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

[Ploki]

Yo what's up

I can give you a straight answer of what you should get : ANTIGLARE
Why?
The Classic MacBook Pro ps don't only have the options to go with anti glare screen , it also retain the pro factors that the Rmbp should have. What are the pro factors if you ask me? Ethernet port, DVD rom and other ports. Oh don't forget that the Classic MacBook Pro can be upgraded by the users.

I was exactly at your position last year- deciding between retina or anti glare. I went with anti glare and did not regret a bit.

So get the antiglare.

You actually used "Pro factor" and "DVD rom" in the same non-historical context. Whats pro about dvd?
Also, anti-glare doesn't exist anymore.

Thankfully the 2008 Macbook Pro with matte screen was perfection but soon I'm going to have to get a new Macbook Pro, maxing out to 4gb Ram will help me get a couple more years but it is nearing the end, so now the question is for those that don't do well with non matte screens have you been able to swith to a Retina screen without any eye problems?

Thanks.

Compared side to side anti-glare performs a little better in extreme situations. Mostly direct sunlight. It's incomparably better to the old glossy.

 

[tmoerel]

But when indoors, and under normal lighting, the antiglare screens are more natural and accurate in color. The glossy ones make colors look too contrasty and punchy.

By default yes...but they also have a much bigger color gamut so when using a calibration device they have much more leeway in getting a perfect color profile.

 

[mathematiques]

Resurrecting an older thread I found from a google search. One of the things that brought me to Apple in 2008 for the first time was Windows Vista and the annoying glare from a Sony Vaio glossy screen. After using the Vaio for thirty minutes my eyes felt like they were burning.

Thankfully the 2008 Macbook Pro with matte screen was perfection but soon I'm going to have to get a new Macbook Pro, maxing out to 4gb Ram will help me get a couple more years but it is nearing the end, so now the question is for those that don't do well with non matte screens have you been able to swith to a Retina screen without any eye problems?

Thanks.

Gekko: I have exactly the same dilemma as you. I have been very happy using a MBP AG early 2008 for the past 6 years. I upgraded the machine to 4GIG a couple of years ago - makes a big difference to the speed - it can actually be upped to 6GIG ram. I love this machine - it's ergonomic keyboard, ports on both the left and right hand side, weight, design, it's a classic. Never liked the black keyboard on the new MBP - yes the case design is a thing of beauty but not exactly practical esp. with the ports all being on the LHS. Was very unhappy when I heard Apple decided to drop 15" MBP AG option last Autumn.

Last week I ordered a MBP 15" AG 2.6/8/500 from Apple's refurb store (they do come up but sell very quickly) and I'm in the process of trying it out before I decide whether I should keep it. The screen being AG is great - no reflections - it's a slightly higher res than 1440 x 900 @ 1680 x 1050. Not sure if this res is that useful, it gives you a little more floor space but it makes a lot of the type menus just a bit small for my eyes. You have the option of lower resolutions but not 1440 x 900, none of the lower resolutions are very useful. The machines speed is fast, but it's no MBP retina speed. The positives about the machine are: at least 25% cheaper than a 15" retina, AG screen, CD/DVD drive, longer battery life and faster speed over old machine, RAM is upgradeable and so is the hard-drive .

So today I went to Apple store to have another look at MBP retina and MacBook Air. Quickly dismissed Air. Considered 13" MBPr but I think the 15" screen is a better investment as I mainly do graphic design work. The 15" is a very nice machine, it is fast as hell, almost instant in many tasks. It's lighter, but that doesn't sell it to me. And the screen: colours are rich, it is sharp as hell, all of the different resolution options work perfectly, the big problem still is the glare. Yes it's improved, it's does not show reflection like the previous models but it still shows reflections. Could I live with that? I honestly don't know. I think only way to know would be to use a machine for a few days in real world environment - if it drives you nuts then it's not for you.

Not sure what to do? the MBPretina is a fantastic machine - it's expensive, you're looking at over £2K to do it properly. If it came with an AG option I would buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[ninja2000]

Gekko: I have exactly the same dilemma as you. I have been very happy using a MBP AG early 2008 for the past 6 years. I upgraded the machine to 4GIG a couple of years ago - makes a big difference to the speed - it can actually be upped to 6GIG ram. I love this machine - it's ergonomic keyboard, ports on both the left and right hand side, weight, design, it's a classic. Never liked the black keyboard on the new MBP - yes the case design is a thing of beauty but not exactly practical esp. with the ports all being on the LHS. Was very unhappy when I heard Apple decided to drop 15" MBP AG option last Autumn.

Last week I ordered a MBP 15" AG 2.6/8/500 from Apple's refurb store (they do come up but sell very quickly) and I'm in the process of trying it out before I decide whether I should keep it. The screen being AG is great - no reflections - it's a slightly higher res than 1440 x 900 @ 1680 x 1050. Not sure if this res is that useful, it gives you a little more floor space but it makes a lot of the type menus just a bit small for my eyes. You have the option of lower resolutions but not 1440 x 900, none of the lower resolutions are very useful. The machines speed is fast, but it's no MBP retina speed. The positives about the machine are: at least 25% cheaper than a 15" retina, AG screen, CD/DVD drive, longer battery life and faster speed over old machine, RAM is upgradeable and so is the hard-drive .

So today I went to Apple store to have another look at MBP retina and MacBook Air. Quickly dismissed Air. Considered 13" MBPr but I think the 15" screen is a better investment as I mainly do graphic design work. The 15" is a very nice machine, it is fast as hell, almost instant in many tasks. It's lighter, but that doesn't sell it to me. And the screen: colours are rich, it is sharp as hell, all of the different resolution options work perfectly, the big problem still is the glare. Yes it's improved, it's does not show reflection like the previous models but it still shows reflections. Could I live with that? I honestly don't know. I think only way to know would be to use a machine for a few days in real world environment - if it drives you nuts then it's not for you.

Not sure what to do? the MBPretina is a fantastic machine - it's expensive, you're looking at over £2K to do it properly. If it came with an AG option I would buy it in a heartbeat.

I bought a MacBook pro retina 15 and as much as I loved it, I ended up returning it and buying a used 2012 MBP antiglare from ebay. I needed the 650/750m but the cost of the 2013 mbpr kept giving me buyers remorse (just couldn't justify spending over £2000 for the laptop).
The used 2012 mbp came in at 1100 in mint condition and 18months warranty, I just added a 960gb crucial m500 ssd for an extra £300 and man does this laptop fly and best of all no glare and I can add another 960gb in the future (I know I could just use externals or my server but I like having everything on the laptop)

 

[mathematiques]

I bought a MacBook pro retina 15 and as much as I loved it, I ended up returning it and buying a used 2012 MBP antiglare from ebay. I needed the 650/750m but the cost of the 2013 mbpr kept giving me buyers remorse (just couldn't justify spending over £2000 for the laptop).
The used 2012 mbp came in at 1100 in mint condition and 18months warranty, I just added a 960gb crucial m500 ssd for an extra £300 and man does this laptop fly and best of all no glare and I can add another 960gb in the future (I know I could just use externals or my server but I like having everything on the laptop)

What is the 650/750m. Agree about the price, 2K plus is nuts. I thought after Apple dropped the standard MBP 15" they would drop the price on the retina models.

 

[ninja2000]

What is the 650/750m. Agree about the price, 2K plus is nuts. I thought after Apple dropped the standard MBP 15" they would drop the price on the retina models.

It is the nvidia graphics card. The 750m is just a rebranded 650m so am happy with either.

 

[accountforit]

I bought a MacBook pro retina 15 and as much as I loved it, I ended up returning it and buying a used 2012 MBP antiglare from ebay. I needed the 650/750m but the cost of the 2013 mbpr kept giving me buyers remorse (just couldn't justify spending over £2000 for the laptop).
The used 2012 mbp came in at 1100 in mint condition and 18months warranty, I just added a 960gb crucial m500 ssd for an extra £300 and man does this laptop fly and best of all no glare and I can add another 960gb in the future (I know I could just use externals or my server but I like having everything on the laptop)

I think a lot of people do this same thing. If you don't absolutely need the Retina for for reason, you can save a ton of money. Wait for a year and you will be able to buy this years Retina top model for $800 plus less used on ebay. The outlay to resell and buy used is always minimal.

 

[MacGekko]

Gekko: I have exactly the same dilemma as you. I have been very happy using a MBP AG early 2008 for the past 6 years. I upgraded the machine to 4GIG a couple of years ago - makes a big difference to the speed - it can actually be upped to 6GIG ram. I love this machine - it's ergonomic keyboard, ports on both the left and right hand side, weight, design, it's a classic. Never liked the black keyboard on the new MBP - yes the case design is a thing of beauty but not exactly practical esp. with the ports all being on the LHS. Was very unhappy when I heard Apple decided to drop 15" MBP AG option last Autumn.

Last week I ordered a MBP 15" AG 2.6/8/500 from Apple's refurb store (they do come up but sell very quickly) and I'm in the process of trying it out before I decide whether I should keep it. The screen being AG is great - no reflections - it's a slightly higher res than 1440 x 900 @ 1680 x 1050. Not sure if this res is that useful, it gives you a little more floor space but it makes a lot of the type menus just a bit small for my eyes. You have the option of lower resolutions but not 1440 x 900, none of the lower resolutions are very useful. The machines speed is fast, but it's no MBP retina speed. The positives about the machine are: at least 25% cheaper than a 15" retina, AG screen, CD/DVD drive, longer battery life and faster speed over old machine, RAM is upgradeable and so is the hard-drive .

So today I went to Apple store to have another look at MBP retina and MacBook Air. Quickly dismissed Air. Considered 13" MBPr but I think the 15" screen is a better investment as I mainly do graphic design work. The 15" is a very nice machine, it is fast as hell, almost instant in many tasks. It's lighter, but that doesn't sell it to me. And the screen: colours are rich, it is sharp as hell, all of the different resolution options work perfectly, the big problem still is the glare. Yes it's improved, it's does not show reflection like the previous models but it still shows reflections. Could I live with that? I honestly don't know. I think only way to know would be to use a machine for a few days in real world environment - if it drives you nuts then it's not for you.

Not sure what to do? the MBPretina is a fantastic machine - it's expensive, you're looking at over £2K to do it properly. If it came with an AG option I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Thank you for a detailed response, I might wait for September and see if Apple surprises us by offering a matte like retina screen but I highly doubt it. I know if I was to try out a new Macbook pro retina, the differences in speed would be amazing but eyestrain is my most important issue when it comes to a laptop.

 

[rtfmoz]

Dreamer2go,

Get the retina display. You won't regret it. I don't find the reflective surface on it a problem at all. The only time it would matter is if you are outdoors. If you are not planning on using it outdoors then Retina hands down. Trains are fine. Amazing clarity. My friend was complaining about it spoiling him. He has these beautiful big screens he used daily but after using Retina he doesn't want to use them anymore because Retina takes it to the next level it is so good. Get a high resolution picture of anyone, say Megan Fox and put that on a rMBP. I blow people away with the clarity.

 

[mathematiques]

Thank you for a detailed response, I might wait for September and see if Apple surprises us by offering a matte like retina screen but I highly doubt it. I know if I was to try out a new Macbook pro retina, the differences in speed would be amazing but eyestrain is my most important issue when it comes to a laptop.

I had a look at the retina 15" screen again today. The glare is not anywhere near as bad as the standard glossy screens. Yes there is reflection but it's acceptable, although a mat screen would be preferable. I don't know if there is a reason why Apple use a semi-gloss screen? They must know it's an issue as they would not of made such a big deal of reducing the glare. Outside it is probably unusable but even the AG screen outside will get some diffused glare.

There is one thing that really bugs me with the AG screen - the resolution at 1680x1050 makes the menus and type on web sites just a little small for my eyes. That is probably because of my age and my eyesight is not what it was but there appears to be no way of decreasing the resolution to 1440x900 which is perfect size for everyday use on a 15" screen. On the Retina screen you can work at 1440x900 but also benefit from the sharpness and rich saturated colours and then working at some higher resolutions if you need more desk space.

It's an impossible decision.

 

[mathematiques]

One other thing I have noticed about the new MBP AG screen is that the colour balance of the screen is not great. I have tried calibrating the screen several times but I can not get it to be anywhere near as accurate as my 2008 MBP. There seems to be a pink tinge to the screen, whites do not look white/neutral.

There is an uncalibrated cMBP glossy where I am and if I put my calibrated 2008 AG MBP next to it the colours and overall balance are very close, whites look neutral and clours are true to life - I just can't say the same about this new AG screen. I'm going to try and calibrate it a few more times but I think this is going back to Apple.

 

[mathematiques]

Finally made the decision to send the AG screen back for a refund. Very disappointing screen. The resolution of 1680x1050 just didn't work for me, could see it being a problem in the longer term. The screen also lacked luminance, cleans whites, and I could not get it to calibrate to how I wanted. The Retina screen walks all over it TBH and I think if you can use it in a controlled environment glare is no where near as bad as on the cMBP.

Looks like I will be purchasing a RMPB once I get my refund

 

[marvin4653]

Your impressions don't appear to be supported by measurements of the relevant screen attributes. While the Retina display generates a higher contrast ratio due to its lower black level, the high-resolution antiglare display appears to be both brighter and more accurate.

One other thing I have noticed about the new MBP AG screen is that the colour balance of the screen is not great. I have tried calibrating the screen several times but I can not get it to be anywhere near as accurate as my 2008 MBP. There seems to be a pink tinge to the screen, whites do not look white/neutral.

The screen also lacked luminance, cleans whites

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6023/the-nextgen-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-review/5

 

[mathematiques]

Your impressions don't appear to be supported by measurements of the relevant screen attributes. While the Retina display generates a higher contrast ratio due to its lower black level, the high-resolution antiglare display appears to be both brighter and more accurate.

Don't agree and they are not my impressions they are what I saw. Those anandtech charts are based on a MacBook Pro early 2011 - mine was MBP mid 2012. Now it maybe that Apple changed supplier for screen, it maybe I just received a dud screen. I wasn't able to compare it directly next to MBPR - however I could put it next MBP AG early 2008 and cMBP glossy - they both had more luminance, cleaner whites and more accurate colour. I calibrated the new AG screen maybe a dozen times and it was not possible to get an accurate colour balance. If I'd been happy with the colour I would of def. kept the machine, as it is it's going back to Apple on Monday.

 

[alphaod]

Anti-Glare is a bad idea for photographers.

Any antiglare adds diffusion of light both incoming and outgoing. This will give color shifts and will decrease sharpness and perceived resolution.

As a photographer the best is a glossy screen used in an environment where you reduce the glare.

I have and use an antiglare screen protector on mine. I don't have any issues with color. My colors that print from my printer match the colors that I see on my display.

 

[ninja2000]

Don't agree and they are not my impressions they are what I saw. Those anandtech charts are based on a MacBook Pro early 2011 - mine was MBP mid 2012. Now it maybe that Apple changed supplier for screen, it maybe I just received a dud screen. I wasn't able to compare it directly next to MBPR - however I could put it next MBP AG early 2008 and cMBP glossy - they both had more luminance, cleaner whites and more accurate colour. I calibrated the new AG screen maybe a dozen times and it was not possible to get an accurate colour balance. If I'd been happy with the colour I would of def. kept the machine, as it is it's going back to Apple on Monday.

The problem is Apple (like most laptop manufacturers) use multiple sources for the display. The reviewer could have got a decent panel where as you obviously didn't. I have owned 3 AG mbp's in my time and everyone has had different panel characteristics. I now own the 2012 AG and it is a great panel but I guess I got lucky.

 

[mathematiques]

The problem is Apple (like most laptop manufacturers) use multiple sources for the display. The reviewer could have got a decent panel where as you obviously didn't. I have owned 3 AG mbp's in my time and everyone has had different panel characteristics. I now own the 2012 AG and it is a great panel but I guess I got lucky.

I agree and it is a major disappointment as I was checking Apple refurb store everyday for over 3 weeks until this model came up – I was quite lucky to have manage to catch it as they appear to sell very quickly.

A machine which has flexible options to upgrade and can be serviced/repaired by the owner would of been my preference. I do not like the direction Apple has taken with the MBP, it appears they are trying to balance the appeal between design professionals/photographers and a wider market of home users.

 

[Ploki]

I agree and it is a major disappointment as I was checking Apple refurb store everyday for over 3 weeks until this model came up – I was quite lucky to have manage to catch it as they appear to sell very quickly.

A machine which has flexible options to upgrade and can be serviced/repaired by the owner would of been my preference. I do not like the direction Apple has taken with the MBP, it appears they are trying to balance the appeal between design professionals/photographers and a wider market of home users.

Mbp was never an exclusively photographers computer. There's nothing about Retina thats particularly "home-user" friendly, beginning with price; airs are for that.

 

[mathematiques]

Mbp was never an exclusively photographers computer. There's nothing about Retina thats particularly "home-user" friendly, beginning with price; airs are for that.

And I didn't say it was exclusively a photographers computer - if you know about the history of Macintosh the products were originally marketed at Designers; the MBP is incredibly popular with-in communications industry. Perhaps "home user" is to narrow a definition - the MBPR is certainly a machine that is trying to appeal to a much wider audience. As for the price: you can buy the 13" MBPR for $1299 - that's very similar in price to the Air so I don't see it being particularly unfriendly to "home-users". I always saw the Air as a machine for business professionals/business meetings and higher-education, something that is compact and light for traveling. Don't personally know of one "home-user" that uses the Air - although I am sure there are bound to be a few.

 

[mcarling]

I have a 15" 2010 MBP with the matte HD screen. I also have a 15" early-2013 rMBP. I use only the latter and need to get around to selling the former. Why? I love the Retina display.

 

[Ploki]

And I didn't say it was exclusively a photographers computer - if you know about the history of Macintosh the products were originally marketed at Designers; the MBP is incredibly popular with-in communications industry. Perhaps "home user" is to narrow a definition - the MBPR is certainly a machine that is trying to appeal to a much wider audience. As for the price: you can buy the 13" MBPR for $1299 - that's very similar in price to the Air so I don't see it being particularly unfriendly to "home-users". I always saw the Air as a machine for business professionals/business meetings and higher-education, something that is compact and light for traveling. Don't personally know of one "home-user" that uses the Air - although I am sure there are bound to be a few.

It's also been quite popular with the audio and video crowd! Sorry I assumed we were talking about 15"; yeah baseline retina is easily accessible, but the 15" is where the trend started (and not at such low price point, so the initial reaction must have been the people who need/want/have expensive computers).

I personally got the maxed out RAM and got over the fact that I can't do much in my laptop, aside swapping the drive board. (You can't even do that anymore because there's not aftermarket PCIe drives).

And my last MBP had dualHDD setup and I swapped RAM myself - i love doing that stuff, I did it on 5 additional laptops for my friends. But the shaved off weight, compactness, battery life, the screen... Things i thought I didn't care about? Frankly I enjoy them so much I quickly got over the fact that I'm stuck with fixed amount of RAM. Perhaps I'm a sellout but the Retina is the first computer I'm completely satisfied with. (and I had a Mac Pro too)

edit: oh and the silence. the silence is one of the best things about this laptop. When you do casual morning stuff still half-asleep its quiet, and when I say quiet, i mean residual noise in my audio-studio from other equipment is louder, and it feels nice.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I would definitely go with the retina. I had both and to me the retina is way better.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

I have and use an antiglare screen protector on mine. I don't have any issues with color. My colors that print from my printer match the colors that I see on my display.

I doubt that, or do you have a RGB printer?

 

[mathematiques]

I would definitely go with the retina. I had both and to me the retina is way better.

Well I ordered a Retina 15" and have had it for a week now. The screen is super sharp, the colour is clean with an extremely wide gamut, contrast and detail surpasses anything else – it's like looking at a high definition print, but…

the glare! it sucks. not as pronounced as a standard glossy MBP but it's still there and is very distracting. 100% unusable in direct sunlight. only really usable in controlled light conditions. I also hate the that plastic black keyboard.

£2000 for a machine that is not close to perfect is somewhat depressing and I am on the edge about keeping it. maybe I would be better putting SS drive into my early 2008?

 

[Barney63]

If you are having doubts now, I would return it.
Niggles just get worse and worse as time goes on.
It seems you cannot live without your matte screen.

Barney