What is this new "Glossy Display"

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
Is this really a plus for the MacBook? Is it too bright? Does it cause eyestrain? Is a matte finish better (as it seems to me) for word processing and Internet?



Can one see such a screen at say Best Buy?



Thanks all!

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    thttht Posts: 5,420member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by hledgard

    Is this really a plus for the MacBook? Is it too bright? Does it cause eyestrain? Is a matte finish better (as it seems to me) for word processing and Internet?



    Can one see such a screen at say Best Buy?




    It should be similar to the dozens of glossy screens at Best Buy or Circuit City.



    Apple says:



    Choose the glossy widescreen display to make your graphics, photos, and videos appear with richer color and deeper blacks - great for watching DVD movies. If you prefer a display with anti-glare coating for a matte rather than glossy viewing experience, choose the standard widescreen display.



    They are giving you an option! Which I think is quite unusual.
  • Reply 2 of 10
    hledgardhledgard Posts: 265member
    I do not see this option for the MacBook, only the MacBook Pro.
  • Reply 3 of 10
    outsideroutsider Posts: 6,008member
    It's not optional for the MB, only the MBP. The MB comes with the glossy screen standard, no side-grade.
  • Reply 4 of 10
    blenngblenng Posts: 17member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by hledgard

    Is this really a plus for the MacBook? Is it too bright? Does it cause eyestrain? Is a matte finish better (as it seems to me) for word processing and Internet?



    Can one see such a screen at say Best Buy?



    Thanks all!




    I expect these screens to be the same as in most pc laptops. I have a screen like that on my Toshiba and I must say that the screen of my mbp is much better. If you use these glossy screens in bright sunlight, you can't see anything on them.



    So I wouldn't choose such a screen for my mbp.
  • Reply 5 of 10
    thttht Posts: 5,420member
    Yeah. Seems to be glossy only for the MacBook.
  • Reply 6 of 10
    backtomacbacktomac Posts: 4,579member
    I guess I'm the dissenting voice. I almost never use a laptop outdoors. Indoors, especially at meetings with low lighting, I prefer the glossy screen. Much better IMO.
  • Reply 7 of 10
    audiopollutionaudiopollution Posts: 3,226member
    Is it really so difficult to post in the correct forum?



    Moving to General Discussion.
  • Reply 8 of 10
    shady104shady104 Posts: 332member
    ive seen the glossy screens at best buy and they are very nice when viewing movies and pictures. i rarely drag my laptop to the beach so i doubt sunlight would be a issue but i wonder how reflection is in normal situations
  • Reply 9 of 10
    hmurchisonhmurchison Posts: 12,419member
    As long as your lighting isn't poor glossy screens usually aren't that bad. They do give a "Photo" look to pics on screen so I'm not really against them that much. They seem to help a tad with contrast as well.
  • Reply 10 of 10
    splinemodelsplinemodel Posts: 7,311member
    Transmissive LCDs barely work outdoors anyway. I have a glossy HP laptop at work, and it is very high-glare, but I also don't use it in the sun. ever. Under flourescent lighting or normal indoor conditions, the glare isn't noticeable. Outdoors, it works fine under a tree or umbrella, which is required anyway unless you have a [very good] transflective display.



    The other interesting fact is that anti-glare coatings tend to block about 10 to 20% of the light-output, depending on the thickness of the anti-glare coating. AR (Anti-reflective) coatings are more expensive, and not as good at diffusing glare, but are much more transmissive and do a pretty good job. I'm guessing that Apple is using an AR coating.
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