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glossy- any glare or eye strain problems?
- Thread starter jdhatt
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Glossy is of course going to have glare, especially the piece of plexiglass over the glossy screen. I did not have a choice on my 13", and I deal with glare by increasing the brightness of the screen. This does reduce battery life though too.
There are about 1500 threads on this topic and I have started at least a half dozen of them - in the same position as you.... Before buying my MBP that was the only decision I just could not be sure about...
I went for glossy and have never looked back and have never challenged my choice in the two months I have had this machine. I prefer the "liquid crisp" and precise image of the glossy to the more buff and (to me) muted image of the AG.
Interestingly, two weekends ago I was at my inlaws using my machine at their dining room table - and realized that I had my back to a HUGE picture window (width of the room) on a sunny day - and I was not consciously bothered by any glare. In fact, that realization caused me to look closely at the image and it was totally acceptable.
Of course you will see reflections in a glossy screen, same as your iPhone - but a very slight move of the head (which becomes subconscious) easily gets any screen reflection out of the way.
I must say that I have never used my machine outside - and am not likely to do that much. I agree that there might be a different in bright sunlight - but how many of us expect to productively use a machine outside in bright sunlight - now really.....
JB
I went for glossy and have never looked back and have never challenged my choice in the two months I have had this machine. I prefer the "liquid crisp" and precise image of the glossy to the more buff and (to me) muted image of the AG.
Interestingly, two weekends ago I was at my inlaws using my machine at their dining room table - and realized that I had my back to a HUGE picture window (width of the room) on a sunny day - and I was not consciously bothered by any glare. In fact, that realization caused me to look closely at the image and it was totally acceptable.
Of course you will see reflections in a glossy screen, same as your iPhone - but a very slight move of the head (which becomes subconscious) easily gets any screen reflection out of the way.
I must say that I have never used my machine outside - and am not likely to do that much. I agree that there might be a different in bright sunlight - but how many of us expect to productively use a machine outside in bright sunlight - now really.....
JB
There is no plexiglass over the glossy screen...
Underneath the REAL hardened glass screen is the same display as the AG uses. Its just that the covering is different and applied differently. The glass screen is adhered to the black border it rests on while the AG screen tucks under a silver bezel that people either love or hate.
I think that it is a definite plus that the glossy has a real glass screen cover - as it is infinitely easier to clean than the rough and much thinner AG screen cover.
glare? yes. it happens, but doesn't bother me a whole lot, I just try to use it in places that won't give me too much glare. I'm certain AG would alleviate this, but I like the look of the glossy better.
eye strain? not so much. I have never had an issue with eye strain with my computer, however, the hi-res that comes with it could cause that a bit. personally I don't think I would like staring at a screen with everything being so small, if it's anything like the 17" screen.
eye strain? not so much. I have never had an issue with eye strain with my computer, however, the hi-res that comes with it could cause that a bit. personally I don't think I would like staring at a screen with everything being so small, if it's anything like the 17" screen.
Newbie with same issue leaning towards matte finish...
If I get the 15 inch (not the 13 inch), I plan on paying the extra $150 for the higher resolution and matte screen. I tend towards vertigo and would not want to stare at the glossy screen for more than two hour at a time. I had a chance to see both in the store and play with identical videos on them --- if it was the same price it would be a no brainer for me.
You wear contacts (another reason to go with the matte for me)
?
If I get the 15 inch (not the 13 inch), I plan on paying the extra $150 for the higher resolution and matte screen. I tend towards vertigo and would not want to stare at the glossy screen for more than two hour at a time. I had a chance to see both in the store and play with identical videos on them --- if it was the same price it would be a no brainer for me.
You wear contacts (another reason to go with the matte for me)
?
This is definitely not true. I do not know where you got this from, but first this is not glass. It is a plexiglas like material. Then the displays are not the same. The Anti glare display is a matte LCD screen, while the glossy is a glossy LCD panel covered by the plexiglas like material. The LCD panels are easily distinguished as different for they use different model number panels. Then if apple just put plexiglas over a matte LCD panel, it would be terrible, muted colors and glare from the plexiglas.
Also I believe the glossy LCD's bezel is part of the plexiglas and not aluminum like on the matte display.
By the way, glare is especially bad under flourescent lights like at college. I have much fewer issues with glare at home.
I still love my MacBook pro, but the glare caused by the "glass" on top of the already glossy LCD panel is ridiculous.
I dont see why I should have be constrained where I use my laptop and hence went for the AG screen. I seriously have never regretted it. Its spanky!
It is simply IMO. If you are one of those Apple users that buy MBPs first for their looks you might go for the shiny glass. If you want your notebook to be first a tool for work and other stuff that does what it is supposed to in any condition you will be happy with AG. AG just works everywhere perfectly without having to worry about anything. Glossy offers in direct comparison maybe slightly better contrast but if you use it on reasonable brightness levels indoors or at any brightness outdoors there will be reflections.
It is nice not having to worry at all but reflections don't make the notebook unusable (expect outdoors sometimes). In general it is just annoying.
If you are like me and don't really know what the point of a keyboard backlight really is you might prefer AG. If a keyboard back light is an awesome feature in your eyes you are probably one who should go for glossy.
My issue with a keyboard back light is twofold. 1. everybody who uses his notebook seriously and for work will not need to look at the keys anyway. 2. There are few occasions where you would use a notebook in total darkness anyway as this is both bad for your eyes and unnecessary (unless you have to avoid annoying reflections) 3. even if you use it in total darkness the display usually lights up the keys enough.
Ergo keyboard back-light is only for amateurs and people that just think it looks cool.
It is nice not having to worry at all but reflections don't make the notebook unusable (expect outdoors sometimes). In general it is just annoying.
If you are like me and don't really know what the point of a keyboard backlight really is you might prefer AG. If a keyboard back light is an awesome feature in your eyes you are probably one who should go for glossy.
My issue with a keyboard back light is twofold. 1. everybody who uses his notebook seriously and for work will not need to look at the keys anyway. 2. There are few occasions where you would use a notebook in total darkness anyway as this is both bad for your eyes and unnecessary (unless you have to avoid annoying reflections) 3. even if you use it in total darkness the display usually lights up the keys enough.
Ergo keyboard back-light is only for amateurs and people that just think it looks cool.
new opinion:
i got the glossy. i f'd around with the AG. My eyes do hurt after a while for sure (on glossy), but I like glossy because it's more protected and doesn't gather dust around the edges of the screen. i think the AG looks cooler too, but not worth the dust problem for me.
other concern is outdoor use. the AG is almost useless as it gets all whited out where as the glossy just gets amplified sun laser gun in your eye and you can adjust the angle.
i got the glossy. i f'd around with the AG. My eyes do hurt after a while for sure (on glossy), but I like glossy because it's more protected and doesn't gather dust around the edges of the screen. i think the AG looks cooler too, but not worth the dust problem for me.
other concern is outdoor use. the AG is almost useless as it gets all whited out where as the glossy just gets amplified sun laser gun in your eye and you can adjust the angle.
I don't really have to choose... I have a glossy iMac and a matte secondary.
But between the two, I think glossy is a bit more sharp and vivid.
i resent your keyboard comments. i think it's useful and i'm a professional web programmer. when i'm in my room and it's dark the glow illuminates the keyboard area so i can more easily navigate the keys/pad without having to feel around, also gives me better peripheral spacial awareness.
If you care about color accuracy, glossy. If you care about having a little bit less glare than glossy in 100% direct sunlight, antiglare. I've used my glossy 15" MBP in class with a glass wall behind me that lets in 100% sunlight, no problems. I don't see why anyone would go for antiglare. Using a notebook, you can always move around to not be in 100% direct sunlight.
Well everyone I know in real life (not on the internet) prefers Glossy to Anti-Glare because of its amazing... glossiness!
I have used matte screens for more that 7 years, first on a Powerbook G4 and for the last couple of years on an MBP. I bought an iPad, which has a glossy display, shortly after its launch. This has given me a good opportunity to compare the two types of displays.
Although I routinely use my computers in rooms with large windows and bright lights, glare has never been an issue with the matte screens, so I haven't even had to think about it. Glare from the iPad's glossy screen, though, drives me to distraction every day. Make of that real world comparison what you will.
Although I routinely use my computers in rooms with large windows and bright lights, glare has never been an issue with the matte screens, so I haven't even had to think about it. Glare from the iPad's glossy screen, though, drives me to distraction every day. Make of that real world comparison what you will.
I really have no problem with AG, in fact, I would likely get it if I had a computer it was available on, but I would rather have my 13" than AG. Plus I don't really use it in places where there is a lot of glare to begin with, not that I go out of my way to avoid it.
Having owned both, I would say no... but both I have to turn down the brightness for fear of burning my retinas.
I had the glossy and hated the glare so much I put an antiglare protector on it - NOW THAT GAVE ME THE HEADACHES...
So I went with HR AG. My dream computer! Best investment ever.
I had the glossy and hated the glare so much I put an antiglare protector on it - NOW THAT GAVE ME THE HEADACHES...
So I went with HR AG. My dream computer! Best investment ever.
I've owned 2 glossy MBPs and not had an issue. I use mine for several hours a day sometimes and it doesn't give me eye strain or headache.
Glare is never really an issue, I just automatically seat myself in places where it'll have minimal impact. Even if the price was the same for both I'd still go for glossy.
Glare is never really an issue, I just automatically seat myself in places where it'll have minimal impact. Even if the price was the same for both I'd still go for glossy.
Apple said:
http://www.apple.com/ca/macbookpro/design.html
Also, the Glossy vs. AG is something you really need to look at for yourself. When I was considering my options (finally decided on a base i5 17" MBP), I debated long and hard as whether to get the Glossy display or the AG display.
There are fanatics on both sides: those who say Glossy is useless for "real work" (its not) or those who say the colours are better on Glossy (AG is a better representation of how a picture will look printed). It really depends on what you're looking for in a computer and how bothered by the glare you are.
I read Macrumors thoroughly before I went to look at MBPs and I was so sure that Glossy would be awful and unusable. Truthfully, the glare isn't a bother at all. I've taken my MBP everywhere: coffee shops, libraries, outside on the patio and the glare has not been a problem at all. I don't find it any less usable than my AG Thinkpad T61. In fact, unless I really look for reflections, they are almost impossible to spot. The colours are more vivid, the glass is easy to care for, and the black border looks fantastic.
That said, it is a personal preference. AG does have its merits and so does Glossy. The best idea would be to go to the Apple store and see for yourself.
I chose glossy for my MacBook Pro's display, and have zero regrets. The past two laptops I've had (non-Apple) had glossy displays, and I have never had any problems with them as far as eye strain goes. I like matte displays as well, but not enough to justify losing the black glass around the display.
I'm sorry man, but that's completely wrong. If you care about color accuracy you use antiglare (matte) screen, period. Glossy screens do not give accurate color, they over saturate color.
I will wait for the chemical analysis on screen cover composition - but there have been many threads here on experience with the glossy screens and one persistent observation is that they don't scratch. Plexiglass easily scratches. Your iPhone screen is glass. The iPad screen is glass. I assume that Apple knows what it is doing with glass and the MBP screen cover is another manifestation of that.
I will agree that I don't know a lot about the parts numbers of the LCD screens beneath the screen covers - but I doubt the AG screen is a naked matte LCD screen. It would more than make sense that the LCD screens beneath are identical but the differences are in the screen cover - either glass or a plexiglass matte layer that mutes the image.
The glossy screen has no bezel - the aluminum around the edge is the case cover that wraps around, within which the glass and LCD monitor rests. The "black" border is the glass screen cover resting on a black non-active area of the LCD screen.
And I still don't get the complaints about glare. I am starting to guess that most complainers have never used the machine in all these environments. I have used my machine so far under halogens, fluourescents, incandescents, even LED lighting, near every window imaginable - and occasionally outside. I have no complaints...
JB
Your definitely incorrect about quite a few things again. The matte display is the bare LCD panel. Then the glossy does have a bezel; I have seen videos of the glass being removed. And the black border around the display is either plastic glued to the glass or a dyed/painted area of the glass, because the LCD panel is rectangular and does not extend to the edges of the lid. I am a little surprised you think this as well. And I think the older iPhones and iPod touches use a type of plexiglas as well. I have not seen an iPad and the iPhone 4 is made with gorilla glass.
It really seems from your comments that you are making quite a few assumptions based on no real information. Furthermore you sound like you have never seen a LCD panel outside of it's frame. Well I will give you a clue, they are all rectangular and have ninety degree corners. Then there is no way apple would use resources to made LCD panel extend from edge to edge then just disable a percentage of the display around the border. LCD panels are becoming cheaper, but it should be obvious why this would not be economically sound versus using a plastic bezel or dying/painting the edge of the glass cover.
Finally if you have ever seen the "glass" on the MacBook pro break, it does not shatter like glass but rather cracks and splits like an acrylic.
Plexiglas
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate)?wasRedirected=true
best bet is to compare them, or maybe borrow a friends glossy laptop and see how you get on? I have the high res AG one and had to help my parents out this weekend and use their dell which has a glossy screen... I was really happy with my AG screen before, but after using the glossy screen today I became even more sure I had made the right choice.