Comments on: How jarring is a glossy/matte combo with dual monitors?

Question: How jarring is a glossy/matte combo with dual monitors?

10ch — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:21:16 -0800

For those of you with glossy laptop screens, do you use glossy external monitors, too?

I'm about to buy a MacBook (only comes in glossy) and an external monitor (which come in matte or glossy). Is it jarring to go back and forth between glossy and matte when sharing screen real estate? Thanks.

By: wfrgms

wfrgms — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:29:37 -0800

Not jarring, but if the cost were the same I'd get the glossy monitor. The whole purpose for connecting an external monitor to a laptop is to provide a better viewing area. I think the sharpness of newer LCDs is noticeable compared to the older dull ones.

By: DMan

DMan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:39:32 -0800

A lot of people don't like the glossy screens because they result in more glare from room or window lighting. I am one of these people. I have a glossy laptop screen and a matte external monitor, and definitely prefer the matte. Not at all jarring to go back and forth between them.

By: dmd

dmd — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:48:29 -0800

I got an iMac about a year ago, with a glossy screen. I hoped I would get used to it. I haven't.

By: pocketfluff

pocketfluff — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:06:41 -0800

My laptop has a glossy screen, and I also use my girlfriend's matte screen laptop and other matte screens in the computer lab etc, and I haven't had any trouble switching between them, though I much prefer my glossy screen as it seems sharper and brighter. It's not a problem to use both for me though.

By: monocultured

monocultured — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:36:23 -0800

If you're relying on the external monitor for colour accuracy, get a matte screen. Even though the contrast is better on the glossy ones, the perceived dynamic range suffers because of it.

Eizo has a few good tutorials & faqs about screen technology. It's worth a read if you can find the link (I've misplaced it)

As to being annoyed at the different surfaces, it hasn't been an issue for me and my beloved Macbook whenever I'm using an additional (matte) screen.

By: advil

advil — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:43:34 -0800

I have a matte external monitor (a dell) and a (glossy) macbook, and I've never even thought about the fact that the two were different in this way until this question. The glossy one will probably pick up more glare if you have it positioned badly though -- I have my desk positioned so that neither will get any glare.

By: phatmonkey

phatmonkey — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:51:05 -0800

When both screens are on, you never notice the difference. I have a MacBook alongside dual matte screens and it is no problem at all.

By: 10ch

10ch — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:51:18 -0800

Great advice, ya'll. Thanks.

By: Tomorrowful

Tomorrowful — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:56:00 -0800

I've got a glossy laptop screen, and specifically got a matte external display for photo editing. The difference isn't jarring at all.

By: Optimus Chyme

Optimus Chyme — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:17:44 -0800

I have a glossy MacBook screen and a matte external monitor. The combination isn't jarring after a few days.

(It's more enjoyable reading on the glossy screen, but the matte screen is more accurate when calibrated (in my experience) even though there's some minor diffusion of the image. If you're in an arts field, I would tentatively recommend the matte screen for color-sensitive photo work. Honestly, you can do pro-level work on either.)

By: harwons

harwons — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:28:27 -0800

Here's a side by side comparison of matte and glossy screens in normal lighting conditions.