Differences in LED and LCD screen

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Level 2

274 points

Differences in LED and LCD screen

I would like to know if anyone can actually tell the difference between the LED screen on the 15 macbook pro and the LCD screen on the 17 macbook pro.

I know Apple says there is no difference in brightness or contrast between the two. I believe they only claim there is a difference in battery life. That said even their VERY optimistic numbers show only a 15 minute difference between the two (figure in the real world that may be 10 minutes)

I thought someone had told me there was a very noticeable difference in both brightness and contrast of the LED screen (that it was very noticeably superior)

I can only take two things from this. Either:

1.) It is a placebo effect because they EXPECT the 15" to look better . . .

or

2.) Apple does not want to openly say the 17" screen is not as nice as the 15"

I have note been able to see either, but I am going to purchase this week online and this is a very important factor for me. Can someone please shed some light or opinion on the subject? Does the 15 look better than the 17? When they say LED will last "longer" than LCD, do they mean the half-life of the bulb is longer? etc.

Thanks everyone,
Kalel

Message was edited by: Kalel

Message was edited by: Kalel

mac mini, imac 17" w/ dell 2405, Macbook 2.0 duo, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jan 20, 2008 2:43 PM

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Answer 1

Mandy K

Level 2

325 points

Jan 20, 2008 3:13 PM in response to Kalel

Both screens are LCD. LED refers to the method of backlighting the screen; the 17 inch model uses an older CCFL backlight.

Since the screens themselves aren't really different, the image quality won't be noticeably different either. However, the LED-backlit screens supposedly have a slightly measurably wider color gamut.

The claim about lasting longer come from the fact that LEDs are generally very robust and don't "burn" like a "bulb".

The most noticeable difference is that a LED-backlit screen will spring to full brightness almost instantly, whereas a CCFL-backlit screen begins slightly duller and takes several minutes to warm up.

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Answer 2

Kalel Author

Level 2

274 points

Jan 20, 2008 3:25 PM in response to Mandy K

Sorry I never know how to refer to the difference between the two. So the different backlighting does help with color, but overall brightness and contrast are not effected?

I have a Macbook and occasionally I have trouble reading it (When my eyes are tired) so I am looking for the brightest screen with the most contrast. I would prefer a larger screen (17) over a smaller one (15) all else being equal, but if there is any contrast or brightness increase in the switch to LED then I am more than happy to give up a little size for it.

It also looks like the 17" may have a slightly higher dpi in it's standard resolution (WAAAY more in the HD res)

Have you had the opportunity to view these screens side by side?

You mentioned that an cfl bulb burns out faster than an LED, I know this is many many years for each, but I would like to know if this will delay the screens "brightness" dropping over time. My macbook is about 18 months old and there has been some drop off in total brightness the screen can produce.

Kalel

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Answer 3

Mandy K

Level 2

325 points

Jan 20, 2008 3:35 PM in response to Kalel

Unfortunately, I haven't seen two MacBook Pros with the different backlights side-by-side. However, there were comparisons done and photos posted around the web showing the difference when the LED screens came about, and they did appear significantly brighter. In my own experience, all the LED backlit screens I've seen (not exclusively MacBook Pros) have been noticeably brighter than CCFL screens (including the 20 inch Cinema display). In darker environments the LED backlit screen at full brightness can actually be quite glaring.

Contrast is probably not affected much except as a perceived side effect of having a brighter backlight.

You mentioned that an cfl bulb burns out faster than an LED, I know this is many many years for each, but I would like to know if this will delay the screens "brightness" dropping over time.

Yes, one of the stated advantages of LED backlights is that they tend to be more even over time and less likely to develop regions of varying brightness.

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Answer 4

Jan 20, 2008 4:03 PM in response to Kalel

I'm an owner of both the 15" LED and 15" CCFL Macbook Pro models

I would say battery life improved about a half hour for me.
The CCFL can go for 3:00 to 3:30, and the LED from 3:30 to 4:00, with new batteries each.

The brightness is superior. It goes to full brightness immediately and doesn't have any "gray spots while warming up" that some MBP and Powerbook G4 users experience. Also, even though the machine is used often, the screen is still very bright. Can't say the same for CCFL.

CCFL monitors are more likely to darken with time. The screen's color balance may also shift over time as the CCFL ages.

As for contrast, I'm not completely sure. I suppose since the LED's color balance is more toward white, it improves contrast, and the difference is greater over time compared to the CCFL. But from the start, it may be very similar.

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Answer 5

Kalel Author

Level 2

274 points

Jan 22, 2008 2:06 AM in response to supertvfanatic

Thank you these responses were very helpful. I finally decided that I needed to drive down and see, so last night I drove to the city to check them out. My impression is that compared to the 17" the 15" screen is significantly brighter. I calibrated each myself and then set several of the same images side by side. The 15" equals the 17" on brightness somewhere between the third and second notch from the top on the "brightness scale" End result being that the 15" has an additional notch and a half brightness from the get go over the 17" (to my eye) Apparently this will only widen with age (according to everything I have read comparing LED's to CCFL's)

Unless Apple switches the 17" to LED in the next week or so, it is a 15" Macbook pro for me!! Thank you for all the help.

Kalel

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