“CEO Shannon Jean told me that that they’re using the same panel that Apple does. Apparently there’s only one panel like it being made right now,” O’Grady reports. “I also asked if it was any easier to get inside MBA now that there’s no microphone in the display: ‘It’s much more difficult. The screen is paper thin and it’s not inside a housing like the traditional screens. It’s in layers, it’s insane… I don’t think there’s ever been a screen like this used in a laptop.’
Full article, with photos of the MacBook Air’s unique screen from the inside here.
[Attribution: MacNN. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Yeah it’s a shame I really need as much power as I can get, for CAD hence I’m getting the MBP 17″ with SSD and the fastest CPU, otherwise I’d be so tempted.
I’m almost tempted to give up my iPad for the 11″ Macbook Air when I saw it at the Apple store today. It’s that cool, light, fast and thin. However the iPad is really sweet too especially with 3G.
I’m almost tempted to give up my iPad for the 11″ Macbook Air when I saw it at the Apple store today. It’s that cool, light, fast and thin. However the iPad is really sweet too especially with 3G.
@ Mr. Reeee:
I used to think like you are – – that the Apple screens were nothing special except grossly overpriced. My Mac at home is in fact using a Dell widescreen LCD.
Then, last year, our IT started to allow us to have Macs again at work, and my Boss let me pick up a Mac Pro system dedicated for Photoshop work. Since our choices were limited off of a pre-chosen list, I ended up with Apple’s Apple 24″ LCD display.
Seeing it side-by-side vs. our other work monitors (my PC system has a Samsung and a ViewSonic), I was absolutely floored at the difference in picture quality. From this year’s budget, the Mac now has a second 24″ display attached (and some other upgrades)…and the difference is even more obvious.
YMMV, but I’m now personally convinced that there’s a very real difference…and that’s making it become a bit of a challenge for when I’m finally going to upgrade my home system, because it is the old question of if to settle for second best, or to fork over for the Apple display.
-hh
@ Mr. Reeee:
I used to think like you are – – that the Apple screens were nothing special except grossly overpriced. My Mac at home is in fact using a Dell widescreen LCD.
Then, last year, our IT started to allow us to have Macs again at work, and my Boss let me pick up a Mac Pro system dedicated for Photoshop work. Since our choices were limited off of a pre-chosen list, I ended up with Apple’s Apple 24″ LCD display.
Seeing it side-by-side vs. our other work monitors (my PC system has a Samsung and a ViewSonic), I was absolutely floored at the difference in picture quality. From this year’s budget, the Mac now has a second 24″ display attached (and some other upgrades)…and the difference is even more obvious.
YMMV, but I’m now personally convinced that there’s a very real difference…and that’s making it become a bit of a challenge for when I’m finally going to upgrade my home system, because it is the old question of if to settle for second best, or to fork over for the Apple display.
-hh
Thanks, Predrag, for fixing the error in title. Screen? Well, Apple finally made another laptop I am willing to buy. But, I have to agree with the others here who do not like the glossy screens. My work is not demanding on Macs, web, emails, spreadsheets, etc., Most of it I can actually do with my original Mac – a MacPlus! Well, spreadsheets and word processing would do on that. But, I am holding off buying a new laptop because of glossy screen, although new 11″ MBA is perfect for me otherwise. I will send Apple my opinion too.
MDN Magic Word: “several”, as in if several of us ask for matte screen, maybe they will listen.
Thanks, Predrag, for fixing the error in title. Screen? Well, Apple finally made another laptop I am willing to buy. But, I have to agree with the others here who do not like the glossy screens. My work is not demanding on Macs, web, emails, spreadsheets, etc., Most of it I can actually do with my original Mac – a MacPlus! Well, spreadsheets and word processing would do on that. But, I am holding off buying a new laptop because of glossy screen, although new 11″ MBA is perfect for me otherwise. I will send Apple my opinion too.
MDN Magic Word: “several”, as in if several of us ask for matte screen, maybe they will listen.
Where’s the ‘competition is good’ knuckleheads when you need them? This is yet another example of innovation for it’s own sake, where it’s fundamental for certain companies and individuals, and they don’t need to be prodded.
Change ‘competition is good’ to ‘copying is good’ and you’ll be correct. Apple will well outpace the entire tech industry as their innovations build upon themselves and not even the best copycats will be able to follow.
Apple – The Greatest American Company Ever.
Where’s the ‘competition is good’ knuckleheads when you need them? This is yet another example of innovation for it’s own sake, where it’s fundamental for certain companies and individuals, and they don’t need to be prodded.
Change ‘competition is good’ to ‘copying is good’ and you’ll be correct. Apple will well outpace the entire tech industry as their innovations build upon themselves and not even the best copycats will be able to follow.
Apple – The Greatest American Company Ever.
A matte screen intentionally adds a “fuzz” filter to the LCD to make the surface “matte.” That’s OK when pixels are larger, and in the old days (when the 15-inch iMac G4 LCD was 1024×768), that fuzziness even served to reduce the pixelation effect, but it would noticeably degrade the amazing sharpness of the MacBook Air screens to make them matte (that 11.6-inch LCD is 1344×756). Keep ’em glossy, especially on such a “movable” Mac.
As LCDs become ever more higher resolution at smaller screen size, the argument for matte screens becomes irrelevant. Imagine looking through a matte filter at the iPhone 4 Retina Display; it would be like looking at the world through frosted glass window. Well, computer displays will approach that pixel density at some point, and NO ONE will be asking for a matte option. Once again, Apple is thinking ahead.
A matte screen intentionally adds a “fuzz” filter to the LCD to make the surface “matte.” That’s OK when pixels are larger, and in the old days (when the 15-inch iMac G4 LCD was 1024×768), that fuzziness even served to reduce the pixelation effect, but it would noticeably degrade the amazing sharpness of the MacBook Air screens to make them matte (that 11.6-inch LCD is 1344×756). Keep ’em glossy, especially on such a “movable” Mac.
As LCDs become ever more higher resolution at smaller screen size, the argument for matte screens becomes irrelevant. Imagine looking through a matte filter at the iPhone 4 Retina Display; it would be like looking at the world through frosted glass window. Well, computer displays will approach that pixel density at some point, and NO ONE will be asking for a matte option. Once again, Apple is thinking ahead.
I have had at least five Macs so far with glossy screens (two MBs, three iMacs of various ages). I spend serious hours daily in front of them, doing a lot of work. I can’t remember even one single situation when I was bothered by some reflection in the glossy screen.
When the glossy was introduced (and then became default), I was quite concerned. Since I really wanted an iMac, I had no choice. So, I decided, if this presented itself as even a minor issue, I would re-organize my work environment in such a way that light never comes from behind. My Macs are generally never really in a brightly lit room anyway. So, I worked with it for a while. And some months (if not years) later, I realised I never re-arranged my work environment — it wasn’t necessary. While one window was directly behind me, I don’t think I have even noticed its reflection in the display.
For those who simply cannot work with glossy displays, unfortunately, there is only one solution: Windows (I’m not mentioning “Hackintosh”, as it is not exactly legal, and certainly not supported). Apparently, Apple is gambling that the number of such people is trivial to their bottom line.
I have had at least five Macs so far with glossy screens (two MBs, three iMacs of various ages). I spend serious hours daily in front of them, doing a lot of work. I can’t remember even one single situation when I was bothered by some reflection in the glossy screen.
When the glossy was introduced (and then became default), I was quite concerned. Since I really wanted an iMac, I had no choice. So, I decided, if this presented itself as even a minor issue, I would re-organize my work environment in such a way that light never comes from behind. My Macs are generally never really in a brightly lit room anyway. So, I worked with it for a while. And some months (if not years) later, I realised I never re-arranged my work environment — it wasn’t necessary. While one window was directly behind me, I don’t think I have even noticed its reflection in the display.
For those who simply cannot work with glossy displays, unfortunately, there is only one solution: Windows (I’m not mentioning “Hackintosh”, as it is not exactly legal, and certainly not supported). Apparently, Apple is gambling that the number of such people is trivial to their bottom line.
“For those who simply cannot work with glossy displays ….. Apple is gambling that the number of such people is trivial to their bottom line.”
These whiny-ass glossy bitchers are trivial to the human race. Bunch of goofball dipshits.
“For those who simply cannot work with glossy displays ….. Apple is gambling that the number of such people is trivial to their bottom line.”
These whiny-ass glossy bitchers are trivial to the human race. Bunch of goofball dipshits.
“Bizzarro”, you definitely are that.
“Bizzarro”, you definitely are that.
@ Predrag
> For those who simply cannot work with glossy displays, unfortunately, there is only one solution: Windows
ONLY ONE solution???
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> You can get a Mac mini or Mac Pro and use just about any display that is DVI (or even VGA). You can get an iMac or MacBook and get a display of your choice, connected externally (through a Mini DisplayPort adapter); this works especially well for MacBook users because their “movable” setup has a crisp bright glossy display while their “stationary” setup can have a larger matte display (if glossy is a problem).
I have an iMac. I have a 1600×1200 display of my choice sitting in front of me as the primary screen, with the iMac off to the right acting as my secondary screen. My issue is that I prefer 4:3 aspect ratio displays to wide displays, especially the recent REALLY wide (HDTV) aspect ratio displays.
So I don’t have a problem with glossy, but if I did, that’s how I would “solve” the problem. Next time, I’ll probably do the same thing, but with one of the MacBooks (maybe even a MacBook Air) instead of an iMac. Fortunately, my “Late 2006” 17-inch Core 2 Duo iMac still runs with amazing ease (what a great investment).
@ Predrag
> For those who simply cannot work with glossy displays, unfortunately, there is only one solution: Windows
ONLY ONE solution???
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> You can get a Mac mini or Mac Pro and use just about any display that is DVI (or even VGA). You can get an iMac or MacBook and get a display of your choice, connected externally (through a Mini DisplayPort adapter); this works especially well for MacBook users because their “movable” setup has a crisp bright glossy display while their “stationary” setup can have a larger matte display (if glossy is a problem).
I have an iMac. I have a 1600×1200 display of my choice sitting in front of me as the primary screen, with the iMac off to the right acting as my secondary screen. My issue is that I prefer 4:3 aspect ratio displays to wide displays, especially the recent REALLY wide (HDTV) aspect ratio displays.
So I don’t have a problem with glossy, but if I did, that’s how I would “solve” the problem. Next time, I’ll probably do the same thing, but with one of the MacBooks (maybe even a MacBook Air) instead of an iMac. Fortunately, my “Late 2006” 17-inch Core 2 Duo iMac still runs with amazing ease (what a great investment).
I just grabbed a piece of pebbled glass from an old shower door for my MacBook. I can’t see shit, but there are no reflections or glare!
I just grabbed a piece of pebbled glass from an old shower door for my MacBook. I can’t see shit, but there are no reflections or glare!
First of all, their is NO medical evidence that glossy screens are harmful as some contend.
Secondly, if there were evidence to support that they do, I would bet that there would be tons of legal suites in the courts right now.
And in both cases, I haven’t seen any in either case.
For those that ‘have’ to use and are overtly concerned about it, I would do the following:
Darken you work space/room as much as possible, if not completely. Set up your monitor for viewing and your seating arrangement ergonomically as Apple guides you.
Turn on your screen and set up the brightness and contrast to suit your preferences.
At this point, it is impossible that glare is an issue, as the only light source is coming from the screen. Glare is caused by bright light shining directly onto the surface of the screen.
And unless you are viewing a very dark page on your screen, reflection will be minimal, if at all. Certainly, with Apples backlit LED LCDs, the light being emitted from the monitor should override any possibility of reflection.
Now, gradually increase the ambient light in the room, keeping the light coming from behind your screen brighter than the light in front of the screen. This will reduce or eliminate significantly any reflection.
It is interesting that many of the users on Apples profiles on their case studies site, work in subdued or virtually dark studios. As well, even the high-end professional monitor manufacturers suggest the same lighting setups and/or sell ‘hoods’ to reduce reflection.
In addition, specialists recommend that ‘computer’ work station areas should not be using the typical bright florescent light schemes that prevail in most office settings.
First of all, their is NO medical evidence that glossy screens are harmful as some contend.
Secondly, if there were evidence to support that they do, I would bet that there would be tons of legal suites in the courts right now.
And in both cases, I haven’t seen any in either case.
For those that ‘have’ to use and are overtly concerned about it, I would do the following:
Darken you work space/room as much as possible, if not completely. Set up your monitor for viewing and your seating arrangement ergonomically as Apple guides you.
Turn on your screen and set up the brightness and contrast to suit your preferences.
At this point, it is impossible that glare is an issue, as the only light source is coming from the screen. Glare is caused by bright light shining directly onto the surface of the screen.
And unless you are viewing a very dark page on your screen, reflection will be minimal, if at all. Certainly, with Apples backlit LED LCDs, the light being emitted from the monitor should override any possibility of reflection.
Now, gradually increase the ambient light in the room, keeping the light coming from behind your screen brighter than the light in front of the screen. This will reduce or eliminate significantly any reflection.
It is interesting that many of the users on Apples profiles on their case studies site, work in subdued or virtually dark studios. As well, even the high-end professional monitor manufacturers suggest the same lighting setups and/or sell ‘hoods’ to reduce reflection.
In addition, specialists recommend that ‘computer’ work station areas should not be using the typical bright florescent light schemes that prevail in most office settings.
So where are the paid astroturfers on this thread? Isn’t there an anti-Obama angle on the glossy screen controversy?
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
So where are the paid astroturfers on this thread? Isn’t there an anti-Obama angle on the glossy screen controversy?
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />