13" screen comparison. Macbook Air vs. New Alu Macbook?

I know a couple of people have said the MBP screen looks better than the MB screen. That comes as no surprise to me, because generally speaking 15" screens perform better than 13" screens, especially with viewing angles (just my experience).

But actually I don't care about viewing angles, I always sit straight in front of my laptop and don't mind tilting the screen for best looks.

Now in my experience the Macbook Air has an excellent screen (I owned one). Both Notebookjournal and Notebook check measured the contrast and brightness to be the best in class for 13".

Did anyone compare these screens next to eachother?
Did anyone find pictures of these screen next to eachother?

Thanks in advance.

By the way I'm loving these forums, great resource of information, thanks for contributing every one.

 

i think they should be the same...maybe more reflection on MB cos of glass

 

Any way to check if they are using the same panels?

Maybe in system info. (I'm not a mac user)

 

as i know mac doesn't like to share details like this I think you need to install windows to find out

 

Hmm interesting. Did you check at the system info? because I know the info on the battery for example is quite extensive I remember.

 

I'm pretty sure they use the same panel, because some months ago there were rapports that Apple had increased the demand for the 13.3 led screens exponentially and was used a reasoning for a imminent macbook update, also it would be more cost effective to use the same screen.

 

Actually, I'm not so convinced they are the same. I had a look at them in an apple store this friday, and the MBP and MBA both seemed to have better screens than the macbook.

I personally don't like glossy screens and I don't understand how apple could have chosen glossy as the only option. I work as a graphical designer, in a highly lit environment (lots of huge windows). Using a glossy screen there is like staring into the sun.

 

Yeah me neither. I saw them in store, they looked different but unfortunately the lighting was different as well.

But it could also be caused by the extra glass and the black borders on the MB may also cause a different look.

Anyway, in windows it should not be to hard to find the device ID of the LCD panel.

 

I tried looking up the screen manufacture from macbook's device manager and Everest. Both says "APP9C89" as the monitor ID.
Any idea what the manufacture is? Couldn't get a thing from google

 

I saw the macbook and macbook air screens yesterday. there were at least 10 of each on display. In all 10 cases, the macbook air screen was superior. In what way, you ask? Mainly in the vertical viewing angle (and the horizontal viewing angle to a much lesser degree). The macbook air was like looking into a window without a "veil", while the macbook, by comparison, had a little veil on it. I think what I'm referring to is the contrast ratio. On the plus side, the macbook screen is absolutely better than the old plastic macbook's screen. Again, it's just that the macbook air and macbook pro screens are so good rather than a case of the macbook screen being poor.

But I would bet a large amount of money that if you could just put the screens in front of me and removed all identifying marks, anyone could pick out the macbook air screen 100% of the time from the aluminum macbook screen. Go check it out yourself if you don't believe me.

If one could do a "blinded" test with the macbook pro vs macbook air, it would be harder to tell. The screen kept me from buying the new macbook; if I bought another apple laptop, it'd be macbook pro or the macbook air. Both screens are fully satisfying to me.

I'm not really 'mad' at Apple for this screen issue; just don't tell me that this is a macbook pro in 13" form, b/c it's not. There is a reason the macbook air and macbook pros are the premium models. I personally would never compromise on the screen since it's what you look at all the time, nor would i compromise on the keyboard, so I'm a pickier customer. $1299 these days, and certainly $1599 for a laptop computer are certainly above average prices now. The days of the $3000 notebook are over, so the macbook prices are a bit high given the screen quality. I saw a Toshiba that was 13" that had a better screen than the aluminum macbook. I went wow, and it was $900. When I think rationally and realize that Apple is just another company that is looking out for the bottom line, then I can understand these cost savings. I actually expected that I'd get a fully awesome macbook pro screen for $1300. Nothing is free.

Final point is that there is an obvious difference that anyone could see b/w the macbook and macbook air screens. Whether this difference causes one to not buy the macbook is a crapshoot.

 

You know, as a style issue, I don't really like the glass-covered black borders on both the MB and the MBP. I much prefer the silver (aluminum?) screen border area on the Macbook Air.

But I didn't get a chance to see the screens close up on the new models (the Apple store was way too crowded)... so I don't know about the actual screen quality.

 

I just got back from the Apple store (and a quick visit to my new favourite beer store), and I've gotta say I love the build and design of the new Macbooks, but the glare/reflection was driving me nuts. However, unlike my apartment, they had lights on...

The part that sucks, is the glass displays look so much nicer (They look so deep and real, the picture looked outstanding!), but I couldn't get over how easily I could see myself in the screen.

I checked out the new 24" displays, and they too look awesome, but the same deal applies. However those won't be too much of a problem, since I turn my light on only to find stuff, and turn it right back off.

I did express my disappointment to one of the employees about the lack of DVI on the back of the new displays. Maybe he'll mention it to a higher up, and they'll take notes... but probably not.

 

Very interesting. I was almost certain that the MB and AIr shared the same panels.

 

I think the panels are the same, but they have that glass in front of the screen on the Macbooks but not the Macbook air. They both have the same visibility from the same angles, and similar looking contrast...

But the colours look more deep on the glass, but the reflection was intense...