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Glossy or Matte?

From what I understand, the glossy screen gives more true color, but is also far more reflective.

The MacBook feature matte screens that resist glare, while the MacBook Pro can have either matte or glossy. The matte screen is more a hallmark of Apple than is the glossy, which has become more trendy in recent years.
 
Quillz said:
From what I understand, the glossy screen gives more true color, but is also far more reflective.

The MacBook feature matte screens that resist glare, while the MacBook Pro can have either matte or glossy. The matte screen is more a hallmark of Apple than is the glossy, which has become more trendy in recent years.
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No, the MacBook comes in only glossy, as does the iMac. The ACDs are still only matte, and the MBP is matte or glossy.
 
I have a 17" with a matte screen that I've had since '06. I am in the design business and for me having the correct color is extremely important. Yes, you do depend on spot color or pantone to tell the printer what exact color you want. But the screen itself needs to be calibrated so you know what that color looks like. Otherwise it's going to look one way on your screen, but totally different when it's printed. Heck, I frequently calibrate my screen and use the Pantone Color Bridge matching system (basically a color swatch book) to make sure that what I'm seeing is what I'm getting. It all comes down to what exactly you're going to be using your computer for, I guess. Like someone said before, glossy screens can be calibrated though not as easily as matte. If you're not extremely concerned with precise color, than I wouldn't even worry about this particular issue.
 
Mate!

If your screen ever is exposed to direct sunlight, then glossy is unusable, you can still use the mate, use an app like nocturne to render your screen in monochrome high contrast, this is really helpful if you are sitting in a park or so.
 
officerdick said:
Mate!

If your screen ever is exposed to direct sunlight, then glossy is unusable,
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I really, REALLY wish people would stop perpetuating this. It's simply not true.

Yes, direct sunlight will create a glare on the glossy screen. However, you can still see the screen. I've had my MacBook out around campus in the sun and I could read it fine in conditions that would have rendered my PowerBook's matte screen nearly useless.

You could also just, you know, move so that you're not in direct sunlight. It's not like you have to use the laptop with the sun at your back.


What I don't understand is how people claim that matte, which becomes washed out and barely readable, is usable under the same conditions.
 
I got a new MBP from my insurance company to replace my damaged G4 powerbook. One of the main reasons for selling it was because (without opening the box) I didn't know whether the screen was Matte or Glossy. I prefer Glossy screens and I don't think there's too much glare on them :)
 
Glossy all the way for sure. The screen looks so much better and everything is very crisp. You will run into the occasional glare but nothing to bad at all. And if the screen gets "dirty" just clean it with the black cloth that is provided. Simple! :D
 
i personally like Matte

why?

if you use Glossy, try take it outside, wooofffhh, it reflects everything behind you, and its; gonna be so annoying when used in bright places

unless, you only use it inside your room, then i would say Glossy FTW
 
Twe Foju said:
i personally like Matte

why?

if you use Glossy, try take it outside, wooofffhh, it reflects everything behind you, and its; gonna be so annoying when used in bright places

unless, you only use it inside your room, then i would say Glossy FTW
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Every laptop I've used outside has been difficult to see due to sunlight so I don't understand why people say Glossy screens are worse because they're not.
 
I was sure I strongly preferred matte, but ended up with a glossy screen because I didn't need a Pro. Gotta say I like it a lot. I've never had a problem with glare and the deeper colors and better contrast just make it nice to look at.

That said, if I were buying a Pro, I could almost flip a coin. They both look stunning to me.
 
I wouldn't trade my matte screen for anything. I think it looks far better in all conditions.
 
macguymike said:
I really, REALLY wish people would stop perpetuating this. It's simply not true.I've had my MacBook out around campus in the sun and I could read it fine in conditions that would have rendered my PowerBook's matte screen nearly useless.

You could also just, you know, move so that you're not in direct sunlight. It's not like you have to use the laptop with the sun at your back.


What I don't understand is how people claim that matte, which becomes washed out and barely readable, is usable under the same conditions.
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Totally agree

gazfocus said:
I got a new MBP from my insurance company to replace my damaged G4 powerbook. One of the main reasons for selling it was because (without opening the box) I didn't know whether the screen was Matte or Glossy. I prefer Glossy screens and I don't think there's too much glare on them :)
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I second this
 
gazfocus said:
I prefer Glossy screens and I don't think there's too much glare on them :)
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I think there is actually LESS glare in the glossy.

macguymike said:
Yes, direct sunlight will create a glare on the glossy screen. However, you can still see the screen. I've had my MacBook out around campus in the sun and I could read it fine in conditions that would have rendered my PowerBook's matte screen nearly useless.
Click to expand...

Give the two technologies a little thought. Glossy will act like a mirror. If you are in a position in a direct line (via the reflection) with the light source, you will see the light source. If you are not, then you will not. If your screen is dark, you will likely see reflections from ANY ambient light.

For matte, the purpose is top break up the reflected light and diffuse it over a larger area. If there is a bright light source behind you, and the screen is darker or the room is darker, you will get a larger glare spot, regardless of the viewing angle.

I've used my glossy in bright outdoor conditions, and compared to my older matte screen, I can definitely say that it was far easier to use. But, then again, I don't watch movies, or play games with dark backgrounds.

-jt2
 
Wow, so that solved nothing...~20 glossy to ~20 matte. I would go to a store and compare for yourself. If this thread proves anything...it's that it is a personal preference. Enjoy your new MBP though ;)
 
Another Question...

What about if I got a glossy MBP for general mucking around and an ACD for doing my real photoshop work with?

Is that the best of both worlds ???
Thanks
M.
 
I wonder for all those who repeat the mantra that glossy is unusable outdoors, if they have ever even owned and worked with a glossy.

I can understand how some don't want to see the light source in the reflection. Maybe they find that too distracting. I think it's personal preference, but I have no issues with my glossy.

If you really, really can't decide, then choose matte, because you're most likely to have already used matte screens.

If your choice is MB vs MBP and only the screen is holding you back from saving $600 (that is, you've already decided you don't need FW800, don't need a video card, and you are not a pro who needs complete true color), then try the MB because you can buy an after-market sheet to add to the screen to turn the glossy to matte (there is no product to turn matte to glossy). Chances are, though, you'll find you you like the glossy. Worse comes to worse, you can sell the MB after market a few months later, and buy what will then be the new MBP :)
 
matte for me

Both matte and glossy have glare issues. Matte on the other hand is impervious to reflections. I can easily work on my matte screen without seeing a reflection of a table lamp thats behind me across the room.
 
After switching from Glossy Sony to Matte MBP, I did regret for only....1 day. Now I do love my matte, easy on eyes and doesn't reflect the light source like glossy.

For example, I am sitting on a couch with a light source behind me and If I had a glossy screen I'd be seeing that in the middle of my work. It doesn't have to be sun really, reflection of glossy will show itself under a lot of condition.

On a dark environment though, glossy looks somewhat better than matte.
 
I've used both (matte MacBook Pro and every previous laptop, glossy MacBook) and I think I prefer the glossy. I don't need pro-level color matching. I've not had a situation where glare was an issue, I can read the screen outdoors much better than I could with my matte MBP, and I think text looks crisper (more paper-like) than on the matte screen (which always had just a bit of grain to it). And I personally like the way DVD movies look on it - more like a (small) TV. With the matte screen, I was always aware I was watching a laptop display.

There is no single right answer. Its all down to personal choice of the buyer and primary purpose of the display.
 
I think it's impossible to answer this question for yourself until you've lived with each option. As I mentioned earlier, I had been sure I preferred matte until I lived with glossy and now I'm enamored with glossy. When I get my MBP, I'll be quite torn because I'll lived with both and love both for different reasons.

That said, the good news is that they both look fantastic!
 
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