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glossy vs antiglare vote
- Thread starter tim100
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The funny thing is that the MacBook Air has a glossy screen as well.
It does, but because it doesn't have a pane of glass on top of the screen, it is nowhere nearly as reflective. I always get an MBP with an AG screen, but frankly, I really don't mind the MBAs "glossy" screen.
The funny thing is, that I've had a glossy screen so long, I wonder how I'll manage the antiglare screen in the next mac.
I haven't decided to bite the bullet now or wait for Ivy Bridge but the fact remains I'll have the opportunity to choose and I'm leaning towards glossy because my Apple Cinema Display is glossy, I'm used to glossy and I don't mind it.
I haven't decided to bite the bullet now or wait for Ivy Bridge but the fact remains I'll have the opportunity to choose and I'm leaning towards glossy because my Apple Cinema Display is glossy, I'm used to glossy and I don't mind it.
My vote goes to glossy. I prefer the brighter, vibrant colours is seems to display as opposed to the dull, washed out colours on an anti-glare.
I had a antiglare (also had the 2.5 and 7200rpm drive, which I did replace before even booting with my SSD) for 24 hours, and returned it yesterday to the Apple Store in exchange for a standard res glossy 2.4. My main reason is my eyes, I wasn't comfortable reading on the high res display with it on my lap, and I know it would lead to eye strain after extended use.
That said, I'm not sure where all these "washed out colors" comments come from. At least the display model and the one I took home, both had absolutely brilliant colors - the antiglare that is. I was simply blown away at how gorgeous that display looks, and I'm pretty particular about these things.
Now the glossy is no slouch, but less than 24 hours later from the exchange I do find myself missing that display. It's gorgeous, but I'm going to have this machine for a good 4-5 years, I can't have something that strains my eyes. It seems my eyes are most happy with displays around 100-110 ppi, as the second I moved the AG down to 1440x852 my eyes cried relief. I just can't stand displays not running at their native res.
For me it wasn't the resolution that necessarily was that big of a deal as at both work and home it will be plugged into a 24in LCD, I just was hoping for the lack of glare. However I do realize that I do a LOT of reading on two other glass displays - the iPhone 4 and iPad - without any problems. I notice glare on them, sure, but it's never been a deal breaker.
In summary, if my eyes were better I'd get the AG highres because it's simply beautiful.
That said, I'm not sure where all these "washed out colors" comments come from. At least the display model and the one I took home, both had absolutely brilliant colors - the antiglare that is. I was simply blown away at how gorgeous that display looks, and I'm pretty particular about these things.
Now the glossy is no slouch, but less than 24 hours later from the exchange I do find myself missing that display. It's gorgeous, but I'm going to have this machine for a good 4-5 years, I can't have something that strains my eyes. It seems my eyes are most happy with displays around 100-110 ppi, as the second I moved the AG down to 1440x852 my eyes cried relief. I just can't stand displays not running at their native res.
For me it wasn't the resolution that necessarily was that big of a deal as at both work and home it will be plugged into a 24in LCD, I just was hoping for the lack of glare. However I do realize that I do a LOT of reading on two other glass displays - the iPhone 4 and iPad - without any problems. I notice glare on them, sure, but it's never been a deal breaker.
In summary, if my eyes were better I'd get the AG highres because it's simply beautiful.
I voted glossy, it just looks better. Though you do have to be aware of what lighting you have it in. It's easy to put a AG film on a glossy screen. Can't do the opposite though.
I voted anti glare. Just replaced my 5 year old MBP with a 15" AG and I love it. Also love the silver bezel as well.....Has a similar vibe to my old MBP but somehow evolved. There's also a thin rubber trim around the lid which is a really nice finishing touch.
I thought about the glossy but 2 minutes playing with one in the Apple store was enough to convince me that it was worth paying the extra.....The reflections were too distracting for me.
I thought about the glossy but 2 minutes playing with one in the Apple store was enough to convince me that it was worth paying the extra.....The reflections were too distracting for me.
Moving back and forth between the wife's 13 MBP (gloss) and my 15 MBP (HR/AG), I greatly prefer the AG. My color is outstanding (of course I have a resolution advantage, but trying to look past that) and the glare on the glossy is sometimes terrible.
Glossy is great for a controlled environment (like I'd consider a glossy desktop monitor, where I could control lighting, placement, etc.), but for an integrated notebook display, where you might use it in different locations, outside, different lighting ... it's nice that the AG has way more "reflection resistance".
Having owned both, compared both (including machines at the Apple store and friends/associates), the AG setup certainly does not have muted colors, in fact, sometimes I think the G is a little over-saturated.
Machine aesthetics are totally subjective, the silver bezel looks pretty cool, the black bezel looks pretty cool
Cleaning, yeah, I suspect the glossy is probably a little easier, though my AG is never really touched, other things I think are probably owners of each doing some kind of reverse-preference-engineering ("Glossy is more rigid!" "AG is lighter!" Hahaha....)
Glossy is great for a controlled environment (like I'd consider a glossy desktop monitor, where I could control lighting, placement, etc.), but for an integrated notebook display, where you might use it in different locations, outside, different lighting ... it's nice that the AG has way more "reflection resistance".
Having owned both, compared both (including machines at the Apple store and friends/associates), the AG setup certainly does not have muted colors, in fact, sometimes I think the G is a little over-saturated.
Machine aesthetics are totally subjective, the silver bezel looks pretty cool, the black bezel looks pretty cool
Cleaning, yeah, I suspect the glossy is probably a little easier, though my AG is never really touched, other things I think are probably owners of each doing some kind of reverse-preference-engineering ("Glossy is more rigid!" "AG is lighter!" Hahaha....)
Actually, in terms of rigidity, I'd argue that AG is more rigid with its aluminum frame. Glossy is all glass. While it appears more "sturdy", it's actually more brittle as well.
I think glossy is only more "sturdy" in that it withstands scratches well. My dad's AG has some hairline scratches already.
Also dusts and particles get on my screen quite regularly from traveling, and even when I leave the computer at home with its screen open, hence the "cleaning" assessment. I actually clean my dad's AG display more often, though, and it's not that bad, but I tend to feel safer cleaning mine as I found out how easy a particle stuck in my microfiber could scratch his screen.
I think glossy is only more "sturdy" in that it withstands scratches well. My dad's AG has some hairline scratches already.
Also dusts and particles get on my screen quite regularly from traveling, and even when I leave the computer at home with its screen open, hence the "cleaning" assessment. I actually clean my dad's AG display more often, though, and it's not that bad, but I tend to feel safer cleaning mine as I found out how easy a particle stuck in my microfiber could scratch his screen.
I had nothing but anti-glare screens before my UMBP. Time for a change.
My thoughts:
Easier to clean (flat panel, no raised edges to trap lint)
More similar to looking at a new-style flat panel monitor (IMO)
It's purdy
I haven't looked very closely at the new antiglares, so I'm not sure if it's a covering over the screen like the glass is, but the old antiglare (we called them regular laptop displays back then) used to be really susceptible to staining and marring from skin oil. Two of my laptops formed a permanent keyboard tattoo. The most recent one (PB G4) had some slight key marring on the display even though I was aware of the problem and cleaned it often.
My thoughts:
Easier to clean (flat panel, no raised edges to trap lint)
More similar to looking at a new-style flat panel monitor (IMO)
It's purdy
I haven't looked very closely at the new antiglares, so I'm not sure if it's a covering over the screen like the glass is, but the old antiglare (we called them regular laptop displays back then) used to be really susceptible to staining and marring from skin oil. Two of my laptops formed a permanent keyboard tattoo. The most recent one (PB G4) had some slight key marring on the display even though I was aware of the problem and cleaned it often.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind with cleaning the AG! The wife's G gets pretty dirt since she lets our little one enjoy some time on it (Disney Princesses
), so it's nice that it wipes down easily. I just use a light shot of some of this organic glass cleaner on a paper towel, then finish it with a microfiber cloth (same way I clean the plasma TV).
If you're generally in a situation where light is shining on things behind you, antiglare is better. If you're generally in a situation where light is shining directly on your screen, glossy is better. But only if you keep dust off your screen.
When I personally compared a glossy and antiglare screen side-by-side, they looked the same to me, except one had reflections, and the other did not.
I would rather have a screen that looks great at all times, than have a screen that might be imperceptibly better, but every once in a while distracts me with reflections.
When I personally compared a glossy and antiglare screen side-by-side, they looked the same to me, except one had reflections, and the other did not.
I would rather have a screen that looks great at all times, than have a screen that might be imperceptibly better, but every once in a while distracts me with reflections.
Antiglare for me - I spend as-near-as-makes-no-difference 42 hours a week in an artificially lit office with Business notebooks that all have antiglare screens. I prefer them. So much so, that looking at a glossy screen hurts my eyes, because of the added strain trying to see through the reflections in the glass!
Im just wondering why there are 3 pages of comments? vote. and it's all personal preference just like the other 25+ threads.
With over 500 votes and only 146 comments so far (including this one) doesn't seem like a lot. Nothing wrong with someone stating why they like one or the other.
I'm pretty certain they will stick with glass, but I'm hopeful they switch to a better anti-reflective glass.
I added the excellent $35 Power Support anti-glare film to my 13" MBP. I compared it to the display of my early 2008 15" MBP and I could not see an appreciable difference.
Power Support film is more expensive than its competitors but it doesn't introduce color shifts or artifacts.
Power Support film is more expensive than its competitors but it doesn't introduce color shifts or artifacts.
My MacBook Pro is antiglare -- I like both displays in their own respects for different applications. I think the colors on the glossy might be a bit more vibrant and the display might appear brighter in some regard, but in any kind of bright light the GLARE is horrible. The antiglare is nice for working with photos and general use, but it's only offered as a high-resolution option on the 15" -- if you like larger more visible GUI elements and have eyes that are "not so good", then the only low-res option offered is the glossy on the 15-inch.
The new glossy displays are not bad, all of them are good I think, and it's usually a tough call when buying. Most people also do not have the option to see a high-res glossy 15" in the Apple Stores when they buy, because they do not offer them in-store.
The new glossy displays are not bad, all of them are good I think, and it's usually a tough call when buying. Most people also do not have the option to see a high-res glossy 15" in the Apple Stores when they buy, because they do not offer them in-store.