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gman901

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 1, 2007
607
14
Houston, TX
I noticed I have one small pixel that seems extremely bright, particularly when viewing a web page with a white background. I do not see any problems with the pixel when on a dark background. I think I can live with one weird pixel problem, but in case I wanted to exchange my Air for one that does not have a pixel issue, will the Apple store allow it? Also, what's the likelihood that the Apple store would have the "ultimate" version of the 11.6"? If they do not and I have to order a new one, do they allow me to continue using my current one until the new one arrives (similar to what Dell does for their customers)?
 

astrorider

macrumors 6502a
Sep 25, 2008
595
131
I noticed I have one small pixel that seems extremely bright, particularly when viewing a web page with a white background. I do not see any problems with the pixel when on a dark background. I think I can live with one weird pixel problem, but in case I wanted to exchange my Air for one that does not have a pixel issue, will the Apple store allow it? Also, what's the likelihood that the Apple store would have the "ultimate" version of the 11.6"? If they do not and I have to order a new one, do they allow me to continue using my current one until the new one arrives (similar to what Dell does for their customers)?

I thought Apple had a minimum number of dead pixels that you must have before a replacement would be allowed, but about a year ago my girlfriend bought a MacBook Pro that had a single dead pixel at the center of the screen and she was very unhappy about it. We brought it back to the Apple Store and they gladly swapped it for a new one. When the new one had several bad pixels (she opened it in store to check), they gladly swapped that for another one as well. Thankfully the 3rd unit was free from dead pixels and she was a happy customer. So, to some extent I guess it comes down to the discretion of the employee you're dealing with.
 

HLdan

macrumors 603
Aug 22, 2007
6,383
0
With all due respects, only the Apple store can answer your questions. We can tell you yes and they can still tell you no. Call them up.
 

gman901

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 1, 2007
607
14
Houston, TX
I may just do that. Thanks! I actually do not mind the pixel really that much, and I really do not want to deal with all the hassle of restoring a new computer and losing licenses to some recent software I purchased.
 

alau0115

macrumors regular
Sep 12, 2009
230
10
Markham, ON, Canada
I noticed I have one small pixel that seems extremely bright, particularly when viewing a web page with a white background. I do not see any problems with the pixel when on a dark background. I think I can live with one weird pixel problem, but in case I wanted to exchange my Air for one that does not have a pixel issue, will the Apple store allow it? Also, what's the likelihood that the Apple store would have the "ultimate" version of the 11.6"? If they do not and I have to order a new one, do they allow me to continue using my current one until the new one arrives (similar to what Dell does for their customers)?

What you saw as one bright pixel may actually corresponds to a few pixels ( not scientific, just my thinking). This also happened to me as well. Looks like this is the EXACT scenario. Also a very bright pixel only seen with white or lighter color background.

Originally I thought it wasn't bothering me but in my case it was a very, very bright pixel near the left and lower half of the screen. As the screen estate is that small, when opening a web page, seeing the pixel is inevitable.

Take it to Apple Store. In my case, they swapped me with a brand new one without hassle.. I don't think there is a problem in getting the ultimate 11.6 Air though the availability of a particular model may vary by region though. There is a guide line for replacement reported somewhere in macrumors. It looks like for more than 3 dead pixels on a 11" screen, they will replace it.
 

gman901

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 1, 2007
607
14
Houston, TX
Mine is about in the same area as yours and I found another smaller bright pixel about 2 inches to the right of the first one I noticed. I have a Genius Bar appointment tomorrow to inquire about it. Maybe they have some way to fix it. Now that I know it's there, my eyes keep getting drawn to it on light backgrounds.
 

i7QuadCoreMania

macrumors 6502
Nov 10, 2009
282
0
since my hp Laptop I bought 4 years ago, I've had a few cases with dead pixels, although I was able to get HP to replace it even though it was a custom order one.

My first iMac in Mid 2008 had one red pixel which i noticed after the 14 day exchange.:mad: Sold it when the i7 27" iMacs were released a 8 months later, luckily dead pixel free.

I ordered 2 dell mini 10v to run as hackintoshes one was had dead pixels and was returned.

Now, my BTO 13" Ultimate MBA I got last week is dead pixel free and I'm a happy camper.:D I guess it just depends on your luck, but I for one will not accept a product with dead pixels, I would rather return it if exchange is not an option.
 

alau0115

macrumors regular
Sep 12, 2009
230
10
Markham, ON, Canada
Mine is about in the same area as yours and I found another smaller bright pixel about 2 inches to the right of the first one I noticed. I have a Genius Bar appointment tomorrow to inquire about it. Maybe they have some way to fix it. Now that I know it's there, my eyes keep getting drawn to it on light backgrounds.

If it is within 14 days of purchase, Apple mostly replaces it right away without the attempt to fix it.

Good luck!
 

gman901

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 1, 2007
607
14
Houston, TX
Really? Because I got a notice that my custom built version was shipped on 10/28 and charged my card; but I did not receive it until a few days later.
 

alau0115

macrumors regular
Sep 12, 2009
230
10
Markham, ON, Canada
Really? Because I got a notice that my custom built version was shipped on 10/28 and charged my card; but I did not receive it until a few days later.
Sorry for the confusion. I meant to mean in-store purchase as in my area, the Apple store stocks the lowest and the highest configuration of the Macbooks, including the ultimate 11.6" MBA.

Your case may be a bit different but the 14 days rule still applies. It would be fair to count from the day the courier handed over the product to you.

Sent you a PM for more info.
 
Last edited:

gman901

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 1, 2007
607
14
Houston, TX
So Apple just rocks! I did some troubleshooting steps with Apple online before taking it to the Genius Bar today. Nothing would fix the stuck pixels. So I got to the store and the rep took one look at my screen and told me that he sees the bright pixels that were stuck and told me that instead of getting it repaired, I should just get it replaced. I said great and asked how they would do it since mine was customized from the online store. He said that they would have to order a new one because they only carry the stock models. I asked if they ever get the "ultimate" 11" versions and he said he doubted it but would check in the back. About 5 minutes later he walks back out with a brand new sealed "ultimate" replacement! I get home, open up this beauty and the screen is perfect! Definitely one satisfied Apple customer! :D
 

HLdan

macrumors 603
Aug 22, 2007
6,383
0
So Apple just rocks! I did some troubleshooting steps with Apple online before taking it to the Genius Bar today. Nothing would fix the stuck pixels. So I got to the store and the rep took one look at my screen and told me that he sees the bright pixels that were stuck and told me that instead of getting it repaired, I should just get it replaced. I said great and asked how they would do it since mine was customized from the online store. He said that they would have to order a new one because they only carry the stock models. I asked if they ever get the "ultimate" 11" versions and he said he doubted it but would check in the back. About 5 minutes later he walks back out with a brand new sealed "ultimate" replacement! I get home, open up this beauty and the screen is perfect! Definitely one satisfied Apple customer! :D

Excellent! I'm happy for you. That's great they had your "Ultimate" model in stock and you didn't have to wait. :)
 

Pipper99

macrumors 68040
Aug 14, 2010
3,823
3,772
Fort Worth, TX
So Apple just rocks! I did some troubleshooting steps with Apple online before taking it to the Genius Bar today. Nothing would fix the stuck pixels. So I got to the store and the rep took one look at my screen and told me that he sees the bright pixels that were stuck and told me that instead of getting it repaired, I should just get it replaced. I said great and asked how they would do it since mine was customized from the online store. He said that they would have to order a new one because they only carry the stock models. I asked if they ever get the "ultimate" 11" versions and he said he doubted it but would check in the back. About 5 minutes later he walks back out with a brand new sealed "ultimate" replacement! I get home, open up this beauty and the screen is perfect! Definitely one satisfied Apple customer! :D

I wish that I had taken mine to the apple store, but I arranged for an online return, so I'm waiting for my replacement to ship. I had bright pixels, too. They were very distracting.
 

alau0115

macrumors regular
Sep 12, 2009
230
10
Markham, ON, Canada
So Apple just rocks! I did some troubleshooting steps with Apple online before taking it to the Genius Bar today. Nothing would fix the stuck pixels. So I got to the store and the rep took one look at my screen and told me that he sees the bright pixels that were stuck and told me that instead of getting it repaired, I should just get it replaced. I said great and asked how they would do it since mine was customized from the online store. He said that they would have to order a new one because they only carry the stock models. I asked if they ever get the "ultimate" 11" versions and he said he doubted it but would check in the back. About 5 minutes later he walks back out with a brand new sealed "ultimate" replacement! I get home, open up this beauty and the screen is perfect! Definitely one satisfied Apple customer! :D

Hey, that's great to hear! Now you can really enjoy the MBA :)
 
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