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Studio Display with nano-texture glass - pros and cons?

Arctic Moose

Arctic Moose

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jun 22, 2017
1,630
2,286
Gothenburg, Sweden
I have always opted for the most matte display I can get. I paid significantly more if I recall correctly for the matte screen option on my 2010 MacBook Pro, and held on to it for years and years.

I just ordered the standard Studio Display. I figured since glare didn’t bother me much on the 2017 5K iMac the added cost and issues with cleaning were big enough drawbacks to not order nano-texture, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nano-texture display in person.

With small children in the house I expect that a nano-texture display inevitably will be mucked up beyond cleanability sooner or later, and I’ll be sad. Smudges are the one thing I hate more than glare on a display.

Anyone with iMac or XDR experience with both standard and nano-texture care to weigh in?

Did I make a mistake? Should I change my order?
 
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AppelGeenyus said:
You should change your order to cancelled because this display is embarrasing.
Click to expand...
No, what is embarrassing is that up until now the LG 5K has been the only reasonable option. I am so sick and tired of the crap 4K 27” monitors I’ve been putting up with since I sold my 5K iMac. Thanks for your input, but this display is exactly what I’ve been hoping for.
 
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You should compare both in store. For example, take Pro Display XDR with and without the Nano-texture options.

I did that and I much prefer the standard glass, which has sharper and clearer picture, especially for text.

I'd go with a Nano-texture option if glare is a big issue due to the specific lighting condition (like sunlight). But this you should be able to tell.

The standard glass has a coating that reduces glare. It's quit effective now compared to old Apple displays.
I know it from using the latest MacBook Pros and compared to the old Thunderbolt Display.
 
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Arctic Moose said:
I have always opted for the most matte display I can get. I paid significantly more if I recall correctly for the matte screen option on my 2010 MacBook Pro, and held on to it for years and years.

I just ordered the standard Studio Display. I figured since glare didn’t bother me much on the 2017 5K iMac the added cost and issues with cleaning were big enough drawbacks to not order nano-texture, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nano-texture display in person.

With small children in the house I expect that a nano-texture display inevitably will be mucked up beyond cleanability sooner or later, and I’ll be sad. Smudges are the one thing I hate more than glare on a display.

Anyone with iMac or XDR experience with both standard and nano-texture care to weigh in?

Did I make a mistake? Should I change my order?
Click to expand...
In point of fact ,smudges show up less on matte screens since oils from hands don't transfer as easily to the textured surface. But it's a little more difficult to get the oils out from the surface (not a big deal, just use the right cloth and follow cleaning procedures).

With that said, you should go glossy unless you have actual glare issues or anticipate them in the future. It just looks better.
 
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Do Apple resellers typically have nano-texture XDR on display? I don't think I have ever seen one.

cczhu said:
sharper and clearer picture, especially for text
Click to expand...

Good point, this is really important to me.

I briefly had a 2017 MacBook Pro and could just not stand the reflective screen, so I put a matte filter on it. This made text unbearably blurry, so I gave up on it altogether.

Kierkegaarden said:
I was debating this as well having not seen the difference. I am opting for the standard glass, but definitely with the height adjustment option.
Click to expand...

I chose the VESA mount since I already have a dual-monitor arm that will provide a better range of motion.

Heavy Duty Wall Mounted Dual Monitor Arm | Ergotron HX Wall Mount

Choose a monitor arm that’s as adaptable as you. With the HX Wall Dual Monitor Arm, you can easily reposition two 32" monitors while still enhancing your workspace with a sleek design.
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ataq said:
I went with standard glass.
Here is something that might be interesting for you about the nano texture (nightmare):
https://twitter.com/x/status/1501275683523280907
Click to expand...
I strongly disagree with such argument. I own two XDR's, both with nano texture. The first one has been sitting at my office for more than two years, and it works fine like hell. My office has a big window just to the left side of my desk, so with the nano texture, I dare to let the light from outside the window to shine directly (with a 45 degree angle) to the screen. And there is zero reflection, which is amazing. When the screen is showing black, it's literally black, very dark. This screen feels like OLED.

My second XDR is more than one year old, sitting in my bedroom, where I have a little desk around the room corner for work after the kids and my wife go to sleep. And this XDR is also with nano texture. With this matte finish, I never see the reflection of my own face mirrored on the screen at night when I work late, which would have been scary I suppose.

Therefore, I think I benefit from this nano texture feature a lot, addicted to it, and please don't forget that I'm a father with two naughty children and I usually eat food in front of the screens, and both XDRs turn out to be fine. The conclusion is that the nano texture is reliable.
 
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Arctic Moose said:
I have always opted for the most matte display I can get. I paid significantly more if I recall correctly for the matte screen option on my 2010 MacBook Pro, and held on to it for years and years.

I just ordered the standard Studio Display. I figured since glare didn’t bother me much on the 2017 5K iMac the added cost and issues with cleaning were big enough drawbacks to not order nano-texture, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nano-texture display in person.

With small children in the house I expect that a nano-texture display inevitably will be mucked up beyond cleanability sooner or later, and I’ll be sad. Smudges are the one thing I hate more than glare on a display.

Anyone with iMac or XDR experience with both standard and nano-texture care to weigh in?

Did I make a mistake? Should I change my order?
Click to expand...
I think the OP is trying to use other's replies to justify the decision of choosing the normal finish, instead of the matte option, which used to be the OP's top choice. I deeply understand such hesitation and frustration. It would be like a torture to me if I keep wonder "what if". That's why when I was making the decision of which to choose, I chose the expensive nano texture. Therefore, I stopped wondering and even if I regret, I know it's not because I was trying to save that 1000 Dollar difference.
 
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henrymyf said:
Therefore, I think I benefit from this nano texture feature a lot, addicted to it, and please don't forget that I'm a father with two naughty children and I usually eat food in front of the screens, and both XDRs turn out to be fine. The conclusion is that the nano texture is reliable.
Click to expand...

Thanks, good to hear this side of the argument as well! More to think about.

henrymyf said:
Therefore, I stopped wondering and even if I regret, I know it's not because I was trying to save that 1000 Dollar difference.
Click to expand...

Correct analysis. However, it is much more about the potential cleaning issue (and to a lesser degree the sharpness issue) than it is about cost. Although of course I would feel bad about paying more for an option that turns out to be the lesser option for me.
 
I never had a nano texture display myself, but I saw the difference with the XDR in Apple Store a few weeks ago and I think I will get the standard Studio Display. My home office is not that much sunny and sharper image is more important for me than anti-glare, as I work way more with text than with pictures or videos. Nano-texture makes the screen slightly more blurry, and it’s a bit too noticeable for my use. Money is not the issue here, for one I am glad the nano texture upgrade is only 300$.
 
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Is the nano texture coating similar to the anti reflective coating that the "stain gate" Macbooks had ?

I have been using a 27" Thunderbolt display even on my current M1 Mini and love it.

Is the standard display the same appearance as my 27" TB ?
 
Arctic Moose said:
No, what is embarrassing is that up until now the LG 5K has been the only reasonable option. I am so sick and tired of the crap 4K 27” monitors I’ve been putting up with since I sold my 5K iMac. Thanks for your input, but this display is exactly what I’ve been hoping for.
Click to expand...
There are some excellent 4K USB-C/TB3 monitors out there. I’d still get the Display Studio but the market does have some nice alternatives.
 
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I ordered the nano-texture Studio Display. I have sunlight in my home office that I can't manage. My 5K iMac is a disaster with glare. Especially because I use Dark Reader in Chrome so all my backgrounds are dark and hence more reflective.
 
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I saw the Studio Display in person yesterday, and man did it look terrible in store lighting. I could hardly focus on the screen since all I could see was my own reflection.

I cleaned the crud off my existing monitors today, and concluded nano-texture probably wouldn’t put up with that level of abuse.

I wish I could get this panel without any glass at all.
 
Arctic Moose said:
I saw the Studio Display in person yesterday, and man did it look terrible in store lighting. I could hardly focus on the screen since all I could see was my own reflection.

I cleaned the crud off my existing monitors today, and concluded nano-texture probably wouldn’t put up with that level of abuse.

I wish I could get this panel without any glass at all.
Click to expand...
I ordered the nano-textured with VESA mount in the first place.
 
Does anyone who has received a Studio Display without nano-texture glass perhaps also have a no-suffix iPad to compare to?

I had my iPad sitting below one of my Z27 monitors today, and when the sun came out I noticed just how much more the iPad reflected my face compared to the monitor.

I am curious if the Studio Display is as reflective as the iPad or not.

With only a few more days to cancel my order I need to make a decision, and of course the fact that delivery dates for new orders have slipped into June doesn't help.
 
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Day one with a Studio Display with nano-texture glass (coming off two LG 5K UltraFines) and I can't imagine I will make it a week before returning it. I sit in front of bright windows in sunny Florida and I assumed the nano-texture would help, and while it does eliminate reflections I can't stand the lack of color depth and the tiny bit of blurriness the texture adds. I can see the texture everywhere (it is almost like looking at paper) and my 12.9" M1 iPad Pro sitting next to the Studio Display looks so much better. Of course that is Mini-LED so not perfectly comparable but until Apple introduces a monitor that looks as good as the iPad I am sticking to the LG's.
 
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I would personally avoid any matte screen if at all possible. If you have lighting that will cause reflections, try to rearrange things so that it doesn't or get curtains. If none of that is possible and the display is not bright enough to overpower the reflections (which it sounds like the ASD may be bright enough), then go with the nano-texture.
 
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Arctic Moose said:
Does the LG also have a glass surface covering it, or is it just the LCD panel?
Click to expand...
I believe it is a plastic covering. It feels and sounds like plastic when you tap it. I was looking forward to getting rid of them and switching to Apple's excellent build quality but the Studio Display doesn't offer enough improvement other than better materials. Also, and maybe this is a non-issue for others, but all my devices are Space Gray or Black. The Studio Display is Apple's very bright silver and wow does it stand out. The difference in colors is literally the first thing 3 people said when they saw my desk.
 
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