Another I got a MAC, need some advise

Ok, I have been researching the mac thing for a longtime and even had one for a few days 4-5 years ago.

I decided to move my photo workflow over to MAC from PC. I did some research and found that people are saying the 15" with LED backlit screen with matte finish is much better for editing photos than the mecury based screen. (MACBOOK PRO).

I am thinking GREAT, save a litle money get a better screen etc.

15" pro's and con's:

Pros:
Better battery life because LED screen and smaller than 17"
Better screen for editing??
Better portability

Cons:
Hand in hand but the screen is smaller with less realistate
Not much else i can think off.

17"
Pros:
More screen realistate

Cons:
Less battery life with bigger laptop etc.

Granted I will be using this a good bit as a desktop so an external monitor will be used. But I will be taking it on location good bit. So battery life and portability as well as screen quality for editing is all important.

I guess my main quesitons for anyone with experince is, is the screen from the LED vs. mercury really that much different or am I making it out to be more of a difference than it really is? And if you were buying a macbookpro over again would you go for one or the other nw that you know more? I did buy the $2499 macbookpro with led matte screen Sunday but havnt opened it yet as i am questioning my decision...

Have you read this?

I got the 15" matte screen and use a dell 24" widescreen LCD plugged in via DVI to edit on. the matte screen is more realistic, so you can get more accurate color and doesn't have as much of a glare problem. The glossy screen does make photos pop more and is nicer for watching dvd's on etc.

René Damkot wrote in post #4308977
Have you read this?

I have and it seems his is the only review I can find that confirms that information. Every other review seems to say there isnt much difference and the led is less birght than the mecury screens when the brigthness is turned down to half way.

It is looking like I will probably hold on to the 15", but I will read more over the next day or two I guess before opening the one I have.

viperx27 wrote in post #4308998
I got the 15" matte screen and use a dell 24" widescreen LCD plugged in via DVI to edit on. the matte screen is more realistic, so you can get more accurate color and doesn't have as much of a glare problem. The glossy screen does make photos pop more and is nicer for watching dvd's on etc.

Thanks, i kind of determibned the matte is best for doing real work. Plus easier to see for me when the ambient light is bright.

Steve Beck wrote in post #4310309
I have and it seems his is the only review I can find that confirms that information. Every other review seems to say there isnt much difference and the led is less birght than the mecury screens when the brigthness is turned down to half way.

Even if you prefer the gloss (and I don't see why you would), processing is much faster on the pro - so that part of the decision should be easy at least.

BTW - I have a macbook (which has the glossy screen) and a pro/matte, and while the macbook is nice for web browsing and the like, the pro is more faithful on the display. Also - no issues with lowering the brightness here. It smoothly transitions, and is still good on the lowest brightness at least in lower light situations.

Haven't seen the 15" LED ones in real life yet.
I do know that I prefer the Powerbook 17" screen to the MacBookPro 17" screen. (allthough it must be said that the latter is still waiting for a replacement screen due to a lighter band at the bottom, so it might just be a 'road Apple')

sswanson wrote in post #4311932
Even if you prefer the gloss (and I don't see why you would), processing is much faster on the pro - so that part of the decision should be easy at least.

BTW - I have a macbook (which has the glossy screen) and a pro/matte, and while the macbook is nice for web browsing and the like, the pro is more faithful on the display. Also - no issues with lowering the brightness here. It smoothly transitions, and is still good on the lowest brightness at least in lower light situations.

I dont prefer the gloss, I prefer the matte finish. I guess I am the firstof the bunch on POTN to think about a 15 with LED backlight etc. In fact Rob seems to be the only one out of 15 or so reviews I have found that said it really make a difference. So i am curious to just how critial he is on the review and how much maybe a very minute difference makes a BIG change in his mind.