Matte or Glossy? The price you pay for reducing reflections is lower image quality.

[scott9s]

Here's my unscientific view.

At my local Apple Store, I was able to have a MacBook Pro 15" LED Matte next to a MacBook Pro 15" LED Glossy (both penryn).

Here's my take. The Glossy looks better than you expect, and the Matte looks better than you expect.

Seriously, the Glossy is great. If you want to watch a movie. It is fabulous. Design work, I think it would be great too. The glare is not as bad as I expected based upon these forums.

I was surprised how good the Matte looks. I was worried it would be too dark based upon the Glossy lovers in the forums. And, it was super bright. A movie would look great on it.

After working on my current tablet PC with a matte, I have been so ready to get a glossy screen. I had one hang-up. In my office, I have a window directly behind me. I want that window blinds open most of the time. With the Glossy I get a bad glare. The glare is not really the problem it is the motion that causes the problem. With motion (cars driving by), you notice the glare, because it catches the eye.

think about it. With glare, you can tilt the screen, and the glare goes away. Try it with your TV or anything. Just tilt the screen or move, and the glare moves.

The issue then becomes when action behind you moves causing the light to change which causes the reflections to change which then causes your eyes to catch the reflection which would drive me crazy.

Second issue, is with the glossy, I could see my reflection pretty good, but again it was not as bad as some people make it out to be, but worse than what I would like.

Ultimately, I think this is a personal question and you just have to pick.

I definitely think it helped me to see both in person to compare.



Oh. forgot to mention: Great Science experiment here with the color calibration screen shots.

 

[Ranchdip]

For me, the glossy screen is like the "Vivid" setting on my Panasonic Plasma - colors are certainly more saturated and there's a little bit more pop. Though while initially impressive, after too long it becomes annoying and cartoon-like. But hey, that's just my opinion!

Took the words right out of my mouth!

 

[rjp]

Color saturation test results on matte and glossy

Did some quick analysis of the data to determine color saturation. Since the ratio of each primary color intensity to Luminance is well defined for regular and high definition, the measured Y values of the primaries can be compared to the measured Y values of the grayscale at the same intensity. The Primaries were measured at 75%. Since there is no 75% sample for the grayscale we can interpolate between the 70 and 80% values to get a ball park figure.

The attached screen shot shows this data.

The blue fields show the ideal percentages for each of the primaries for normal SD saturation. The green fields show the measured percentages for glossy and matte respectively. The yellow fields show the ratio of measured saturation to ideal. Hence, a number like 1.03 here indicates 3% over saturated for that color.

It appears that neither glossy nor matte Apple notebook screens have very accurate saturation, but the glossy is a little better. Please check the data and make sure I didn't make a mistake.

Here is an interesting link if you want to learn more about color calibration at home.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10632798#post10632798


Thanks,
Rich

 

[burningrave101]

I think it will depend a lot on the model of the display you get along with just the difference of matte vs glossy. I've had two MBP's already with different model screens and there was quite a bit of difference in color between the two.

 

[bluedoggiant]

I like glossy much more.

 

[sushi]

For me, the glossy screen is like the "Vivid" setting on my Panasonic Plasma - colors are certainly more saturated and there's a little bit more pop. Though while initially impressive, after too long it becomes annoying and cartoon-like. But hey, that's just my opinion!

Well said.

Matte all the way here.

 

[xhambonex]

Well, you directed me to this post and all I can say is, you calibrated the screens to make them more accurate. Most people don't spend the extra money on equipment to do that. When I use the term professional use, when recommending for college students, I am simply stating his work will be more accurate. If he was super serious about the graphics work, he may not even consider a mac, but we won't go there.
But from your data, out of the box, the "facts" hold true. Glossy is farther off from the "real deal." It appears from your data that the MATTE screen is more accurate. If I read this wrong, well I don't like math. help me out.
That being said, your test proved this, you can calibrate the glossy screen to be relatively accurate. But, I have seen plenty of MBP with their glossy screens, and as fabulous as they look clean, they look awful with fingerprints all over them, yes you can see them because the higher saturation and contrast and deeper blacks display them, just like I see my fingerprints on my matte screen when my screen is black, I don't see them when they are on. Keep that glossy screen clean, than you'll be ok.
I wonder if you bought a super high quality calibrator, and if not, what difference that would make, and if you ran these tests against a hi-res 17" MBP.
I like the effort, and I'm glad you ran your tests. Did you actually get the glossy or matte? And, honestly, do you have no problems with glare or fingerprints, because I have little to none. with my matte screen.

 

[jjahshik32]

Nothing beats matte!

For some reason the mbp that I just returned today was originally in a matte box but when I opened it up it was glossy

While it worked before the hd crash or whatever happened it was nice to look at (I dont care or get bothered by reflections anyway) but just the shiny look of the glossy screen puts me off. I dont know what it is but just some colors blend in which I dont like and just seems fake to me.

Also since the move to the led backlit screens, I've also noticed that the matte looks alot more vivid and brighter for some reason. Also colors look much better at lower brightness as well.

 

[Father Jack]

For a more realistic photo display, matte is the only choice ....

 

[MacBookProJoe]

It seems to me that Matte works in more general usability situations than does the glossy screen. Do you sit in a dark windowless room ALL THE TIME? Well then get the glossy jobber. If you dont, mattes for you.

 

[pdxflint]

I chose matte on my MBP without hesitation - thankful I still had the choice. Yeah, the glossy screens (on the new iMacs at least) look great in the store, so liquid etc. But, the reflections bug the hell out of me, and I'm wasn't impressed with the displays on the regular glossy Macbooks - seemed a bit dim for my liking (so did the previous generation screens on MBPs before LED backlit versions.)

Most retail stores selling PC laptops, they're all glossy. It just looks glitzy, and so 'consumer' trendy and 'plastic.' Perfect for displaying Vista (puh-leez...!) That's what I don't like about the mad rush to everything shiny. It's just too 'loud.'

The newer MBPs with matte LED screens are bright, sharp and just make the whole package appear more like a serious professional tool (just an impression) but the reality is, they (glossy or matte) both have their merits.

Just be assured that if you choose matte on a current generation MBP, you'll be getting a bright, sharp screen that will blow most previous laptop screens away. You may prefer the glossy version for it's shiny, glassy, sparkly, specular highlight reflective effects, but I'm plenty happy without it. It really is a matter of taste. I just hope Apple doesn't get rid of the matte options in the future.

 

[craig1410]

Hi,
Just a few points from me:

1. rjp has done an excellent quantitative analysis of a glossy and matte display and the results show that there is nothing wrong with the colour accuracy on a glossy display. This agrees with my own subjective analysis having been dead against glossy displays until I tried one at home on my iMac and one at work on my Toshiba Windows laptop. Make no mistake, I had decided NOT to buy an iMac because there was no matte option but I went along to see one in person and bought it there and then!! By the way, I'm an IT Consultant and Electronics Engineer and used to work as a process engineer in an LCD repair company so I know a thing or two about LCD's and how to test them.

2. There can be no doubt that the number of machines with glossy display's is rising and may already have overtaken matte display sales. So, if you are designing web sites or any other form of content which will be viewed on another computer then the chances are that the end-user will also be using a glossy display. Different story if you're designing for print but that's where calibration comes into its own.

3. Reflections are overstated - just don't sit with your back to a strong light-source and you'll be fine! Matte displays wash out and glossy displays show reflections - neither is desirable and both are fixable.

Cheers,
Craig.

 

[xhambonex]

Hi,
Just a few points from me:

1. rjp has done an excellent quantitative analysis of a glossy and matte display and the results show that there is nothing wrong with the colour accuracy on a glossy display. This agrees with my own subjective analysis having been dead against glossy displays until I tried one at home on my iMac and one at work on my Toshiba Windows laptop. Make no mistake, I had decided NOT to buy an iMac because there was no matte option but I went along to see one in person and bought it there and then!! By the way, I'm an IT Consultant and Electronics Engineer and used to work as a process engineer in an LCD repair company so I know a thing or two about LCD's and how to test them.

2. There can be no doubt that the number of machines with glossy display's is rising and may already have overtaken matte display sales. So, if you are designing web sites or any other form of content which will be viewed on another computer then the chances are that the end-user will also be using a glossy display. Different story if you're designing for print but that's where calibration comes into its own.

3. Reflections are overstated - just don't sit with your back to a strong light-source and you'll be fine! Matte displays wash out and glossy displays show reflections - neither is desirable and both are fixable.

Cheers,
Craig.

The glossy is relatively accurate only AFTER you calibrate it. Look at how inaccurate it is before he calibrated them for his tests. Even then, I'll still stick with my matte. Reflections are overrated, I like to be able to sit anywhere I want, not having glare dictate that. As far as neither is desirable, go back and look at his test, matte is a lot more desirable, especially when not calibrating your screen. GLOSSY is fixable, matte can be altered to be more accurate.

 

[Batt]

I'll say this for the umpteenth time: I've had both; I prefer glossy.

 

[brn2ski00]

I have had both matter and glossy screens and I am convinced that the glossy screen produces a much better image and more pleasing to the eyes.

 

[krye]

I'm not bothered by reflections. In the beginning, I thought it would be an issue. But I guess that my eyes/brain have grown used to filtering them out. I think the glossy screens look better now. The blacks are black and not grey. Colors look richer and the overall appearance of the display isn't washed out and dull like on a matte screen.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Hi, my name is Matte.

Instead of the Mac vs PC commercials I would like to see Matte vs Glossy commercials to put this problem to rest.

 

[rkivie2]

I'd have prefer a glossy display but it seems that its viewing angle is much too narrow; while the display is gorgeous when looked at straight on, there is an unreasonable amount of yellow tinting across the entire display when viewed at a reasonable angle:

Shown here with a MacBook; no fudging with the color profiles either.

At where I am, there are no Apple Stores to go to. None of the resellers have glossy MBPs on display so I couldn't compare. The matte displays do not seem to have the same problem; they appear washed out as expected when viewed at an angle, but there is no yellowing.

So is this indeed a glossy-only thing?

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

I don't get what you are asking about at all. You say that the glossy has a yellow tint and horrible viewing angle, then posts a picture of a macbook (with a glossy screen) and a macbook pro (presumably with a matte screen)?

I just don't understand...

Further: you cannot compare two different screens like this. The yellow tint and washed out colors are not because of the glossy but most likely because of the totally different display types used in the MBP and the MB... It's like comparing the taste of Apples and Oranges because they both are round...

I'd have prefer a glossy display but it seems that its viewing angle is much too narrow; while the display is gorgeous when looked at straight on, there is an unreasonable amount of yellow tinting across the entire display when viewed at a reasonable angle:

Shown here with a MacBook; no fudging with the color profiles either.

At where I am, there are no Apple Stores to go to. None of the resellers have glossy MBPs on display so I couldn't compare. The matte displays do not seem to have the same problem; they appear washed out as expected when viewed at an angle, but there is no yellowing.

So is this indeed a glossy-only thing?

 

[daneoni]

I've had both and i defo prefer glossy. What's even more interesting is i've found glossy to be much more usable in sunlight than matte which tends to wash out...a lot

 

[sushi]

I just don't get this whole glossy screen fad.

Funny you say this, as I was thinking the same thing. It seems like a fad to me. Those who gush over glossy screens remind me of those love bling.

I'll take a matte screen any day of the week. Besides, glossy gives me headaches after about 30 minutes.

On a side note, Apple would you please offer the MBA2 with a matte screen option.

 

[alphaod]

Can you get a S-IPS with glossy? No.

Thanks; bye.

But seriously, ever wonder why they don't have glossy screens in cars, high-end LCD televisions? It's because they don't need a piece of shiny plastic to give better colors or glare is not an option.

@OP: It's been said; why are S-IPS panels all matte? It's because you don't spend a lot of money on a great display only to have this false contrast ruin it all.

 

[rkivie2]

I don't get what you are asking about at all. You say that the glossy has a yellow tint and horrible viewing angle, then posts a picture of a macbook (with a glossy screen) and a macbook pro (presumably with a matte screen)?

I just don't understand...

Further: you cannot compare two different screens like this. The yellow tint and washed out colors are not because of the glossy but most likely because of the totally different display types used in the MBP and the MB... It's like comparing the taste of Apples and Oranges because they both are round...

I apologize for not being completely clear in my previous post. I was saying that my glossy MBP has a yellow tint when view at not too large an angle from the normal. On the other hand, the same glossy display looks great when viewed straight. I like the glossy display, but I do feel that it's a pity that the viewing angle is so limited but this yellowing. The matte MBPs I have looked at do not exhibit this yellowing issue.

The picture is of a MacBook and my MBP with a glossy display.

Clearly the MB does not have the yellowing I'm seeing on the MBP although it too has a glossy display. My question was whether that yellowing on my MBP is an issue afflicting only glossy MBPs since I did not see that on the handful of matte MBPs I've looked at?

 

[rjp]

Can you get a S-IPS with glossy? No.

Thanks; bye.

But seriously, ever wonder why they don't have glossy screens in cars, high-end LCD televisions? It's because they don't need a piece of shiny plastic to give better colors or glare is not an option.

@OP: It's been said; why are S-IPS panels all matte? It's because you don't spend a lot of money on a great display only to have this false contrast ruin it all.

Can you get S-IPS on a 15 inch screen?

 

[madmaxmedia]

I think it will depend a lot on the model of the display you get along with just the difference of matte vs glossy. I've had two MBP's already with different model screens and there was quite a bit of difference in color between the two.

For me, the glossy screen is like the "Vivid" setting on my Panasonic Plasma - colors are certainly more saturated and there's a little bit more pop. Though while initially impressive, after too long it becomes annoying and cartoon-like. But hey, that's just my opinion!

Which is why the OP went to the trouble of calibrating both.

Thanks to OP for doing the work. Of course it doesn't now mean it's written in stone that they are equal at accuracy, but I think the backlash against glossy screens is a bit overblown.

Not everyone is going to calibrate their screens, but there's no inherent reason the LCD's couldn't be factory-calibrated for either glossy or matte- one is not inherently more accurate than the other, they BOTH have to be calibrated. If one is better calibrated out of the box, that has more to do with Apple's calibration settings than the inherent accuracy of the LCD.

Subjectively, I can be quite happy with either. I used to have a MacBook which I really liked. I am now on a matte MBP, and sometimes I do wish I had a glossy screen. At the end of the day, its important for the user to look at both screens and then decide based on their personal preferences, usage, etc.