MBP Glossy Vs. Matte Screen Side-By-Side Comparison (Mods please sticky?)

I recently had a chance to go to an Apple Store to compare the glossy and matte screens of the MacBook Pro. I was leaning towards buying the glossy, based on my readings here, but wanted to see both side-by-side before I pulled the trigger. Luckily, I happened to have my camera, so I decided to share my experience with all of those who were in the same toss up as I was. Here are the comparison Pics:


In all of the below pictures, the Glossy is on the right and the Matte is on the left (click for the 5MP image).









Here's pics of the Glossy:






And the Matte:






And Just for fun, the 30" vs 23" monitors and the iPhone:




To me, ignoring any reflections, the screens seemed almost imperceptibly equal in terms of color and detail. The glossy was beautiful...but so was the matte. In the end, I left the store having decided to buy the matte model. While I doubt anyone will have buyer's remorse with either model, the reflections in the glossy screen killed it for me. For someone who wants to use their MBP in all lighting conditions, the matte screen is the best choice by far IMHO.

 

Great post. You are right, with my M1330 I think I would have gone Matte given the choice, but I did not have one.

Great comparison though. The gloss did seem deeper and the colors a little more rich, but the reflections were distracting. I think you made the correct choice, I hope it does not bother me too much.

 

These photos do not accurately show the difference.

There is a NOTICEABLE difference between matte and glossy. That, and the color on those photos is really weird, everything looks yellow and dull.

 

I will agree that there is a difference, but not that one screen is better looking than the other (ignoring reflections). In the end, it comes down to personal preference.

Both displays were at their default settings. The lighting in the store was provided by incandescent spotlights, and the room and tables, as you can see, were all yellow/brown in color. While the setting may have had some effect on the pictures, I do feel that they accuratly represent what I saw, or I would not have posted them.

 

Yeah everything does look a little yellow, but you can see some reflections.

 

The Mac glossy screens aren't as horrible as other notebooks, but I still couldn't stand the reflections. That is why I choose the matte screen.

One thing I like though, Apple gives people a choice between the two, and in my opinion that is more important the what the actual screens look like.

I hate it when a company forces one type of display down your throat.

 

Yeah there is no reason for it. That should be an option, because glossy is not "better" in every way so it's not as simple as saying "everyone will want glossy"

 

Indeed. I'm not at all suggesting that the glossy is bad, it just didn't fit my needs. If you are going to be working in controlled lighting most of the time or don't mind the reflections, the glossy might be a better choice for you.

 

yep. not even close to being accurate as the incorrect white balance was used when the photos were shot.

And of course the glossy will show excessive refections in the mac store. They dont do anything to properly adjust the showroom lighting to best show off the product. Their stores are always lit up like a cafeteria.
Who plans to constantly and continuesly work in an area with 500watt bulbs overhead anyways

 

Well glossy screens look better in the stores, so that one reason I think they really push them. For me, the reflections aways gave me a headache when working for long periods of time.

If I was going to buy a laptop to play games or watch movies in perfect lighting conditions then I would go for the glossy in a heartbeat, but having to sit in a room with bad lighting, starting at word documents for hours at a time matte was the only way to go.

 

I have to agree and disagree at the same time.. the color on these photos is not accurate and could benefit from some photoshoping, true.. However they do illustrate the difference between the two screens quite well. I don't think the color is near as important as the fact that from different angles (head on, side angle, up angle) you can see what reflection vs. matte will effectively do to the screen. YMMV nice job

 

Thank you for posting these comparison pics. I plan on purchasing a macbook pro soon, and the type of screen (matte or glossy) was the last thing holding up my decision to take the plunge. After seeing the pics, and reading the comments, I will most likely go for the matte screen. thanks!

 

Hee-hee...

 

The Apple Store's lighting conditions were a perfect example of only one situation in which the glossy screens suffer. I can assure you that there are many more. My point is, if you are using the MBP as, you know, a laptop, and need it to be functional in all conditions, you probably don't want the glossy screen.

For those who aren't on the go, or use a laptop say, at work and home only, where you know lighting won't be an issue, the glossy screen is probably the way to go.

 

Hmmm... I much prefer the footprint size of the Macbook, and I'm trying to talk myself into going with it over the Macbook Pro... but these pictures just add to my concern that I won't be happy with a glossy screen.

Man, I really wish the Pro came in a 13.3" screen.

 

When I went into my local Apple store I also felt that the differences between the Glossy and Matte were virtually imperceptible in terms of quality. The quality of both is outstanding.

I would characterize glossy as looking through a window at a scene (your desktop). Conversely, I would characterize matte as removing that window and jumping into the image.

I ended up getting the glossy screen because I think it looks better. The color accuracy argument between the two is total crap. People say that the matte is more color accurate but it just isn't true. Both screens are wildly off the mark when it comes to color accuracy to the point that even proper calibration can't bring them fully in line. That's what you get when using a 6-bit laptop display.

Its all about personal preference.

 

Anyone know how the Macbook glossy screens compare to the Macbook Pro glossy screens? You know, viewing angles, brightness, sharpness, etc.

 

are you the same soundsgood from macrumors? (Just asking).

That's a good question about the display. The screen on my iMac is much brighter than the mb screen, albeit it is a matte screen. I haven't compared the two laptops, though.

 

I'm the same soundsgood all over the place!

Yeah, those iMacs have really nice screens. A friend of mine is thinking about buying one just because of the screen.

 

OK. The reason why 2 choices exist:

color saturation vs. color accuracy.
glossy vs. matte.

Accurate representation of graphics in TV vs. print.

That is all.

 

I'd still like to know how the Macbook glossy screens compare (technically and/or visually) to the Macbook Pro glossy screens. Viewing angles, brightness, sharpness, etc.

Anyone know?

 

They aren't LED, so they probably won't be quite as vivid, regardless of the glossy coating.

 

I took a peek last night. The MBP screen looked better than the MB screen. Not by a ton, but better.

 

i got mine yesterday!!! got the glossy screen, it doesnt reflect as much as other glossy screens and looks amazing!!! its so fun...i wanna go home from work and play with it