Has anyone else noticed this with the 128gb Air being dimmer than the 256gb version?
I went to the Apple Store and compared the Air next to the Pro and while the Pro was brighter it did not seem to be excessively brighter.
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Macbook air 2018 screen brightness
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Has anyone else noticed this with the 128gb Air being dimmer than the 256gb version?
I went to the Apple Store and compared the Air next to the Pro and while the Pro was brighter it did not seem to be excessively brighter.
I never said don’t compare the two machines as a whole. If you read my post properly you’ll see I said I agree it makes better financial sense to buy the pro at an extra $100!!
Erm, how is it not relevant??? It’s the same screen. Same resolution, PPI, Colour Gamut and luminance???
Technology doesn’t have to change every year. Have a google at when the MBP screen changed to a 500nit, P3 Colour Gamut Screen. Clue for you. It wasn’t 2018!!
The whole point is the machines are at two different price points. As I’ve already said. It makes better sense at the moment to buy the nTB MBP. A, because I think Apple will drop it soon and B because it’s a better spec machine.
But if comparing the screen alone, as most are, and they are two different technologies it is completely stupid to expect the inferior technology perform as well as the superior one.
The screen in the MBA is not bad. Correct it is inferior to the MBP. But it is not a bad screen and it will be sufficient for most people.
As an example from one website. (Most are saying the same/similar).
You can read the whole article here.
https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/macbook-air-2018
I wonder if the #NitGate is all down to multiple display suppliers? I've seen it happen to other laptops (with either the display, SSD or WiFi being better/worse depending on your pot luck of who the supplier was).
You said don't compare both screens (new Air and MBP). It's ridiculous not to.
It's not relevant because you don't judge a new MBA based on the past one. You judge it based on the current lineup. Your money is going against what is available now. Not 3 years ago. How do you not understand this? If $1300 gets you a great screen, then why settle for a worse one for $100 less unless you need want the T2 chip or v3 keyboard? The 2015 MBA screen has nothing to do with anything at this point.
They are not two different price points. This is ridiculous. The MBP starts at $1100 refurbished. You can get it new for $1250 at B&H. New from Apple at $1300. So $100 less, $50 more, or $100 more. Those are not two different price points.
Yes, the new Air will be fine for many. The issue at hand is you coming in here and saying don't compare the two screens. That's an utterly absurd statement to make. When debating these machines you of course will be factoring in one of the most important elements, the screen.
I compared the brightness of the Air in store to the Macbook 12" and there is a noticeable difference with the Macbook being quite brighter. I had to crank the Macbook down to 2/3 to match the Air at full brightness, and when I compared the Air to the Pro I really had to notch down the brightness on the Pro to match the Air on full. Then there is the matter of color difference which both the 12" and Pro have significantly better colors. To me, its for these reasons I wouldn't touch the new Air. Gorgeous laptop, but the 300nit display is a deal breaker, and colors looked washed out when compared to even the 12" Macbook. Apple should have sourced 400nit displays, then it would have been a great replacement to the original.
I have been saying this - not only is the display dimmer, but the colors are yellowish compared to every other Retina display (including the rMB).
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And here's the deal: the rMB screen is not only brighter than the rMBA, it also has more accurate color balance. I don't know what's up with the display in the rMBA, but it isn't even as good as last year's rMB. That's a shame.
Are you sure you didn’t see a model that had a defect? the only reason I ask is becuse that’s not the case in my experience at all, the display model in the Apple store that I saw was not “yellowish” at all. It looked great to be honest.
I have a 2015 rMBP. Yes, it is a 300 nit Retina display. I can tell you, sitting here with them side by side, that the 2015 rMBP Retina display blows away the 2018 rMBA display in brightness and color accuracy. I don't know how much work it took to engineer a crappy Retina display in 2018, but Apple must have sunk a lot of R&D into the effort.
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Yes, I'm sure. I compared the half dozen units on display at the Apple Store and also compared the one I bought. Consistent results.
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Agree. And while the rMBA may be a nominal 300 nits, so is the rMB. But in real life, among multiple units, they simply are not equivalent. It's a mystery and a shame that Apple couldn't do better.
No, I said don’t compare two different technologies and expect an inferior one to perform as good as a superior one. How can you not understand that?
I never said the 2015 MBA Screen. I said the early 2015 MBP screen as it is the identical, exact same, screen tech. Which I have and said it will be fine for most people.
You do judge a new MBA against the last one, as that is what it is replacing, along with what is available now. Just like everyone will judge the 2019 MBP against the 2018 MBP. Same as people judge the 2018 MBP against the 2017 MBP etc etc.
You can try to be as obtuse as you like. They are two different price points as one is $100 more than the other! But I’ve also said it makes better sense to buy the nTB MBP, brand new, at that price.
Refurbs are a different matter as it’s a secondhand machine. Same as a Manufacturer used approved car is a secondhand and cheaper car vs a new one the refurb laptop is going to be cheaper.
You can get this in the UK refurb store.
Which is only £90 more than the MBA in the same SSD configuration.
So in that instance I would say to anyone that unless they disliked the TB like me. It would make better sense to buy the refurb.
The biggest thing most people factor in really is cost. I’ve always said to anyone when buying a computer. Unless you are going to upgrade every year get the best computer with the fastest processor and and most ram you can afford.
I said people should stop comparing the screens alone as they are expecting the inferior screen to be as good as the superior. Screens generally only matter that much to those who do editing or gaming. There are those out there who absolutely must have the best tech. But most that want the MBP screen will want it for editing photo and video. Gaming only really applies to the 15” MBP with dedicated GPU.
I could see the argument on the screen if they were the exact same technology. But they aren’t. So the argument is stupid, absurd or whatever you want to call it when comparing the screen alone.
If people came on and said
“The MBA has a decent screen, processor and will be fine for most users who only do office apps, web surfing and the occasional photo/video edit. However for $100 more you can get a better screen & processor so this would be a wiser choice unless you want TouchID and ‘Hey Siri’”
I would have no issue with that stance and fully support it.
But to say ‘the screen on the MBA is rubbish when compared side by side with the MBP’ is just stupid when they aren’t the same technology.
I'm personally not comparing it to the current MBP, but to my late 2013 Retina version which also had 300 nits. And to me (personally) it's a noticably dimmer which causes an issue (for me).
The opinion of people who think the screen does not suffice is just as valid as yours imo.
Where I live the base model Air is priced €1349 which according to xe.com converts to $1522.
So yes, for that amount of money I want a screen that is just as good as a screen they developed 5 years ago. Is that really too much to ask?
I'm personally disappointed. I don't like the new MBP with the touchbar, and I was putting all my hopes on to the Air, and it just didn't meet my expectations. I'm pleased if it does yours, but personally I'm glad other people have the same problem as me so I know it's not all in my imagination, and for some people it's just not good enough.
You keep insisting you can't compare two screens that have different technology. Of course you can when two machines are similarly priced and are competing for consumer dollars.
Actually people on here are saying the MBP 2015 screen is superior to the 2018 MBA screen.
What do you think matters more now? The 2015 MBA or MBP screen or the current 2018 MBA and MBP screens? I mean are you even serious now?
Apple refurbs are not secondhand computers. These are not returned products being handed to someone new. Maybe look into what a refurb is first from Apple.
I'm not being obtuse. That is utter nonsense. $100 to an Apple consumer is essentially nothing. They will more than likely pay $100 more if they think the screen is better or if someone points out that it is. And that's if they buy from Apple. You can find new MBP's that only cost $50 more than a MBA. Or like I said a refurb that is actually $100 cheaper than a new Air.
Screens matter to all consumers! That is nonsense too!
We are discussing the MBA and MBP as two separate machines going directly against each other. Nothing more or less. If the MBA was $1,000, I wouldn't feel as strongly. But being $100 less at retail, unless you want/need the T2 chip or v3 keyboard, it's crazy to get the MBA. And yes, the screen is the main difference between the two, which is an enormous deal given how close in price these two machines are.
I had the 2017 Air .
My new 2018 Air :
- WAY nicer screen (Retina)
- Touch ID
- T2 chip (with enhanced security measures like ssd encrypting and host of other things...)
- 3rd gen keyboard
- Choice of 3 colors
- Lighter
- Smaller
- Reduced bezels (black)
- Enhanced sound (larger speakers)
- 3 microphones (with better T2 chip processing)
- Force touch with larger trackpad.
- USB-C (2)
- Thunderbolt 3 (both USB-C)
- Faster CPU (not by much, still...)
- Faster GPU (not by much, still...)
- Faster SSD
- 100% recycled aluminum
- More recycled plastic
And I NEVER had my 2017 Air at full brightness: WAY too bright for me (indoor use). My wife does but, still, never compained about her Air brightness. Neither the hundreds of posters on Macrumors MacBook Air forum BEFORE the 2018 Air release. But all of a sudden it's crap...
Yeah, it's 2018. But that doesn't change your eyes requirements!!
I have an Audi A 5 and I just realised that Tesla X cars have more acceleration!!! Poor me.... Unacceptable! How Audi could release THAT!? Boooo I have a crap car...
My new 2018 Air :
- WAY nicer screen (Retina)
- Touch ID
- T2 chip (with enhanced security measures like ssd encrypting and host of other things...)
- 3rd gen keyboard
- Choice of 3 colors
- Lighter
- Smaller
- Reduced bezels (black)
- Enhanced sound (larger speakers)
- 3 microphones (with better T2 chip processing)
- Force touch with larger trackpad.
- USB-C (2)
- Thunderbolt 3 (both USB-C)
- Faster CPU (not by much, still...)
- Faster GPU (not by much, still...)
- Faster SSD
- 100% recycled aluminum
- More recycled plastic
And I NEVER had my 2017 Air at full brightness: WAY too bright for me (indoor use). My wife does but, still, never compained about her Air brightness. Neither the hundreds of posters on Macrumors MacBook Air forum BEFORE the 2018 Air release. But all of a sudden it's crap...
Yeah, it's 2018. But that doesn't change your eyes requirements!!
I have an Audi A 5 and I just realised that Tesla X cars have more acceleration!!! Poor me.... Unacceptable! How Audi could release THAT!? Boooo I have a crap car...
Probably not a good example for display discussion. When you are driving these they will all look the same when you are looking out the window. What if they brought back the 318 and instead of using best tech they use somewhat best and cheaper quality parts than could but what to charge just about the same as 335? Sure, some will think it is great with maybe iconic design but you are not getting what should be with paying or full potential and done/redesigned mostly with profits in mind.
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Comparisons are always relative and done in the context of the technology available at the time.
For example, in 2010 the pre-Retina MacBook Air's display was perfectly fine - even higher-res than the MacBook Pro. But by the time I joined this forum, there was already plenty to complain about, relative to advancements in display tech that had happened in the meantime. Go back and you'll see plenty of complaints pertaining to the pre-Retina Air's display.
In 2017, the pre-Retina Air was already years behind. Apple labeled it as a 2017, but you actually bought a 2-year-old Mac with a 7-year-old design, trackpad, and display introduced in October 2010, so it comes as no surprise that the new Air is an improvement relative to such old tech.
But now that it's 2018, we can see that the new Air's display is closer to that of the Late 2012 13" MBP than it is to the current 13" MBP. Yes the 2012 Retina is a big improvement relative to 2010 standards, but it's also lacking many of the more recent advancements in display quality, at a new higher price point ($1,199) that's hard to justify.
Edit: Even the MacBook Pro's display is worthy of criticism. Mainly due to the resolution, which is the only spec that hasn't changed since 2012. It's low relative to the competition from Windows PCs, the software default resolution, and Apple's own iPad Pro.
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Thats the point some are missing...
It's not that the screen is terrible -v- the old Air, as it's not. It's a huge improvement over the old Air. It's that it's terrible -v- the current MBP offerings... This would be fine if the Air were not priced so close to the MBP. Apple cut corners on the CPU, the GPU, Bluetooth and the screen yet only shaved $100 off the price.......
At $999 it would make sense... If Apple phases out the nTB then maybe the price of the Air looks better compared to the base TB MBP @ $1699 but with the nTB in the mix, the Air pricing -v- what they cut corners on is a head scratcher...
This is exactly what I did....and I saw exactly what you saw. Now I don’t know a “nit” from a “nat”, but laptop magizine review says the 2018 Air puts out only 234 nits (even though Apple claims 300) while the 2017 base 12 inch Macbook they tested put out 340. I owned the first 12 inch Macbook a few years ago and the display was great. The display on the 2018 Air is subpar (IMO) relative to the 12 inch Macbook. I really wanted to like the 2018 Air and I have one “unopened” sitting in my living room (one of the 256GB models from MicroCenter at the $1,199 sale price). It’s most likely going back. If I can catch a great deal on a 13 inch 2018 TB MBP over the holidays, I’ll take that instead!
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Not sure if worth the $200 discount too. Hard to ‘unsee’ the display quality. Apple could have hit a home run this year with the MBA just by not releasing gimped. I’m sure their plan so can hold back for the next upgrade and next big thing. Got to keep us in check. Wanting and hoping for more.
May turn out to be mixed blessings, but with regards to the T2 chip - in HEVC coding and decoding, doesn't that potentially mean it's going to spank the old MBA and the nTB MBPro? By a spectacularly wide margin?
I suspect we're just scratching the surface of the capabilities of the T2.
Apple still sells the non Retina MBA brand new, so it is a current lineup. People are complaining in this thread that the display is too dim, yet its identical to what it has been for years.
If the screen were comparable to the nTB this Air would be a winner... I can deal with the mobile processor and the downgraded GPU but man, that screen............
If I were coming from an older Air, I'd think the screen on the Air was fantastic and would be confused over those complaining about it here but anyone who's used a newer MBP screen can see the difference and it's not a slight difference, it's very a very noticeable difference...
I still have my i5 / 16 / 512 Air boxed up and ready to go back.. I might crack the box open one more time and try and see if I can live with it.. I really, really, really wanted to like the Air....
I’ve asked before and I’ll ask again. When do you think the MBP screen was introduced? A hint for you, it wasn’t 2018!!
It may well be 3yr or older tech in the MBA but the screen tech in the MBP is a couple of years old now and no one is complaining that it’s not as good as a 4K screen that you get on some similar and cheaper priced laptops.
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Only reason that I can think that they are still selling is show a $200 price difference for the new MBA. Make it look like reasonable pricing. BB had old air at $799 not too long ago.
The new Air has a 224 nit screen.
That's DIM
Apple shriner's will sit in the comments attacking people posting this fact but the screen on a MBA that you purchase will still be 224 nits and it will suck.