Some concern with the new mb/mbp screens

For those of you that have the new aluminum macbook and macbook pros, have you used your laptops outside? I'm asking because I've already settled on a job which I want to build a career from, I am doing a lot of work inside ships (oil tankers, cruise ships, cargo vessels, etc), as well as around the port, and back and forth from the office to the ports, which are about 60 to 90 minutes away.

Also I'd have to add to this traveling back and forth to university and inbetween classes. Because of this new mobility requirement I've changed my priorities a little, before I wanted a macbook pro, just have one laptop that can be used for ocassional gaming, and also portable enough to carry to school and whatnot, now I will probably need a more portable machine, and I will probably compliment it with a new desktop (which I have yet to decide on).

I was thinking about a macbook or macbook air, but, at least with the previous version, the mba specs were kinda crappy, don't think it's as bad with the 1.86ghz processor and 128gb ssd, but I can get a lot more with the macbook; the problem is the screen. For example, I have a company issued thinkpad t60, which does it's job well, it's got a matte screen, and today coming back from the port (someone else was driving) I couldn't help but think how annoying and freaking reflective the new glass panels would be. Even on the matte the sun was kinda annoying, and I could see every little thing getting reflected on the mb screen. So is it? Anyone tried it?

I was also thinking of a sony z, which has pretty rockin specs and a small footprint, and very light as well, for less than the mba, but, I kinda wanna stay with osx. Most of the work we do is with word, excel and outlook, so no biggie there.

Anyone tried installing bootcamp on the air?

Sorry for the long post.

Oh yeah, I have a blackberry curve (soon upgrade to bold) and a bb pearl, so I would need some form of windows I guess so I can sync and make backups and stuff, dont really feel like paying 40 bucks for the missing sync when it should be free and provided by rim.

 

i would go with the Z, a lot lighter than the MB, better screen and has a lot more ports than the MB..

 

I have a MacBook Pro and the screen reflection is barely noticeable even in extreme lighting conditions, I think some of the complaints are a bit exaggerated. I'm sure you'd enjoy the MacBook very much, as it has a solid construction and overall not only looks great but works excellent.

 

Thanks man that's good to hear. Besides the reflection "issue", the other thing I was looking at was screen quality. Obviously the mba screen is better when you compare it to the new mb screen, if I do end up getting the macbook, will I notice the crappyness right away or is it gonna be one of those things that I think it'll be a pretty nice screen until I compare it to a better one?

 

Fez, I could've sworn a few short months ago you had mentioned that you had already purchased a MBA? No?

 

I can't see Apple putting horrid display panels into the MacBook as it is one of their most popular products. Yes, there are different viewing angles compared to the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, but regardless of that it should look fine for just about everything you want to do with it.

 

hiya! nop, you must be confused. I think I might have mentioned that a friend of mine gave me her old cd 1.6ghz mac mini, but no, havent had a mba. I think, even though my memory is total crap, that I would remember it

Yeah man I think you're right. My first mac was a 2.0ghz c2d white macbook and I loved the screen, so if this one is an improvement I think I will be happy. The only thing is the reflection problem, I guess I will have to wait until I see one in person.

 

You will notice the crappyness when you compare it to a IPS panel or a nice TN. But its pretty much the same with budget TN panels.

 

Right right. Thanks for the info! I think I'll go with the top tier macbook, and use the $900 I was gonna spend on the ssd mba for something else. Maybe an external hdd, or the 24" led acd Now all I have to do is see one in person.

 

I'd highly recommend going for the LED Cinema Display, it looks like a really nice display and it's energy efficient. Or, you could always take the money and pocket half of it and spend a little on AppleCare (if you haven't already decided on purchasing it).

 

The new MBP is HIGHLY reflective. Much more than the Air. I've been with my Air 4 times this year oceanside, and worked for days outside. It's very good. I would recommend you either the Air or the old gen MBP with matte display.

 

The screens on the new MB/MBP are very reflective. If you plan to be working in a lot of sunlight, I think it would be an issue. The new screens are even more reflective than the glossy screens of the previous generation, and obviously more than the matte ones. You should take a look at them in person. There are some benefits to the new screens, but visibility in sunlight is absolutely not one of them.

I disagree with you. I have to say the displays in the new MacBooks stink. The blacks are washed out beyond the viewing angle being unacceptably minimal. When I went to return my MacBook (because of the display), I checked the ones on display in the Apple store. they suffered from the same washout and gray blacks. I wasn't expecting a screen as nice as my MBP, but the quality really chapped considering the price is $1299 - $1599. I wouldn't say they're "horrid" like some of the fanatics on MR, but I will say I found them to be subpar and utterly not worth the price.

The Apple Cinema displays are overpriced for what they offer. Unless there's a need to stay Apple branded, I would look into other monitors. You can generally get more screen real estate and better contrast ratios for much cheaper. $899 for a 23" monitor is crazy, pretty as it looks.

I second this recommendation.

 

If you were happy with that one, you'll be happy with this one.

It's an improvement in brightness. Contrast, black levels and viewing angles are similar.

And if you manage to get the 9C8C panel, it's slightly better than the 9C89 panel.