MBP is Missing RGB/LED Display Option

Just got a new 2011 MBP 17 inch notebook. Everything about it I love, except for the display quality. Calibrated the screen and it's still pretty lame compared to my 2 year old Sony AW with the RGB/LED screen. I was expecting it to be a lot better then the 2010 13 MBP I just sold, but it's really not. Skin tones on the MBP in particular are still yellowish compared to the much more natural reds and pinks on the Sony AW.

I really need a smaller computer to carry around, so I need to stop comparing these screens cause the Sony wins every time and it's heartbreaking.

Will Apple ever put a top of the line display in their pro computers? How a pro photographer could use a MBP in the field is beyond me.

 

The screens they have now, while nice, are nowhere near the level of the Sony AW Adobe RGB, Dell RGB or HP Dreamcolor/2 screens. I had a Sony AW 18.4" w/ Adobe RGB for a hot minute (to bad it had 3-4 dead pixels, and the 9600M GT was a bit underpowered at 1920x1080), and the matte screen quality was excellent after calibration.

If you're looking for a smaller notebook with a RGB LED level screen, I'd hunt down a Dell M4400 (1920x1200 RGBLED @ 15.4") or a Dell SXPS 16XX w/ 16" 1920x1080 RGBLED or HP 85XX 15" series w/ Dreamcolor.

 

I'm kinda invested in this Apple thing. Plus, Dell's remind me of work and I can't have that. I'll just keep my AW around to torture myself every now and then. Really wish Apple would put up a stunning display option. I'd pay a premium for that and I bet I'm not alone.

 

I agree. For a company that was and is known as the breeding ground for consumer DTP and image work, you would think they would have been offering superior panels when available. A Macbook w/ an RGBLED or Dreamcolor type display would just be chocked full of all types of win.

Ah well.

 

ah. a fellow AW owner. I used to have one until it died.

If the new line of Elitebooks are more stable than last years, I might sell my MBP for one. once you've had a premium screen, it's hard to have anything less. and these MBP screens aren't bad at all...they're just not as sublime as those Adobe RGB LED displays.

 

Exactly. Having used the AW, numerous Dell RGBLEDs (Have a M17x r2 right now w/ RGBLED + 5870), and SXPS 16 RGBLED (Along with an Apple 30" for my desktop), subpar screens stand out and the really subpar models are downright painful.

The Apple screens are definitely decent and better than many of the tripe level screens I've run across, but I do wish Apple would push for excellence in their screen department and spec out a RGBLED or Dreamcolor2 IPS type screen and offer it as an option.

While a RGBLED and similar is not a deal maker or breaker, when I use one, I am quickly reminded of just how beautiful a laptop screen can be.

 

OP, what made you think the 17" would be better than the 13"? I always thought that the same screen was used across all sizes for all uMBPs.

 

I recall seeing some reviews saying the 17 inch display had greater color gamut coverage then the 13. I can't really tell a difference between the 13 and the 17 to be honest, just more real estate, which is nice. The AW spoiled me, but it's just too big to travel with. Just to give you an idea, it doesn't properly fit inside of one of those plastic bins at the airport.

Oh well, there's always the future!

 

the AW290 spoiled everyone who had the privilege of owning one.



if the Elitebooks didn't have 1/3 the battery life of the MBP's (and all the software issues), I'd have one today with a Dreamcolor 2. But those and the Dell Precisions are just too big, too heavy and offer too little battery life.

If Apple would just put a similar RGB LED display on their machines, they'd have a customer for life. If the Elitebooks, Precisions or similar ever hit 5 *real* hours of battery life, I'm gone.

...though I'd love for Sony to simply release another RGB-LED premium laptop line.

 

You got that right. It comes down to battery life and mobility, but I want the RBG/LED screen to go with it. It'll get there eventually, I bet.

 

Let me guess: You live in the western world?

 

I totally agree with the screen comments.

I have an Alienware M17x-R2 with the awesome RGB LED Screen, properly calibrated.
I had an Elite book 8540W with the dreamcolor2 display for all of one day before I returned it due to instability ..... may pick up the refresh next month after more people have tried it out.

My 2011 15" MBP is great in all respects except the screen is not as accurate even after calibration.

If Apple would put in a decent screen and quit hobbling bootcamp (ie.. not allowing us to use integrated graphics on the CPU) I would have no reason to stray.
(I know some people have all sorts of "reasons" why we cant use integrated graphics in bootcamp but after 4+ years.... those "reasons" really aren't valid anymore imho)

D.

 

agree with all the thoughts.

here's hoping Apple (or someone) hears our cries.