Is the 15inch display worse than the 13inch?

[FutureDancer]

I bought the Macbook Pro 15 2017 2.9ghz 512g at the recent Black Friday sale

I also own the Macbook Pro 13 2016 Non Touch Bar

I'm finding the screen on the Macbook Pro 15 hurts my eyes. I find the glare strains by eyes. I generally run it above the 80% brightness (supposed PWM cut off).

Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[jerryk]

Why do you run it so bright? Try 40 or 50%

 

[iMi]

The new screen is probably brighter and you are running it pretty bright. I second the idea that it might just be too bright and that’s why the eye strain.

 

[leman]

Different laptops can have panels with different characteristics. I suppose your eyes are particularly sensitive (since you mention PWM etc.)? It is very much possible that you are more comfortable with one panel than with another one.

 

[FutureDancer]

Different laptops can have panels with different characteristics. I suppose your eyes are particularly sensitive (since you mention PWM etc.)? It is very much possible that you are more comfortable with one panel than with another one.

Yes mine are very sensitive. It sucks as I got it at such a good price. I love how much faster it is than my 2016 13 inch MacBook Pro and the price was so good. It’s weird as no one has recorded PWM at the brightness I run it at
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The new screen is probably brighter and you are running it pretty bright. I second the idea that it might just be too bright and that’s why the eye strain.

I put them side by side with brightness to max and auto brightness off. Brightness seems similar on both. I even turned off the lights and took a photo of both side by side and it seems similar. Only difference was the 15 white point seemed a tincy bit yellow. I was able to fix this in the cldisplay config settings

I will try what you said. I do normally run at 1 to 2 notches down from max

 

[Falhófnir]

If anything the larger render size of the 15” should make it easier on your eyes...

 

[FutureDancer]

btw i run both the 13inch and 15inch at the max scaled resolution for more space

 

[jerryk]

btw i run both the 13inch and 15inch at the max scaled resolution for more space

Wow. I cannot imaging doing that. Characters are so tiny at that resolution, just the thought of doing that makes my eyes hurt. Does the eye strain issue disappear if you use "best for retina"?

 

[FutureDancer]

Wow. I cannot imaging doing that. Characters are so tiny at that resolution, just the thought of doing that makes my eyes hurt.

I tend to sit really close to the laptop and often have it on my lap. I am a programmer so like to maximize the amount of code on screen

 

[evec]

MacBook Pro mostly with two supplier, LG and Samsung, and backlight is separated use of japanese LED,
LG tend with better accuracy and Samsung with faster response and better dynamic.
I tend to strains with LG one, so if i get this i will return and get another, some people is opposite.

 

[jerryk]

I tend to sit really close to the laptop and often have it on my lap. I am a programmer so like to maximize the amount of code on screen

I do development also, and cannot image working with a computer on my lap with a tiny font.
I am sitting here with a 27" 2K and 24" monitor, looking at 2 files with 60 lines of code showing on the 27", and watching the output and debugger on the 24" monitor. Sitting in proper chair with both feet on the ground, mechanical keyboard, and mouse.

Given what we do, good ergonomics is key. I never had back/neck pain until I started programming heavily. Take care of yourself.

 

[FutureDancer]

I do development also, and cannot image working with a computer on my lap with a tiny font.
I am sitting here with a 27" 2K and 24" monitor, looking at 2 files with 60 lines of code showing on the 27", and watching the output and debugger on the 24" monitor. Sitting in proper chair with both feet on the ground, mechanical keyboard, and mouse.

Given what we do, good ergonomics is key. I never had back/neck pain until I started programming heavily. Take care of yourself.

Oh of course. I sit the laptop at the desk with a raiser at the back so its the right height where the top of the screen is at my eye height. I also have a special lumbar support on the chair. I have a very bad back so ergonomics are key. I do have to work lying down sometimes for that reason as well, hence having the laptop in my lap when resting my back
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MacBook Pro mostly with two supplier, LG and Samsung, and backlight is separated use of japanese LED,
LG tend with better accuracy and Samsung with faster response and better dynamic.
I tend to strains with LG one, so if i get this i will return and get another, some people is opposite.

How do i check which one i have?

 

[baypharm]

I returned a new 13” mbp because of the eye strain problem. The 15” does not cause eye strain but I returned it also for different reasons.

 

[tim1000]

I returned a new 13” mbp because of the eye strain problem. The 15” does not cause eye strain but I returned it also for different reasons.

what are u using now?

 

[Falhófnir]

btw i run both the 13inch and 15inch at the max scaled resolution for more space

That probably is the problem - that’s making your eyeballs work pretty hard and not good to do for long periods of time

 

[baypharm]

what are u using now?

My 17” mbp.

 

[thadoggfather]

sounds like panel lottery problems

 

[jerryk]

Oh of course. I sit the laptop at the desk with a raiser at the back so its the right height where the top of the screen is at my eye height. I also have a special lumbar support on the chair. I have a very bad back so ergonomics are key. I do have to work lying down sometimes for that reason as well, hence having the laptop in my lap when resting my back

I fully understand. Programmer => bad back. Sooner or later.

I had to take rest breaks for my back until I finally ponied up the big money for a good chair. I got one of these and my back is much happier.

https://www.hermanmiller.com/products/seating/office-chairs/embody-chairs/

 

[FutureDancer]

I think I know what the issue is. I put the laptop side by side with the 13inch again. I think its just the crazy glare. All big screen laptops I've owned or used before have had Matte screens. I can handle the glossy in the 13 but its just driving me crazy in the 15.

Everything else between the 13 and 15 is really identical imo or close to it. The brightness, colors, upscaling of the fonts etc.