The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    MBP: Is the display on the 15" superior to the one on the 13"?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by uluvbs, Jan 16, 2010.

  1. uluvbs

    uluvbs Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    229
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hi, all.

    I realize there is a difference in resolution, but apart from that, is the screen quality on the 15" MBP supposed to be better than that of the 13", or is that just rumor?

    Thank you.
     
    uluvbs, Jan 16, 2010
    #1
  2. Partizan

    Partizan Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    241
    Messages:
    1,697
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The 15 inch MBP has an option of getting a 'matte' screen which should be great for you if you don't like reflecting lights messing up your eyes.
     
    Partizan, Jan 16, 2010
    #2
  3. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

    Reputations:
    2,637
    Messages:
    6,370
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Yup. Glossy FTL.
     
    surfasb, Jan 16, 2010
    #3
  4. darklich

    darklich Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    360
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I did a side by side test running iphoto picture sets and a downloaded movie sample. Me and my 4 year agreed that the 15 inch had a much better picture. The colors were warmer on the 15. There was a more noticeable blur on the 13. For example, grains of sand were visible in the 15, but they kind of ran together on the 13. Go to a Best Buy or Apple store and test for yourself. It's fun!
     
    darklich, Jan 16, 2010
    #4
  5. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    If I remember correctly the 13" MBP has a smaller GAMUT than the 15" MBP.

    Another advantage of the 15", if I remember correctly, is that there is only one panel used, while the 13" can use at least 6 different ones.

    If you really want all the details about these screens: Notebookcheck.com and Notebookjournal.de have published excellent reviews and detailed measurements.
     
    Phil, Jan 16, 2010
    #5
  6. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

    Reputations:
    2,637
    Messages:
    6,370
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205

    That's right, don't argue with the four year old!
     
    surfasb, Jan 16, 2010
    #6
  7. MKang25

    MKang25 NBR Prisoner

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    1,715
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Typically the 15" MBPs always had better screen display compared to their 13" / Macbook counterparts.
     
    MKang25, Jan 16, 2010
    #7
  8. Xhibit

    Xhibit Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    131
    Messages:
    460
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The 15 has a higher resolution and is bigger whats not to like? The 13 has the same PPI tho so the 15 won't any sharper, but will have better color and brightness.
     
    Xhibit, Jan 16, 2010
    #8
  9. gFiz

    gFiz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    could also be the 15" had the Nvidia discrete card enabled? Or do you know if they were the both using the 9400 onboard graphics?
     
    gFiz, Jan 18, 2010
    #9