I have been told that the screen on the MBP is superior to the screen on the MBA. For example: The screen on the MBP covers 77% of the RGB color gamut and the MBA only covers 47%. Does anyone notice the MBP screen being better than the MBA?
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Notice much difference between 2011 MBP and MBA screen?
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Yep, the MBP screen absolutely is better, and as you point out, it's the color gamut that's the biggest difference. The Air screen (I have the Samsung) is not bad as a general screen in a small sized machine, but it's not good for serious photo editing. Photos tend to look flat and lifeless compared to MBP screen, and colors are not accurate (and yes mine is calibrated using a hardware calibrator).
On my 2011 MBA 11" with Samsung LCD the negatives compared to my 2011 MBP 17":
Colors seem a little more muted (but I have not calibrated either)
Mildly worse horizontal/vertical viewing angles
But, I should also write that I AM AMAZED BY THIS MBA 11"!!!
It's hard to describe how unique this "laptop" feels and how you seem to forget about specifications or its comparison to the 13" MBA. It just feels like the most unique "laptop". I hate to say it, but it feels "magical".
not a program, hardware.
If you want to try and do it with software, download supernal...but a hardware calibrator is much much better, and you can get them for not too much cash.
I did a fairly side bty side in the Apple store viewing my own photos on my website and the only difference i saw was a slightly more saturated look to my photographs which i feel i can make up for in calibration. Of course, real serious edits will be done in PS CS3 & mostly on my iMac 27" QC i5....
Well, I was unable to fix the problem with calibration (using a hardware calibrator). The MBA screen (Samsung) just does not have the color gamut to cover certain saturated parts of the spectrum, that's just the way it is. Reds are the most noticeable, you just cannot achieve a satisfying deep, rich red. It's kind of a washed out, flat, pinkish-peachy red. Oh well.
But for the OP's uses (i.e. not color-critical photo editing), I'd say the MBA screen is quite good. It's plenty bright, decent contrast and viewing angles, and looks sharp. I'd have no hesitation at all using it for web surfing, Mail, etc., or even "rough" photo editing.
Yeah, there's a difference in quality...that's for sure. It's not because Apple went cheap, they didn't (high rez screens cost more), but because the screens are so thin, they aren't going to look quite as good.
If you're doing photography/editing, you need to have a good screen anyhow, like a Thunderbolt Display, or an IPS display.
If you're doing photography/editing, you need to have a good screen anyhow, like a Thunderbolt Display, or an IPS display.
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How is the 13 MBA screen better? Aside from screen resolution, the Pro is much better. I have both side by side right now. The colors on the MBA looked washed out compared to the Pro.
Pro > Air
If users want a good MacBook laptop screen, get a 15" Pro or 17" Pro.
lyrrad721 said:
How is the 13 MBA screen better? Aside from screen resolution, the Pro is much better. I have both side by side right now. The colors on the MBA looked washed out compared to the Pro.
Pro > Air
If users want a good MacBook laptop screen, get a 15" Pro or 17" Pro.