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Glossy vs. Matte for reading text and word processing

M

MikeyTree

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 5, 2007
295
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I'm buying a new MBP soon, and like everyone else I'm trying to decide whether to get a matte or glossy screen. I'm leaning toward glossy, but I'm concerned about what it's like to read text and do word processing on it. I'm a law student, and as such I read text on my computer for several hours a day, and sometimes for a half dozen or more hours in a row. Would a glossy screen be harder to read or lead to more eyestrain?

I've read several of the long threads, but they only talk about colour quality and reading outdoors, not text quality. Is there anyone out there who has a glossy screen and does a lot of text-based work on it?
 
I had a gateway laptop with glossy screen, text was fine. The colors are sharper and more vibrant. I still went with matte when I bought my C2D macbook pro, just like it better, but glossy and text is finee
 
My mom recently got a MacBook, and she reads text on that thing all day long and hasn't complained about the screen yet. You should be fine.
 
Since getting my Macbook I havent noticed any eyestrain whilst reading ebooks and during long study sessions, though I never had any on my old Powerbook either. I do not think there would be much higher chance of getting any strain unless you work with light reflecting off the screen. I wouldn't worry.
 
I am absolutely in love with my MB glossy screen the only glare problem ive had was when an unshaded lamp was right beside the screen.

people who knock the glossy screen for its mirror like qualities are completely ignorant.
 
yeah im concerned about this. the glossy/matte conundrum is affecting me as i too am a student and spend hours at a time typing for my degree. i read in the other threads that glossy screens did cause more eyestrain, so i have been leaning towards the matte, even though i love the look of athe glossy screens. anyone also know about the screens viewing angle?
 
Glossy screens are awesome. Everything (and that includes text) is sharper.

I use my MB for quite a few hours daily, no eye strain ....... no problems.

A lot of crap is written about reflections ........ I have never found reflections to be an issue.


FJ
 
^^It is, but only if you ignore all those people who are telling you it's not a problem. ;)


If you're just reading text, the glossy screen is perfect. This is coming from someone who has not recommended the glossy screen to ANYBODY yet, until just now. It's bad for some things, but for reading, typing, watching video and movies, it's fine.

The glossy screen on the MacBook isn't so good if you edit photos, and this is related to viewing angle, not necessarily gloss.
 
Shotgun Pete said:
I am absolutely in love with my MB glossy screen the only glare problem ive had was when an unshaded lamp was right beside the screen.
Click to expand...

its not things that are beside the screens that are the problem, it tends to be things that are behind you, depending on the angle of the screen of course :)

my Acer has a glossy screen, and while its great indoors with no bright light behind me it can be almost unusable outside. I find myself having trouble holding focus on the screen instead of the reflection, i know many dont have this problem, but it's worth thinking about before you buy.


The best way to sort it out is to goto an apple store and have a look, or failing that another computer store, they'll almost certainly have laptops with glossy screens, while they may not be exactly like the apple machines, it should make for a good guide :)
 
I went with matte and am more than pleased with it. I feel that it a closer approximation to actual paper than glossy.
 
I haven't experienced the MB or MBP glossy screens. However, with other laptops equipped with glossy screens I have found the reflections incredibly annoying. Especially as when I can I prefer to work outside under a tree or whatever. I really hope that when I need a new laptop Apple still has the glossy as an option (and that there is a 12" or smaller MBP....)
 
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