The Pursuit of an Ideal Portable Laptop

For quite some time, I’ve been on a mission to find the ideal portable laptop. My requirements were clear: I needed a device capable of writing, light gaming, and some design work without constant worry about battery life. Ideally, I wanted to transport it easily, whether to a café or from the couch, without the need for a charger. Here’s what was on my checklist:

1. High-Resolution Display: I refused to settle for anything less than 1440p; higher resolutions enhance visuals, even if they impact battery longevity.
2. Color Accuracy: While I wasn't aiming for a P3 color gamut, I sought at least 100% sRGB coverage. Inaccurate colors are unacceptable, especially when using design software like Illustrator or video editing tools.
3. Screen Quality: This is distinct from resolution and color accuracy. I’m referring to aspects like color uniformity, backlight bleed, and overall visual consistency. Any screen defects would be a dealbreaker.
4. Outstanding Battery Life: My previous Dell XPS was decent but fell short of lasting more than a couple of hours without a power source, which was frustrating. I needed at least six hours of reliable battery performance.
5. Usability on Various Surfaces: Since I often work from home, I wanted a laptop that wouldn’t require a cooling pad when used on my lap or bed. My Dell XPS overheated when placed on soft surfaces, making it impractical for casual use.
6. Adequate Performance: I wasn't searching for a high-end workstation but needed a machine capable of running my essential applications smoothly.

Unfortunately, my high standards led to a series of disappointments. Every laptop I purchased fell short in at least one crucial area, leaving me frustrated.

A Series of Disappointments

As time passed, I researched various models, found ones that piqued my interest, purchased them, only to discover significant flaws. Was I being unreasonable? Shouldn't a premium laptop deliver on its promises?

Several machines exhibited severe backlight bleed, while others had screens improperly aligned or even dead pixels. My last Windows laptop barely turned on, requiring a frustrating series of steps to coax it to life. It was unacceptable; a laptop must reliably power on.

It left me wondering, "Do all laptops currently on the market have such issues?"

A Screen That Redefines Quality

I'm incredibly particular about display quality. Backlight bleed, dead pixels, and color inaccuracies are all major turn-offs for me. I had learned to accept some imperfections with my Dell XPS, but I was far from satisfied.

Upon booting up my MacBook Pro for the first time, I was astounded to see no backlight bleed whatsoever. It wasn't just minimal; it was entirely absent.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro features a Mini-LED display, which differs significantly from conventional laptop screens. It employs thousands of tiny LEDs to illuminate only the necessary areas, resulting in deeper blacks and enhanced uniformity.

Here’s a comparison between the MacBook Pro and my Dell XPS 17:

In this example, both screens are set to maximum brightness with a black image displayed. The Mac’s keyboard backlight is on, but you can barely tell it's there. Impressive!

Conversely, the Dell XPS suffers from noticeable IPS glow and significant backlight bleed, especially in the corners. This is deemed “excellent” for many IPS displays, yet it still falls short.

Despite the camera exaggerating the effect, the difference in display quality is evident.

Why is it that Apple has perfected this technology while many Windows laptops, even those priced in the thousands, continue to struggle? Why do they persist with outdated technology that is riddled with flaws?

I understand that not everyone is a professional graphic designer, but why do numerous PC manufacturers believe it's acceptable to sell expensive laptops with subpar displays? Why are most Windows laptops still using relatively low-resolution, inferior screens?

It's absurd.

Even the Most Affordable Mac Models Shine

My Dell XPS boasts a decent screen for a Windows device. While it has its flaws, I didn’t expect perfection, as that’s just the nature of the technology. However, I invested significantly in this laptop for good resolution and color accuracy.

The base model M1 MacBook Air, priced at roughly one-third of my Dell, features a 2560 x 1600 display with a brightness of 400 nits and supports the wide P3 color gamut. That’s exceptional value.

The M2 MacBook Air enhances this further with additional pixels and brightness up to 500 nits, starting at just $999 or $1199 — significantly less than I spent on my Dell.

You can easily walk into any electronics store and find a Windows laptop priced higher without a screen that matches the quality of these Mac models. Why is that?

A Call to Action for PC Manufacturers

Dell, Lenovo, HP — are you paying attention? Apple's budget-friendly laptops feature screens that should be a source of embarrassment for the mid to high-tier laptops you produce.

To clarify, I expect a $500 Windows laptop to have a mediocre display. I’m discussing machines within a similar price range. Can anyone point me to a $1000 or $1200 Windows laptop that offers at least 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and a resolution beyond 1080p? I’d love to hear about it.

If such a laptop exists, I’d wager it’s an exception rather than the rule. My search has shown me otherwise.

Will Display Technology Ever Evolve for PCs?

Some manufacturers are beginning to offer OLED displays, which can produce stunning images. However, they come with their own challenges, including the risk of burn-in.

A few brands have started incorporating Mini-LED technology, like that found in the MacBook Pro. This excites me, yet the adoption seems painfully slow.

Currently, too many manufacturers continue to sell costly laptops with displays that should be significantly better.

While we can't predict the future of laptop technology, I firmly believe we need to demand better display quality from PC manufacturers. We shouldn’t have to pay over $1000 for screens that meet basic professional standards, especially when even Apple provides superior displays for less.

If Apple can offer high-quality displays in its budget models, there’s no justification for other brands to sell inferior screens at similar or higher prices.

Just Another Rant?

Perhaps you’re thinking, "Oh, just another rant." I urge you not to misinterpret my intentions. I’m not an Apple fanatic; I appreciate both macOS and Windows environments.

Ultimately, my goal is to see better quality laptops for everyone, across a variety of devices. The ideal laptop for me may not suit your needs. You might prioritize portability, resolution, or performance differently.

Whatever your requirements may be, I hope for a future where PC laptops come standard with displays that are truly worthy of professional use. I yearn for a wider adoption of Mini-LED technology, enabling more users to enjoy laptops devoid of backlight bleed and burn-in issues.

Apple has accomplished this; let’s hope the rest of the industry follows suit.

The first video discusses display issues with the MacBook Pro M1 and other models from 2021 and 2022, highlighting common problems users encounter.

The second video reflects on a user's experience using a Mac for 30 days, expressing relief at concluding the trial.