The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous page

    Glossy vs Matte LCD

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ohhenry, Apr 14, 2006.

  1. shaheenarshan

    shaheenarshan Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    140
    Messages:
    1,072
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    i would stick with glossy as i don't work outside much outside or in highly lit office conditions either
    but it also depends on personal preference as well as the environment you will be using your system in
     
  2. Medsker

    Medsker Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I just got a new notebook and the glossy screen doesn't seem very "vibrant" or bright. I've messed with the settings, but I can't even get it to compare to my old school matte lcd. Anyone have any suggestions?
     
  3. shaheenarshan

    shaheenarshan Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    140
    Messages:
    1,072
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    glare type lcds are designed to make the colors more vibrant and realistic as well as provide a good mulrimedia experience
    you could always try increasing the brightness of the screen
     
  4. SymphonyX

    SymphonyX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    47
    Messages:
    384
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    My friend's laptop is an ASUS and his glossy LCD is superb when it's dark. But it really become annoying under certain light conditions. And also one thing, is it just me or do other people think that glossy LCDs are less soothing to the eyes. I'm currently using a super-bright, anti-glare matte screen and it's quite soothing to the eyes. Even if mine is nowhere near as bright as those Sony XBRITE glossy LCDs, it's just as good as most of the ordinary glossy screens.
     
  5. cornelius1

    cornelius1 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    What Dell, etc. refer to as "glossy" lcd is an lcd screen with anti-glare coating to prevent reflections and glare:
    http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6364301-1.html

    This is probably what you guys are referring to as "matte" and actually the opposite of your use of "glossy" on this thread.

    Thus, I think you'd better avoid the use of the word "glossy" (use "shiny" or something else instead), just to avoid confusing people who are trying to decide what to buy. ;)
     
  6. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    I dont like the high gloss screens they use to improove contrast and color effects. It reflects too much light and somtimes you dont want that much contrast anyways.

    Matte is the way to go.

    Glossy is nice if your in a dark area... but thats bad for your eyes anyways :/

    I like to keep an accurate color reporduction anyways for photoshop work.
     
  7. gemma

    gemma Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    To see the glare problem at its worst, go into a Best Buy wearing a white shirt and look at the "glossy" screens in person. The colors on the shiny screens were much more vivid than the matte screens, but my shirt's reflection was way too annoying, along with the reflections of all the overhead lights.

    This is definitely a matter of personal preference - you really need to think about how and where you will be using your notebook. I love vivid colors and true black, and prefer glossy photo prints over matte, but for me the reflections on a shiny notebook screen are unacceptable for daily work.
     
  8. aussiecat

    aussiecat Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    MY BROTHER bought a INSPIRON 9400.
    It has a 17 inch wide screen.
    The screen is "SHINNY" / refelective.

    We took it out in the backard, in the sun and in teh shade and both
    positions were almost IMPOSSIBLE to read anything on the screen.

    Even if you turn up the brightness, its still really hard to view / enjoy the screen - not to mention destroys battery life if u have to brighen screen.

    I think one day dell will wake up and bring back non shinny screens of some sort !!




     
  9. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    736
    Messages:
    2,762
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Since I don't sit out in the sun with my notebook, I prefer the glossy screens. The colors seem much more vivid and less pixilated than the matte screens that I've had side by side. Definitely not a valuable scientific comparison by any means, but the matte screen does appear to be on the endangered species list on many of today's notebooks. ;) I don't think HP even offers matte screens on the consumer line anymore.
     
  10. Gloomster

    Gloomster Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    157
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Based on the matte screen laptops I've used and my fiances glossy macbook I would have to say overall I prefer the matte look. Her glossy screen does look very nice, but the reflections really bother me, plus I like to be able to take my laptops outside which becomes nearly impossible with glossy screens I have found.
    If I were buying something that I would only keep on my desk and there were no bright lights in the room I would definetely go with glossy though since it does make the overall appearance look nicer.
     
  11. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    507
    Messages:
    1,476
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    i was in at the costco today and had a look at the 20+" widescreen screens. i saw HP ones with the glossy and then Acers with non glossy, and let me tell you the glossy ones look MUCH better in terms of how the colours looks. The colours are more vibrant and more lively.

    Maybe it was the fact that they were big screens, but I was very impressed with the glossy screen. Laptops there realy isnt much of a difference i dont think.
     
  12. The Streets

    The Streets Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Before I bought my laptop, I mulled over this question, before eventually deciding I'd take a risk and go glossy...and am I ever glad I did! Glossy is SO much better than matte, believe, and all the supposed problems of screen glare and small text have been non-existant for me so far. It simply looks so much better than matte, especially when running HD movies and images. I could never go back to matte at this stage, now that I've experienced glossy. It simply wouldn't be a consideration.
     
  13. Wiz33

    Wiz33 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    54
    Messages:
    1,037
    Likes Received:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Depends a lot on what you do and weither it's a laptop or desktop. For a desktop monitor. If you place it in a well shaded area with no bright light source from the side of back. The glossy works every well especially for watching video. If it's a laptop and you do move it around a lot or have it outdoor. then you probably would want a matte screen as the reflection and glare will kill you.
     
  14. Mippoose

    Mippoose Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    126
    Messages:
    885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I believe if you are a person who plans on being in front of the computer for an extreme amount of time, like many MMO players seem to be, or even just typing alot, the matte may be the better choice.

    I have used my mothers new ASUS laptop with the glossy finish, and it bugs the hell out of me whenever I use it.

    The picture is absolutley superb, and everything is crisp and lovely, but I have to say that I am thanking the computer gods that the IFL90 I ordered will now come with matte!

    I get aggrivated enough as it is, one less thing bothering me the better :)
    Nothing more annoying then that little slash of light from the only light source in the room going right across your LOS in glossy wonder.
     
  15. Psychokitty

    Psychokitty Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    52
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    IMO, for viewing text and charts and being 'on the go', (like maybe having to open the notebook in sunlight, etc), -go matte.
    But for beautiful photo / video viewing, gaming indoors, -go glossy.
     
  16. Gi1b0

    Gi1b0 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    -19
    Messages:
    292
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I only have the option for glossy on the laptop im buying and im dreading it, playing games and having to refocus my eyes on the game rather than the reflection of myself and the background behind me will be so annoying, especially on darker games and fps, like doom quake etc
     
  17. Arla

    Arla Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    35
    Messages:
    1,073
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Matte... glossy is great if you have the right conditions, but there are FAR too many conditions where it's impossible to see a glossy screen, frankly there are far too many situations where I can't see a matte screen, but even more where I can't see the glossy.
     
  18. kahlel7

    kahlel7 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Matte is better
     
  19. allam89

    allam89 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I think the VAIO glossy screens are the best because they have an antiglare filter that actually works and gives the best of both worlds. I can barely see any glare even when working next to a bright sunny window. Believe me I know, my old computer is matte and my glossy screen is a whole lot better. In fact the matte screen can often make things look dull and washed out when bright light is shined upon them. Of course having a very bright glossy screen can mean that it is viewable in almost any condition.
     
  20. Leon2245

    Leon2245 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    66
    Messages:
    865
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yeah vaio xbrite is a "glossy" I actually like. They do a good job of eliminating glare.

    Hey, matte vote is catching up. I'd think alot of matte fans would also be some 4:3 voters, but that ones' a BLOWOUT in favor of widescreen.
     
  21. w_tanoto

    w_tanoto Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    174
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    that really depends where you use the laptop. but overall I like glossy one, but I also missed the matte.
     
  22. iph03n1xi

    iph03n1xi Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    465
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Glossy goodness please :D
     
  23. chimpanzee

    chimpanzee Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    683
    Messages:
    2,561
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    matte if possible though I don't find the glare problem with my new glossy screen of the samsung.

    What I don't like is looking at the mirror while I am working. I ain't Brat Pitt(subsitute other favorite good looking names of choice).
     
  24. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    I look like brad pitt and I still dont want to see my reflection, im not doing makup im trying to work on my computer.
     
  25. Leon2245

    Leon2245 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    66
    Messages:
    865
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Not much of a multitasker huh?
     
  26. juicyvogue

    juicyvogue Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Mine's a matte :)
    I didn't think I could stare at the glossy screens for a long period of time
     
  27. xtn5021

    xtn5021 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    116
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I am used to matte screens,I used my cousins toshiba with a glossy screen,and man did my eyes get strained,I was even using it in a dark room (completely dark) and oh did it strain my eyes.When I get my dell vostro im getting a matte :)
     
  28. ned123

    ned123 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Matte. I know I can't stare at the glossy screens for a long period of time. It gives me a headache.
    I personally just don't see any advantage of a glossy panel, and I've seen a lot of them (both types).
     
  29. scythie

    scythie I died for your sins.

    Reputations:
    79
    Messages:
    959
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Worked with both matte and glossy. I'm fine with either, although I do find matte a bit too dark. I've never experienced the reflection problem on my glossy. Probably because I've never used my laptop outdoors on a sunny day. But my room is fairly well-lit, still I don't experience the reflection problem.
     
  30. lokster

    lokster Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    63
    Messages:
    1,046
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    matte felt more darker and not as bright as glossy. im for glossy, reflecting isnt much of a prob. im usually in a dark place anyway :p
     
← Previous page