Which screen surface is better, glossy or matte? What to look for when choosing a matte or glossy laptop or monitor screen

Many people, planning to buy a new netbook, laptop or monitor, are faced with the fact that the type of coating on the screens of these devices is matte or glossy. A number of questions immediately arise about the differences between a glossy screen and a matte one. In this material we will try to help you understand which of the screens fits better in your particular case - glossy or matte.

The question of whether a glossy or matte laptop screen is better will soon disappear by itself. Most manufacturers have been producing gadgets with glossy screens exclusively for several generations. But the opinion of manufacturers is most likely dictated not so much by user convenience as by the presentation of the device on the shelf. First of all, a laptop with a shiny, glossy screen has a better presentation than its counterparts with matte screens. The main advantage of screens of this type is the quality of the picture and color rendition in rooms where direct rays of light do not fall on them. Otherwise, a mirror effect is created, and the user will not be able to see anything other than his own reflection. The advantage of such screens is that the picture on them is much brighter and more contrast, and the black color is much more saturated. In conditions of diffuse lighting in a room, the viewing angle of the image on a glossy laptop screen or monitor will be much greater than on a matte analogue.

If you choose a device with a matte screen, then you need to be prepared for the fact that it will be inferior in color and brightness to its glossy counterparts. This feature of these devices is caused by applying a special anti-reflective layer to the surface of the screen. The picture will be not so “lively” and a little grainy, but where the monitor is exposed to light or direct sunlight, the image on a matte screen will be clearly visible, unlike a glossy one. You need to be careful with such screens; you should not touch them with greasy hands; if stains appear, it will be quite problematic to erase them.

Before purchasing, be sure to consider the conditions in which you will use the device most often. If there is a window behind your workplace, then it is better to give preference to a matte screen. Well, if you want to use the device in a room illuminated by diffuse light, and you are picky about image quality, then it is better to choose a glossy one.

Elya | December 9, 2012, 10:23 pm
Marina, first you need to decide where you will use the laptop.
If you have it in a bright room in daylight, especially against the light, then the reflectivity of glossy monitor very big. It is so large that you can apply makeup to your face, looking at the monitor as if in a mirror. You can, of course, move it back and forth from a dark room to a light one and thereby adjust the comfort of using the glossy laptop screen for its intended purpose. But even in a fairly darkened room, if there is a light source behind you, then, for example, watching a movie or other viewing-related activity will cause you slight eye strain. Imagine what will happen when daylight... Also, all the dust particles, fingerprints and... splashes from the tangerine you just ate will be visible on the glossy screen.

Unlike a glossy screen, a matte screen has only advantages in terms of the parameters I cited above, namely: it is comfortable for the eyes everywhere and always - in the dark, in light (daylight and artificial) of different directions. Does not require frequent wiping to remove dust, stains and other obscenities. This does not mean that it will be cleaner than glossy, you just won’t see any of it.

If we consider the test subjects (glossy and matte) in terms of color rendering quality, contrast, etc. in a static and dynamic picture, then the glossy screen is undoubtedly ahead. In addition, when viewing the screen at an angle to the frontal plane of the eye, the image quality on a glossy monitor screen decreases very slightly. The same cannot be said about the matte screen.

So, to summarize: if eye comfort and ease of use in any conditions are important to you, then buy a laptop with a matte screen. If you need color rendering of images indoors with second light, use a laptop as desktop computer(in one place), adjusting the environment (light, position of yourself to the light, etc.), an additional mirror, then consider glossy models. My advice is thoughtful and supported by experience in using both.

VVladimir | December 9, 2012, 20:34
A glossy screen is very tiring for the eyes if there are any light or luminous objects behind it. This is especially bad when working with a laptop outdoors and during the day. Therefore, for long-term comfortable work It is recommended to use a matte screen with texts.

Glossy has the advantage of higher contrast and improved color rendition. If these factors are important to you, then it’s worth looking at someone’s similar screen at work to understand whether you will be comfortable working with gloss?

On laptops in Lately We have completely switched to the matte screen of Samsung, and there are also Vostro laptops. In a store, on rows of shelves with laptops, the difference between a glossy and matte screen is clearly visible.

Crimson | December 8, 2012, 2:20 pm
Take matte ones - they reflect and glare less.

Eugene | 6 December 2012, 14:16
Whichever one you like best is better.

Choose a glossy or matte laptop screen when purchasing

1. Introduction
2. Pros and cons of glossy and matte screens
3. Conclusion

So, introduction

What kind of screen (or more precisely the coating) of a laptop will be decides a lot. After all, having chosen once, a glossy or matte laptop screen, you will be faced with either a successful purchase or disappointment. (Plus, we advise you to pay attention to the issue of timely cleaning your laptop from dust).

These two types of coating are very common in models of various laptop manufacturers. This is because they have their own weaknesses and strengths(or more precisely directionality).

Let's say more, in order to release any laptop model, the manufacturer develops it for specific tasks and purposes, so that users, having purchased it, can make maximum use of it in the workplace or at home.

Pros and cons of glossy and matte laptop screens

• Pros of glossy screens:

Better color rendering and contrast. And this is not an exaggeration. This coating really has brighter and clearer colors. Which will be very preferable for those who are involved in image processing and editing and other similar areas of work with colors and shades.

• Cons of a glossy screen:

Glare on the screen due to light sources falling on it (lamps, lamps behind you, or you are just outside on a sunny day). And this is not an easy nitpick, this type The coating really unpleasantly reflects the light falling on it (unlike matte).

Plus, some users complained of eye fatigue, which is not surprising since light glare can strain the eyes. But whether this is a big disadvantage is up to you to decide, since many users are hardly bothered by this. Although, if, for example, your workplace always brightly lit, then do not pay attention to this nuance not worth it.

It's better to see how one of your colleagues with a glossy or matte screen is doing in a bright room, so you can determine what is acceptable for you. Let's just note that for many this is important parameter laptop, without taking into account which, after the purchase, they greatly regret that they were in a hurry.

Also, on the glossy screen, various marks are very visible (handprints, fingers, food and anything else that comes into contact with it). And this is true; fingerprints are very noticeable.

In a dimly lit room it may not be so obvious, but in a lit room you will be able to see everything that came into contact with the screen all day. This can be corrected either by wiping the surface with a napkin or by carefully using the device without touching it numerous times.

• Pros of a matte screen:

The main advantage (as opposed to glossy ones) is that the matte coating does not reflect light reflections. That is, in view of this, it is very convenient to work with it in a well-lit room or on the street. This also results in less eye fatigue if you have to work for a very long time. Typically, a matte finish on laptops is recommended for office work with text or numbers.

Another noticeable advantage of a matte finish is that it is not as easily soiled as a glossy finish. Or rather, it’s almost not noticeable at all, no matter how you touch it, unlike the glossy one.

• Disadvantages of matte coating:

Noticeably worse color rendering and contrast. And this is not an easy nuance; it really is so and is not noticeable to the naked eye. Therefore, this type is not recommended for work related to editing and processing color images.

Conclusion based on pros and cons

Based on these advantages and disadvantages, you can decide exactly what type of laptop screen you should give preference to. Because from these it turns out that if you work with editing most of the time color range(photography, postcards, design, etc.), then you better consider laptop models with a glossy screen finish.

If, on the contrary, your daily activity comes down to working with texts, numbers, and Internet searches, then most likely you should choose a matte one (although this is at your discretion, since this is not so important). Why do you think a laptop starts to make noise over time? The answer is simple, it can be found in the note the laptop started making noise, how to fix it.

It is important to understand that in any case it would be a good idea to independently consider specific model. Judging only by reviews, you should not randomly order a laptop (or not) to your home. It’s better to come to the store and ask to put two types of screens next to each other and include different types of files on them (pictures, videos, games, and so on).

This is the surest option to make a good purchase, since everything may be written accurately and correctly on the manufacturer’s website (or, according to reviews), but this does not mean that you will like it. Only Technical information for a number of models, and you can only find out exactly how it looks and functions by touching it with your own hands.

Conclusion

In the end, I would like to say that buying a laptop should be accompanied by an integrated approach. For example, you can search for information about it on the Internet (reviews and recommendations), ask friends for advice, or seek help from specialists. This way you can take into account greatest number nuances when purchasing and not to make a mistake when choosing a glossy or matte screen for a laptop.

The long-awaited day of buying a new monitor has arrived. And the first question in the store puzzles us: “What kind of monitor do you want? Matte or glossy? They begin to list all the advantages and disadvantages of both. As a result, we get lost and go home with nothing. To prevent this from happening, let’s first figure out which monitor is better: matte or glossy? What is their difference?
Both monitors have LCD panels. Glossy and matte monitors differ only in the coating applied to the screen. But if both displays use the same LCD panels, where does the matte versus glossy dichotomy come from?

Features of glossy monitor screens

Features of glossy screens are brighter, more saturated colors, high color rendering, and black color is much more pronounced. However, when using a glossy monitor, reflections and glare become more noticeable. Another downside is that when the computer is turned off, all fingerprints are visible. When sunlight hits the screen, the image becomes worse. As a result, it becomes impossible to work on it on a sunny day or outside. Another disadvantage of such a monitor is that they put a lot of strain on the eyes.

Matte screens differ from glossy screens by a special anti-reflective coating that prevents reflection. With a matte monitor, you can work in any conditions and reduce eye strain. The downside of this monitor is poor color reproduction, colors are faded and dull.

Operating conditions for glossy and matte monitors

If you need a monitor for home computer, then you should think about the lighting in the room. If it is not too bright, then a glossy monitor with rich color reproduction will do. But if you plan to work outdoors or in a room (office) where there is bright lighting, then it is preferable to choose a matte screen. Although it is worth remembering that a matte screen does not protect 100 percent from glare.
In any case, light sources that are in direct visibility must be hidden. However, in most work spaces, so-called open sources lights, which include all kinds of chandeliers, office wall or floor lamps. In this case, the use of gadgets with matte screens gives a significant advantage over glossy ones: they make glare less harsh, as if blurring them.
It is impossible to foresee all the conditions in which you will work. Everything can change the very next day after purchase. For example, you bought a glossy monitor, and tomorrow you will work outside or in a place where there is a lot of light. Purchasing anti-reflective film will help solve this problem. However, it is no longer possible to turn a matte monitor into a glossy one.

When working with graphic objects and image processing, glossy screens artificially increase contrast. The picture turns out bright and saturated. However, excessive contrast only visually creates a false sense of beauty. For these purposes, it is better to use a matte monitor.
If you use a computer to watch movies, surf the Internet, play games, video and graphic editors, then a glossy monitor will do. Reflections are not so noticeable. After all, in games and films there are bright pictures, here we need color saturation and entertainment. Another advantage of a glossy monitor, for example, in laptops, is lower battery consumption, since the picture looks more colorful when using a lower-power backlight. However, since modern gadgets, in our case, a laptop, a mobile and easily transportable device, it is easier to deal with excessive solar and household glare - the display screen can be easily moved to a convenient non-sunny place and rotated/tilted as desired. For this reason, glossy screen coating has found widespread use and has become especially popular on mobile devices.

Which monitor to choose for working with text and numbers?

At the same time, if you purchase equipment mainly for working with texts and numbers, then the most important criteria for choosing a monitor should be comfort for the eyes and the ability to use it in any conditions. IN in this case It is recommended to buy a matte monitor. Unlike a glossy screen, matte monitor the images will not be so bright and saturated, but bright sunlight hitting the monitor will not cause glare and the image will remain clearly readable.

If, when choosing a monitor model, the first priority is the highest need to convey the color gamut of the image in a room with secondary lighting, use a laptop/monitor at one workplace without moving it, adjusting the environment to it (lighting, location of the workplace to the light source etc.), additional reflective device, then glossy models can be considered. It should also be said that if you worked with a matte screen and switched to a glossy one, you will feel discomfort while working for some time.
Before purchasing, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of these monitors. In general, it is quite difficult to argue and gossip about the fact which screen covering is preferable, since each user chooses the most acceptable solution for himself. But to summarize all of the above, if you work in a room with dim lighting, a monitor with a glossy display will do. And if you use the monitor in brighter lighting, you should choose a display with a matte finish.

Let's summarize:

Pros of glossy monitors

• brighter, more saturated colors and high color rendering;
• black color is well defined;
• best when working with graphic objects, image processing, and watching videos.

Disadvantages of glossy screen monitors

• glare when sunlight hits the screen;
• fingerprints are visible;
• your eyes get tired faster.

Pros of matte monitors

• special anti-reflective coating;
• more comfortable working with texts and numbers;
• generally less responsive in games.

Cons of monitors with a matte finish

• poor color rendering;
• colors are faded, dull;
• some cheaper options show graininess.

If you look closely, each type of coating has its advantages and disadvantages, but in the end it all depends on how the monitor will be used: be it games, movies, or just work.

Glossy and matte laptop screens have the same LCD panels. The only real difference between these two types of displays is the coating applied to the screen. IN normal situation Glossy and matte laptop screens look almost the same. The debate about which display is better continues to this day, manufacturers cannot settle on one of the coatings, and users prefer different coatings, depending on what they want to get from the screen. Therefore, when buying a monitor, the question arises which type of screen is preferable to choose.

Glossy display screens have more bright colors and high contrast. Colors appear more intense and saturated, with deeper blacks. On a glossy display, glare and reflections are much more noticeable. The image on the monitor becomes significantly worse when exposed to direct sunlight or even just sunlight through a window, which makes the glossy display unsuitable for use on a sunny day.

Matte screens have a special anti-reflective coating applied to them to prevent reflection. It is much easier to work on a matte screen sunlight or intense lighting from fluorescent lamps in the office. The main disadvantage is that the matte finish makes the colors duller. A glossy display is worth purchasing if you plan to work in rooms without bright lighting.

Matte displays resist glare much better, but this doesn't really matter unless you plan to use it in bright light. Various manufacturers use different LCD panels for monitors and image quality can vary significantly, regardless of the coating, but in any case, the difference in a matte and glossy laptop screen will be quite noticeable. Buying a monitor for desktop computer To work in a room with not too bright lighting, it’s definitely worth purchasing a glossy display and getting a brighter and more saturated image. When purchasing a laptop or tablet, you will most likely want to use it on sunny days outdoors, in which case it is worth purchasing a screen with a matte finish to avoid sun glare. If you don't plan to use your laptop in direct sunlight, you might want to consider buying a laptop with a glossy screen that has more intense colors than a matte display with its anti-glare coating.

You can endlessly debate and weigh the pros and cons different types displays, there is no clear answer to this question and it all depends on personal preferences. If it were possible to flip a switch and change the finish of a laptop's display from glossy to matte depending on the lighting, that would be ideal. Unfortunately, there is no such option and we have to choose one thing. Of course, we can buy an anti-glare screen film for a glossy display, but it might be more logical to just buy a matte display if you have such ideas. Some users claim that they prefer the softer colors of a matte display rather than the too bright glossy ones. For these people, the question of choosing a glossy or matte laptop screen resolves itself in favor of the latter. In any case, the choice depends on the personal preferences of the users.