Advice about Nano Texture Option on the new MacBook Pro's

Question

Level 1

65 points

Advice about Nano Texture Option on the new MacBook Pro's

At this moment, I am making a strong consideration about purchasing one of the new MacBook Pro's with the M4 chip. The ONE THING that I keep going back and forth about with whether to get the standard display or the nano texture option.

For me, it is not really me being considered about the decreases in the blacks on the screen. The reason I keep going back and forth is because of the durability of the nano texture option compared to the standard display.

Specifically, what happens if you close your MacBook and there is a crumb on the keyboard? Will that potentially damage the screen easier compared to the standard glass option?

Also, I get that the nano texture option comes with standard Apple polish cloth that is safe to clean the screen. But, what happens in those moments when those "gunky specks" (I guess you can them that" get stuck to the screen? Is it than safe to use a screen cleaner?

I know that I am probably overthinking this a bit too much. I just really would love to know all the potential facts before spending extra money on something to remove glare from a MacBook when the "potential" consequences might bother me more than a reflection.

I really hope someone can help me with this.

MacBook Pro (M4)

Posted on Nov 11, 2024 11:17 AM

Reply

Answer 1

g_wolfman

Level 4

2,062 points

Nov 11, 2024 5:45 PM in response to 17001005

Perhaps visiting an Apple Store and talking to them might help you? I mean just statistically speaking, the machines have only been available a couple of weeks(?) so hard to say if anyone in the forums who might feel knowledgeable enough to comment has even bought one themselves yet...

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 15, 2024 11:10 AM in response to 17001005

I think what it comes down to is how frequently you get reflections on your current screen. If you usually work in a dark space with nothing to cause reflections, the standard display is probably a better choice. As I'm typing this on my personal 2019 16" Core i9 MBP on my desk where I typically use it, I can see the reflections of a couple of windows on the screen.

I can certainly understand the going back and forth! I ordered a 16" M4 Pro MBP on announcement day without the nano texture screen. But then I started thinking about it, and at that point I couldn't unsee the reflections at my desk, or from the recessed lighting sitting on the couch, etc. When I received the Mac, I took the unopened box into my local Apple Store and compared the standard and nano displays side by side (on the Pro Display XDR). I could see the difference in terms of the blacks not being as deep and a very slight loss of contrast on the nano texture display, but it my typical viewing conditions eliminating the reflections will make a bigger difference than that very subtle difference in the contrast. I returned the Mac and ordered the identical spec machine but with the nano texture display, which is on its way to me now.

Reply

Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 9

72,224 points

Nov 15, 2024 3:51 PM in response to 17001005

I feel like I'm overly searching for the "perfect answer" when there isn't one 😆.

Much like a quote (paraphrased) from Gen. George Patton: "A good plan carried out today is better than a perfect plan executed next week."

Reply

Answer 4

17001005 Author

Level 1

65 points

Nov 14, 2024 5:19 PM in response to g_wolfman

Quick update: I did get back from the Apple Store. I saw the nano texture in person and I thought it looked good (I did think the colors were not as crips on the standard, but I don't even know if that bothered me that much). When I was at the Apple Store, two people came to me. One said he wasn't that sure about the durability a food and oils in the long term. Another said that "nano texture would actually be stronger to limit scratches from food." It's like for every step forward, I end up back at the beginning of figuring out which screen to get.

Reply

Answer 5

17001005 Author

Level 1

65 points

Nov 15, 2024 10:55 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks! I just really wish this was still an easier item for me to make a decision about (probably just making a mountain out of a molehill). But, it really is one of those things I’m going back and forth on! On the one hand, it would be amazing to not deal with reflections (even though I guess it didn’t really bother me until I was told by everyone that it should bother me). On the other hand,I will say that there was a slight lose in color quality (nothing major though) since my MacBook is my primary media consumption device.

Reply

Answer 6

17001005 Author

Level 1

65 points

Nov 15, 2024 12:35 PM in response to neuroanatomist

I feel like I am in a similar position as you. Because it is like now, the main space I do use my laptop, reflections aren't not an issue. However, I guess there is also that alarm going off in my head saying that "that can change in a few months."

I feel like I'm overly searching for the "perfect answer" when there isn't one 😆.

Reply

Answer 7

17001005 Author

Level 1

65 points

Nov 15, 2024 4:46 PM in response to Allan Jones

The funny thing is that I know that I am over analyzing this!

I guess I am just at that point where I'm trying to figure out if nano texture is worth the money or if that money is better spent on something else!

Reply

Answer 8

Nov 15, 2024 6:02 AM in response to 17001005

The nano texture iPad Pro has been out for several months. Reports of its durability are positive. Most of the negative reports center around the need to get at least the 1 TB version to get it.

Reply