Display comparison between Macbook, Macbook Pro, and Sony SZ

These are some great pictures, and this guy is hilarious. He must take pictures of everything he buys. Hopefully he doesn't mind if I share the photos with some fellow geeks. Keep in mind that the SZ is an older model (SZ370), so the newer ones might be more comparable to the Macbook Pro.





Blog entry on GlennMoller.com

 

Is the LED backlight actually that much brighter than the standard backlight on the MBP? Or is it just that the LED backlight was in the centre so it's not viewing angle disadvantaged? Makes me wish Apple had a tradeup program so that I wouldn't feel behind.

 

It's probably brighter in real life... but I don't think you'd really notice the difference. I think LED backlighting is most useful for its energy-saving ability... not so much for its brightness.

 

It looks like it's just that much brighter.

 

Why does the aluminum on the LED MBP look better than the older one? Does that mean my LED MBP will look discolored in a year? *depressed*

 

I think it's just the lighting conditions not being uniform. There is a desk lamp over the older MBP shining down yellow light, which is why the aluminum looks different. You can see the feet surrounding batteries to the left of the AppleCare box. It's definitely on since it's illuminating the top of the AppleCare box in the first photo of the opener.

 

Wow, the LED-backlit display is a lot brighter!

 

LED is much much brighter. The Sony SZ is looking pretty good too. I would go with the LED 15" macbook pro. Better video card, and portable with great battery life at the same time.

 

Don't forget the better looks!! =))

 

I can say that my 13inch LED backlit screen has alot more to offer than just energy-saving ability. It is a beautiful screen to look at...beautiful clarity and colors. I have to take my brightness down many notches because it is so bright. I have 9 levels of brightness and I mostly have it set on Number 3.

...Mike

 

The LED really is that much brighter.

 

Yeh I went to the store and compared the 17" without LED and the 15" with LED... Guess who won!!! I have to say tho the hi res on the 17" is nice =) decisions decisions

 

Just got back from Bestbuy and yes that Apple MBP with LED is much brighter than the Sony SZ 650. I also noticed slightly grey vertical bars on both the laptops against a white background.

 

That's interesting. Airman went through 17 Macbook Pros at his local Apple store looking for one that didn't have screen discoloration. He ended up getting a 17". I've read about problems with banding on the SZ, but apparently if you call Sony, they will switch out the LCD for you.

 

Ken, if I buy the SZ from an online store (brand new), would Sony give me the run around or will they honor the 1 year warranty without any problems?

 

I've heard some bad things about Sony Support, but there are at least a few people on here that got their notebook displays replaced under warranty. It shouldn't matter where you purchase it. Consider buying it from Portable One, and getting the bloatware removal option. If they notice your display is bad, they will send it back to Sony before they send it to you.

 

Yeah, same. Which rather irritates me, I mean...for the premium that many users pay for Sony notebooks, you'd expect better service, but Sony sometimes almost acts as if it doesn't care about its customers.

 

I have notice that LCD backlight is much better, also very nice photo too. I bet this guy use DSLR to take the picture, otherwise, it won't be that beautiful and clear

 

I have owned all four notebooks at one point in time, so take it from me: LED back lit screens are much brighter.

 

Which one was your favorite (screen and notebook)? Oh, tell us which models you had too.

Thanks

 

I agree after what I saw the Apple 15.4" MBP at full brightness. Damn thing was a torch! BTW, Ken thank you for your info regarding the Sony SZ. I'm now thinking about the MBP firstly because of it's very bright screen, secondly, the banding on the SZ seems to be a known issue and it was much much worse than the Apple, thirdly the Sony customer care scares me.

 

Think the MacBook (and maybe the 17" MBP) might get LED backlighting by the time they come back up for refreshing?

 

Well, so far there's been no 17-inch notebook with LED-backit screens yet, but I'm pretty sure when its available, Apple will have it on the MBP.

As for the MacBook, I think it'll be soon, probably the next major refresh. Apple did want to get all its Macs to LED-backlighting as soon as possible.

 

It's too bad Apple didn't do that with the SR MacBooks... that would've been a definite plus; however, I kinda think the prices might go up a bit as well.

 

The new 15" MBP LED-lit LCD is much brighter that the old 15" MBP (and the current 17" MBP diaplay). I did a close comparison at the Apple Store and it is very noticeable. But the downside is that you get a very significant yellow tinge at nearly any off-center viewing angle with the LED backlighting (why is that?? ). So there is a trade-off.