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iPad White Bezel - Is it Really That Distracting?

Although the white ipad is more beautiful imo, i find the white bezel quite distracting. To me it screams "the screen stops here!". Its like the bezel becomes a part of what you're doing instead of just blending into the background.

There is a reason we don't see many (any) white TV:s or white computer monitors out there.
 
caesarp said:
Heck, the only time that I generally watch entire films on my iPad is while traveling on an airplane. Talk about distractions -- the border on the iPad is the least of my issues when on a plane. Sir, do you want coffee, excuse me I need to go to the bathroom; pilot announcements, etc.
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Haha yes, I agree with that.

To be honest, I can't imagine wanting to hold the device for that long, or to look down that long. Tablets have far too poor of ergonomics for that to be a healthy idea long term.
 
I find the black distracting. The white blends, the black creates a sharp line of division for me.
 
I fall into the camp of being more distracted by the visible smudges on the black as opposed to the white bezel, but, as noted in this thread, everyone is different. I need to go check out a current Mini to see if the black/white is different to me in that form factor.

I convinced myself last week that it didn't matter because I wasn't going to get an iPad in 2013, but my resolve is waning quickly.

Good luck getting what works for you!
 
Personally, I prefer the clean, white, (omg she's going to say it) zen aesthetic. I have a white IP5 and it's never bothered me. Plus, like others have mentioned, I don't want the fingerprints/smudges the black bezel shows.
 
JGWolven said:
Hello,

This question is more geared to those who've had a white iPad, or have gone from white to black. One of the more common things I hear is that the bezel around the white really is distracting when viewing media.. is there any truth to that? With those who have a white iPad, do you wish you had gone with the black version? Or those who have gone from white to black, have you noticed a difference when it comes to viewing anything on the device?
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I've owned a black-bezel iPad 1 (only color available), white-bezel iPad 2, black bezel iPad 4.

Obviously it is a matter of personal preference, but the black bezel gives the appearance of more vibrant colors and doesn't make letterboxing as noticeable. I have found that the white reflects ambient light more than the black.

I wanted to try the white (on the iPad 2) for a change of pace and to see how it would be. When I was ready to upgrade, I went back to the black bezel. For my eyes, it is a more pleasing experience.

Others will say that white works better for them, and their opinion is equally as valid. It's a personal thing.

If you have the opportunity to spend time with both that would be helpful.
 
sracer said:
If you have the opportunity to spend time with both that would be helpful.
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^^ Agreed.

When I thought I'd be buying my first iPad last year (didn't happen for financial reasons), that's exactly what I did. I played with friend's iPads and also spent time using them at the Apple store. sracer nailed it, either choice is equally valid. It really is worth the time to handle them to see what your eyes feel the most comfortable with. You may think it's the one over the other, but if it strains your eyes, it's not worth it.
 
I used my mom's white iPad Mini a lot during the summer, and it's not distracting at all in normal lighting conditions. I only think it looks distracting when you're in the bright sun since the screen looks much dimmer in comparison. I wouldn't expect the iPad Air to be any different. I'm not sure about the white iPads with the thicker borders though.

I personally wouldn't get a black iPad because of smudges and scratches showing up on the screen. I also think the black borders make the screen look smaller. Whenever I see my brother with his slate iPad Mini, he's always wiping it down with a cloth. Maybe he's just crazy. Lol
 
to be honest its all preference, my next phone for sure will have a white screen but personally i find the black bezel to be more preference then anything, i will only buy a black screened tablet only because i personally like a black bezel with a large screen, my sister has a white iPad 2 and my girlfriend has a white iPad mini and i just can't stand the white bezel on them but the white screen on an iPhone or any phone, i really really like
 
elistan said:
Less distracting than a black bezel, IMO. No fingerprints, and defines the screen well. If I'm interacting with a dark rendering, I have a better idea where I can and cannot touch. Granted, I don't do much passive video watching with my iPad beyond the occasional YouTube video. Mostly it's games, email, web browsing and some utils.
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Better idea of what you can and can't touch? LOL

I have never seen or heard anyone having that issue with a black iPad unless they had eyesight problems
 
Did not care one bit for my white iPad bezel! It's like the Macbook Air vs the Pro.....It looks worse!
 
I can see how the white could potentially be distracting. Especially while watching movies. I stick with the black bezel personally.
 
JGWolven said:
Hello,

This question is more geared to those who've had a white iPad, or have gone from white to black. One of the more common things I hear is that the bezel around the white really is distracting when viewing media.. is there any truth to that? With those who have a white iPad, do you wish you had gone with the black version? Or those who have gone from white to black, have you noticed a difference when it comes to viewing anything on the device?
Click to expand...

My first and second generation iPad were black. My iPad 4 is white and I don't notice the bezels. Some people prefer the black iPad but in my experience it hasn't made a difference. The white iPad looks so much better to me, especially with iOS 7.
 
I have a black iPad 3 and a white Mini. I don't find the white distracting at all, but wish to point out something nobody has mentioned.

The bezel is higher than the screen and this can be seen clearly with the white bezel. It looks like the white portion is overlaid on top of black ... and you can see a tiny bit of black on all the screen edges. I think this gives the illusion of depth to the screen, like when you mat and frame a painting.

The black iPad looks completely flat.

It's whatever pleases your eyes.

I'm going with a white iPad Air ... I think :rolleyes:
 
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