Bright screens on MBP - do they help?

1

I’ve noticed that sometimes my MBAir 15inch screen just isn’t bright enough for my 55 year old eyes, and, despite thinking it would be my main working machine for the next 3 years, I’m considering getting a MBP16inch, probably with the nano screen.

I’d love for someone to tell me this either a crazy idea or brilliant idea.

I’d rather not spend the money, but … you know …

BTW: I live in a sunny place and I’d love to be able to work outside more easily.

2

Isn’t that coating dimming the screen a bit?

(Unfortunately I haven’t seen one in real life; stores near to me don’t have such models in their showrooms)

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3

We don’t see the world through your eyes, so hard to answer directly. I have a 16" M3 Max (2024) and it is plenty bright. So much so, that I rarely need to crank up the brightness to full on. There’s an issue with the M3 display that dithering can cause eye strain – which I’ve experienced. I use a utility, Stillcolor, to reduce that.

4

The brightness of the display is measured in nits. MacBook Air is 500 nits:

MacBook Pro 1000 nits, so twice as bright:

I would compare them in the store to make sure it is worth it to you.

5

This may not work for you, but I have a M1 Max MBP Pro and a M4 13" iPad Pro. The iPad’s screen is vastly superior to the MBP. The iPad screen is brighter, crisper, and with blacker blacks. Again, I realize the iPad may not work for your main work, but I thought I’d pass this along. I’ll upgrade my MBP immediately if/when Apple releases one with an OLED screen. It’s only :money_with_wings::slightly_smiling_face:.

6

I wouldn’t compare in store. Artificial lighting is quite different to working out on the deck. I’d vote for ordering from Apple and returning or onselling if it doesn’t seem like the higher brightness is worth it.

7

I think I know what my problem is!

I’ve got the new iPad Pro, and I’ve got Mac Studio displays, and I think my eyes are loving the better screens and struggling with the MBA screen, even though it is lovely.

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8

That’s a good suggestion. My nearest Apple Store is 3000km away, and a very long swim, so I’ve just ordered one on line from Apple. The extended December return period helps.