Direct LCD Comparison: PB versus MBP

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Level 1

65 points

Direct LCD Comparison: PB versus MBP

Hey everyone,

As luck would have it, I own both a PB and a MBP. Some MBP owners have been wondering if there has been a downgrade in LCD quality since the PB. I can say with much certainty that the PB LCD is indeed superior. Here's why:

1. PB display has little to no color-shift. On my MBP I have to position my eyes at just the right level to get a decent evenness of the on-screen colors. Move my head just a little and brightness and colors shift dramatically. This effect actually gives me a headache. On my PB I can view the screen from many angles with no problem.

2. PB display is larger. This is more of a personal preference, but I do miss those missing pixels on the MBP. I do a lot of photography and coincidentally, my PB display is the exact same aspect ratio as the photos taken with my Canon 350D.

3. PB display has no graininess. Looking at my PB display, everything is solid. On my MBP everything looks shimmery and speckled. Both screens are matte, but maybe the MBP is using a different kind of coating?

Anyhoo, I just wanted to post this direct comparison and maybe put some users' minds to rest. You guys and girls aren't crazy. There is a difference. What can be done about it, I'm not sure.

Cheers,
Friday

PB and MBP Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 16, 2006 5:08 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 16, 2006 8:56 PM in response to Friday Night

Interesting. I am comparing a 17 MBP C2D and a 17 PB 1.67.

The MBP is definitely brighter. This is the most noticeable difference and makes going between the two difficult because the PB looks murky in comparison.

On the MBP I do notice more of a contrast/brightness shift dependant on the tilt of the screen. This is kind of annoying. The bigger issue is that the MBP doesn't tilt as much so it's harder to use while standing. This is when I miss my old Titanium.

The brightness of the MBP display will have a tendency to make a photo look grainier because it's bringing out the highs in the photo. I usually keep the brightness about 4-5 clicks from max (still much brighter than PB on full brightness).

What do you mean the PB is larger - is your PB a 17 and MBP a 15? The higher resolution on the MBP makes the PB look almost childish in comparison when you see how big text and window bars are.

Matt

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Answer 2

Friday Night Author

Level 1

65 points

Nov 16, 2006 9:19 PM in response to Matthew Grayson

Yes, the MBPs do have brighter screens. As bright as the Cinema Displays, if I remember Steve Jobs saying.

As for which systems I have, they are the PB 1.67 and the MBP 2.0. When I say that the PB is larger, I mean that it has a higher resolution display than the newer MBP. 1440 x 960 versus 1440 x 900, respectively. With the MBP you lose 60 pixels of vertical height due to the integrated iSight camera.

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Answer 3

picov

Level 1

0 points

Nov 17, 2006 8:48 AM in response to Friday Night

Direct PBG4 and MBP CD2 display comparision:

All images are taken in the same positions, light conditionz and exposure (manually set with a Canon EOS 350D).

- Uniform white background with 3 different angles:
http://homepage.mac.com/picov/MBPCD2PBG4TI_WHITE1024.jpg

- Orizzontal fade from black to white with 3 different angles:
http://homepage.mac.com/picov/MBPCD2PBG4TI_FADE1024.jpg

A movie test for vertical visual angle width:
Note that the the fade movement is more uniform in the old PBG4.
Into the MBP CD2 movie, also note the reduced vertical visual angle resulting in a white spot on the right that goes up and down:

- MacBook Pro Core Duo 2 15"
http://homepage.mac.com/picov/MBPCD2_FADE.mov

- PowerBook G4 Titanium 15" 1GHz
http://homepage.mac.com/picov/PBG4TI_FADE.mov

I'm hoping that this is related to a defective LCDs series.
Now I'm waiting for a replacement of the first model I've received.

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Answer 4

Nov 17, 2006 8:51 AM in response to picov

great job on the movies.
Its about time someone posted those. Now lets see what apple says about there problem free lcd.

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