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So I bought a 17" uMBP Anti-Glare

K

kolax

macrumors G3
Original poster
Mar 20, 2007
9,181
115
Managed to get a good deal on my old uMBP 15", and dived in to get the 17" with anti-glare. However, after a day of using it, I am regretting it simply because of the resolution. I just find everything just too small - I usually skim through things (Finder etc) and now I find I have to focus properly rather than skim.

Otherwise a really sturdy and nice laptop, I just can't hack everything being so small. I was looking forward to the higher resolution, but now I realise that for me, 1920x1200 on a 17" panel is maybe slightly over kill for me.

Hopefully the Apple Store will let me exchange it for a 15" MacBook Pro, but obviously with an anti-glare finish.

Do the Apple Stores have the 15" MBP in anti-glare in store..?
 
I highly doubt that they wouldn't have the anti-glare option available in store immediately for you to purchase, simply because it is a CTO option.
You can always call Apple and tell them your story and see what kind of service they can provide for you.
 
I love small fonts on my computers. I used to use styleselector on Windows to reduce my font size and currently on Leopard i have custom fonts instead of the default one.

Cant wait for my 17" to arrive in a few days
 
Sneakz said:
The only AG 15" in stock at most stores (if not all) is the 2.8GHz model which is what I assume your going to buy.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it'll be the 2.8GHz model.

I'll give the Glasgow store a buzz tomorrow - fingers crossed they have it in stock.
 
You know you can set the computer to a lower resolution. The 17" supports: 1680 by 1050, 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels (all should be available at: system preferences > displays)

That will make all the fonts and icons appear larger on screen. That is if you like everything else about the computer.

Hope you figure out a solution that works for you.

-spg
 
Resolution independence would be perfect here - but I guess we won't see it till 10.7 at least..

Hopefully the Glasgow store has the 15" 2.8GHz in anti-glare and I'm able to do a direct swap.

I'm disappointed that I can't really adjust to the higher resolution. I've tried - and thought it would benefit me but it really isn't. Screen size is brilliant, but unless I can read the menus easily without having to fully focus on it (i.e. skim through things) then it isn't going to suit me.

Really gutted - shame they don't offer 1650x1080 anymore on the 17". A high res display is great if you have a GUI that can compensate.

This is just my experience - others may like high-res, but I really can't adjust to it.

spgiva said:
You know you can set the computer to a lower resolution. The 17" supports: 1680 by 1050, 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels (all should be available at: system preferences > displays)

That will make all the fonts and icons appear larger on screen. That is if you like everything else about the computer.
Click to expand...

No because an LCD screen only looks sharp and fine at its native resolution - anything lower is fuzzy.
 
you could always try to adjust UI resolution via quartz debug (from xcode)
screenshot20090920at104r.png

but ya, resolution independent would definitely be great..
 
Kilamite - you have only given it a day and are concluding that you can not adjust :confused:

I would give it at least another several days - you have 14 days to return it I believe.
 
Apple Corps said:
Kilamite - you have only given it a day and are concluding that you can not adjust :confused:

I would give it at least another several days - you have 14 days to return it I believe.
Click to expand...

As I said, I can't really skim through things like files, songs in iTunes etc without having to focus a bit harder. I understand why the high ppi is great, but for me, I find everything just too small for my eyes to be comfortable with.

Called the Glasgow store - they have all three 15" MacBook Pro's with anti-glare in stock. So I'll be paying a visit either tomorrow or Wednesday.
 
J&JPolangin said:
...swap it out and be happy with your purchase... the 17" is too big to be portable anyway (try using it on an airplane in coach seating for example)...
Click to expand...

There was a law passed here in the UK a couple of years ago. We have more legroom and space than most US airlines, this was due to people getting back problems and some serious problem with knee joints off of planes, so instead of letting us sue the airlines for millions, they just gave us 6" more room xD
 
Kilamite, this was my situation exactly! I had always wanted a anti-glare 17" and was really surprised when I finally got it how uncomfortable I was with the resolution. I ordered it online. They let me exchange it for the 15" one. Good luck! I think you will love the 15".
 
give time.. my eyes need 3 weeks before it adapted to the resolution.

now it's been ok since my eyes have adapted. i almost sell it after 2 weeks of eye strain, but i decided to wait for a while and then i don't have that eye strain anymore..

everything is small and perfect, working with a lot of windows open one time at the screen is easier and amazing. i know we have "spaces", but it's not that really convinience to move around spaces.

right now, looking at 1440x900 resolution which 15 mbp has is so ugly, let alone the 1280x800.. at least for me.
 
Kilamite said:
As I said, I can't really skim through things like files, songs in iTunes etc without having to focus a bit harder. I understand why the high ppi is great, but for me, I find everything just too small for my eyes to be comfortable with.

Called the Glasgow store - they have all three 15" MacBook Pro's with anti-glare in stock. So I'll be paying a visit either tomorrow or Wednesday.
Click to expand...

I read what you said - what I am suggesting is that you have NOT given it enough time to determine if you will adjust to the higher resolution and thoroughly enjoy it.
 
Apple Corps said:
I read what you said - what I am suggesting is that you have NOT given it enough time to determine if you will adjust to the higher resolution and thoroughly enjoy it.
Click to expand...

agreed! juat give enough time. at least a few weeks, after that and you still don't like it. then get ready to exchange it with the 15".
 
J&JPolangin said:
...swap it out and be happy with your purchase... the 17" is too big to be portable anyway (try using it on an airplane in coach seating for example)...
Click to expand...

Hmm...my 17" fits just fine in coach. I guess if you're fat it might now fit. LOL
 
Apple Corps said:
I read what you said - what I am suggesting is that you have NOT given it enough time to determine if you will adjust to the higher resolution and thoroughly enjoy it.
Click to expand...

I do enjoy it - I love the fact that my whole iTunes window is a 3rd of the size than it was on my 15" MBP - I can do so much more at once instead of a window taking up the whole screen.

Part of the reason that I am rushing to get it changed is that I can't go back to Glasgow next week or the week after, and I only have 14 days..

It is a great machine - maybe once OS X gets full resolution independence I'll look at the 17" again, but right now it isn't doing my eyes any justice.
 
Apple Corps said:
I read what you said - what I am suggesting is that you have NOT given it enough time to determine if you will adjust to the higher resolution and thoroughly enjoy it.
Click to expand...

I would think 5-7 days of use,sahould be enough assuming it is used daily.

Maybe he is having " buyers remorse " for buying the oversized 17" and is just looking for a legitimate excuse to go with the 15" ! :D

He's afraid if he uses it any more he may like it! :D

.
 
harcosparky said:
I would think 5-7 days of use,sahould be enough assuming it is used daily.

Maybe he is having " buyers remorse " for buying the oversized 17" and is just looking for a legitimate excuse to go with the 15" ! :D

He's afraid if he uses it any more he may like it! :D

.
Click to expand...

I doubt it..once you pass the $2250 mark, price has little to do with the decision. I bought a 17" for the same reasons he did and was afraid the font was a little small also. I have to read a lot and write on mine so I didn't want to be stuck with resolution that made that task more difficult, so I exchanged it. I actually appreciate the 15" resolution more having used the 17" because I realize that the resolution is a perfect font for reading quickly like the OP said.
 
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