That is what I want to know before I buy: Which
screen is technically/operatively superior in it's
color display. My "preference" is for the superior
quality, not the perceived quality.
Can anyone provide that baseline information?
I feel the same way you do in regards to the subjective posts about the difference in displays. I work in post production and see alot of monitors and footage. I now have a Glossy MBP C2D and I have access to a Matte MBP CD. I've done a side by side comparison of these two very good screens.
On the same calibration setting (color LCD standard) Glossy has a higher kelvin temperature giving it a cleaner white look slightly bluish if you view them side by side. Glossy also has a slightly darker black. Because of the way Matte scatters ambient light it gives off a slight bit more color saturation on some content. Glossy does perform brighter than the matte display. Viewing angles are identical on both.
If you use specs, not opinion in your decision.
1. Glossy has higher contrast (regarded by many as the most important picture element)
2. Glossy has the brighter display.
3. Glossy has slightly better color saturation.
All top features of the best picture/image. As far as concerns regarding color accuracy. I haven't put any bars or graphs up to them this is just what I see right away. Both can be calibrated/adjusted. But the viewing angles in laptop panels makes this a mute point. Both are of no use in a professional environment doing color correction. I wouldn't dare do CC on a laptop monitor and I have not met any Graphic Artists who don't have desktops to work on.
Now that being said, Glossy does give glare if bright light sources are behind you. In that regard matte wins. But people have been looking at glossy CRT TV's and computer displays for over 50 years. Now glare becomes and issue?
I don't work on rooftops or sport stadiums so glare was not a big issue for me.
"If gloss is better, why isn't there a gloss Cinema Display? Isn't this the top of the line TFT display? Isn't it considered the BEST flat screen for graphics use? That's what I've always heard."
There are true professional grade LCD monitors with a Gloss finish, for video Panasonic makes some very good one's as well as marshall. I can't remember if I've seen any sony's. Almost all Ultra High end monitors I've seen have been glossy.
To my knowledge Apple does not make LCD panels, nor do most computer makers. They buy them from samsung or toshiba like most of the industry then put their touch on it. Apple buys what it feels is best for it's customer base. I went to a large trade show and one of the manufacturers was showing their product (HD footage) on Apple Cinema Displays. Clearly it was not the best choice, as other manufacturers showcased their footage on high end (Glossy) monitors that looked stunning. Graphics may be different, when I work with graphic artist they use color profiles to make sure the printers print what they are looking at.
Hopes this helps.
