Just couldn't pull the trigger on a new 17" MBP...

I spent an hour and a half at the Apple Store yesterday, checkbook in hand, ready to take home a new 17" MBP. The November specs refresh included a hard drive update, which was one of my main deciding factors to finally purchase.

But alas, I just couldn't do it. The main reason is that the 17" MBP still has the old LCD technology. When I compared the 15" MBP LED-back lit LCD with that of the 17" MBP, it was absolutely obvious (at least to me, but not to the Apple Store reps who denied any difference) that the LED screen was much brighter, clearer, and had much better color. I compared pictures, movies, etc. side-by-side, and there just was no question. I then went to my car and brought in my current Dell D600, and while the MBP 17" was a bit better than the Dell's screen, the 17" MBP was just too far short of the 15" MBP LED screen.

So, I'm waiting again. Maybe May 2008??

 

I find the Latitude screens to be among the worst in existence. Everyone here in the office finds their Latitude screens to be extremely dim with low contrast.

I think you just psyched yourself out, the MBP 17" LCD screens are really pretty good.

 

They'll update the LCD in the 17", once they're available.

 

I think they'll have 17-inch LED-backlit displays by May 2008. That is a pretty long time away in technology. Maybe you should get a 15.4-inch MBP while you're waiting .

 

save yourself some money and give yourself some portability, just get the midrange 15in MBP and buy an external monitor.

 

The 17" is defintley a nice screen. I do a lot of text editing and use my laptop outdoors a good bit. I think that is where the addt'l brightness really helps out.