I have heard from many consumers online and offline that they are considering swapping their MacBook Pro M4 for its nano texture display version. They believe that the nano-texture display version offers better clarity and glare reduction. But is it worth it?
Let’s read on to find out the answer:
What is the nano-texture display in MacBooks?
Apple’s nano-texture glass option is available for:
- iMac
- MacBook Pro
- iPad Pro
The nano-texture glass with MacBook Pro solves the problem of glare, which is common in brightly lit workspaces. The display drastically reduces glare while avoiding issues like frostiness and washed-out colors common with matte displays.
There are many irresistible benefits of MacBook Pro with nano-texture display:
- Better clarity
- Better visibility
- High durability
- Great for prolonged screen use
But again, is it worth switching to the nano-texture display version of MacBook Pro?
What do people say [Reviews of Nano-texture display from real users]
To find the answer, we dig deeper into Reddit threads, forums, and Quora to learn what others say about the nano-texture display.
One Reddit user said when comparing glossy and nano-texture displays side by side, the latter comes with downsides like lost sharpness and noticeable dimmer. Another Redditor who uses an iPad Pro 13” that features the nano-textured display says the display is ideal for both indoor and outdoor uses. The user does not see any downside and says the swap is really worth it. (Source)
According to a photographer, MacBook screens are already very accurate and calibrated. But he prefers the nano-texture for a better viewing and editing experience. (Source)
Another Mac user using the nano-texture display says: (Source)
- It has awesome glare rejection. The nano-texture display diffuses the light, leading to a glare.
- The nano colors are identical to the M1 Pro.
- The nano blacks are not inky black. It gets very close to deep black. In ordinary photos, the blacks may look like the M1 Pro.
- Watching the same movie on the M1 MacBook Pro – glossy and nano-texture suggests better clarity on the latter while deeper black on the glossy version.
- Nano lacks sharpness, but the difference is marginal.
According to Mark Spoonauer, the editor-in-chief of Tom’s Guide, the nano-texture display offers much wider viewing angles, indoors and outdoors. They tested it against different display types and laptops, and here are the test’s results:
As you can see in the image above, the M4 MacBook Pro delivers excellent brightness compared to Windows competitors. The laptop with the nano-texture display delivered about the same color performance on the DCI-P3 test, which is better than the M3 MacBook Pro.
My personal opinion
It depends on your needs. If your work is detailed and involves prolonged screen use, and/or you work in bright or controlled lighting environments, it makes sense to return your M4 MacBook Pro for the nano-texture display. The display offers superior visibility, clarity, and comfort to the eyes, which is crucial for long work hours.
However, the cost cannot be ignored. M1 MacBook Pro with a nano-texture display comes at a premium cost. Also, you have to be extra cautious to avoid potential damage to the display. If glare greatly impacts your workflow and health, then the upgrade might be worth it. Otherwise, the standard display offers excellent performance for general use.
The Verdict: Is nano-texture display worth it?
Considering all the points discussed above and the research work done so far, it would be wise to say that a nano-texture display is an excellent option, especially if the display is more important to you than storage or more RAM. This will deliver the visual experience you need for prolonged usage and detailed work like photo editing, designing, etc.
