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Torn between Hi-res anti-glare vs Retina MacBook Pro

D

Dreamer2go

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 23, 2007
679
303
Dear all,

I have seen the retina Macbook Pro in person, and I was blown away by the sharpness and the quality of the screen.
I can see the reduced glare, but I know the reduced glare does not match the matte's version. (I have a 2007 SR MBP with matte option)

However, in Hong Kong's Apple store, they don't display the Hi-res Matte MBP, so there is no way for me to compare it between HD movies or photos.

So here are my questions:

1) I am a photographer and I like to Photoshop a lot. Is it better to have a sharper screen, higher resolution for PS?
2) Do you have any high quality side by side pictures?
3) Any major quality differences between both screens?

Do let me know! Thank you
 
Unfortunately this is such a personal decision that it's next to impossible to decide unless you can see them for yourself. No matter how high quality the pictures are, it's still a very poor way to try and compare.
 
It's very much a personal decision. I greatly prefer the hi-res anti-glare over the RMBP because the glare is completely intolerable to me. Others prefer it. There's no substitute for going to an Apple store and looking at them side-by-side, then deciding for yourself. Even seeing pictures or videos of them doesn't compare to seeing them in person.
 
Ever heard of anti glare films? They exist and the more expensive ones are actually very nice. Get retina and an AG film. Be happy and get the est of both worlds.
 
Camwin said:
Ever heard of anti glare films? They exist and the more expensive ones are actually very nice. Get retina and an AG film. Be happy and get the est of both worlds.
Click to expand...

Unless the more expensive ones are extremely good AG films are terrible especially for this retina screen. Why add a rainbow oil effect over the screen? The AG films on the new iPad distort the screen and makes it look like an iPad 2 resolution, IMO.

Op. check both out in store. No need burning $2000+ without seeing which you prefer especially if glare is intolerable to you.
 
aznguyen316 said:
Op. check both out in store. No need burning $2000+ without seeing which you prefer especially if glare is intolerable to you.
Click to expand...

But the OP can't check it out in store (read the post)

I checked both screens out this past weekend at the apple store, and I agree with many of the points above. It is a personal preference, how much glare an you tolerate or not tolerate, etc.

One thing I will say about films though is that they may reduce the glare, but you add another layer between you and the beautiful screen
 
My last MBP was an anti-glare screen too, and I don't miss it much :cool: The glare is greatly reduced on the rMBP.
 
I have seen them both side by side. As a photographer I would take the retina version 10 times out of 10, unless you cannot control the light where you work. In which case, if you have an unavoidable glare then you will hate life.

I don't like glossy screens but in proper positioning they are no problem at all.
 
I have been able to compare all three MBP screens. glossy, anti glare, and retina.

Definitely the antiglare is the only one with no reflections at all. I can use it outside in the sun, or by a sunny window with no issue. Absolutely not so with the glossy.

However, on my rMBP I was pleasantly surprised that the glare was far less than the glossy screens, while retaining that cripsness.
 
If the rMBP screen is as anti-glare as my current MBA then that is a added bonus without the stupidly reflective ones you get on the 2011 Macbook Pro's!
 
daleski75 said:
If the rMBP screen is as anti-glare as my current MBA then that is a added bonus without the stupidly reflective ones you get on the 2011 Macbook Pro's!
Click to expand...

I'd say the rMBP is more antiglare than the MBA. The marketing-speak about less glass actually turns out to be true. Which is always refreshing!
 
Go for retina. Glare is something that can be fixed with lighting or AG film.

Some fools think retina display is gimmick and not necessary. Just look at the screen difference between iPhone 3G and iPhone 4. iPhone 3G screen looks like crap once you start using iPhone 4.
 
Blue604 said:
Go for retina. Glare is something that can be fixed with lighting or AG film.

Some fools think retina display is gimmick and not necessary. Just look at the screen difference between iPhone 3G and iPhone 4. iPhone 3G screen looks like crap once you start using iPhone 4.
Click to expand...

First buy a laptop for 3000 EUR and then put on some nasty plastic for antiglare effect ... :)) Hey Apple, hey Apple, ... give us anti-glare retina!!!!!!!
 
RestlessCaviar said:
I have been able to compare all three MBP screens. glossy, anti glare, and retina.

Definitely the antiglare is the only one with no reflections at all. I can use it outside in the sun, or by a sunny window with no issue. Absolutely not so with the glossy.

However, on my rMBP I was pleasantly surprised that the glare was far less than the glossy screens, while retaining that cripsness.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I was able to compare them all in the Apple store. Apart from when the reflections of the ceiling lights destroyed the image completely, I could have used the glossy screen to do my hair! The rMBP was more than acceptable, I was aware of my reflection but only as a vague shadow and the ceiling lights were blobs of fairly unintrusive glow. The anti glare screen was incredible! I had to really search for reflections of the ceiling lights as they were almost completely invisible and there was no hint of my own reflection.

I currently use a laptop with a glossy display and I hate it with a passion that burns like a thousand stars! I would be more than happy with the levels of reflection on the rMBP and all those pixels are stunning so that would be my money no object choice of screen If reflections are the bane of your life and eliminating them matters above all other considerations then you absolutely have to have the anti glare - it is mind blowingly good!

Blue604 said:
Go for retina. Glare is something that can be fixed with lighting or AG film.

Some fools think retina display is gimmick and not necessary. Just look at the screen difference between iPhone 3G and iPhone 4. iPhone 3G screen looks like crap once you start using iPhone 4.
Click to expand...

This is actually a reason that might put me off the rMBP for a few years yet. I have to use other screens sometimes and don't want to spend the entire time thinking "Urgh, I can see the pixels!".
 
The glare is still present on the rMBP but it's not as bad as the glossy MBP. More glare than the Air screen, though.

You really can't compare the non-IPS screen of the Pro to the Retina - that's a huge upgrade when it comes to quality and viewing angles.
 
GGJstudios said:
It's very much a personal decision. I greatly prefer the hi-res anti-glare over the RMBP because the glare is completely intolerable to me. Others prefer it. There's no substitute for going to an Apple store and looking at them side-by-side, then deciding for yourself. Even seeing pictures or videos of them doesn't compare to seeing them in person.
Click to expand...

Wow...I was very concerned as well. After owning only 17" AG screens for years, I was skeptical of Apple's 75% reduction in glare on the rMBP. To my pleasant surprise, they were correct...if not, even more-so. I bought the rMBP originally for my wife. I'm very satisfied with it's lack of glare. Yet it still retains the incredible 'pop' from the mirrored panels associated with the base models of the MBPs. I, too, pay my mortgage editing video/photos and music. I've always used external Eizo and NEC monitors for critical grading...but since the purchase of my rMBP, I've found I can now grade...for the first time ever!!! On my laptop. It's more than just the 'glare' reduction in the rMBP. Color Gamut, Viewing Angles...contrast, white point....all factors have been significantly improved in these IPS monitors on the rMBP.

Good Luck...but I did just notice this thread is almost a year old. Oops. I'm sure the OP has decided by now

J
 
aznguyen316 said:
Unless the more expensive ones are extremely good AG films are terrible especially for this retina screen. Why add a rainbow oil effect over the screen? The AG films on the new iPad distort the screen and makes it look like an iPad 2 resolution, IMO.

Op. check both out in store. No need burning $2000+ without seeing which you prefer especially if glare is intolerable to you.
Click to expand...

No rainbow effect or any distortion for me.
http://www.radtech.us/products/clearcal-displays

Compared it side by side with my friend's retina. No noticeable change in quality.
 
If budget isn't an issue get the retina. I have an anti-glare and do photography work, but I never do photography work on my MBP. I have a dedicated Samsung 245T monitor for that. Even with the retina, it's nice but you won't get the color reproduction that you'd get from a high quality monitor.

So unless you are really planning on editing all your photos on a laptop screen, then the choice comes down to personal preference. I chose the classic w/ antiglare for the optibay and upgradability. Plus I use ethernet for my printer and home internet.

If you are going to do your photo editing on your laptop then definitely take the Retina. Its color reproduction is much better and it's an IPS panel, so you won't see faux gradients on everything you edit. But an external monitor is still the best option, especially for the dark side of the color spectrum. My Samsung monitor is very revealing in shadows and dark images where my MBP or average monitors will simply display black blobs.

The regular MBP is not worth mentioning for any color/photography work. Antiglare or regular screen, it's still a TN panel with poor color reproduction.

As for retina "looking better"... That's purely cosmetic. Pixel density isn't going to affect color or contrast. It's just pixel density, so your photos will look sharper. But that could put you at a disadvantage where you see a relatively sharp photo, but on a regular display it could look slightly blurry.
 
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Ive owned both and the rMBP (imo) is much better and the screen is far superior.

I say rMBP.
 
I have had both the Matte MBP and now the current rMBP.

I am not much of a photographer, but I do use Final Cute Pro X for tons of short videos and movies.

Working outside is completely useless with the rMBP. The glare is unbearable and you cannot see your applications.

I have also tried anti-glare screens including the one from SGP. It is suppose to be the best out there.

Anyway, the antiglare really takes away from the clarity of the rMBP. It also will scratch your screen if any piece of dust finds itself between your screen and the anitglare protector.

The rMBP totally blows the cMBP out of the water when it comes to the screen.

I suggest getting the rMBP unless you know for sure you will be working in areas where a lot of sun will be shinning on your laptop.
 
Retina is IPS vs. hi-res LG TN. Hmmmm. The hi-res has bad color imo. Hard to calibrate and worse using Apples default profile. My standard 1440x900 Samsung has more accurate color than the hi-res it replaced. Totally personal except for the fact that I used an Xrite i1 Pro on it to verify. You might get the Samsung hi-res which is all kinds warmer and more accurate but it is a lottery. IPS is quality hands down as long as glare is no problem for you. For Photo I would get the retina and hook up a matte Eizo for proofs.
 
Forget the Retina. It's a useless feature. Get the Hi-res. Why?

1) You can install your own SSDs and hard drives. Do yourself a favor and install a superfast 256 or 512SSD SSD as your boot and a 1TB into the optical bay as your media drive

2) You can upgrade your own RAM

3) The GPU is faster as it doesn't have to drive a bunch of useless pixels

4) It has ports you don't have to buy adapters for.

5) Anti-glare is awesome compared to the glossy screen the rMBP has.

6) The weight difference is barely noticeable on a day to day basis.

Source: I owned a rMBP, it was all talk and no walk.
 
demosthenes80 said:
Forget the Retina. It's a useless feature. Get the Hi-res. Why?

1) You can install your own SSDs and hard drives. Do yourself a favor and install a superfast 256 or 512SSD SSD as your boot and a 1TB into the optical bay as your media drive

2) You can upgrade your own RAM

3) The GPU is faster as it doesn't have to drive a bunch of useless pixels

4) It has ports you don't have to buy adapters for.

5) Anti-glare is awesome compared to the glossy screen the rMBP has.

6) The weight difference is barely noticeable on a day to day basis.

Source: I owned a rMBP, it was all talk and no walk.
Click to expand...

The rMBP is nice - I prefer the cMBP for many of these reasons and more.
 
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