Quality difference between glossy/matte?

[Josias]

Now, since I have a MacBook, and my old laptop had a matte screen, as well as my brother's iBook, I'm pretty experienced with both kinds. Now, since I've decided for my next MBP to be a Core 2 or Core 3 MBP. I'll buy one as soon as they ship with iLife '07 and Leopard.

Anyways, I know about reflection/viewing angle issues on glossy, and stop whining about these, all I wanna know is, how great is the improvement in image quality. I don't wanna hear about: "The extra quality is not worth the reflection." I just want to know excactly the difference. I have seen Matte MBP's, yet I have no chance of seeign a real life Glossy MBP. So, if anyone could post comparison pics of the two screens. I saw a comparison video on YouTube between a MacBook and glossy MacBook Pro, but it was hard to tell the difference, due to low quality. So, anyone got any tips? Sorry for a long post...

 

[tipdrill407]

Well if you disregard reflections and glare, the glossy screens are better than matte screens. Glossy provides more vibrant, sharp and realistic colors whereas matte screens are a little dull.

 

[tekmoe]

finally saw a glossy mbp at the apple store today. now i have to have a glossy mbp. waiting for merom...

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I had a look at the Glossy and Matte screens first I liked Glossy but I think Matte is nicer

 

[kevinliu4]

...I saw a comparison video on YouTube between a MacBook and glossy MacBook Pro, but it was hard to tell the difference, due to low quality. So, anyone got any tips? Sorry for a long post...

It was hard to tell the difference because MacBooks ship with glossy screens. So basically, you were looking at two glossy screens.

I have tried both matte and glossy and prefer glossy. Glossy screens seem more "alive" and make everything look crisper and more vibrant. I find matte screens very dull.

 

[Oryan]

I have tried both matte and glossy and prefer glossy. Glossy screens seem more "alive" and make everything look crisper and more vibrant. I find matte screens very dull.

I agree with this. I prefer glossy screens.

 

[crazzyeddie]

Glossy is not more realistic. It may "look better" but its definitely not true color. A matte display is still the default display for the Pro's because it is true to life.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

There must be a reason you can choose either glossy or matte with the MBP and glossy is standard on the cheaper MBs

 

[milozauckerman]

how great is the improvement in image quality

There isn't one.

Some people prefer the (false) vibrancy of a glossy screen, some don't, but no qualitative 'improvement' exists.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

There isn't one.

Some people prefer the (false) vibrancy of a glossy screen, some don't, but no qualitative 'improvement' exists.

If there was I think they'd charge more Its really preference. I prefer both but Matte I didnt have to wait a week for

 

[FredClausen]

I think the glossy is excellent on my MB. I am curious though as to why milozauckerman claims the glossy screens don't offer proper colors? Isn't a red a red, or is there more to it? I'm training to be an engineer so I'm not afraid of a higher level discussion or article somewhere that explains this. Not trying to stir up trouble, just trying to understand.

 

[xfiftyfour]

Isn't a red a red

hehe.. definitely not a design student, this one.

 

[FredClausen]

hehe.. definitely not a design student, this one.

Ahaha! I'm just a silly engineer

 

[aog]

I compared two 17" MBP´s at the Apple Store, one glossy and one matte, I didn´t notice a big difference, the glossy wasn´t that reflective but I´d take the matte. It comes down to personal preference I guess.

 

[thewhitehart]

People think that glossy screens have better quality color, because people are attracted to shiny things. Just like monkeys.

 

[AppleIntelRock]

i have a macbook and macbook pro (for now) i like them both, but i would take the matte. glossy looks good- but fake. colors seem TOO real

 

[Josias]

Thanks for all the answers. In my first post I wrote, that I saw a comparison video of a glossy MB, and glossy MBP. I meant a glossy MB and matte MBP, but I couldn't tell the difference between either, because of porr quality.

The only problem I have with the reflection is, when I sit in a car. It's completely usless there, you can see nothing. Also the viewing angle. It's so annoying when I watch a movie with 2-3 of my friends. We have to sit glued against eachother, if we all have to see (I gotta get a Mini-DVI to S-Video/Composite adapter so can hook it up to out TV ). This is due to the poor viewing angle on glossy screens. Now, since I also like to watch movies in the car with my brothers, glossy is definiantly not good either.

So, right now I'm voting for matte, but not until I see a proper comparison can I decide....

If anyone could pos comparison pics form those Apple stores, please do

 

[shecky]

I just want to know excactly the difference.

exactly the difference is that a glossy screen will seem more saturated and bright, whereas a matte screen will seem what i would consider more "natural" looking. its a personal preference that i liken to glossy vs. matte photographs; i find glossy photos to be cheesy and less honest; whereas matte shows the true nature of the image.

also since i often have more than just myself looking at my laptop (client meetings, etc.) the matte is the only option as the glare, which is not ridiculous compared to other glossy laptops, is enough to be problematic when 5 people are looking at the laptop around a table.