17" C2D display woes

[buckwheat]

The admins over at the Apple Forums (NOT this site!) are removing display complaint posts as fast as they can be posted.

The display on the 17" C2D is abysmal, both in design, quality control and quiet/minimal fix attempts to get them out the door. They got everything else right on this machine, but the display.

There is an intentional 1" band of brighter light all along the bottom of ALL first production C2D 17" glossys. It's there intentionally, to compensate for the too-narrow poloraized lens cover. This polarizer is part of the glossy display, and it's light focus was intentionally narrow to give the brightness a kick. If the screen is perfectly perpendicular to your eyes, it will vary in light intensity from a bright top to a dark bottom. Like you are shining a narrow spotlight on the screen. They couldn't get around the polarizer problem (and get the machine out the door) so they intentionally leaked light from the backlight edges on the bottom to compensate.

It's not the LCD manufacture's problem at all. It's Apple's implementation and their post-production attempts to fix.

You certainly won't be doing any color matching or photo work on this display yet.

But there may be a fix in short time. And yes, everyone that has a new 17" C2D glossy 1st production run has this problem. There are some reports coming back that after new owners are parting with their machines for a week or so, the returns are a lot better.

 

[geehk]

The admins over at the Apple Forums (NOT this site!) are removing display complaint posts as fast as they can be posted.

The display on the 17" C2D is abysmal, both in design, quality control and quiet/minimal fix attempts to get them out the door. They got everything else right on this machine, but the display.

Hi Buckwheat,

That's an interesting post! I agree the 17" display is very poor but slightly better than the 15".

I also saw unacceptable 'color banding' on the 17" matt & 15" matt - any idea what these issues could be down to?

Removing posts would be poor taste - they should concentrate on solving technical issues while they still have a professional client base left

 

[glhiii]

17" Screen Matte

I have a C2D 17" matte, and find the display excellent. It shows color banding when I run the tests, but I don't notice it in ordinary usage. The screen is bright, uniform, has a reasonable viewing angle. My only complaint is that I wish the screen would lower further (as the PB 17) did. I suppose if I were a graphics professional, I would be concerned about the color banding, but since I'm not and I don't notice it, it's not an issue. Evidently, the problem mentioned here only concerns glossy screens. When Apple introduces a new kind of screen for portables, it has a history of problems. The last PB 15 (the first HD) had serious problems, and apparently this is true of the glossy 17 as well.

 

[MykullMyerz]

I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I have a 17" glossy screen and it's perfect to me. Oh well, could be my eyesight.

 

[PDE]

I have a C2D 17" matte, and find the display excellent. It shows color banding when I run the tests, but I don't notice it in ordinary usage. The screen is bright, uniform, has a reasonable viewing angle. My only complaint is that I wish the screen would lower further (as the PB 17) did. I suppose if I were a graphics professional, I would be concerned about the color banding, but since I'm not and I don't notice it, it's not an issue. Evidently, the problem mentioned here only concerns glossy screens. When Apple introduces a new kind of screen for portables, it has a history of problems. The last PB 15 (the first HD) had serious problems, and apparently this is true of the glossy 17 as well.

There are definitely two issues here. The first is the hinge mechanism that doesn't allow you to tilt back far enough. The second is the limited vertical viewing angle of the LCD. Together they get in the way of the user actually benefitting from the brightness of the display - unless you're using an external keyboard/mouse and can move the laptop further away. If either of these issues could be addressed, then everything would improve. If you could tilt back further, it would negate the lcd viewing angle a little. Similarly, if the LCD had better viewing angles, it wouldn't matter as much that you couldn't tilt more. Together, it's a no-win situation for any user who values comfortable, ergonomic working positions.

 

[buckwheat]

There are definitely two issues here. The first is the hinge mechanism that doesn't allow you to tilt back far enough. The second is the limited vertical viewing angle of the LCD. Together they get in the way of the user actually benefitting from the brightness of the display - unless you're using an external keyboard/mouse and can move the laptop further away. If either of these issues could be addressed, then everything would improve. If you could tilt back further, it would negate the lcd viewing angle a little. Similarly, if the LCD had better viewing angles, it wouldn't matter as much that you couldn't tilt more. Together, it's a no-win situation for any user who values comfortable, ergonomic working positions.

Yes, you can't lay down on your bed for instance, and use the 17" (well). It just won't go back far enough. This has been an issue specific to 17's since the Intels. G4's were fine - I have one.

And lastly, if the screen tilts TOWARD you more than say, 30deg, it will flop on down and land on your hands. I have never seen a fix for this - or a method to tighten the friction.

And let's don't forget when closed, the edges stick up about 1/8" all around - far from a flush fit. Sort of like the job GM was doing with their interior fit back in the 70s. And what happened to them?

IMHO Apple knew of all these problems with the display, and also knew they otherwise had a knockout piece of equipment. Knowing they did such a good job elsewhere on the unit, certain things were allowed to continue for the sake of production fulfillment.

I think the "screen team" must have been the last on the funding circuit, or perhaps enjoyed in-law relations to Steve. Every other design team seems accountable

 

[oldwatery]

Agreed on all counts.
I returned a grainy 15" to swap for a 17".
The 17" is a fine machine aside from the display....and bad fit n' finish.
I cannot get the tilt right.
If I move my head all the colors shift.
The bleed from the bottom is truly unbelievable.
Banding is an issue as well.
As a graphics pro this machine is absolutely useless.
My old TiBook blows this c**p into the weeds.
I really do not know what to do aside from going with a desk top.
Apple should be ashamed of this as I am convinced they must know about it.
The new MBP's are the worst Apple products I have experienced in 20 years of being a Mac idiot!

 

[oldwatery]

The new MBP's are the worst Apple products I have experienced in 20 years of being a Mac idiot!

OK...so before I get flamed to hell and back.....I was upset..
there have been worse Apples.
And aside from the display and some minor fit n' finish details the MBP's are really nice machines.
That's why I so want my 17" to work...

 

[iW00t]

OK...so before I get flamed to hell and back.....I was upset..
there have been worse Apples.
And aside from the display and some minor fit n' finish details the MBP's are really nice machines.
That's why I so want my 17" to work...

I wouldn't complain if I were you, you basically got a "free" 17"!

 

[oldwatery]

I wouldn't complain if I were you, you basically got a "free" 17"!

Free!
How's that

I had to pay to return the original 15" and now I gotta wait another 2 weeks to get back in business.
Meanwhile my $$$ are sitting nice and comfy in Apple's bank account.

Sorry, but I gotta right to complain for my $3000!

On reflection.....maybe you thought I got a free upgrade?
No....I wish.
I paid the extra.

 

[PDE]

Free!
How's that

I had to pay to return the original 15" and now I gotta wait another 2 weeks to get back in business.
Meanwhile my $$$ are sitting nice and comfy in Apple's bank account.

Sorry, but I gotta right to complain for my $3000!

On reflection.....maybe you thought I got a free upgrade?
No....I wish.
I paid the extra.

I'm in a similar position. Apple offered to 'upgrade' me to a 17" MBP, but I don't necessarily feel it's an upgrade. I would never have considered a 17" normally, but if the LCD is better then maybe it's worth the extra size and weight? I know it doesn't have as much grain, but apparently it can suffer from the same uneven illumination.

What about the viewing angle? Is it similar or better than the 15"

I'm a little torn.

 

[faustfire]

My first MBP 17" had a crap display, backlight was uneven as hell and the left corner was warped leaving a quarter inch or so space on the left when closed. Just got my new one and its as close to perfect as you can get, completely flush when closed and brightness is nice and even.

 

[PDE]

My first MBP 17" had a crap display, backlight was uneven as hell and the left corner was warped leaving a quarter inch or so space on the left when closed. Just got my new one and its as close to perfect as you can get, completely flush when closed and brightness is nice and even.

Hmm, great! So it's equally hit-or-miss as the 15". This is all ridiculous. GReat that you got a good one though!

 

[oldwatery]

I'm in a similar position. Apple offered to 'upgrade' me to a 17" MBP, but I don't necessarily feel it's an upgrade. I would never have considered a 17" normally, but if the LCD is better then maybe it's worth the extra size and weight? I know it doesn't have as much grain, but apparently it can suffer from the same uneven illumination.

What about the viewing angle? Is it similar or better than the 15"

I'm a little torn.

I read your post on the other thread and was going to reply by saying that I agreed with all of your comments.
Including the unbelievable limited opening angle.
Unfortunately they apply to the 17 " equally....if not worse.
The 17 is much better grain wise.
But illumination is so uneven that I cannot even use it for daily general use....let alone graphics.

The viewing angle is simply a joke.....a very bad one that Apple should have picked up on. Any head movement results in a serious color shift dependent on the page contents.

I posted my findings on another thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/256248/
Together with photos which illustrate the severity of the problem with MY machine.

However .........

My first MBP 17" had a crap display, backlight was uneven as hell and the left corner was warped leaving a quarter inch or so space on the left when closed. Just got my new one and its as close to perfect as you can get, completely flush when closed and brightness is nice and even.

....faustfire now gives me hope.
I am truly grateful for that piece of news.
I can now look forward in anticipation of receiving the 17" MPB i've been dreaming of for the past couple of years.
(I'm actually pleased I upped to the 17" as I really appreciate the extra screen size)

 

[iW00t]

Free!
How's that

I had to pay to return the original 15" and now I gotta wait another 2 weeks to get back in business.
Meanwhile my $$$ are sitting nice and comfy in Apple's bank account.

Sorry, but I gotta right to complain for my $3000!

On reflection.....maybe you thought I got a free upgrade?
No....I wish.
I paid the extra.

Ouch that sucks man.

I hope Apple comes up with a fix soon. Didn't someone get his 9C60 screen swopped for a supposedly better 9C57 one?

 

[PDE]

Ouch that sucks man.

I hope Apple comes up with a fix soon. Didn't someone get his 9C60 screen swopped for a supposedly better 9C57 one?

Well, I did the reverse and had my 9C57 swapped for a 9C60. Better straight on, but vertical viewing angle makes it impossible to use on a desk or in my lap with good working posture. I didn't like the 9C57 because whites were not crisp white but rather slightly off-white/brownish.

 

[oldwatery]

Well, I did the reverse and had my 9C57 swapped for a 9C60. Better straight on, but vertical viewing angle makes it impossible to use on a desk or in my lap with good working posture. I didn't like the 9C57 because whites were not crisp white but rather slightly off-white/brownish.

Yes.
One of the reasons for returning my 15" was a very bad color cast which would not allow me to get the yellowness out of everything.
I did a custom color profile...the works.
I could not get the default blue Apple screen to be true blue. It always had a green tint to it.

The 17" did not have this problem. Just a bunch of others

 

[aquajet]

Well, if the professionals say the screens are inferior for what should be present on a pro machine, then I'll take their words for it. For me, my 15" is "good enough". The increased brightness is certainly a welcome improvement over my 12" PowerBook.