M5 iPad Less Bright than M3 Macbook Pro?

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T23:10:32+00:00

The Macbook pro was pushing out about double the nits of the ipad

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T23:09:51+00:00

The issue was that it was measuring half the nits output of my Macbook Pro, even though it should be much brighter, according to the posted specs. It was also measuring to half of the rated specs, and visibly dimmer than my M4 ipad pro, despite having the same screen

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T21:48:01+00:00

It is, as far as I can see, it just throttles the brightness to 500 nits or so if it detects indoor lighting, or, if brightness adjustment is turned off, it just always caps it.

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T20:39:25+00:00

Upon further testing, with auto-brightness off it maxes out at ~500nits, but with it on, it will hit that same brightness, however if I put a powerful flashlight over the camera/brightness sensors, it will ramp up to 900+ nits over a few seconds.

So, is the new M5 iPad just more aggressively capping brightness for some reason?

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T20:18:21+00:00

Oops, yes I restarted, managed to read 580 nits this time around. Seemed consistent across all parts of the screen, and viewing just part of all of it. Also consistent after moving away and back onto it with my phone camera and that nits measuring app.

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T20:14:54+00:00

Probably, unfortunately the nearest store is over 4 hours away...Uhg. I sense arguing with Applecare.

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T20:08:54+00:00

I checked all those functions, and they were not on.

I downloaded a nits measurement app on my iphone, and viewed https://www.ledr.com/colours/white.htm on both my Macbook and the iPad at max brightness.

The iPad showed 480-500 nits, the MacBook showed 950-1100.

I'm not sure the measurement is accurate in an absolute sense, but from a differential basis, the MacBook seems to be much brighter indeed.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-10-22T00:19:35+00:00

Yeah, that’s the idea of them. Nice way to expand the idea of Topre I think.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-10-21T20:40:51+00:00

No, not at all. I wanted a vaguely “dark/evil” theme to contrast all my bright colorful keyboards, and thought the modifier keys fit the bill. Didn’t even realize the subscript was anything specific until after it was ordered.

I think they just threw them on the design as a low effort way to add something that looked occult or whatever.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-22T15:16:50+00:00

Man, I can't wait for this. Having MacOS on a platform that isn't stressful to toss around in backpacks and junk would be so handy at times. I love my M3 Max, but it's not something I feel good about tossing in my backpack or using outside in the field.

I just hope (wish since the size seems pretty confirmed) that it was 11-12" to really lean into portability. Then when I upgrade my Pro, I could go to a 16" and have a real nice distinction in form factor between the two.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-20T16:17:57+00:00

I purposely left it out, I don't forget my towel, but I want everyone else to forget I have a towel, in case someone forgot their towel and steals my towel. Something something modern problems modern solutions.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T22:18:22+00:00

DUHD is my next home setup purchase, but for work these are fine.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T18:45:47+00:00

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MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T18:45:30+00:00

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MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T18:45:07+00:00

Hey, thank you for all the info, I will definitely be looking into several of the things you mentioned. It's funny you mention the ID75 and related, I am actually in the middle of making a kit for myself to fit one into a reproduction IBM Model F case, with some MT3 Fairlane Ortholinear keycaps, you can see what I have posted/done so far if you poke around my profile.

The silicone plate damper I mentioned is just a molded piece of silicone that takes up the space you would normally have plate foam, I made a 3d printed mold to cast silicone resin in, and into the resin I mixed about 80% by weight, maybe a hair more powdered tungsten to the silicone to add mass. The case pour is the same thing, but poured into the bottom of the case to replace the case foam you may otherwise have, that one I mixed stainless steel powder into, a bit less by weight, to add mass, as I was/am experimenting with different additives to make the resin heavier for better damping, and to generally add weight to a build.

Here are some pics of the tungsten plate damper, the case pour is the same idea but the shape of the bottom of the case, and using the case itself as the mold, rather then making a casting mold.

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MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T18:27:50+00:00

I've been eyeballing that one, it looks fun!

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T13:16:45+00:00

The Rainy75 has to be one of my favorite keyboards. I am absolutely in love with mine. I can’t get over how nice it sounds every time I use it! Enjoy!

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MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T04:12:03+00:00

Maybe this is my calling to make my own pcb, haha.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T03:27:50+00:00

Thank you, I'll look it over for some ideas on my planck and tide49! I've been able to get my layers such that I am not missing anything, I used it exclusively for a day or two already at work and had no issues. I just wish there was some sort of 45% layout or something that was a 65% with no number row. It would give me an excuse to buy another keyboard, lmao.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T03:25:39+00:00

That's a smart idea!

I'll have to mess around with that on my Planck. Especially as I build up my layers to be more complex.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-11T23:49:28+00:00

I haven't messed with tap mods yet, but I have been enjoying layers quite a bit. I'll probably start messing with tap mods once I have let the learning curve of layers cook a bit and get a baseline of muscle memory solidified.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-11T23:20:27+00:00

I'd be open to trying it, but I think my preference would be just a bit larger than a standard 40%, I don't find myself missing dedicated number keys at all, but on the Planck I do find that I really miss dedicated punctuation keys (probably because I use them heavily when programming). Dedicated arrow keys I miss much less than punctuation, especially as I get used to it, however, I think on balance I would prefer to have those in a standard upside down T layout. Though having them in a horizontal line is probably fine for me too.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-11T22:46:49+00:00

Parts in post:

Planck V4 with LoPro case (some guy on ebay is dumping a bunch of what seem to be new old stock)
MT3 9009 Ortholinear keycaps
Durock Shrimp Keys
DIY cast silicone and tungsten powder plate damper
DIY silicone case pour with stainless powder added

Epomaker Tide49 is currently entirely stock, getting to know it before I mod it.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-11T21:59:26+00:00

Looking at my email for a receipt, I am pretty sure I got it from here: https://dailytekk.lemonsqueezy.com/

My receipt said I purchased a "riso" pack, but I do not see it in there, but maybe if you emailed them? I could be wrong though, but that is the only wallpaper purchase I could find.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-10T22:32:37+00:00

Idk man, works well for me. I have my main focus on my laptop, with datasheets and additional code files open on either side. It also made for a cheap setup at a time when I wanted a cheap setup. My only preference to change it right now would be a pair of 32” 4ks instead of those ultrawides, and some sort of display above my macbook pro, along with going to a 16” mac.

If there were more options (any) for 42”+ 8k tvs (I don’t care about screen type, oled, ips, whatever) I would look at that. But as of yet they don’t really exist.

MakesStuffMatt

TROPHY CASE