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Glossy vs Anti-Glare

Got to be AG for me. My bedroom gets massive amounts of sun in the summer, and with my iMac I had to buy a blackout blind just to use it, and before then had to rotate the whole machine so that I could just see it. With the AG MBP it is absolutely no bother at all, and never need to worry if I'm out and about whether or not I will be able to see the screen.
 
I have 8 'displays' in total:

1. Powerbook G4 15
2. Powerbook G4 17
3. MacBook Pro 17" Hi Res
4. ACD 23"
5. ACD 30" Left screen - hooked to Mac Pro
6. ACD 30" Middle screen - hooked to Mac Pro
7. ACD 30" Right screen - hooked to Mac Pro

ALL are matte/AG - for professional studio/work


8. iMac 27" I7

This is the only Glassy display I have, and its my TV

What does that tell you?
 
I've liked the glossy displays since Apple started using them. But I have to say the 15" hi-res matte is very nice. After looking through photos with it using Lightroom and Aperture I'd have to say it's better for photos than the glossy display. If you want something better for video or just "looks" better for photos get the glossy. If you want want to do accurate photo editing, get the matte.
 
I went into the Apple store last weekend specifically to compare the two screens.

When I looked at the matte from every angle, I saw the desktop. When I looked at the Glossy screen, I saw the MacBook Pro advertisement behind me, and I noticed that I had something in my teeth. The store wasn't even that bright, but the screen was virtually useless, while the matte was barely effected.

I'll definitely be going with a matte MBP.
 
I think they both look great, to be honest. I prefer the anti-glare mostly for the added versatility. I know no matter where I'm working that day, I'll probably be able to see what I'm looking at.

Also - I think it was in the movie funny people maybe?- A man should never be watching porn ... attentively and all of a sudden see a picture perfect reflection of yourself in the screen... staring into your own cold dead eyes. There's something inherently wrong about that.
:p
 
GuitarDTO said:
I'm struggling with this decision right now. Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 15", but I'm also planning to get the 27" external display with it, which only comes in glossy. I could buy a Dell U2711, but its sort of nice having a monitor that integrates so well with the Macbook (Charge connector built in, no miniport adapter need, etc). I'm going to be doing a lot of photography work and using Logic, but I dont have windows behind me so hoping it wont be an issue.
Click to expand...

I bought the 15" and the 27" external display. Since the display is glossy, I decided on AG for the 15" so I could compare images. The 15" arrives tomorrow. Hopefully, the AG wasn't a mistake!
 
I don't have a MBP... yet, so I can't speak of MBP glossy vs anti-glare. but I do have a glossy display on one of my pc laptops, and I really enjoy the vibrant colors, and sharpness and like it better in comparison to my other pc laptop that has matte. I use mine mostly indoors though. Glare has never been a problem for me. Gotta test it out for the self.:D
 
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bcaslis said:
Actually I love the black keys. I've always hated the silver keys on the older machines.
Click to expand...

** shudder ** - those black keys look hideous. they look cheap, smudge and easily show the grease and grime, from those times we eat chips and junk food on our keyboards.

silver keys blend seamlessly with the rest of the machine.  should stick with the silver keys, or at the very least offer us a white keyboard as an option
 
This thread has made me cancel my glossy hi-res order for an anti-glare one.
 
ECUpirate44 said:
Risky move without checking them both out and deciding for yourself.
Click to expand...

i have and whilst the glare on the screen bugged me a little, i still couldn't make my mind up at the time and just stuck with the devil i knew.

Now i own an LED ACD so i can go Matte on the laptop and if i want vibrant colours and all that i can connect to the best display for that. At least this way i have both options as opposed to putting my eggs in one basket for the next 24 or so months.
 
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daneoni said:
i have and whilst the glare on the screen bugged me a little, i just couldn't make my mind up still at the time and just stuck with the devil i know.

Now i own an LED ACD so i can go Matte on the laptop and if i want vibrant colours and all that i can connect to the best display for that. At least this way i have both options as opposed to putting my eggs in one basket for the next 24 or so months.
Click to expand...

+1 smart move buddy :D
 
daneoni said:
i have and whilst the glare on the screen bugged me a little, i just couldn't make my mind up still at the time and just stuck with the devil i know.

Now i own an LED ACD so i can go Matte on the laptop and if i want vibrant colours and all that i can connect to the best display for that. At least this way i have both options as opposed to putting my eggs in one basket for the next 24 or so months.
Click to expand...

Good decision then!
 
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I'm a photographer and the glossy screen is horrible! Regardless of indoor or outdoor. The reflections make it a pain to color manage and edit effectively. Glossy looks pretty but in my use it's a huge hinderence.
 
I love my AG screen. It's awesome for debate trips where I'm stuck in a van for a few hours with no way to protect my screen from the sun. It makes the laptop a lot more useable is a lot of different settings.
 
Went from a matte Powerbook 17" to a glossy 15" Macbook Pro. I regret the decision at least a few times a month. Staying with the matte finish from here on out.
 
If I may expound on something I previously said in this thread. I stated that I preferred one of my pc's glossy screens compared to my other pc's matte screen, in that it was more vivid, and sharp. This is true, but after doing comparisons from videos from some of the users of the glossy screens vs anti-glare screens of the MBP, the glossy screen on the MBP looks to be a lot more glossy, down right mirror like. My pc's glossy screen is not this reflective.

This thread has been very beneficial to me in making me change my mind about getting the anti-glare screen instead of the glossy for the Macbook Pro. From the comparisons I have seen anti-glare is in fact superior than the glossy screen.

I knew there was a reason my order didn't process!:D

Thanks for this thread.
 
I sat outside today in the California sun writing my Econ research paper and the anti-glare screen instantly made me love my new mbp as I can use it anywhere! At the same time my gf sat there looking at herself because of the glossy screen. We eventually had to move inside because she literally couldn't see her screen...
 
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akasch said:
I sat outside today in the California sun writing my Econ research paper and the anti-glare screen instantly made me love my new mbp as I can use it anywhere! At the same time my gf sat there looking at herself because of the glossy screen. We eventually had to move inside because she literally couldn't see her screen...
Click to expand...

See, I dislike you for multiple reasons ATM. One: I haven't seen the sun properly in weeks (gorgeous, sunny England--I miss the American weather more than anything) and two: your antiglare. I made the decision to save money & portability by moving from 15 to 13 and now it's just not an option :-/ .

However, I'd rarely need AG in this weather. Not only is it never bright enough; the constant drizzle discourages outdoor work lol.
 
Cicatrix said:
... after doing comparisons from videos from some of the users of the glossy screens vs anti-glare screens of the MBP, the glossy screen on the MBP looks to be a lot more glossy, down right mirror like. My pc's glossy screen is not this reflective.
Click to expand...

That's because the MBP glossy has glass on it while your PC glossy doesn't.

In order of reflectivity:

1. MBP (glassy)
2. MBA (glossy) - like most PC laptops or TN monitors




3. MBP AG (matte)

Glass is shiniest but it does saturate colors the most, which appeals to some.
 
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