Macbook air 2018 screen brightness

[darkmatter343]

The Pro does indeed have an IPS display. .27 lbs is a negligible weight difference.

I personally would rather have a superior screen vs the T2 chip and a v3 keyboard.

I agree, but... you can configure the Air with 16GB Ram and 256GB drive for the same price as the nTB Pro with 8GB 256GB. That being said, the 300nit dismay is hard to look past...

I'd have to use one for a few days in my environment and not in the bright Apple store. I guess on the flip side of things my work HP Elitebook x360 1030 G2 only has 250nits, and many top Lenovo laptops, including the X1 line have below 300 nits. Adding to this I never actually had a problem with brightness on my own Air and it was around the 300nit mark too.

I keep my brightness between 50% - 65% on both my nTB and 12", so while it would be hard to look past that low nit screen, the thought of 16GB/256 for the same price as the nTB would be enticing.

If the Air was someones primary laptop, and didn't care to compare side by side, I doubt many would notice the low nit, and it'd be a perfectly fine display for them. I think the people who care the most are on this forum 🙂

 

[blairh]

According to Apple’s website the Pro does not have an IPS display. On the compare specs page

If you PERSONALLY would rather have the better screen that’s fine. The point is that is your PREFERENCE and it doesn’t change all the other things I listed that you are CHOOSING to ignore Bc you care about the screen more.
[doublepost=1542165038][/doublepost]

*I* notice the difference in weight. So do plenty of others. The entire point is that this is subjective. What you choose to care about is your business but repeating over and over that you can live w the CPU and GPU downgrades doesn’t change facts. Both lines have pros and cons. period done next.

Yes it's an IPS display. Do you really think Apple would put an IPS on the Air and not the Pro???

Yes, me personally. What the hell am I ignoring? I literally just mentioned the T2 chip and v3 keyboard in my last response.

What do you mean you notice the difference in weight? That's nonsense. If we did a blind test and placed both machines in a backpack individually you would never know which is which. The weight difference is so little it's absolutely a non-factor between both machines.

Yes, both have pro's and con's. No one said otherwise.

 

[raqball]

What you choose to care about is your business but repeating over and over that you can live w the CPU and GPU downgrades doesn’t change facts. Both lines have pros and cons. period done next.

The same could be said about justifying a purchase over, and over and over but hey, ya know........

Just about every review out and most pf the posts here directly reference the dim and washed out screen. If you can live with it cool... Many others can't are are bummed that Apple skimped in every area possible with the Air except for adding the T2 chip...

 

[manhattanmania]

The same could be said about justifying a purchase over, and over and over but hey, ya know........

Just about every review out and most pf the posts here directly reference the dim and washed out screen. If you can live with it cool... Many others can't are are bummed that Apple skimped in every area possible with the Air except for adding the T2 chip...

Haven’t purchased it. Just think this forum blows things way out of proportion too often. Anyways, enjoy whatever laptop you wind up with!
[doublepost=1542167213][/doublepost]

Yes it's an IPS display. Do you really think Apple would put an IPS on the Air and not the Pro???

Yes, me personally. What the hell am I ignoring? I literally just mentioned the T2 chip and v3 keyboard in my last response.

What do you mean you notice the difference in weight? That's nonsense. If we did a blind test and placed both machines in a backpack individually you would never know which is which. The weight difference is so little it's absolutely a non-factor between both machines.

Yes, both have pro's and con's. No one said otherwise.

Seriously? Now you’re telling me whether or not *I* can feel the weight difference? You’re absurd.

Bye now

 

[blairh]

Haven’t purchased it. Just think this forum blows things way out of proportion too often. Anyways, enjoy whatever laptop you wind up with!
[doublepost=1542167213][/doublepost]

Seriously? Now you’re telling me whether or not *I* can feel the weight difference? You’re absurd.

Bye now

I can definitively say that you or anyone else will absolutely not feel the weight difference between these two machines when carrying them around in any manner. Yes, I absolutely stand by that statement. And for anyone to pick a MBA over the Pro because of the weight difference is absolute nonsense.

 

[Wags]

I agree, but... you can configure the Air with 16GB Ram and 256GB drive for the same price as the nTB Pro with 8GB 256GB. That being said, the 300nit dismay is hard to look past...

I'd have to use one for a few days in my environment and not in the bright Apple store. I guess on the flip side of things my work HP Elitebook x360 1030 G2 only has 250nits, and many top Lenovo laptops, including the X1 line have below 300 nits. Adding to this I never actually had a problem with brightness on my own Air and it was around the 300nit mark too.

I keep my brightness between 50% - 65% on both my nTB and 12", so while it would be hard to look past that low nit screen, the thought of 16GB/256 for the same price as the nTB would be enticing.

If the Air was someones primary laptop, and didn't care to compare side by side, I doubt many would notice the low nit, and it'd be a perfectly fine display for them. I think the people who care the most are on this forum 🙂

When I went into the Apple store to look at the MBA. There was someone already there with 2 machines side by side and then stacked ntb with air to look at width difference. Heard him discuss $100 price difference with salesperson. Left with MBPntb. Don’t think MR member but didn’t asked.

 

[darkmatter343]

When I went into the Apple store to look at the MBA. There was someone already there with 2 machines side by side and then stacked ntb with air to look at width difference. Heard him discuss $100 price difference with salesperson. Left with MBPntb. Don’t think MR member but didn’t asked.

Well... I didn't mean that literally 😀 but yeah, I'm sure there are people out there that care about the screen they are buying. For me it matters. But I also think it's blown out of proportion and for Day to day usage... I highly doubt the average consumer would care or even notice the dim(er) display.
[doublepost=1542170047][/doublepost]

I can definitively say that you or anyone else will absolutely not feel the weight difference between these two machines when carrying them around in any manner. Yes, I absolutely stand by that statement. And for anyone to pick a MBA over the Pro because of the weight difference is absolute nonsense.

.25 lbs would be hard for most people to feel a difference with, .5 sure.

 

[Ermir444]

The 2018 MBA is to the 2017 nTB MBP what the 2017 9.7" iPad was to the 2016 9.7" iPad Pro.

1. Vastly inferior screen
2. Vastly inferior graphics
3. Slower processor
4. Inferior speakers

The only difference is, the 2017 iPad ($329) cost almost HALF the price of 2016 9.7'' iPad Pro ($599).

I see absolutely no reason why this MBA should cost nearly as much as the MBP with all those drawbacks. Its is a $899 product at best. Apple is committing HIGHWAY ROBBERY selling this thing at $1,199. Please stop buying it / return it and vote against this BS with your wallets.

 

[Dave245]

Please stop buying it / return it and vote against this BS with your wallets.

With all due respect, you can have you’re opinion and you’re thoughts on the new MacBook Air, but don’t tell people not to buy something just because you don’t like it.

Other people may feel different when they see it in person, just like I did yesterday when I visited the Apple store to try out the new Air.

 

[raqball]

The 2018 MBA is to the 2017 nTB MBP what the 2017 9.7" iPad was to the 2016 9.7" iPad Pro.

1. Vastly inferior screen
2. Vastly inferior graphics
3. Slower processor
4. Inferior speakers

The only difference is, the 2017 iPad ($329) cost almost HALF the price of 2016 9.7'' iPad Pro ($599).

I see absolutely no reason why this MBA should cost nearly as much as the MBP with all those drawbacks. Its is a $899 product at best. Apple is committing HIGHWAY ROBBERY selling this thing at $1,199. Please stop buying it / return it and vote against this BS with your wallets.

I agree with most of what you said.. But people, can buy what they want as its their cash, not mine..

Compared to the old Air, the new version demolishes it. If someone is coming from an old Air, they will be thrilled with everything the new Air offers and they may see value, even with the price hike..

The problem comes into play with those who've used or owned a recent Pro or even a 12" rMB.. The screens on both of those are better....

I believe Apple is going to ax the nTB... If they do then the Air pricing makes more sense when the Apple Tax is factored in. $1199 for the base Air and the next step up is the base TB at $1799....

I think the GPU and CPU are fine for the Air's intended audience. touchID is a bonus, sound is good, KB is fine (but just as prone to failure) so the only real bummer on the Air is the screen... It's dim and washed out when compared to other recent Apple laptops.

There is a lot to like about the new Air when it's compared directly to the old Air

-touchID
-Screen (demolishes the old Air)
-Trackpad
-Keyboard (debatable as some will like it and some will want the old KB back)
-Sound
-Faster SSD
-Color options

 

[newellj]

The 2018 MBA is to the 2017 nTB MBP what the 2017 9.7" iPad was to the 2016 9.7" iPad Pro.

1. Vastly inferior screen
2. Vastly inferior graphics
3. Slower processor
4. Inferior speakers

The only difference is, the 2017 iPad ($329) cost almost HALF the price of 2016 9.7'' iPad Pro ($599).

I see absolutely no reason why this MBA should cost nearly as much as the MBP with all those drawbacks. Its is a $899 product at best. Apple is committing HIGHWAY ROBBERY selling this thing at $1,199. Please stop buying it / return it and vote against this BS with your wallets.

Those may be your opinions, but they're not facts, and in my opinion your post is vastly overblown, and the price complaint is irrational. Whatever the faults of the rMBA may be, and it is definitely not perfect, it is light years ahead of the 2017 MBA.

 

[studium4sk]

Just returned my MBA.
Took this shot with my iPhone 6s to compare the MBA and MBP.
In real life, the colours on the MBP look more saturated. The MBA seem washed out to me.

 

[Wags]

Just returned my MBA.
Took this shot with my iPhone 6s to compare the MBA and MBP.
In real life, the colours on the MBP look more saturated. The MBA seem washed out to me.

Seemed that for me too. Maybe not for some. Each own financial decisions.

 

[stevefo]

Just returned my MBA.
Took this shot with my iPhone 6s to compare the MBA and MBP.
In real life, the colours on the MBP look more saturated. The MBA seem washed out to me.

When I compared the two, I noticed the text is a little bit fuzzy compared to the Pro. Put me off instantly.

 

[newellj]

Profiled mine tonight with an i1Display Pro. Sort of interesting. The differences are subtle. It does overall give a slightly cooler feel. But side by side it just doesn't get to the same color tone, or contrast range (I think - hard to tell by eye) as the rMBP from 2015 or the 2017 rMB.

 

[anonymous161]

When I compared the two, I noticed the text is a little bit fuzzy compared to the Pro. Put me off instantly.

There has to be quality variation in these panels. I just bought an 8gb/128 air and the text is sharp and the overall quality is very good. Brightness is not overwhelming, sure, but it is even and there is a decent viewing angle. It's no MB Pro, but it's nowhere near the horror stories being described in this thread.

 

[darkmatter343]

There has to be quality variation in these panels. I just bought an 8gb/128 air and the text is sharp and the overall quality is very good. Brightness is not overwhelming, sure, but it is even and there is a decent viewing angle. It's no MB Pro, but it's nowhere near the horror stories being described in this thread.

With Apple having 2 suppliers for each part within a product, variation is not surprising.

 

[QCassidy352]

My early 2015 rMBP is rated at 300nits. I have never had an issue with the brightness and leave it on auto.

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP715?locale=en_GB

Thanks. I found the equivalent page for my late 2013 model, and it doesn't give a brightness, but I'm going to assume it's the same 300 as yours (certainly no more than that). I've never once thought my rMBP was too dim. In fact, as I'm typing this, I hit the brightness up button just to see where I was at, and it was one click past halfway, which feels natural and comfortable. Full brightness is a little blinding.

So I'm going to say that this whole "issue" is hugely overblown and in fact a non-issue for 99% of us.

 

[Velin]

Thanks. I found the equivalent page for my late 2013 model, and it doesn't give a brightness, but I'm going to assume it's the same 300 as yours (certainly no more than that). I've never once thought my rMBP was too dim. In fact, as I'm typing this, I hit the brightness up button just to see where I was at, and it was one click past halfway, which feels natural and comfortable. Full brightness is a little blinding.

So I'm going to say that this whole "issue" is hugely overblown and in fact a non-issue for 99% of us.

But we're not talking about the Macbook Pro. We're talking about the 2018 Air. And the 2018 Air is, without question, dimmer and more washed out than the 2013 Macbook Pro. I know, because right now my main portable is the 2013 Pro. The 2018 Air is nowhere near as bright when maxed out.

Also, there are valid questions whether the 2018 Air truly has a 300-brightness screen; some reviewers have measured significantly lower levels than that on the 2018 Air. There are additional questions about different panel suppliers and quality levels.

Bottom line, I've seen the 2018 Air in person. Anyone with Macbook experience instantly knows the 2018 Air screen is dim and dull. Until you actually examine one, you are in no position to conclude the issue is "hugely overblown."

 

[amitdoc2b]

I'll share my perspective on brightness and a little more after owning both the 2017 MBP Touch Bar (512gb model) and 2018 MBA (256gb model).

I prefer the MBA because of form factor (much slimmer look from the front), color (gold), and longer battery life. And yes, to me, looks of the product matter. The weight may be only .25 lbs difference, but when traveling the adaptor also is much smaller for the MBA which fits better in my slim Tumi case on the go. However, I would not have made the switch if the MBA did not have the fingerprint reader like my MBP. As for space (I went down from 512 to 256), I use iCloud, so I have over 200gb still free because it doesn't actually download all the files on your computer unless you actually click that particular file. So they all appear to be there, even though they aren't. I do notice slightly less performance in daily tasks of maybe 10%, but it doesn't bother me as much as seeing a thick bulky computer all the time (even if the weight is close).

Now for the brightness comparisons:

At first, it does seem the MBP screen is much better when you compare them both at full brightness. But when you keep the MBP about 2 notches below from the max, it is pretty similar to the MBA screen (kept at full brightness) to me in terms of brightness when at home or in my office. Based on posts by various members here, I was concerned the brightness would be much worse (especially 300 vs 500 nits, etc.). If you keep your MBP at 2-3 below max brightness, it is my personal opinion that there should not have a brightness issue if keeping the MBA at max brightness. Again, I compared both my computers side by side in an indoors setting with lots of lighting.

As for colors, the colors look much better on MBP when that's at max brightness, but when you compare the laptops at 2-3 below on MBP with max brightness on the air, then it looks pretty similar to me from color quality as well. I received my MBA on Nov 7, but I didn't get time to actually set it up and compare till this past week.

But we're not talking about the Macbook Pro. We're talking about the 2018 Air. And the 2018 Air is, without question, dimmer and more washed out than the 2013 Macbook Pro. I know, because right now my main portable is the 2013 Pro. The 2018 Air is nowhere near as bright when maxed out.

Also, there are valid questions whether the 2018 Air truly has a 300-brightness screen; some reviewers have measured significantly lower levels than that on the 2018 Air. There are additional questions about different panel suppliers and quality levels.

Bottom line, I've seen the 2018 Air in person. Anyone with Macbook experience instantly knows the 2018 Air screen is dim and dull. Until you actually examine one, you are in no position to conclude the issue is "hugely overblown."

 

[raqball]

But we're not talking about the Macbook Pro. We're talking about the 2018 Air. And the 2018 Air is, without question, dimmer and more washed out than the 2013 Macbook Pro. I know, because right now my main portable is the 2013 Pro. The 2018 Air is nowhere near as bright when maxed out.

Also, there are valid questions whether the 2018 Air truly has a 300-brightness screen; some reviewers have measured significantly lower levels than that on the 2018 Air. There are additional questions about different panel suppliers and quality levels.

Bottom line, I've seen the 2018 Air in person. Anyone with Macbook experience instantly knows the 2018 Air screen is dim and dull. Until you actually examine one, you are in no position to conclude the issue is "hugely overblown."

Yeah mine went back yesterday... Happily on Pro now.

I used both yesterday as I really wanted to keep the Air. Side by side the dim and washed out screen on the Air is very noticeable when placed next to a Pro.

If someone never used a Pro they'd probably be very happy with the Air screen. If they are coming from an old Air they will be ecstatic of the Air's screen.

 

[lambertjohn]

Just returned my MBA.
Took this shot with my iPhone 6s to compare the MBA and MBP.
In real life, the colours on the MBP look more saturated. The MBA seem washed out to me.

But they're two different computers; one's an Air and one's a Pro. Put my old VW next to a Ferrari and the difference will be stark, but hey, they both get ya there! I actually think the Air screen looks better, FYI.

 

[raqball]

But they're two different computers; one's an Air and one's a Pro. Put my old VW next to a Ferrari and the difference will be stark, but hey, they both get ya there! I actually think the Air screen looks better, FYI.

But that's the problem.. They are very different computers priced almost the same and one easily demolishes the other. That old VW you mention won't cost anywhere close to the Ferrari....

 

[amitdoc2b]

I actually think the Air screen looks better, FYI.

I agree, when you have a 2017 MBP Touch Bar and 2018 MBA side by side, the MBA looks better/brighter at max brightness IF the 2017 MBP is reduced 2-3 notches from max.

 

[raqball]

I agree, when you have a 2017 MBP Touch Bar and 2018 MBA side by side, the MBA looks better/brighter at max brightness IF the 2017 MBP is reduced 2-3 notches from max.

Mine was 3-4 ticks down on the Pro to get about the same brightness as the Air at max...