17" MBP First Impressions (DOA sceen issues)

[eVolcre]

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

It should be shipping tomorrow. WHich makes me nervous. I leave the country on Monday the 29th and this gives me only 2 days to make sure it all works. If it needs replacement, I think I might be screwed. Sigh, what happened to the days when you ordered something from APPLE without worrying if the damn thing would need replacement or not ..

eV

 

[knifegun]

Well, the screen is ok. It is just that the unevenness bothers me. Specifically, the bottom corners look as if there is a light source illuminating the rest of the screen. I wonder if the glossy screen has the same issue. If not, it would be interesting to determine what the differences in the actual LCD are besides the different screen.

 

[hidea]

heh....

I'm already on my 2nd MacBook... I sitll have the same issue as well... I'm pissed off. Anyway, I'm calling in apple see if they can send me a replacement first, so I can transport all the content of my HDD.

 

[knifegun]

I am starting to wonder whether they all have this issue. It is just that some of us are pickier than others. I just don't understand how I could have two machines with the same issue unless it is a manufacturing issue or a bad batch of LCD displays.

 

[eVolcre]

I am starting to wonder whether they all have this issue. It is just that some of us are pickier than others. I just don't understand how I could have two machines with the same issue unless it is a manufacturing issue or a bad batch of LCD displays.

To be fair, neither of my last two machines (MBP 15 and then MBP17) had this uneven screen issue. The screen on my MBP 15 was unbelievable. The 17 inch had a different issue due to a bad video card but the unevenness didn't seem to be an issue ...

Of course, they were both sent back ... ha! So I do agree there's issues, but I didn't see the one you are seeing ...

eV

 

[knifegun]

Well, that could be good news then. I hope it is just a bad batch and not an production wide issue.

 

[eVolcre]

It just shipped. I will post my comments on the glossy screen when it gets here on Thursday. Anything else you want me to test, post here ...

eV

 

[twalkabout]

screen

i'm also really wondering now if a lot of these have the same problem. i have the same issue with the corners, especially the bottom corners have a small darker triangle, then an area that is lighter than the rest of the screen. additionally there is horizontal line across the bottom that is definitely brighter. it was very distracting while watching a widescreen dvd where there was a black bar across the top and bottom of the screen.

ev, definitely let us know about the glossy screen, i'll probably just hang on to send my mbp back until i check those out and hear the reviews, i'll probably just change it to that with hopes that they work better. also hoping they fix the loose screen hinge issue. does this seem to be a universal problem as well?

 

[knifegun]

17" Illumination issues

Here is a link to the apple discussions board with people who have run into the display issue. It seems that some people have the corners brighter while others have them darker. Not sure if this is an assembly issue (some LCD covers tighther than others??).

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=461383&tstart=30

 

[Thidranki]

Has anyone proven that if the screen is on full brightness for an hour or so the uneveness goes away? I read it earlier in this thread, don't remember where.

 

[knifegun]

I have been using my MBP for hours at a time. The screen brightness unevenness does not change nor does the brightness (that I noticed at least).

 

[eVolcre]

I have been using my MBP for hours at a time. The screen brightness unevenness does not change nor does the brightness (that I noticed at least).

My machine has been delivered but I'm not home .. .Will post feedback on the screen as soon as I power it up tonight.

eV

 

[Thidranki]

looking forward to it.

 

[DHagan4755]

My machine has been delivered but I'm not home .. .Will post feedback on the screen as soon as I power it up tonight.

eV

good luck man

 

[eVolcre]

All right guys. It's here. Real quick impressions ... NO WHINE. Plugged in or running on battery. The screen hinge is tighter than my last one. Can't tell about the heat yet .... Screen, Im not sure what to look for.

Here's the deal though .. I don't think they sent me a glossy screen ... I think it looks the same as the last one I had ... How do these screens look?? Is there any way to check if its glossy or not?

Can't believe they would mess up my damn order though ..

eV

 

[Thidranki]

if it relfects like a mirror, then its probably glossy. http://media.arstechnica.com/staff/fatbits.media/mb-mirror-setup.jpg

Also, how's the evenness as far as screen brightness?

 

[eVolcre]

if it relfects like a mirror, then its probably glossy. http://media.arstechnica.com/staff/fatbits.media/mb-mirror-setup.jpg

Nope. I was right, it looks just like the one I sent back. Man ... Now I don't know what to do .. I leave the country on Sunday. C an't decide if I should try and exchange this or keep the matte.

Everything else looks good though ... for now ... I'm going to try and put it through its paces for the next couple of days ..

eV

 

[Heb1228]

Try Photo from different angles.

Dude, your 'tar is creeping me out. You gotta fix that thing.

 

[Thidranki]

That picture came from this review of the glossy screens: http://arstechnica.com/staff/fatbits.ars/2006/5/16/4004. After reading this, I decided to go with just a plain matte screen. I wouldn't feel too bad about it if I were you, it could be worse

 

[eVolcre]

That picture came from this review of the glossy screens: http://arstechnica.com/staff/fatbits.ars/2006/5/16/4004. After reading this, I decided to go with just a plain matte screen. I wouldn't feel too bad about it if I were you, it could be worse

For my needs, I would have preferred the glossy screen. Mainly as a desktop replacement, DVDs and customer presentations. All of these would look fantastic with the glossy screen.

Pisses me off that they couldn't get this right. My order even says glossy screen ...

eV

 

[knifegun]

To check the illumination, try the following:

1. Change the desktop background to a solid color. Preferable dark blue or grey.
2. Move the doc bar to the right or left so you have an unihibited view of the bottom of the LCD
3. Look and see if the bottom of the LCD has a bright "line" across the bottom.
4. Look at the bottom corners. Some people notice the corners darker than the rest of the screen. Others like myself notice the corners light than the others.
5. Switch to a white or light gray background. Check and see if you the color is even.

If you do all this and you don't notice any slight differences in color, then that is good news.

 

[knifegun]

BTW, Sorry to hear about them screwing up your screen selection. I would call them up and ask them to issue you an RMA and let them know that you won't send the machine back until you get back from your trip. They should rectify the issue or work with you to come up with a resolution.

 

[eVolcre]

To check the illumination, try the following:

1. Change the desktop background to a solid color. Preferable dark blue or grey.
2. Move the doc bar to the right or left so you have an unihibited view of the bottom of the LCD
3. Look and see if the bottom of the LCD has a bright "line" across the bottom.
4. Look at the bottom corners. Some people notice the corners darker than the rest of the screen. Others like myself notice the corners light than the others.
5. Switch to a white or light gray background. Check and see if you the color is even.

If you do all this and you don't notice any slight differences in color, then that is good news.

I don't see the white line across the bottom. Actually, maybe I do. It's at the very bottom edge ... about 4 mm high, and it's slightly brighter than the screen. And yes, I do think the bottom two corners are brighter.

Man, I'm about to throw the towel in. This is machine #3, they got the screen wrong and now I think I see the lighting issues everyone else is seeing as well. Not to mention, I leave for India on a business trip Sunday night and I NEED a machine. Mailing a replacement to India isn't an option because of duties ..

eV

 

[eVolcre]

BTW, Sorry to hear about them screwing up your screen selection. I would call them up and ask them to issue you an RMA and let them know that you won't send the machine back until you get back from your trip. They should rectify the issue or work with you to come up with a resolution.

No can do Knife. I'm not coming back to the US for at least a year. Been given a job contract in Europe ...

eV

 

[eVolcre]

My sisters opinion .. I didn't tell her what to look for ... it looks even but "there is a light shining up on the screen from the bottom"

I think I'm depressed. And am considering calling it a day and sending this one back and not asking for a replacement. Not quite sure what to do though ... Im even considering a refurb 17" to tide me over ...

eV