Hi LightStand:
I have use neither the MB or MBP but I am in the market for a MBP. I live in the Bay Area and went to Macworld this January. FWIW, the new 17" has a materially improved color gamit when compared to the MBP 15". Go to this page and read the paragraph on display:
http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/features-17inch.html2.3 million pixels of perfection.
"With the high-resolution LED-backlit widescreen display on the 17-inch MacBook Pro, you get desktop-quality color in an Apple notebook for the first time. The moment you open your MacBook Pro, you’re greeted instantly by full, corner-to-corner screen brightness. The 1920-by-1200-pixel resolution (133 pixels per inch) means you can view more palettes and windows or watch HD video in its native 1920-by-1080 resolution. Perfect whether you’re working in the studio or out in the field,
the display offers a 60 percent greater color gamut than previous generations for richer, more vibrant colors and a 700:1 contrast ratio that makes whites brighter and blacks blacker. In addition, the seamless glass enclosure makes the display stronger and more durable. Because it’s power efficient and the glass is mercury- and arsenic-free, it’s greener than ever. And now you can choose a standard glossy display or an optional antiglare display, depending on your needs."
After reading the paragraph above I went back to MacWorld a second day and discussed the 60 percent with several Apple people. By sheer chance, I hooked up with an Apple employee introducted to me as the "Product Manager". He could not tell me what percent of Adobe 98 the monitor can handle, stated that it is definitely visible, so lets look. He had the 17" sitting next to a 15" MBP and pulled up the same image on each. It was a a close up shot of a junior brides maid. The skin tones on the new 17" were significantly better than on the new 15" MBP. I would suggest that you go to an Apple store and take a test drive.
Apple also had a matt screen version at the show. Frankly I was disappointed with it. The screen uses what Apple describes first described as a film but is now describing as a coating. You can find that discussion on the ordering page when you get to the question on which version of the screen you wish to order. Here is what comes up:
DisplayMacBook Pro comes with a high-resolution 1920x1200 pixel LED-backlit display. Choose a standard glossy display that lets you view graphics, photos, and videos with richer color and deeper blacks, or an optional antiglare display.
Learn moreAbout glossy and antiglare
Choose the glossy widescreen display to make your graphics, photos, and videos appear with richer colours and deeper blacks — great for watching DVD movies.
If you prefer a display with antiglare coating for a matte rather than glossy viewing experience, choose the antiglare widescreen display.There was a small East Bay vendor at the MacWorld this year that for $200 modifies the glossy and turns it into the matt finish. Frankly, I thought it look materially better than the pre-production model Apple had at the show. I happen to know some Apple developers and probed them. My understanding is that Apple improved the "red filters" which had been inferior in earlier models. Will this trickle down the line? I do not know. IMO, displays have not been Apple's strong suit.
I am on the fence as to which 17" dispay I will order. I have been waiting to take another look once, both versions of the 17" to arrive at the Apple store. Which should occur an week or two now that they are shipping.
Good luck with your decision.
Bob West
