Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2772
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I am about to get a MacBook Pro and am seeking your opinion (preferably from experience) as to which display you prefer (matte or glossy) and why.
I routinely use an iMac or a G5 in my office in Metropolis, but I've always wanted one for when I'm working in my virtual office. After much consternation I think I've finally decided on the configuration - all except the display choice.
Configuration: 2.5GHz C2D, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB drive and a 17" high-res display (1900 x 1200).
I've been to the Apple Store and looked at them side by side. Truth is, they are both nice. If I was just watching movies or viewing images - the glossy would be the choice. But, I think the colors are truer on the matte screen. A part of me views (pun intended) the glossy as the consumer choice and matte as the pro choice. My logic is that the MacBook only comes with a glossy display, and it is clearly aimed at a particular demographic. And the MBP uses the matte display as its standard, although there is no cost difference.
 Decisions, decisions
I mainly use Adobe CS3 apps - InDesign, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat.
Oh yeah, and to keep on topic I will also use Astroplanner on it.
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
We do what we have to do in order to do what we want to do.
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Snow dog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/17/05
Posts: 1689
Loc: Alberta Canada
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Well I don't have a Mac but my Astro computer is an IBM with the matte screen and my newer HP has the gloss. If you are going to be using it in any kind of natural sunlight I would go with the matte. My HP is next to impossible to see outdoors in the sun.
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Marc
Someone get these crazy dogs off me
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16107
Loc: Brooker, FL
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My Dell Inspiron 9100 was replaced by Dell (after three repair tries failed to fix it) with a newer model - glossy screen and silver keyboard. Terrible. Go for the matte.
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IDONTSEEIT
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/04/03
Posts: 896
Loc: NYC
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...Glossy reflects better 
A coworker's comment about the glossy display on his new notebook was ..."it's so you can see yourself while using it". 
My old notebook has a matte display, it works fine and is easy to clean, and keep clean. My new notebook came with a glossy display. In the indoor/office type environment I use it in mostly, reflections haven't been a problem. But the glossy display is a much better dust magnet, and is very difficult to keep clean, compared with the matte display anyway.
Hope this is useful,
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Joe,
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2772
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Thanks for the input guys... but those are all PCs. I have a Gateway laptop with a glossy screen and the Macs are nowhere near that reflective. My Dell Latitude laptop has a matte display and it appears dimmer than the Gateway.
Hopefully a MacBook Pro owner will chime in with an observation borne out of ongoing usage.
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
We do what we have to do in order to do what we want to do.
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ClownFish
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/26/05
Posts: 5494
Loc: Islamabad, Pakistan
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Good timing. I will be picking up a Macbook Pro when I return to Washington next week and was wondering the exact same thing. I am thinking I will take the matt finish at this time.
CF
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Keep it simple, keep it cheap! Meade LXD75 SN8, Orion Guidescope, Olympus OM-1 and STI Stiletto. Celestron 15x70 Binos and SkyWindow. Learn all about POLAR ALIGNMENT with my Drift Method Tutorial and simulator!!
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2772
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Hello there. Hope all is going well in Africa. Have you made it out to those great dunes in Namibia?
I am leaning a little toward the matte display myself. Are you opting for the standard (1680 x 1050) or high res (1900 x 1200)?
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
We do what we have to do in order to do what we want to do.
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nighthound
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/30/06
Posts: 787
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I have a MacBook Pro and went with the matte because I use it for astro and wildlife image processing along with my Apple cinema display(matte as well). The glossy screens are distracting to me. I use many of the same software programs you do in my work so the non-glare finish helps there as well.
NH
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Markovich
member
Reged: 05/22/07
Posts: 98
Loc: Central Ohio
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Matte, any day. I have a Macbook and thats the one thing that drives me crazy. Shows every smudge, fingerprint, dust . Excellent color,very punchy, but the reflections are annoying, I would go for a matte screen any day, easier on the eyes
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"The secret to flying is to throw yourself at the ground...and miss!"
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2772
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Thanks for the input. After more conversations with my colleagues in the industry, it would seem that the matte display is the better choice for my intended usage.
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
We do what we have to do in order to do what we want to do.
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bicparker
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/07/05
Posts: 1404
Loc: Plano, TX
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I have a matte display on my MBP, but I use a glossy screen protector, which has, I think, been useful for protecting the display over the past 2 years. The screen protector has given the glossy effect quite well, but gives me the option for switching to matte (which I do at home).
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Bic Parker
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ClownFish
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/26/05
Posts: 5494
Loc: Islamabad, Pakistan
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Peter, I will probably get the Hi-res display.
Africa is too cool - especially as a photographer. But sadly I leave this country on Friday and head back to Washington for a few months before taking a new assignment. No idea where yet - but that's he fun part for me!
CF
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Keep it simple, keep it cheap! Meade LXD75 SN8, Orion Guidescope, Olympus OM-1 and STI Stiletto. Celestron 15x70 Binos and SkyWindow. Learn all about POLAR ALIGNMENT with my Drift Method Tutorial and simulator!!
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crames
newbie
Reged: 07/14/08
Posts: 4
Loc: Ohio
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I got the glossy screen.
I mostly use my MBP in darker rooms and I don't really need super accurate color reproduction. However, I do enjoy sharp text and the "blacker black" that the glossy provides. Reflections aren't bad and when I get them I just tilt the screen a little bit and poof... gone.
I've seen both, and they each have their own niche that they are good at. Since I sit at a bash prompt half the day, I preferred the crisp text. If you sit at photoshop half the day, you would probably prefer the color reproduction of the matte.
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OCC Hardware Reviewer
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 38917
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Welcome to Cloudy Nights Crames. 
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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stefsaber
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/24/06
Posts: 4459
Loc: Rainy Florida
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I got my Macbook pro last year and spent half an hour in the store debating between glossy or matte. I went with the latter, if you're in an environment with fluorescent lights the glossy will be so incredibly annoying unless you're into studying fluorescent lights in detail as opposed to surfing the web. And while some might prefer glossy for that color crispness, if you're at the wrong angle or in a bright room it doesn't quite work...
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-Stefan
"It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end." -Douglas Adams
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