Doing Away With The Pixels

Three months ago, I sold a top of the line workhorse machine, the Apple Mac Pro. Six weeks later, I sold the 4.1 million pixel wonder I had connected to it, more commonly known as the 30″ Apple Cinema Display. Why? The move to a complete portable platform had become more and more attractive as weeks past, while all four million pixels of the Apple Cinema Display sat cold and unused.

4.1 Million To 1.3 Million

Pixels, that is. When I sold the 30″ Apple Cinema Display, I sold the large canvas I had become so attached to when the Mac Pro was in my possession.

Have I missed it? Not at all. The MacBook Pro paired with Spaces has been a perfect solution to losing my large display. I feel so much more comfortable knowing everything is in one place, in one machine. I don’t have as much cash tied up in technology that’s sitting unused.

It’s surprising to myself that I haven’t once regretted my decision. This could be reinforced by the 2 week period I had leading up to listing the display for sale. I told myself I’d not touch it for another two weeks, and see if I missed it. I didn’t, so off it went. Out of sight, out of mind.

Adapting With Spaces

Spaces, one of Leopard’s ‘innovative’ features has shaped the way I use my notebook. When playing with a screen measuring 1440 x 900 pixels - things are bound to change compared to a 2560 x 1600 canvas.

I set up three Spaces on the 15″ MacBook Pro to organize various applications. The first Space been the active work area, for Safari, blogging, writing, editing, etc. The second space is set aside for communication (Mail, iChat, Twitterrific), while the third is my reference Space (iTunes, NetNewsWire).

High Resolution Future

The High-Resolution 17″ MacBook Pro currently sports a display measuring 1920 x 1200 pixels (133ppi), equaling that of the current 23″ Apple Cinema Display (98ppi). The iPhone and iPod touch both boast screens with a pixel density around the 160ppi mark - compared to the 15″ MacBook Pro’s 110ppi display. Where does this leave us for the future of Apple notebook displays?

An addition of the high resolution option in 15″ model would be well received in the next revision of the MacBook Pro line. I don’t expect to see 1080p, but 1680 x 1050 (same as the 20″ Apple Cinema Display) would be a significant move in the right direction. Displays with a high pixel-per-inch density are in our not too distant future.

Comments

  1. #1

    rmaspero → www.rmaspero.com

    I started with 3 space and found that to be to little so now have 4. I am going in revers from you Glenn I am hoping to buy a 24″display but not an Apple one. I find I sometime just need more space even with spaces.

  2. #2

    Paul Stamatiou → paulstamatiou.com

    Where does this leave us for the future of Apple notebook displays?

    … squinting our eyes. :-)

  3. #3

    Nathan → www.ishotimages.co.nz

    So glenn… have you got a wacom tablet yet?

    That should be your next purchase

  4. #4

    Tim from pear.co.nz → pear.co.nz

    The high res glossy 17″ is the best screen I’ve ever used by a long way. I used the have the 1400×900 17″ which was bearable, but not very bright. There’s no way I could go back now. It would be worth getting the 17″ just for the high res screen.

    Not only does the high res give a lovely big desktop, but text is lovely to read, images look amazing, and colours are great. It’s closer to looking at real life, or a piece of paper.

    The high dpi means I can’t remember the last time I saw actual pixels - they are just too small. As for reading small text it’s just not a problem. Even tiny text is still easy to read (although I am lucky to have good eyesight). Also most applications let you enlarge text, including Mail, Safari and NetNewsWire where you might do the most reading.

    I would like to buy an external screen just so the picture is bigger for a more immersive experience for games and movies. The hard thing is finding one that has a matching or higher resolution. Pretty much no screens under 24″ have 1920×1200 or more.

    For the future shouldn’t all screens increase in resolution? There’s no real reason not to. Software can render things bigger if users desire, and everything will look crisper. The only other little issue is finding a graphics card that could drive a 133ppi 30″ screen :)

  5. #5

    Timothy Andrew → timothyandrew.net

    I see what you mean. Bigger is not always better. Personally, the best monitor I have ever used is that on the current iMacs. The 24-inch is a bit too big for my taste (and my workspace), but I absolutely love the 20-incher. Its a joy to use. I don’t know if its just me, but there’s something about those displays I can’t seem to see in any other display, even a Cinema Display. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s a certain ‘feel’ to the iMac display, and its gorgeous. :)

  6. #6

    Darren Senadhira

    Another good read, thanks Glenn. I too am going from the Macpro to the Macbook Pro 15″. I’m just waiting on Apple to refresh that model! I was very concerned about moving from the real estate of a large screen and the power of the Macpro, but you have settled my nerves a little bit. (Still very unsure)

    I have decided that i cant wait for Apple forever, so going to give them until Tuesday 5th to update the model, otherwise i’ll upgrade to the latest Macpro.

    I’ve kind of got my hopes on Apple adding the magnetic lid to the MBP to bring it in line with their other notebook range. The latch is so out of date now. I’m also hoping for the following…..

    Penryn (100% going to happen)
    512mb Vram
    320gb Option

  7. #7

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    I’m looking forward to upgrade later this year too Darren. Penryn. Possibly a SSD. & a cooler overall system (current one gets far too hot).

  8. #8

    Ed O’Keeffe → www.edwud.com

    I am amazed that you sold your cinema display but good for you. I can understand the advantage of a the 15inch macbook pro display because that is what i look at all day here in England. But I was very much looking at investing in a 30″ display in the near future. I now think maybe it would be better to invest that money in good lenses (as a photographer it seems the more sensible thing to do). Thanks for you advice on doing away with pixels, the whole pixel density thing was particularly interesting and relevant.

  9. #9

    Taylor

    “Displays with a high pixel-per-inch density are in our not to distant future.”

    Should be “not TOO distant future.”

    Interesting to hear you got rid of it after how excited you had been a few months ago. Any plans for the new cash?

  10. #10

    Blair Beckwith → googlopolis.blogspot.com

    I like it. Great post, Glenn.

  11. #11

    Graham Gilbert → grahamgilbert.com

    Wow, I was actually hoping that you’d make it two posts in a row without mentioning your set up. Silly me.

  12. #12

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    Ed. Money will be saved. Graham. This is a personal blog, it’s expected to be talking about me as an aspect. Besides, look at the homepage, there’s at least ten on there which don’t mention my setup.

  13. #13

    Sheridan Haskell → youcomprehend.wordpress.com

    I use a 24″ iMac and I never realized that a 17″ MacBook Pro has the same amount of pixels. Makes you wonder if its possible to squeze even higher resolution on the the iMac.

  14. #14

    Calvin Chu → www.calvinchu.net

    Looking at the current MacBook Pro range now, if the rumored update comes I think a resolution bump would be a much welcome update.

  15. #15

    Alec Feld → alecfeld.com

    Spaces sucks. It fucks things up. Barely innovative, just another thing Apple ‘copied’.

    Really, most of this article was filler. The only line you would need is “Apple should put out better displays”. I don’t see much value in this post, sorry.

  16. #16

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    Exactly why I put innovative in brackets Alec, it’s questionable.

  17. #17

    Michael Raudalf

    Questionable? How is it innovative at all when Linux desktops have had this feature since the 90’s. Here’s a screenshot of KDE 1.x http://www.kde.org/screenshots/images/medium/matthiase1.jpg

  18. #18

    Sean

    Why do you keep making posts about how much you don’t miss your Mac Pro & 30″ Display? Because you feel like a douchebag and actually regret selling a good setup for a piece of shit?

    I have a MacBook Pro — as my SECOND machine. I couldn’t give up my Mac Pro or my ACD for a notebook ever. Face it, you made a stupid decision and regret it, otherwise you wouldn’t be talking about it every 5 minutes

  19. #19

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    Sean. I don’t regret it one bit - in-fact, I love having made the switch, this post was created after receiving more emails than I can handle about the subject, now I can simply link users to this post. But, that’s the difference between us, you have your thoughts, I have mine. I respect yours, you don’t respect mine. Thanks for that ‘in-sight’.

  20. #20

    Sean

    Not a problem.

  21. #21

    Allan

    Glenn, you are absolutely right.

  22. #22

    Justin

    I have the current iMac 24 incher.

    I was wondering if the macbook air had the same actual brightness and the same actual ppi as the iMac’s?

  23. #23

    Charlie → www.takethestage.wordpress.com

    I don’t see the need for large displays either. I do a lot of music creation on my Macbook Pro, and I haven’t been limited by screen size yet, and I don’t see myself being so in the future either.

    15-inch FTW!

  24. #24

    Mitch

    I have a old 17″ PowerBook g4 dinosaur and I would to know if the 1440×900 display on your notebook would be any different than the one on mine. I’m planning to get one of these babies once apple updates them. Thanks for the blog Glenn, and good job to being the better person with that Sean guy. If you ask me I think he was the one acting like a “douchebag”.

  25. #25

    Nathan → www.ishotimages.co.nz

    I’m sticking to my 22″ at this stage I have no need to go portable. I’m not usually away for longer than a week, and I have enough memory (CF Cards) to last me for what ever I was going to shoot.

  26. #26

    Jesus → whoomp.org

    Jesus uses a 42″ Plasma and a Dell 24″. He says that you need to do something and get another screen. Get an imac/elevator. You’ll hurt your next. thankyou.

    Yours,

    Jesus,

  27. #27

    Gunga Din

    Hi Glenn, First time poster on your site. As a PC user looking to switch, your videos and website have really helped my decision to finally get a Mac.

    Furthermore, I was debating between the Mac Pro and Macbook Pro. After seeing the direction you went in, I’ve decided to go with the Macbook Pro also. If it handles your needs, then it will more than handle my needs. I felt the Mac Pro was overkill for me.

    Now I still use my Dell for gaming and it has a nice 21″ CRT monitor. I’m gonna run my Macbook Pro throught the 21″ if I need the bigger screen and also use it as a 2nd montior to increase my desktop space. Thats my new plan, thx for your advice and information.

  28. #28

    Trancepriest → www.flickr.com/photos/andrae

    Glenn,

    I’m thinking of selling my 2 30″ Apple Cinema Displays, the 23″ and the Mac Pro 8 core for a 17″ MacBook Pro… do you think I should go with the 17″ MacBook Pro or the MBA? You motivate me buddy… downgrading to a MBP and getting rid of the Mac Pro with the 30″ to boot. The fact that you don’t miss it is enlightenment itself. Dude you are like a digital buddha… I can only sit back in awe and complete admiration of your new Zenness.

  29. #29

    Trancepriest → www.flickr.com/photos/andrae

    O’ I forgot… I want you to be my Guru.

  30. #30

    neil baller → neilballer.com

    I am wrestling with precisely this issue: mobile + spaces vs. big horsepower and a big screen. At my day job, I have both combos, and feel like use them evenly. I spec’ed big monitors for my designers out of necessity, but their work style differs from mine… the decision doesn’t seem to get any easier.

    Given the recent death of the G5 (power supply died and ate a processor) a new MBP seems an obvious move, however the allure of a single massive screen for the innumerable windows and tool panels, plus the awesome performance of the 30″ makes me lean.

    Thanks for the insightful and frank post. Everyone is entitled to their opinion obviously, but this is YOUR site. F-em.

    Cheers!

  31. #31

    Matt

    I think this all goes to personal preference and what you are trying to accomplish. If you are working with a lot of HD video the MacPro with a decent size display is the best choice in my opinion due to horsepower and viewing. However if you travel and need horsepower then the MBP FTW.

    I have a 17″ MBP and the screen size is great for most apps…too small for me when working with FCP. It could also have to due with eyesight. I don’t have the best eyes (wear contacts) so perhaps this has something to do with it.

    The 17″ is not the most portable due to weight. 15″ is a great size for a portable workhorse.

    I really want a MacPro and 30″ display even though I may not use them as heavily as my MBP. There is something to be said for sitting on the couch with a laptop and being able to get up and take it with you wherever you want to go.

    When it comes down to it I want both setups…portability and a workhorse.

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