17" MBP First Impressions (DOA sceen issues)

[Multimedia]

Deja Vu All Over Again - Fall of 2003 RE-RUN

When I sit down in front of my 17-inch MacBook Pro, the screen is brighter in areas, hazy in others, and overall unevenly backlit. I tried to take some photos to describe what I am talking about. You'll see the darker haze on the right side, and a little on the left. The area where the dock is noticeably brighter than the rest of the display. Perhaps I am being a little too picky, but I don't know if this is normal. I don't see this problem on my 17-inch PowerBook G4 1.5GHz.

Images:

Oh NO. Not Again. This was a huge problem for the early original Rev. A Aluminum 15" 1.25 GHz G4 PBs in September-December 2003. I remember it vividly because I was one of the victims. Thousands were. I can't believe they let it happen again.

 

[Kreamy]

Oh NO. Not Again. This was a huge problem for the early original Rev. A Aluminum 15" 1.25 GHz G4 PBs in September-December 2003. I remember it vividly because I was one of the victims. Thousands were. I can't believe they let it happen again.

Looks fine to me. All i see is some darkening around the center of the photo because of the camera's pincushioned lens - its normal for the edges to seem darker on camera because of the viewing angle of the screen.

You may be having uneven backlighting but i can't see it there.

 

[Multimedia]

Try Different Angle Photos

Looks fine to me. All i see is some darkening around the center of the photo because of the camera's pincushioned lens - its normal for the edges to seem darker on camera because of the viewing angle of the screen.

You may be having uneven backlighting but i can't see it there.

Try Photo from different angles. I can see what Kreamy can't already and agree you have a problem because I have had it myself 2.6 years ago.

 

[PatrickF]

Solution is to publish Screen Shots NOT Photographs. Kreamy is right DHagan4755. Do it again with SCREEN SHOTS please DHagan4755.

How would screenshots capture any flaw in the display? Screenshots will always be perfect because they aren't taken from the display.

The only way to capture faults in a display would be via a camera. Perhaps take more pictures from different angles to discount the lens?

 

[lietsche]

How would screenshots capture any flaw in the display? Screenshots will always be perfect because they aren't taken from the display.

The only way to capture faults in a display would be via a camera. Perhaps take more pictures from different angles to discount the lens?

* agree *

 

[Bunsen Burner]

Solution is to publish Screen Shots NOT Photographs. Kreamy is right DHagan4755. Do it again with SCREEN SHOTS please DHagan4755.

?

That will not work...

BB

 

[61132]

evolcre, can you take a picture of your 17 mbp next to your old 15 powerbook? Just to compare the size, the apple store near me does not have them in stock yet, so I cannot compare in person.

Thanks

 

[Multimedia]

Oops.

How would screenshots capture any flaw in the display? Screenshots will always be perfect because they aren't taken from the display.

The only way to capture faults in a display would be via a camera. Perhaps take more pictures from different angles to discount the lens?

Oops. My Bad. Duh.

 

[DHagan4755]

It's already on its way back to Apple. I just didn't want to "wait a few days."

I ordered it online and the next time I buy an Apple laptop, it will be in store. In case I have any problems, they can deal with me, instead of me having to call AppleCare on the phone, etc.

I am back to the PowerBook G4 17" for the time being and am debating whether or not to get the 15.

 

[Mikido]

Looks fine to me. All i see is some darkening around the center of the photo because of the camera's pincushioned lens - its normal for the edges to seem darker on camera because of the viewing angle of the screen.

You may be having uneven backlighting but i can't see it there.

Kreamy, there is a real problem with the display, I checked it in an Apple store and it looks very annoying. The camera that was used to take the images has nothing to do with it.

 

[BWhaler]

When I sit down in front of my 17-inch MacBook Pro, the screen is brighter in areas, hazy in others, and overall unevenly backlit. I tried to take some photos to describe what I am talking about. You'll see the darker haze on the right side, and a little on the left. The area where the dock is noticeably brighter than the rest of the display. Perhaps I am being a little too picky, but I don't know if this is normal. I don't see this problem on my 17-inch PowerBook G4 1.5GHz.

Images:

This has been an issue since the last revision of the 17" PowerBook.

Because I have owned every revision of the 17" PB, when I bought the 1.67 17" model, I immediately noticed the screen problem.

I sent it back to Apple. Apple sent it back saying it was within spec. I took it the local Genius Bar, and the Genius immediately said there was something wrong.

Then he compared my screen with the ones in the store, and saw they were all this way. He offered to replace the screen, but said odds are it will look the same.

CLEARLY, Apple changed something in the screen or the manufacturer in the last revision.

Needless to say, the 17" screen now sucks something fierce. And it is "within spec."

I hope to God Steve Jobs gets wind of this, and being the perfectionist, gets it fixed. For a guy who obsesses over the details, I can't believe he missed this.

 

[Multimedia]

IOW Since 17" Went To 1680 x 1050 This Screen Problem Has Existed??!!

This has been an issue since the last revision of the 17" PowerBook.

Because I have owned every revision of the 17" PB, when I bought the 1.67 17" model, I immediately noticed the screen problem.

I sent it back to Apple. Apple sent it back saying it was within spec. I took it the local Genius Bar, and the Genius immediately said there was something wrong.

Then he compared my screen with the ones in the store, and saw they were all this way. He offered to replace the screen, but said odds are it will look the same.

CLEARLY, Apple changed something in the screen or the manufacturer in the last revision.

Needless to say, the 17" screen now sucks something fierce. And it is "within spec."

I hope to God Steve Jobs gets wind of this, and being the perfectionist, gets it fixed. For a guy who obsesses over the details, I can't believe he missed this.

IOW Since 17" Went To 1680 x 1050 This Screen Problem Has Existed??!! Holy Oversight Batman!

If Steve isn't already aware of it, he must be deaf and blind.

 

[TC1]

I just got my MBP 17" 2 days ago and have the same display issue. My display is also noticeably darker than the 15" MBP rev D I had prior to that (replaced it with the 17" primarily for the 2 fw ports) which did not have any issues at all. I also had a Powerbook 17" with a great display (1.25Ghz I think it was).

This is very dissapointing and not acceptable if you are trying to do any color matching and design work on a daily basis. I also had two art directors look at it and commented that it looks like a cheap projection screen.

I've already got a case # for it and will be taking it to an Apple Store this week to get looked at, if there's nothing that can be done it's going back. I refuse to be an Apple hardware beta tester.

Cheers,

TC

 

[tchaten]

"My screen wasn't perfectly even in terms of brightness; the right side seemed darker than the rest. After experimenting, I discovered that setting the screen brightness to the highest for couple of hours solved this issue. Now my screen brightness is completely even! I don't know how this happens but it works!"

This was from the Apple forum can someone try this and see if it works???

Thanks

 

[tchaten]

" Screen Issues
Posted: Apr 4, 2006 9:24 PM
Click to reply to this topic Reply email Email

I noticed recently that my screen isn't backlighted evenly. The right side seems a bit darker. So...I tried to test this accurately by using my digital camera. Using the PixelCheck program, I made the screen all white. Then I took a series of pictures for each brightness level.

Findings: With the brightness set to max, the brightness was even throughout the entire screen. However, with the setting at 1, the minimum, the right side was annoying darker than the rest of the LCD. After reviewing the pictures, I concluded that the backlight is evenly distributed with the setting 11 or higher.

I'm a little bit annoyed by this issue but I don't think it's worth exchanging for a new one. Besides, I never dim the screen.

I also noticed using the digital camera that the screen flickers like crazy! I'm unable to notice this with my naked eyes but this flickering might be the cause to my headaches. Oh well...

Has anyone else notice these issues?"

Another post in a different topic at the Apple forum

 

[eVolcre]

As a quick update, since my replacement hasn't gone into production yet, I was able to change the screen to the glossy version. Man, I think I lucked out by having TWO DOA machines.

1st I was able to get t he 17" and now I can get the glossy screen. No chance of buyers remorse at all

eV

 

[61132]

well let us know how the glossy screen turns out, need pics!!

They just changed my order ship date by 3 days, I guess upgraded my 15 inch to the new revision, no whining, right click??!! Im not convinced on the glossy screen yet, my boss has one on an hp, its nice, but well, too glossy for me

 

[eVolcre]

Will do. I am in the 'priority' production system so I'm hoping it goes out in the next day or two ...

eV

 

[taco2004]

Will do. I am in the 'priority' production system so I'm hoping it goes out in the next day or two ...

eV

Glossy screen??? How did you get that? My screen on my 17" MBP is driving me crazy. Its not very bright and its not evenly bright. ALso the text is not very defined.

 

[eVolcre]

Glossy screen??? How did you get that? My screen on my 17" MBP is driving me crazy. Its not very bright and its not evenly bright. ALso the text is not very defined.

The glossy screen is now a no charge option for the MBP17. My replacement hadn't gone into production yet. Called Apple and they changed the order to reflect (HA!) my choice of screen ...

eV

 

[knifegun]

Did you get your laptop yet? I am waiting for my 17" replacement (uneven lighting issues).

 

[twalkabout]

glossy vs matte ?

Just got my 17" MBP, I'm upgrading from the final Titanium 15" PB [1GHz, 1GB memory, superdrive] (for comparison). So far I've got the same problems as everybody else:

1. Runs way the hell too hot as compared to my TiBook. Unable to use it on my lap for very long without suffering third degree burns. Skin grafts lose their novelty after a while...

2. Screen hinge too loose. If it's lifted up more than 20 degrees, it will close (not all the way though, only to about 30 degrees closed. Again, difficult to use on my lap.

3. Screen brightness uneven, especially in corners and along the bottom. Really annoying when I was trying to watch a widescreen DVD that had a black bar at the top and bottom, and there was white in the black part

4. Faint buzzing when it's plugged in. Doesn't bother me because I never use the computer in total silence.

Called apple about 2 and 3, and they'll send me a new one. I asked them to hang on because I want to consider the glossy screen. I saw it on the 13" MB and it seemed OK. And from reading this thread it seems like I'd be extremely lucky to get a Matte screen without defects. Also, I never use the laptop outside, I'm usually at a cafe, so I think it would be alright. Still, glare would suck. Guess I'll see how people like the MB and go from there...

 

[vgoklani]

just curious, what sort of backpacks/bags are you guys using to carry around these 17" beasts?

 

[twalkabout]

bag

I've got a Tom Bihn Monolith (I had used a 15" one for my TiPB for years), and it's great. Only problem is that it is just slightly too big for the backpack I had been using forever, an ArcTeryx Arro 22 (which is an awesome bag). So I'm shopping for a slightly larger daypack now. I'll let you know what I find.

I talked about the Monolith more here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/200472/

 

[knifegun]

17" Display Issues

So back to display problems. I just received my replacement 17" MBP and the lighting is just as uneven as the one I sent back. Anybody else run into this? For those that have, has it been resolved?