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How is the Macbook air screen outside?
- Thread starter Duke15
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Is it actually anti-glare? I thought it just didn't have the glass over the screen like the MBP?
Or are all screens anti-glare and those that aren't, the glare just comes from, like I said, a piece of glass over the screen?
Is it actually anti-glare? I thought it just didn't have the glass over the screen like the MBP?
Or are all screens anti-glare and those that aren't, the glare just comes from, like I said, a piece of glass over the screen?
Technically it's glossy, but putting it next to my glossy MBP, it sure doesn't reflect everything.
AFAIK the MBA screen as a glossy LCD panel with an anti-reflection coating (giving a purple/green hue when viewed off-axis). This is not typically referred to as Anti-glare, but admittedly Apple marketing is not very good at differentiating the terms.
The MBP has an additional plate of glass (/plastic?) in front of an otherwise identical panel (giving 3 glass/air interfaces), which seems to be untreated and is dreadful regarding reflections IMO.
The MBP15/17 have the option of a matte screen, with no extra glass panel infront. The matte screen does not appear to have a anti-reflection coating, but due to the nature of the diffusion of reflections, it's much less noticable than the specular reflections of glossy screen.
The MBA screen sits in-between the readibility of the standard (glossy) MBP and the 'AG' (matte option) MBP. In all cases max. screen brightness is the main requirement in order to obtain sufficient contrast for the eye to be able to discern the screen display. YMMV
My hi-res anti-glare MBP is arriving today, so I'll put it next to my wife's MBA and my glossy MBP and see how great the differences are.
I wouldn't say it's anti-glare. You cannot see the screen outside if there's any moderate sunlight. Heck, I have issues from the the window behind me! Any glass screen will have glare issues unless you place a matte cover over it.
Here are photos of the 2011 hi-res anti-glare 15" MBP, 2011 standard glossy 15" MBP and 2010 standard 13" MacBook Air.
Anti-glare on left and glossy on right
Glossy on left and MBA on right
Anti-glossy on left and Air on right
Excuse the quality of the photos since I took them quickly. All the machines were set to high brightness.
You will noticed that you can see that the glossy will show my reflection. The anti-glossy display is pretty much identical to the MacBook Air display.
Anti-glare on left and glossy on right
Glossy on left and MBA on right
Anti-glossy on left and Air on right
Excuse the quality of the photos since I took them quickly. All the machines were set to high brightness.
You will noticed that you can see that the glossy will show my reflection. The anti-glossy display is pretty much identical to the MacBook Air display.
Is this true? The resolutions on the MBP and MBA are different and I recall reading in the Anand review that the Airs had a cheaper panel than the Pros did.
I didn't word that correctly. I was just saying that glossy would not matter if I lived in a cave.
Still looking for an outside sunlight demo.
I didn't word that correctly. I was just saying that glossy would not matter if I lived in a cave.
Still looking for an outside sunlight demo.
Okay. There's plenty of sun in Dallas. I just have to remember to take a photo.
I can't get a photo at the moment, but I use mine (13) outside all the time. As long as you stick to a shady spot, it's fine, even with the brightness turned down. In direct sunlight, it's usable as long as the brightness is all the way up, but I wouldn't want to watch videos on it. Also, the battery drains faster in the sun (due to higher brightness).
Was in the garden with it for a couple of hours today, the sun was shining for the first time in weeks, was a breeze to look at the screen
I however, was never able to use a Matte display outside, you simply can't see anything on them. (iBook, PowerBook)
I however, was never able to use a Matte display outside, you simply can't see anything on them. (iBook, PowerBook)