Does the AW 17 R2 have a glossy display?

Hello -

I have a question on the display for the Alienware 17 R2. I have a friend who is looking to replace a 2010 i7 dual core Macbook Pro 17 with a new 17 notebook running Windows 8.1. He would like a glossy 17 FHD display for photography.

I see 2 display options:
1. 17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS-Panel Anti-Glare 300-nits Display
2. 17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS-Pane TrueLife 300-nits Display with Touch Technology: +$150

Is the second screen a glossy display? If not, what are the black levels like?

He likes the display on my AW 18 (Viking) and his current MBP and both have glossy FHD displays.

Thanks!
Aaron

 

The touch screen option is glossy.

 

2. 17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS-Pane TrueLife 300-nits Display with Touch Technology - is glossy display.

Video - here - at 2:00

 

Yup, they're both glossy.

 

1. 17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS-Panel Anti-Glare 300-nits Display is not glossy....

 

+1 Anti-Glare is another word for Matte! Crappy washed out colors!

 

Thanks to everyone including Game7a1, iPhantomhives, Alienware-L_Porras, and Matrix Leader6. A special thanks to iPhantomhives for the video link.

UPDATE: My friend has placed an order for a AW 17 R2 with the "2. 17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS-Pane TrueLife 300-nits Display with Touch Technology: +$150" display.

Anti-glare (aka "matte") has its uses, however, in viewing/sitting environments where light control is possible, a calibrated Glossy screen can still perform very well. FYI: This user has a "Spyder" display calibrator (Colorimeter) that he lays on the display to calibrate it. He showed it to me before on his old Mac.

 

I use a Spyder5PRO color calibrator for my screen, it's the best thing I ever did to my laptop! the colors are super accurate and vibrant

 

That's the gadget! It looked like a little puck on a cable that hung over top the screen then flat against the panel.

Now you make me want to get one!

 

I downloaded a color profile for the matte 17r2 screen. Its actually a fantastic matte panel, I believe the same model as the glossy

 

Matte = possible more washed out colors (which isn't that bad), but no reflection to deal with, which means you are not seeing other colors from your surroundings reflections!

Glossy = nicer contrast colors more vibrant, but loads of reflection to deal with, which means what ever is reflected from your surroundings then you are seeing the reflected colors on the screen, including the colors from the screen.

Seems that both have there down points around colors. Best thing I have seen with a glossy screen that barely show up reflected colors is a MacBook Pro Retina, as that has an anti-glare coat on it glossy screen to cut down on the amount of reflection.

 

I wish there is 1080p glossy option for AW15.