New mac or new monitor?

Hi All,

Looking for some advice here. I have a mid 2012 macbook pro 15" that has the high res anti-glare screen (last 15" computer before retina). It has 1GB video card, 8GB ram and a 500GB SSD (that I installed). The issue I am having is that my images look so different on my macbook than on my iphone, work computer, ipad, etc. I feel like the macbook makes darks look lighter than usual, even after turning the brightness down. The trend seems to be pretty consistent across other devices. Do you think I should drop a few hundred on a new monitor or just get a newer macbook or imac?

Dorian7 wrote in post #17366713
Hi All,

Looking for some advice here. I have a mid 2012 macbook pro 15" that has the high res anti-glare screen (last 15" computer before retina). It has 1GB video card, 8GB ram and a 500GB SSD (that I installed). The issue I am having is that my images look so different on my macbook than on my iphone, work computer, ipad, etc. I feel like the macbook makes darks look lighter than usual, even after turning the brightness down. The trend seems to be pretty consistent across other devices. Do you think I should drop a few hundred on a new monitor or just get a newer macbook or imac?

Get a calibrator before doing anything. It might solve your problem, might not. Reason I say to get one, for photographic work you really need one anyway.

TheX-Rite i1Display Pro seems to be the highest recommended one. The X-Rite Color Munki Display or the Spyder 4 Pro both are highly rated and cost less if you don't want to pay that much.

Other than that, a display almost has to be a IPS type on a laptop for photo work. If the screen changes brightness when you tilt it up or down slightly, it is not and IPS monitor. If it is not, then you either need to buy a laptop with one, or buy an external monitor. If it alreasy has an IPS then then just get a calibrator before you do anything else.

I have been thinking about getting a calibration tool. But what you discribe is also part of the problem. The monitor definitely does change brightness if it is tilted. So it is hard to keep it consistent.

Your usage will determine what you need to do. Personally if I was in your shoes I would get a monitor and a calibrator first.

Two monitors is great with Lightroom. Do the work on the lesser monitor and view the image on the calibrated monitor. Even if you upgrade later you will already have those two items taken care of.

24 inch with 100% sRBG gamut on an IPS will do the job without really blowing everyone's budget. If you want more from a monitor there are many more threads on here with plenty of advise on "which monitor" to buy.

Get the calibrator first... you will need it regardless of whether you get another monitor.

monitor! Your machine is fine.

I'd say you'd need a new monitor first if you have already determined that the screen on your macbook is not an IPS. I couldn't work without dual screen so getting a better monitor that is ISP is going to get your 90% of the way there. When it comes to calibration, you can get yourself most of the way there without using anything. Don't fool yourself into thinking however that if you have a perfectly calibrated computer monitor that all you images will look perfect on every other screen. Unless every other screen has been calibrated too, they might be off as well and exaggerating the problem you have with your current laptop screen.

Second what seres said, get a calibrator first. As a computer geek I'm always a big fan of a second monitor too.

el5y wrote in post #17369229
Second what seres said, get a calibrator first. As a computer geek I'm always a big fan of a second monitor too.

+1

once you go dual monitors, you will choose a dual 20" setup vs a single 24" setup everytime if the monitors have the same specs. I couldn't go back to a single monitor now unless it was strictly only a gaming setup.

+10 for a new monitor and calibrator. I've had dual monitors for years and can't imagine not having them. I ruined an old computer desk running dual CRT monitors! It totally bowed in the middle from the weight.

flowrider wrote in post #17372293
+10 for a new monitor and calibrator. I've had dual monitors for years and can't imagine not having them. I ruined an old computer desk running dual CRT monitors! It totally bowed in the middle from the weight.

Haha Been there done that. Imagine dual Sony Trinitron monitors on a particle board desk. Oh those college days.

el5y wrote in post #17372619
Haha Been there done that. Imagine dual Sony Trinitron monitors on a particle board desk. Oh those college days.

I had 2 Samsung 17" CRT's on an Ikea desk with no middle support!

I have a 15" macbook pro from 2010 with the Hi-res screen, as my secondary portable workspace. Anyways, I had to get a calibrator to keep it as similar between my macbook and my desktop monitors. It solved a lot of problems (except my U2410 doesn't calibrate very well but that is a different matter). So I would say get a new monitor and calibrator.

Monitor, calibrator & why not throw in another 8GB RAM whilst you're at it

You know it makes sense!

Personally i would look at a new monitor