M4 MacBook Pro nano-texture display - what the experts are saying.
The new M4 MacBook Pro comes with the option of a new nano-texture display, which is the first time we are getting a matte display on an Apple laptop in years.
Should you get the $150 option? Whether you go 14-inch for 16-inch, here is what the experts are saying:
The Verge:
As for doing my edits on the nano-texture display, I know glossy screens have a slightly deeper contrast, but I love not worrying about glare. I’m not exclusively editing in a dark room with a hooded reference monitor, and I like the flexibility of working in places with less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The convenience of the nano-texture far outweighs any slight technical advantage of a glossy display. And at $150, it’s a worthwhile upgrade for visual pros.
Their description sounds great, but their review images don’t seem that convincing. Take a look for yourself. The nano-texture display is on the right:
Source: The Verge
Source: The Verge
I frequently use my laptop outside. If it’s a nice day, I will sit in my backyard under a redwood tree and write. I did so for this article, in fact, and spent some time trying to counteract the afternoon sun shining through the branches with the new screen brightness and nano-texture display.
The results were very good. True, not even the nano-texture display can really defeat the sun shining directly into the screen and reflecting into my eyes. But beyond that extreme condition, it defeated all other forms of glare easily. Using a nano-texture-covered display is a little weird—the reflections just stop at the screen edge, as if by magic. It works incredibly well. And most of the time, in more normal lighting conditions, I didn’t really notice the nano-texture being there. Yes, if you look closely, you will notice a light scatter that reduces contrast a bit.
More praise, but no photos really showing a good comparison.
If we go to some video reviewers, we get a better idea of what to expect. Dave2D does a nice comparison between the two displays and the difference is night and day.
Same with Bobby Tonelli, who says that the nano-texture is amazing and, “there’s no degradation in contrast.”
Final Conclusions
If you are someone who hates glare and has to work in different lighting environments, you should opt for the nano-texture display. If you are someone who values every bit of contrast and punchy colors your display can offer and are willing to deal with glare, then go for the standard display and save $150.
If I were to get one of these laptops, I would go for the glossy display since I don’t work under harsh lighting and I would rather have the maximum amount of vibrancy from the display.
Plus I would save $150.