The single MBA on display at the Apple Store nearest me is still the first generation.
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After extensive testing, I couldn't determine what is causing the lines on the MBA!
- Thread starter Scottsdale
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Cannot get anyone to test my simple theory of trying full brightness, while MBA is plugged in, for many hours and cycle through background bright colors. Not one person was willing to try out my test to see if there was any reduction in lines. Nor did anyone state if LED backlighting correlates to where the lines are most visible on the displays. So, unfortunately at my own speed, it's going to take me awhile to do all this, as I don't have any other MBAs available to test until this coming weekend.
No, that is not what was done to my MBA's display, but I hypothesize that it could do something for the lines???
I am not going to brag or state that I have the answer to anything yet. Bottom line, I don't have any answers yet, but my MBA isn't showing lines right now. Nor can I report exactly how to do it, because I don't know what exactly caused the lines to go away??? I was testing multiple things, and now the lines have at least temporarily vanished!
No, that is not what was done to my MBA's display, but I hypothesize that it could do something for the lines???
I am not going to brag or state that I have the answer to anything yet. Bottom line, I don't have any answers yet, but my MBA isn't showing lines right now. Nor can I report exactly how to do it, because I don't know what exactly caused the lines to go away??? I was testing multiple things, and now the lines have at least temporarily vanished!
As I understand, and from one of Scottsdale posts above, "...turn it [the display] up all the way, find a screen saver that will show bright colors, and let it run. Select the radio button to not allow dimming of the display, and set other settings so display and MBA don't sleep. You can use like the photo gallery screen saver with nature which has bright colors... or make a custom folder with a bunch of big solid colors (same colors used in a pixel checker)..."
So, maybe my guess that was a power issue, wasn't completely wrong...
Don´t dispair, Scottsdale...
... of course people would like to test, at least me here, speaking for myself.
Unfortunately, I do not have my 1st Gen Air anymore to change the display, but I can report that the Rev B 1,86 SSD itself apparently does not have the power to resolve the issue by long term full brightness. Tried it, word doc open for a long time (more then 10h), changing pics as well on another day, lines happily lingering over my screen nonetheless. So if the assumption with the power holds true, it probably needs a RevA to power it.
Do "your" lines stay in place when changing the viewing angle? Mine don´t, they rather move vertically, leading me to the assumption that at least I might face some weird Moire effect.
I went to the Apple store today (Zürich), the person there agreed with me that the lines are there and well visible (he didn´t consider it as being very distracting though), on all three MBA RevB I brought in today as well as on the two Rev Cs they had on display. Mine three here (two of them belonging to colleagues, I don´t want to brag here) all 9C9A with lines, those in the store 9C90 with lines. I now have an appointment with the Genius Bar on Wednesday, I´m looking forward to the meeting and keep you informed. Doubt that anything will change though.
Scottsdale, if anything comes to your mind that I could test, I´ll gladly do so.
I am happy to hear that the lines can disappear, now we just need to find out how. Did you do any screwing or just playing around with settings and long term usage?
Edit: Uh, tried something else: Reduced background lighting does not decrease the lines, can see them still when turned down to four dots, then it get to dark to see much.
... of course people would like to test, at least me here, speaking for myself.
Unfortunately, I do not have my 1st Gen Air anymore to change the display, but I can report that the Rev B 1,86 SSD itself apparently does not have the power to resolve the issue by long term full brightness. Tried it, word doc open for a long time (more then 10h), changing pics as well on another day, lines happily lingering over my screen nonetheless. So if the assumption with the power holds true, it probably needs a RevA to power it.
Do "your" lines stay in place when changing the viewing angle? Mine don´t, they rather move vertically, leading me to the assumption that at least I might face some weird Moire effect.
I went to the Apple store today (Zürich), the person there agreed with me that the lines are there and well visible (he didn´t consider it as being very distracting though), on all three MBA RevB I brought in today as well as on the two Rev Cs they had on display. Mine three here (two of them belonging to colleagues, I don´t want to brag here) all 9C9A with lines, those in the store 9C90 with lines. I now have an appointment with the Genius Bar on Wednesday, I´m looking forward to the meeting and keep you informed. Doubt that anything will change though.
Scottsdale, if anything comes to your mind that I could test, I´ll gladly do so.
I am happy to hear that the lines can disappear, now we just need to find out how. Did you do any screwing or just playing around with settings and long term usage?
Edit: Uh, tried something else: Reduced background lighting does not decrease the lines, can see them still when turned down to four dots, then it get to dark to see much.
OK. I understand there aren't many people with A and C in hands (with the will to disassemble them both) but for a little matter of fact my MBA is for work and my main machine and I can't disassmeble and put them into dozen pieces and try this and that everyday and seriously I haven't done much work the past few days lol...
I'm setting up the work environment on the new MBA and will get to the "10 hours" later.
I'm setting up the work environment on the new MBA and will get to the "10 hours" later.
Forget the idea of turning up. Hasn't worked for two people.
Now, I have to isolate three things to determine what made the lines on the display disappear.
More power was sent to it. Wires were changed. Backlighting power source was altered (I think). The weird thing is after testing, the lines were gone. I put all back to normal, and No lines.
Again I am somewhat skeptical as to the results, and until repeated should be taken without any merit. I have to have help to test again, and try different things and check if it's repeatable.
At this point, it's totally possible the lines could come back or that there is not a repeatable fix???
Need more time. If I can identify any repeat, of course I will share. Give me through Friday night to report additional details.
Now, I have to isolate three things to determine what made the lines on the display disappear.
More power was sent to it. Wires were changed. Backlighting power source was altered (I think). The weird thing is after testing, the lines were gone. I put all back to normal, and No lines.
Again I am somewhat skeptical as to the results, and until repeated should be taken without any merit. I have to have help to test again, and try different things and check if it's repeatable.
At this point, it's totally possible the lines could come back or that there is not a repeatable fix???
Need more time. If I can identify any repeat, of course I will share. Give me through Friday night to report additional details.
Scottsdale, I have lines on my 9C90 screen and would be happy to help where I can with a few more details on the tests you'd like me to run.
That's an envy that your lines are gone and we know you are certain the lines are gone, since you obviously badly know what the lines look like
If it's possible for any of us to examine, you could list up what you have done, even theoretically, so some of us might end up getting same result to narrow it down.
If it's possible for any of us to examine, you could list up what you have done, even theoretically, so some of us might end up getting same result to narrow it down.
Scottsdale,
As a fellow macforums member, Im very proud of your determination in figuring out this whole line issue (or at least giving it your best shot). I know how it feels to get that itch to just figure something out no matter what, regardless of what people might say. I wish I could help you from a technical standpoint (opening one up), but I dont own a macbook air yet. I am weeks away from being able to buy one. I will however, throw my dumb theories out there for all to enjoy till then.
Having said that though, could you just list the things that you did to your macbook air? At least Mentioning the steps for others to repeat them (at their discretion of course) will speed things up and greatly expand the amount of troubleshooters to figure this thing out, since it seems youre on to something. Depending on just one person with the financial ability and knowhow to tackle this is just too miopic. Lets put it out there for others (like h1d or knipperdolling) to try and speed up the whole thing.
Im sure youre not doing it on purpose, but I think you should at least give an update (with more details) at the same time you post replies to other things on the same thread. Coming here everyday to read how something you did rid the lines but you dont wanna say exactly what until youre 100000% sure is kinda annoying and tiresome . Not to mention its like torture for us who have been following this whole issue since the rev B's. Is inpatience just kicking in for me? Am I the only one guys? Maybe im just getting antsy cause Im weeks away from getting an air myself lol. Chime in with your thoughts guys (and gals).
As a fellow macforums member, Im very proud of your determination in figuring out this whole line issue (or at least giving it your best shot). I know how it feels to get that itch to just figure something out no matter what, regardless of what people might say. I wish I could help you from a technical standpoint (opening one up), but I dont own a macbook air yet. I am weeks away from being able to buy one. I will however, throw my dumb theories out there for all to enjoy till then.
Having said that though, could you just list the things that you did to your macbook air? At least Mentioning the steps for others to repeat them (at their discretion of course) will speed things up and greatly expand the amount of troubleshooters to figure this thing out, since it seems youre on to something. Depending on just one person with the financial ability and knowhow to tackle this is just too miopic. Lets put it out there for others (like h1d or knipperdolling) to try and speed up the whole thing.
Im sure youre not doing it on purpose, but I think you should at least give an update (with more details) at the same time you post replies to other things on the same thread. Coming here everyday to read how something you did rid the lines but you dont wanna say exactly what until youre 100000% sure is kinda annoying and tiresome
. Not to mention its like torture for us who have been following this whole issue since the rev B's. Is inpatience just kicking in for me? Am I the only one guys? Maybe im just getting antsy cause Im weeks away from getting an air myself lol. Chime in with your thoughts guys (and gals).huh? Where did you get that from? Many many ppl have reported (including myself) of seeing the lines at stores on both Rev B and Rev C.
I will completely divulge everything including photos once have it determined. Basically, I think it needs more power to the display which somehow "activates" the display fully? Maybe it just needs this one time, and that's why I guessed that maybe by fully cycling through with bright and dark colors for a long period of time it would end in the same result???
Bottom line, I have NOT repeated anything and tests mean nothing at this point... EXCEPT my MBA doesn't have lines. Furthermore, my display was different than any of the lines I had ever seen before, so would like to do the same exact thing on one with "normal" lines. I THINK I am going to buy a new one and give it to my daughter for her birthday as she wants a "little" one like daddy has since she's little. I am going to test that one, so I actually hope it has lines... LOL!
Will have some results this weekend (maybe not until Monday though as depends on the engineer who is helping me with it). Also, testing a rev B with lines this weekend too, if my friend consents to the test.
Bottom line, I have NOT repeated anything and tests mean nothing at this point... EXCEPT my MBA doesn't have lines. Furthermore, my display was different than any of the lines I had ever seen before, so would like to do the same exact thing on one with "normal" lines. I THINK I am going to buy a new one and give it to my daughter for her birthday as she wants a "little" one like daddy has since she's little. I am going to test that one, so I actually hope it has lines... LOL!
Will have some results this weekend (maybe not until Monday though as depends on the engineer who is helping me with it). Also, testing a rev B with lines this weekend too, if my friend consents to the test.
hi from australia - i have my air in for repair at apple. so 1st they replace the screen - dosnt look any better still has the lines . i asked for a replacement laptop and they now want to replace the logic board? why would they do that and not acknowledge the problem? are they still denying this or do overseas technicians not share data? getting really peeved with this now!
Some comments from Germany: Thanks alot for that interesting thread in this forum. I was just starting to buy a newly 2,13 MacBook Air to replace my MacBook before I began to get some more Information on this new Air.
This thread on the Lines-Issue was very helpful. I couldn't believe that apple would make such mistakes in this high-price product. So last week I went to Germanys biggest consumer electronic store "Media Markt" and had a quick look at the Airs that were displayed in the store. They displayed two and both of them had the lines issue. Absolute terribly. Never saw such a crap!
I could never work with such a dipslay.
So, I will definitely wait with my buy.
Hopefully Apple will change this. Otherwise there will be no Air for me.
Good luck to all the test guys here. Maybe this will help the apple guys. It sounds really stupid for me.
This thread on the Lines-Issue was very helpful. I couldn't believe that apple would make such mistakes in this high-price product. So last week I went to Germanys biggest consumer electronic store "Media Markt" and had a quick look at the Airs that were displayed in the store. They displayed two and both of them had the lines issue. Absolute terribly. Never saw such a crap!
I could never work with such a dipslay.
So, I will definitely wait with my buy.
Hopefully Apple will change this. Otherwise there will be no Air for me.
Good luck to all the test guys here. Maybe this will help the apple guys. It sounds really stupid for me.
So, I have some results, and they AIN'T good. I tried exactly the same thing on another MBA with lines, and the lines did NOT improve at all. This was after trying the same things.
I have to conclude, that my opinion is the displays are faulty in some form. Perhaps it's that they're not getting enough power, but I cannot prove that. I don't believe it's the film over the displays as some have suggested based on my own MBA's performance.
Sorry I could not be of more help to anyone. It has been a true disappointment, as I really believed I was onto something. I am happy with my new MBA without lines, but I have no clue why it (the first one I tested) doesn't have lines now, if they will return, or if they're just invisible most of the time.
I definitely believe there are extreme differences in the level of lines. I have seen them ranging from unusable to only noticeable on white/gray from a few inches away. I am extremely discouraged with the MBA's display, but I absolutely love the MBA.
I am hopeful for an OLED display in the next or newest MBA when released. Sure, that's wishing for a lot, but it is a rumor and LG is the manufacturer Apple just signed a big deal with. That seems to be the only way we will get rid of these lines.
I have to conclude, that my opinion is the displays are faulty in some form. Perhaps it's that they're not getting enough power, but I cannot prove that. I don't believe it's the film over the displays as some have suggested based on my own MBA's performance.
Sorry I could not be of more help to anyone. It has been a true disappointment, as I really believed I was onto something. I am happy with my new MBA without lines, but I have no clue why it (the first one I tested) doesn't have lines now, if they will return, or if they're just invisible most of the time.
I definitely believe there are extreme differences in the level of lines. I have seen them ranging from unusable to only noticeable on white/gray from a few inches away. I am extremely discouraged with the MBA's display, but I absolutely love the MBA.
I am hopeful for an OLED display in the next or newest MBA when released. Sure, that's wishing for a lot, but it is a rumor and LG is the manufacturer Apple just signed a big deal with. That seems to be the only way we will get rid of these lines.
We don't need new OLEDs to make it all go away. All that does is give apple an excuse to raise prices. If apple could just get practical and bring the Rev A displays back.
Regarding the low power theory on these displays, it could be apple going overboad on power savings thinking they learned something from Rev A heat issues.
That's just it, an OLED display uses a lot less energy. I think it's possible that the MBA would be first to get it if the rumor is true.
I think those who "upgraded" now will be disappointed that didn't wait for the "big/real" upgrade. I hope to waste more money soon on an upgraded MBA.
Having MBA rev.C (SSD) with lines. Upgrade of smc firmware didn't help, lines are still there.
I officially have given up. Tried everything again with no improvement to affected MBA display! I have tried everything except pull the display covers off. I do not believe that is the culprit but some have suggested it.
I still believe that somehow it's a power interference issue between the LED backlighting and display. Or, the display itself is not getting enough power from Mac possibly because Apple is limiting it, OR problem with wiring or interference?
My MBA (4th rev C) shows no lines currently after original testing. It was the weirdest case of lines I had ever seen. They were very faint and only on very light beigish backgrounds from 4 inches or less. After doing power testing, the lines were gone and haven't seen since??? The new one I bought for my daughter's birthday does still show the lines after everything I did to the first one. I am planning on returning it. I am going to give my kids my unibody MB to share and just stick with one MBA in the family.
I still believe that somehow it's a power interference issue between the LED backlighting and display. Or, the display itself is not getting enough power from Mac possibly because Apple is limiting it, OR problem with wiring or interference?
My MBA (4th rev C) shows no lines currently after original testing. It was the weirdest case of lines I had ever seen. They were very faint and only on very light beigish backgrounds from 4 inches or less. After doing power testing, the lines were gone and haven't seen since??? The new one I bought for my daughter's birthday does still show the lines after everything I did to the first one. I am planning on returning it. I am going to give my kids my unibody MB to share and just stick with one MBA in the family.
Well, you stuck with it longer than anyone else would have. Thank you for that. Too bad we still don't know what the deal is. Makes me feel all the better about my choice of a new MBP as opposed to a new Air. Hopefully Apple will eventually rectify this problem and I can go back to the blissfulness of the Air's weight and form factor.