iMac's glossy screen...

[Whale Meat Again]

So I've been wanting to get a Mac, and I finally decided on an iMac. But the issue of the glossy screen has come to my attention...

I understand that within the general "Mac community" this is an old issue, and though I did look back through old threads, I really didn't see a dedicated discussion (excuse me if I missed it). From what I've read, it's close to a deal killer for me.

Photography (with a DSLR) is a hobby of mine and I do some photo editing and I'm concerned that the glossy screen could make editing difficult and affect accuracy. Additionally, I am considering the 24" iMac to double as a TV. I'm worried that it will be a pain to look at due to glare (the Mac will be in a fairly bright room near a window).

I know there is division on this issue. I'm curious to hear opinions from everyone who has used the glossy screen, but especially those who also do photo or video editing - I'm curious to see if it hinders their work in any way.

I have checked out the iMacs in person, but I never really considered the glossy screen factor. I realize it'll come down to what works for me, but I'm still interested in others' experiences. Thanks.

[Aperture]

Do not use the glossy screen. It reproduces over-saturated colours which are fine for every day use. But when colour reproduction is paramount, and you want to view your pictures with accuracy in terms of their colour profiling, you need a matte screen!

[Whale Meat Again]

Thank you for the (blunt!) reply. What you said is what I figured would be the general consensus.

Of course that's not what I wanted to hear - I've wanted a Mac for years and now the fine details are making this a very difficult decision process...

It's a shame Apple doesn't offer both screen options for the iMac, as it does for the MacBook Pro.

[DrewJW]

I feel they did this, to make Guru's more inclined to purchase the Mac Pro systems of course more expensive and far more powerful but you can pick your own screen.

[giga Veteran]

To be honest, it's not that bad. I've compared a matte MBP and iMac side by side and the difference in color saturation is pretty minimal.

The iMac (24") actually reproduced much smoother gradients and color accuracy thanks to its H-IPS panel. Check them out at an Apple Store if you can--unless you're doing some serious magazine production work, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Aperture]

It doesn't? Are you sure?

If that's the case then I'll be damned! That's such a vital commodity for photographic work, how can Cupertino skip on such an important factor?

I'm on a MBP at the moment, a little more in cost, than the lower iMac solution - but I think this coupled with an external display is an awesome configuration.

Have you thought about purchasing a Macbook Pro instead?

unless you're doing some serious magazine production work, I wouldn't worry about it.

Hrm, not wanting to troll but I find that statement a tad ignorant.

For a serious amateur or pro the thing you want most accurate, is the colour profiling. Without it your photographs both on the web ( I understand most monitors won't be colour profiled, and thus renders your efforts useless...but nontheless) and on print.

If you want your pictures to hold credence to your original on your monitor, then colour accuracy is a must, and shouldn't be dismissed as something that 'just some serious mag. editor might need'...

over-saturation of colours is probably even more of a problem because black and white will again, still be over saturated and images can appear more contrasty than true.

[giga Veteran]

Yeah, with some proper external calibration--it's really not as "bad" as it seems.

.mac i think you should rent one for a week and run it through Huey or eyeone and see the results.

[Aperture]

Yeah, with some proper external calibration--it's really not as "bad" as it seems.

.mac i think you should rent one for a week and run it through Huey or eyeone and see the results.

We've got a large-format printer just purchased in our neg-scanning room ready to be set up. I'm hoping to do some testing to see if my Macbook Pro even stands up to the test.

I wasn't aware you could rent an iMac? I was wanting to purchase one for my new flat but now that I've been made aware of the lack of options concerning gloss-screens, I'm grossly put off.

The hazro monitor mrk reviewed in the reviews section seems ever so more pleasing now...

[giga Veteran]

Apple Stores have a 14 day return policy. ;)

Here's a good read: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp...essage=24321625

Summary: Using the profiles generated in the last run getting truthful colours and matching prints from sRGB images was no problem with both iMacs - that can be easily translated into: for consumer and most prosumer use the machines are fully up to the task.

[+StevoFC MVC]

you guys are forgetting the fact that you can connect another monitor to the iMac also. If you are so worried about the glossy screen for photo editing just use another monitor with it.

I have a 24 inch iMac and I have no problems with color accuracy.

[richardsim7]

you guys are forgetting the fact that you can connect another monitor to the iMac also. If you are so worried about the glossy screen for photo editing just use another monitor with it.

I have a 24 inch iMac and I have no problems with color accuracy.

Was just about to mention that :)

-Rich-

[Aperture]

Apple Stores have a 14 day return policy. ;)

Here's a good read: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp...essage=24321625

Summary: Using the profiles generated in the last run getting truthful colours and matching prints from sRGB images was no problem with both iMacs - that can be easily translated into: for consumer and most prosumer use the machines are fully up to the task.

I'm sorry, but I don't see that summary you made, he mentioned obvious colour shifts and non-perfect shadow reproduction. Something I'd need to be perfect in my exhibition prints...

you guys are forgetting the fact that you can connect another monitor to the iMac also. If you are so worried about the glossy screen for photo editing just use another monitor with it.

I have a 24 inch iMac and I have no problems with color accuracy.

What I'm not forgetting is my limited desk space and my limited budget. But you're right, that options available for people who may have room for two, and a budget too!

[giga Veteran]

I'm sorry, but I don't see that summary you made, he mentioned obvious colour shifts and non-perfect shadow reproduction. Something I'd need to be perfect in my exhibition prints...

What I'm not forgetting is my limited desk space and my limited budget. But you're right, that options available for people who may have room for two, and a budget too!

It's there--just CMD+F search for it.

Then the test was repeated in complete darkness - now all three packages gave consistent results without obvious errors.

So - calibrating/profiling at all was done, and pretty much what I had expected. Next question was the calibration quality. I cannot list each and every detail, because it will take forever - so only a quick summary:

Using the profiles generated in the last run getting truthful colours and matching prints from sRGB images was no problem with both iMacs - that can be easily translated into: for consumer and most prosumer use the machines are fully up to the task.

An iMac + External Display would be better value for your money than MBP + External Display. I'd say it takes up less space than a MBP as well since you can line it right against the wall.

Unless you need portability, I see no reason not to get an iMac over the MBP.

[fall3n]

The best solution for photography would be a loaded laptop and a nice cinema display ;)

[Cara Veteran]

Alrighty, I sat this one out for a bit just because I'm sure people are getting sick of seeing my name everywhere but... ;)

In my opinion, based upon my knowledge of the Apple Product Lines, I'd recommend either a 15-inch or 17-inch Matte Screened MacBook Pro to couple with your digital photography desires.

My reasoning behind this is that when shooting, sometimes it is just easier to whip out your computer right then and there and look at the shot, the Matte screen provides you with a more true to life color aspect than what you get off the over-saturation appearance on the glossy, and the MacBook Pro provides you the ability to run Aperture wonderfully.

When considering the iMac, which is a wonderful consumer machine mind you, it is exactly that...consumer. It is designed with the needs of a Home User in mind, not someone who would be using it to work with SLR quality photos, home photo editing by mom and dad, yes.

You mentioned TV viewing, well, though some will disagree I love the 17-inch Ultra High Res MBP for that exact reason. ;)

Those are my thoughts, there is some good information already in this thread though so ultimately the decision will be made after you have a chance to look at and touch each machine to see what best fits your needs. :)

[Whale Meat Again]

Well, thank you for all the replies. I can tell that this is still a sharply divided topic, and I appreciate the input from both sides.

To those who suggested the MacBook Pro, that is what I intended to buy in the first place. The only thing that held me back (aside from the rumored updates supposedly coming soon) was was the size of the screen. For the past few years I have been using a 17" monitor and I'm afraid that I'll regret going back to a smaller screen size (I can't afford the 17" MacBook Pro). Of course I considered that I could hook up a separate monitor, but that is somewhat redundant and a waste, which is why...

...I was set on the iMac, until I dug deeper and found out about this glossy screen business. It's disappointing because Apple is often synonymous with film editing and photography, and in this case it doesn't live up to connection. But I digress.

As pointed out, both the MacBook Pro and iMac can have a separate monitor connected, so at this point it comes down to preference. I'll have to go back and check out both of them, and also see what WWDC yields.

Thanks again, and if anyone has any further input, I'd be glad to hear it.

[Cara Veteran]

Well, thank you for all the replies. I can tell that this is still a sharply divided topic, and I appreciate the input from both sides.

To those who suggested the MacBook Pro, that is what I intended to buy in the first place. The only thing that held me back (aside from the rumored updates supposedly coming soon) was was the size of the screen. For the past few years I have been using a 17" monitor and I'm afraid that I'll regret going back to a smaller screen size (I can't afford the 17" MacBook Pro). Of course I considered that I could hook up a separate monitor, but that is somewhat redundant and a waste, which is why...

...I was set on the iMac, until I dug deeper and found out about this glossy screen business. It's disappointing because Apple is often synonymous with film editing and photography, and in this case it doesn't live up to connection. But I digress.

As pointed out, both the MacBook Pro and iMac can have a separate monitor connected, so at this point it comes down to preference. I'll have to go back and check out both of them, and also see what WWDC yields.

Thanks again, and if anyone has any further input, I'd be glad to hear it.

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