, this is correct, it's pretty much exactly what the last generation looked like. Beautiful.

Thanks for the answer. Now I need to see both together at a store to decide what would be better for me.

 

[gumbyx84]

Yea I agree, its like they kept the older styled macbook pro while they updated the whole design. Kind of like a hybrid.

Same here. I don't need to upgrade (got MBP in July '08), but if the 15' MBP had a matte screen (and better touchpad support for BootCamp) I might be tempted to "give" my GF my current MBP and buy a new one for myself.

..... If I wasn't poor that is