Macbook Pro - Matte or Glossy?

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djs

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Hi all,

I'm hoping buy myself a macbook pro (with what money, i dont know).

Now my current laptop is a vaio with a very nice glossy screen, it's sharp, colours are nice and vivid. I wouldn't want to go back to using a matte screen.
And the reflections hasn't bothered me a single bit.

However, I've noticed that A LOT of people are preferring the matte screens.
They say that for photographers, the matte is better, because the glossy screens aren't as accurate with the colours because they are too vivid? :thinking:

So, for everyone with a macbook, which screen do you prefer? And why?

thanks

djs
 
djs said:
Hi all,

I'm hoping buy myself a macbook pro (with what money, i dont know).

Now my current laptop is a vaio with a very nice glossy screen, it's sharp, colours are nice and vivid. I wouldn't want to go back to using a matte screen.
And the reflections hasn't bothered me a single bit.

However, I've noticed that A LOT of people are preferring the matte screens.
They say that for photographers, the matte is better, because the glossy screens aren't as accurate with the colours because they are too vivid? :thinking:

So, for everyone with a macbook, which screen do you prefer? And why?

thanks

djs
Click to expand...

There may not be much of a choice unless your after the 17 inch version or used or refurbs, the updated Mac Book Pro's are all gloss screens now?

I'm planning on a new 2.4 15 inch version, I hope it's happening within the next few weeks as my existing systems is on life support :'(

I'll let you know :thumbs:
 
I was hoping on picking up a 2nd hand 17" penryn model, glossy, 1920x1200.

But there dont seem to be many glossy models for sale on the bay.
Definately can't afford a new one, but there isn't too much difference between new models and the early 08 models.

I'm not going to be editing photos outdoors anyway. Not that it would make any difference because it's not like England has sun. :thinking:
 
djs said:
I was hoping on picking up a 2nd hand 17" penryn model, glossy, 1920x1200.

But there dont seem to be many glossy models for sale on the bay.
Definately can't afford a new one, but there isn't too much difference between new models and the early 08 models.

I'm not going to be editing photos outdoors anyway. Not that it would make any difference because it's not like England has sun. :thinking:
Click to expand...

I Gotcha. Have you had a look at the refurbs too?
 
the refurbs really arnt that much cheaper than new
 
Don't forget that with apple refurbs you get one year apple care, which means you can use the genious bar and all that (not that I ever have).

I would get Matt as long as you get the model with an LED back lit display (which you will if you get the Penryn). I have a 15 inch as I prefer the size.
 
Just a thought, you could get a smaller size screen version and then buy an external display, Viewsonic displays eem good for the dough?
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
Just a thought, you could get a smaller size screen version and then buy an external display, Viewsonic displays eem good for the dough?
Click to expand...

It really depends what you want the notebook for. If you just want it as your only computer, then that would work, but if you need something to diliver finished work on the go, and to do preliminary edits while traveling, then (for me) a Matt screen is essencial to productivity.
 
FranchiseJuan said:
It really depends what you want the notebook for. If you just want it as your only computer, then that would work, but if you need something to diliver finished work on the go, and to do preliminary edits while traveling, then (for me) a Matt screen is essencial to productivity.
Click to expand...

Agreed. :thumbs: Do you have preference over the matte screen because of reflections/glare or effective colour monitoring?
 
it depends where you are, i picked up a 15" matte screen mbp recently from a local store knowing they still had some stock left over. maybe have a hunt around and you might get what you're after. before too long the 17 is going to be updated to mimic the current style of glossy screen and one-piece body...and higher pricing
 
FranchiseJuan said:
Both. If you have ever tried to shoot tethered to a notebook with a gloss screen on location, you will never ever ever think about a gloss screen again.
Click to expand...

Well I was planning on doing exactly that, I'm investing in a HP2408H for office use so that's okay but out on location is it really that un-usable??
What are apple thinking with that? It's supposedly a 'Pro' laptop!

My only worry is actually finding a matte screen, the 17" seems to be the only new option and that's too much for me right now.
 
I think the new ones are slightly different to your typical glossy screen laptop in that they are a piece of glass at the front (as in old school CRTs) rather than a glossy coating, if you can have a look at one in the flesh it may not be so bad.
 
Craikeybaby said:
I think the new ones are slightly different to your typical glossy screen laptop in that they are a piece of glass at the front (as in old school CRTs) rather than a glossy coating, if you can have a look at one in the flesh it may not be so bad.
Click to expand...

I saw one in the store in person, and in person it was worse then I though it was going to be. It was like looking in a mirror. I really think that Apple royally F-ed up this time.
 
I really like the matt screen. However saying that Apple have scrapped that option on the new range :(
 
Hmmm, Scot Kelby is having different concerns with the new MBP.

"I was pleasantly surprised at how great photos look on its crisp glossy screen. In fact, it’s so luscious, I think it makes the photos look better than they really look. Also, I was concerned about reflections, and while it is more reflective, and I keep thinking that’s going to be a problem; so far, it really hasn’t been. Surprisingly, the only time I really notice the reflections is when it dims the screen. Then, I’m much more aware of them."

I'm not too worried about the gloss screen, I went to an Apple store yesterday and although there are reflections they're not bad enough to prevent you from seeing what your doing.

I plan on combining the MBP with a large 24" display for office/home editing so there's no issues there.

However Scott continues with:

"The problem is a combination of the new trackpad finger gestures, which let you control navigation and rotation within Photoshop much in the way you work with photos on an iPhone (you can flick images around, you can pinch to zoom in, etc.. It’s actually a very cool intuitive idea). Here’s the problem; my thumb rests on the trackpad where it always rests—right where the click button used to be. But if it moves upward even 1/16 of a inch (which it often does), then the trackpad thinks I want to rotate the canvas view in Photoshop, and so it turns my canvas to a 45° angle. Sometimes, it just starts tilting my canvas back and forth while I’m trying to work. Sometimes it not only rotates my canvas, it zooms me out to less than a 1% view of my image. So, 40 to 50 times a day (maybe more), I have to go and reset my Canvas to normal, and then zoom back out to fit in view. It is driving me crazy to the point that I now find myself making finger gestures to my new Mac."

My immediate and personal remedy is that I use a graphics tablet and a mouse for all my editing.
The new finger pad doodad does look interesting and I may use or at least try it out but I really can't invisage it replacing how I've edited my images for the past five years.

I plan on using this set up for a wee while but ultimately a Mac Pro is on the cards, I have deliberated about investing in one now but I really need mobility from the beginning of 2009. It's a few hundred over my budget too! I have never thought of using a laptop as a main machine before but the truth is it's far more powerful than my exisitng machine which is in dire need of being replaced.
 
Thanks for posting that.
Interesting about the trackpad.
I went to the apple store yesterday to try and compate a Matte and Glossy screen but of course they don't sell Matte anymore, so it was a pointless trip.
The screens are very nice though
 
djs said:
Thanks for posting that.
Interesting about the trackpad.
I went to the apple store yesterday to try and compate a Matte and Glossy screen but of course they don't sell Matte anymore, so it was a pointless trip.
The screens are very nice though
Click to expand...

The 17" has a matte screen but it's a little too expensive for me, I'd rather save the pennies and put that toward a Pro.
 
I have just the laptop mentioned, the 17" hi res but I chose MATTE. I much prefer this personally. I didn't realise they had dropped the MATTE option, GLOSSY was always the default but you could chose to change this for any of the macbook pros, are you sure the MATTE option has gone?
 
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