Best strategy for buying a MBP 15 "non-yellow" model ?

[mparkes]

After reading about the issues some are having with the 15" screens, what would be the best approach to land a good-screened MBP 15" 2.2?

1) Buy New from Apple online. I figure this is a safe bet, if I get one of the yellowed screens I figure Apple will work hard to make it right. Replacement probably. A few weeeks wait but that's okay. I have been using an old g3 for years, a few more weeks ain't gonna matter.

2) Buy refurbished from Apple online. I hear good things about Apple refurbs, but I wonder if there might be more problem screens going though the refurb revolving doors? Would Apple treat a problem screen refurb the same way as a new one, ie send it back and we'll send you another one? Maybe eventually you'd get lucky. Not sure how many times you could keep doing that though.

3) By local through a reseller - Best Buy is starting to carry Macs here, and thats an option, but I don't have much of a comfort level in dealing with their support. I could envision taking it back to complain and they just say "nope, looks fine to us, thats what they ALL look like. Sorry." Compussr also carries them here but I have even less regard for that outfit. HOWever, if by chance they could allow you to "check" the screen before buying, that would be great, but I doubt seriously they'll do that and turn a new computer into an "open box".

4) Drive to an Apple Store. I am in Spokane, nearest Apple store is Seattle. I did contact one of the stores there and they actually said I could check the screen before buying (yay). But that was only one store out of about 3 or 4. The others said no to checking them before buying. Its a 4 hour drive so not exactly close.

At this point I am inclined to just buy through Apple and wait it out. I am aware of the fact that maybe this yellow screen problem is a very small %, but I figure it can't hurt to strategize the purchase with that possibility in mind.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[theman]

the only possible way to get one without yellow (or be 100% sure its not) is to go to a store (reseller or apple store) and see if you can open it and turn it on before you buy it.

 

[dacreativeguy]

Just buy or order one from any retailer you want. The ratio of perfectly good MBPs to ones with problems being reported on this board is huge. Apple has sold thousands and thousands of these machines compared to the dozens of people complaining on this board. The internet is great info, but can often feed into one's paranoia. Mine is fine so yours is likely to be fine as well.

 

[compuguy1088]

Its basically the random pick of the draw, I got a MacBook Pro 15.4 2.4 SR at Best Buy, and I think it has a slight yellowing problem, though I haven't conclusivly seen a problem with photos, only with solid yellow. I think its more just a very tight viewing angle, but that is just me.

 

[D1G1T4L]

Its basically the random pick of the draw, I got a MacBook Pro 15.4 2.4 SR at Best Buy, and I think it has a slight yellowing problem, though I haven't conclusivly seen a problem with photos, only with solid yellow. I think its more just a very tight viewing angle, but that is just me.

I also thought I had a slight yellow screen. After I calibrated my screen it made a WORLD of difference. Mine came with a very yellowish calibration.

 

[ulater6000]

?????????

what is this yellow problem you are all speaking of with macbook pros?


Ive been planing on buying one for a while please and now i find something to scare me away from apple

 

[theman]

just look at one of the 10 giant threads in this forum. I got my mbp last week and it had the problem. the bottom 3rd of the screen had a very yellow tinge when looking at it from any angle. i had to send it back. sucks.

 

[compuguy1088]

I also thought I had a slight yellow screen. After I calibrated my screen it made a WORLD of difference. Mine came with a very yellowish calibration.

Yea the same here, Week 30 MBP SR. Its just a little yellow in the bottom, with at least a solid color of yellow. I haven't seen it really in images, more with my viewing angle, at least I think.

 

[compuguy1088]

?????????

what is this yellow problem you are all speaking of with macbook pros?


Ive been planing on buying one for a while please and now i find something to scare me away from apple

Sorry to seem kind of sharp towards you, but this has been a very well complained thing on the fourms, as shown with these posts:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/343219/
Its a lot of reading, over 15 pages and such. Only with the 15.4 LCD SR screens.

 

[/V\acpower]

Just buy or order one from any retailer you want. The ratio of perfectly good MBPs to ones with problems being reported on this board is huge. Apple has sold thousands and thousands of these machines compared to the dozens of people complaining on this board. The internet is great info, but can often feed into one's paranoia. Mine is fine so yours is likely to be fine as well.

I don't think the "internet forums paranoia" explain everything.

- YES, peoples tend to use forums when they have a problem.

BUT

Everyone here is not necessarily here because of the yellowing issue.

Also
It's still an important problem if peoples go to Apple Stores and that every 15'' MBP have the issues.
Some peoples made more than two exchange to finally receive a non-yellow screen. If the issue is really that rare, it should be rare that someone receive another yellow screen (mine 15''MBP as been in repair for a week at my local Apple Store because the first screen they received from Apple had the problem too, so they had to order another one).

Consider also the fact that the yellowing issue is not necessarily evident (doesn't mean it's not there). Even if you do graphics you may not notice it everytime, but when you have to use white in the bottom of a dark image, it will be clear. So lots of people may have it and didn't noticed it yet or they think it's the viewing angle. So lots of peoples just don't think they have a bad screen when they have.

 

[CalBoy]

There is no "strategy" per se, as each method of buying can still yield a yellow screen. If anything, the only thing you can do (if you're religious) is to pray that your mbp comes out non-yellow.

Another good idea is to visit a Roulette Table before you buy. If your luck holds, go and get that mbp; if not...

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Rube]

I also thought I had a slight yellow screen. After I calibrated my screen it made a WORLD of difference. Mine came with a very yellowish calibration.

If the screen has one consistant color that would work. Our screens weren't like that making any attempt at calibration impossible. If you changed one part of the screen and the other part would then be out of whack.

 

[Maccleduff]

I got my MBP last weekend at the apple store in bentall centre, kingston, after a forum member posted they had got an LG screen there. I also got an LG screen and its definitly much better than the samsungs i returned a couple of months back. Well worth the wait.
Hmm so your nearest apple store is four hours away, i would just buy online then lol. Id been to two other apple stores before i got the lg screen i wanted but i i like to travel

 

[D1G1T4L]

If the screen has one consistant color that would work. Our screens weren't like that making any attempt at calibration impossible. If you changed one part of the screen and the other part would then be out of whack.

I understand some have been faulty but I would always suggest attempting calibration before saying it is bad.

 

[GavinTing]

Pray. Prayer is always good. Pray to whichever deity you believe in. Thats what my exam invigilator said.

 

[matt l]

the 2.4 machines tend to use the lg screens more often then not, also to the poster thats saying the vast majority of screens are ok, where is he getting this info from? to my mind, this is a big problem, when people are getting returns that are also yellow it suggests that its not just the odd one or two out of a batch

 

[D1G1T4L]

the 2.4 machines tend to use the lg screens more often then not, also to the poster thats saying the vast majority of screens are ok, where is he getting this info from? to my mind, this is a big problem, when people are getting returns that are also yellow it suggests that its not just the odd one or two out of a batch

The same place where you are getting your info that there is a big problem.

 

[mparkes]

refurb vs. new

If you buy a refurb and your prayers didn't work and you have the yellow, would apple online handle a problem in the same was as a new one, ie send it back for replacement, etc?

 

[matt l]

The same place where you are getting your info that there is a big problem.

well im getting it from here, this forum, IE loads of users having problems, so your argument is flawed before its even started.

 

[matt l]

If you buy a refurb and your prayers didn't work and you have the yellow, would apple online handle a problem in the same was as a new one, ie send it back for replacement, etc?

yeah i would of thoughts so, a faults a fault after all.

 

[D1G1T4L]

well im getting it from here, this forum, IE loads of users having problems, so your argument is flawed before its even started.

That would be a bad place to get your data Of course you see loads of people with problems. You tend to see more threads from people with problems than threads from people saying "everything is OK".

 

[frez]

I have been waiting since these came out to buy one.

I have called Apple tech support a few times telling them I am a future buyer - but they are not admitting to the problem anymore - however they did once a couple of months ago.

Everytime I've gone to the Apple stores in my area and point out the yellowing on their display models, all I get is a blank look from the sales people. I tried speaking with one of the hyper-ego'd "Apple Geniuses" (what the heck does that mean anyway?) and all I got was a belligerent attitude. His idea of customer service was to talk over me and tell me that Apple had no problem keeping the laptops on the shelves.

Three friends have purchased 15" 2.4 GHz models and all have the problem to varying degrees. Two have gone through the ring several times with Apple stores, tech support over the phone and online to no avail. The third one gave up after his first exchange - but he doesn't do colour critical work.

At this point - I'm feeling that the best strategy is to avoid this laptop if you do any colour critical work and simply wait until the new rumoured laptops come out in January.

Thankfully my current Powerbook G4 is holding up - but I would greatly appreciate the speed up.

 

[Cybergypsy]

I have a month old 2.4 non yellow with apple care for sale

 

[iViking]

Get a macbook and wait until January

I have been waiting since these came out to buy one.

I have called Apple tech support a few times telling them I am a future buyer - but they are not admitting to the problem anymore - however they did once a couple of months ago.

Everytime I've gone to the Apple stores in my area and point out the yellowing on their display models, all I get is a blank look from the sales people. I tried speaking with one of the hyper-ego'd "Apple Geniuses" (what the heck does that mean anyway?) and all I got was a belligerent attitude. His idea of customer service was to talk over me and tell me that Apple had no problem keeping the laptops on the shelves.

Three friends have purchased 15" 2.4 GHz models and all have the problem to varying degrees. Two have gone through the ring several times with Apple stores, tech support over the phone and online to no avail. The third one gave up after his first exchange - but he doesn't do colour critical work.

At this point - I'm feeling that the best strategy is to avoid this laptop if you do any colour critical work and simply wait until the new rumoured laptops come out in January.

Thankfully my current Powerbook G4 is holding up - but I would greatly appreciate the speed up.

In my opinion, the best move is to buy a white macbook 2.16 for $1225 after rebate from Amazon.com and wait until January for updated MBP's, because the amount of yellowed screens seems very high and the odds of getting one with a Samsung, very likely.

 

[mparkes]

thats a great approach - hadn't considered the regular macboooks. Could even probably go refurb too and save more. Then when the new pros come out - upgrade. thanks.

In my opinion, the best move is to buy a white macbook 2.16 for $1225 after rebate from Amazon.com and wait until January for updated MBP's, because the amount of yellowed screens seems very high and the odds of getting one with a Samsung, very likely.