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Is the black bezel objectively better (perceived contrast ratio, etc.)?

nightfly13

nightfly13

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 17, 2008
679
0
Ranchi, India
I've been leaning toward white. Please spare me your judgements about my masculinity. I prefer how white looks. But I also care about contrast ratios and especially 'distractions' that John Gruber discusses in his recent review of iPad 2:

"... The white bezel looks good, aesthetically ... But, I found the white bezel distracting. With the black, the frame disappears from mind when you’re using the iPad. With the white, it always seemed like I was looking at a white frame around the screen. There’s a reason why movies are letterboxed with black bars, not white ones, and why most TVs are framed by black."

This resonates with me a little, but when I watched a couple of the Guided Tours on the iPad 2 site, the white bezel looks totally usable to me - nothing distracting at all.

I know this is a subjective thing, let's try to keep the thread focused on visual performance vs aesthetic preferences - how does the bezel choice actually effect usage?
 
It's all psychological. It's going to bother some people more than others. I do think, though, that the generally accepted theory is that black bezels do a better job of 'disappearing' when you use the device, whereas white can be distracting. And then there's the perceived contrast issue, although honestly with a screen the quality of the iPad's, it's probably a muted concern.
 
the way that i look at it, a black bezel will highlight colors. a white bezel will make darks richer.

i really like the look of white, but will probably get black. looking at the guided tours, so many apps use very dark elements meant to blend in the with background (the title bar, section tabs on the bottom, etc) that just don't blend with a white bezel.
 
Big fan of the white.. I was waiting to see it in person first though.. Good article, was interesting to read the whole thing, not just about the bezel.
 
I'd go with black for movie watching.

I can remember the mid 1990s when home theather nuts would velcro black felt around 4:3 TVs in order to make the sliver frame dissappear.
 
I'm going with black, although I've never had a problem with my white MacBook.
 
White is going to show dirt a lot more than black. Have you ever seen a white macbook that didn't look... digusting... after a few months of use?
 
fizzwinkus said:
looking at the guided tours, so many apps use very dark elements meant to blend in the with background (the title bar, section tabs on the bottom, etc) that just don't blend with a white bezel.
Click to expand...

I got the exact opposite impression after watching the guided tours. The title bar is a tiny sliver of black on otherwise light colored UIs (iPod, Maps, Mail, Safari, list goes on). More often than not, you're dealing with light colors on the screen.

With that said, i believe the effects of the either colored bezels is blown out of proportion.
 
Gruber is correct.

Black tends to fade into the background. White pops. Great if you are a bride and the object of everyone's attention but bad if your goal is to read or surf or play w/ limited distraction. If the bezel doesn't fade into the background then you can never immerse yourself with the device.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
Gruber is correct.

Black tends to fade into the background. White pops. Great if you are a bride and the object of everyone's attention but bad if your goal is to read or surf or play w/ limited distraction. If the bezel doesn't fade into the background then you can never immerse yourself with the device.
Click to expand...

Those with white MacBooks must have never got any job done. /s
 
nightfly13 said:
I know this is a subjective thing, let's try to keep the thread focused on visual performance vs aesthetic preferences - how does the bezel choice actually effect usage?
Click to expand...

I suspect it has far more to do with personal preference and usage patterns than it does with anything objective. As such, it's mostly something each buyer will need to decide for themselves.


dacreativeguy said:
White is going to show dirt a lot more than black. Have you ever seen a white macbook that didn't look... digusting... after a few months of use?
Click to expand...

Respectfully, I don't believe this is a valid comparison. One is a white plastic object and the other a glass panel painted white on the inside face.
 
I also think people are over thinking the bezel color. I really doubt there will be a significant change for using the white vs black bezel. Its a relatively small device with a small bezel around it. It shouldnt take away from the "ipad experience" or make it any harder to focus on the screen/read/watch movies. Our eyes have the ability to adjust and adapt to the surroundings. The white bezel shoudlnt "pop" or stand out after using it for a minute or so.

I say, if you like the white...then go for it! :)

I'm going to look at both in person and then decide. But it will be purely an aesthetic decision.
 
sam2428 said:
I also think people are over thinking the bezel color. I really doubt there will be a significant change for using the white vs black bezel. Its a relatively small device with a small bezel around it. It shouldnt take away from the "ipad experience" or make it any harder to focus on the screen/read/watch movies. Our eyes have the ability to adjust and adapt to the surroundings. The white bezel shoudlnt "pop" or stand out after using it for a minute or so.

I say, if you like the white...then go for it! :)

I'm going to look at both in person and then decide. But it will be purely an aesthetic decision.
Click to expand...

I'm with you. It's just personal preference. I like the white look, something about the combination of the white bezel and silver back that I really like, but I will probably get black.
 
"ALWAYS BET ON BLACK!"


wesley_snipes-16354.jpg
 
maclook said:
I got the exact opposite impression after watching the guided tours. The title bar is a tiny sliver of black on otherwise light colored UIs (iPod, Maps, Mail, Safari, list goes on). More often than not, you're dealing with light colors on the screen.
Click to expand...
if you're just averaging the luminance, you are correct. for me, it's the effect of transition between the bezel and screen that is smoother with black->dark grey ui elements->light color content.
maclook said:
With that said, i believe the effects of the either colored bezels is blown out of proportion.
Click to expand...

i agree completely.
 
Compile 'em all said:
Those with white MacBooks must have never got any job done. /s
Click to expand...

If they are like my 15 y.o. niece probably not -- she just uses it to chat w/ friends. Ha ha. Seriously there is a reason why pro models have never been offered in white. Sorry you are taking the news so hard. What Gruber said is true.
 
Mjmar said:
I'm going with black, although I've never had a problem with my white MacBook.
Click to expand...

Never had a problem with mine either....so I'm going with the white iPad. It just looks awesome.

Chupa Chupa said:
If they are like my 15 y.o. niece probably not -- she just uses it to chat w/ friends. Ha ha. Seriously there is a reason why pro models have never been offered in white. Sorry you are taking the news so hard. What Gruber said is true.
Click to expand...

Your opinion of course. I am certainly not a 15 year old girl and I most definitely do "serious" work on my white macbook. Your comment is rather ignorant and insulting.

And the reason pro models are not white is because white does not look professional and/or the design trend for when they were released was moving towards black/silver. I very much so doubt it had anything to do with perceived contrast and distraction from the bezel.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
If they are like my 15 y.o. niece probably not -- she just uses it to chat w/ friends. Ha ha. Seriously there is a reason why pro models have never been offered in white. Sorry you are taking the news so hard. What Gruber said is true.
Click to expand...

That is what Gruber said, and if you are only going to be viewing your iPad under the same controlled lighting conditions then his opinion is absolutely correct. However, if you understand that the bezels both act differently depending on your environment and lighting conditions then what he said isn't absolutely correct. For example, in daytime lighting a black bezel will stand out and in darker lighting, a white bezel will stand out.
 
White for ipad2.

Most people discriminate irrationally on color. I hope to make an educated decision.

Black absorbs heat, white reflects it. I put my iPad on my dashboard when I am driving around so less heat is a good thing (even colored people get sun burnt easier, just does not show like it does on white people).

The bad thing with white is dirt, etc is easier to see. I will probably clean it constantly.

When I get an iPad 3, I will make a more experienced decision for it's color after having had both colors (it's nice to have a choice). As far as fashion trends go, "White, it's the new Black."
 
Chupa Chupa said:
If they are like my 15 y.o. niece probably not -- she just uses it to chat w/ friends. Ha ha. Seriously there is a reason why pro models have never been offered in white. Sorry you are taking the news so hard. What Gruber said is true.
Click to expand...

Who is the 15 year old?

Yes. Thought so.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
If they are like my 15 y.o. niece probably not -- she just uses it to chat w/ friends. Ha ha. Seriously there is a reason why pro models have never been offered in white. Sorry you are taking the news so hard. What Gruber said is true.
Click to expand...

I don't think Gruber ever meant it it would be so distracting you would not get any work done lol...

I have a white macbook, get good grades, and don't find the white distracting :).... it seems your niece is easily distracted for other reasons heh
 
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