Ask HN: Macbook Pro: Glossy or Matte?

[lukeqsee]

I'm a new college student hoping getting my MacBook Pro this weekend. I have heard opinions and arguments for both screen styles.

"Glossy has better color," but ... "you can comb your hair in glossy."

"Matte works great in any lighting," but "the colors aren't so great."

An additional consideration: matte is $150 more.

Since many of you own or have used a variation of the MacBook, (or otherwise have great opinions), what do you think?

I don't want to make the wrong decision with 2000<. That just wouldn't be cool. Or cheap.

Thanks!

[cjus]

Depends on what you'll be doing with the laptop. If you're a graphic designer or gamer color matters. If you're in spreadsheets or surfing the web it might matter less. If you're planning on watching lots of videos - color matters.

If you're in an environment where you can control the lighting around you then glossy works just fine - otherwise matte might be necessary.

[zephjc]

That's funny - a friend going to college this fall asked the exact same question yesterday. I recommended matte to her, and I will to you too. I've had both: the colors are fine on matte, and glossy gets smudges like crazy.

[angrycoder]

The matte screen is only $50 more. The high rez matte screen is $150 more and worth every damn penny.

You can get the 15 inch i7 with high rez matte screen refurb for the same price as the i5 with standard screen.

[bbgm]

We have a glossy and a high-res Matte and I'd recommend the Matte. The colors are good enough unless you're doing video or design. Definitely get the high res if you can.

[zrbecker]

Matte, unless you don't have lights or ever see the sun.

[CyberFonic]

In college environment, you have little control over the lighting conditions and the glossy screen means you have to fiddle with the positioning to avoid the "mirror" effect. That is unless you have someone attractive sitting behind you whom you want to watch. But they will see you staring.

[shiny]

Matte. I got eye pain from reading on a glossy screen, so I replaced it with a matte, and it has helped a lot.

[philiphodgen]

Matte. Just bought it refurbished. Previously had a MacBook. Won't go back to glossy.