Burned by Apple Again

[BWhaler]

I opened my new 17" MBP with the high resolution display this weekend.

And the backlighting on the display sucks beyond words. Bleedling light, gray bar, the works.

Of course, this is all within spec. No point returning it.

Over 3 grand spent (with the memory & screen upgrade & tax)

Once upon a time, opening an Apple product was a joyful experience. Now it is nerve-racking. How bad is the screen going to be? Dead pixels? Heat? Noise? Build quality

I have purchased every iteration of the 17" portable line since 2003, except the first Intel iteration. Today's laptop will be my last until Apple get the quality right, especially on the screens.

 

[NotFound]

I'll gladly take it off of your hands for you.

 

[scaredpoet]

Can you post a picture of this? I'm just wondering what would be "in spec" and yet unacceptable to you.

 

[Arkanok]

I opened my new 17" MBP with the high resolution display this weekend.

And the backlighting on the display sucks beyond words. Bleedling light, gray bar, the works.

Of course, this is all within spec. No point returning it.

Over 3 grand spent (with the memory & screen upgrade & tax)

Once upon a time, opening an Apple product was a joyful experience. Now it is nerve-racking. How bad is the screen going to be? Dead pixels? Heat? Noise? Build quality

I have purchased every iteration of the 17" portable line since 2003, except the first Intel iteration. Today's laptop will be my last until Apple get the quality right, especially on the screens.

I'm new to mac's, as i just bought my first mbp 2 days ago, but i dont know what you mean about the screen. I've looked at SOOO many laptops in the past few months, and i find all of them have HORRIBLE black levels and poor brightness. This thing, at least in my eyes, has better black levels that most laptop screens i've seen, as well as being damn bright.

As for opening an apple product and being a joyful experience, it was to me. I've never purchased a computer (windows machines) that has ever just felt so right, until i bought my mbp.

 

[Nuc]

Send it back. I had the Apple guys look at mine and he said that wasn't normal (bleeding light around the edges). He said he would have to send it in but I can't afford to send in my laptop until my thesis is done.

Nuc

 

[CalBoy]

I'm new to mac's, as i just bought my first mbp 2 days ago, but i dont know what you mean about the screen. I've looked at SOOO many laptops in the past few months, and i find all of them have HORRIBLE black levels and poor brightness. This thing, at least in my eyes, has better black levels that most laptop screens i've seen, as well as being damn bright.

As for opening an apple product and being a joyful experience, it was to me. I've never purchased a computer (windows machines) that has ever just felt so right, until i bought my mbp.

I love the use of anecdotal evidence here. The OP is a veteran Mac user, and I'm pretty sure he knows what a good MBP/Powerbook screen looks like.

OP, sorry about your crappy MBP. Show us some pics so we know what you're talking about.

 

[Cybergypsy]

Last year I spent 6K on 4 macs that were all bad, due to QC issues, I am going to buy another in a few weeks and hope they are getting better...

 

[PimpDaddy]

I hope mine will be ok ...

 

[iW00t]

I opened my new 17" MBP with the high resolution display this weekend.

And the backlighting on the display sucks beyond words. Bleedling light, gray bar, the works.

Of course, this is all within spec. No point returning it.

Over 3 grand spent (with the memory & screen upgrade & tax)

Once upon a time, opening an Apple product was a joyful experience. Now it is nerve-racking. How bad is the screen going to be? Dead pixels? Heat? Noise? Build quality

I have purchased every iteration of the 17" portable line since 2003, except the first Intel iteration. Today's laptop will be my last until Apple get the quality right, especially on the screens.

There is a 15" model with a nice cutting edge LED screen, but no... you need a "Mac Pro" in a laptop and opted to go for a old fashion backlit machine, what more can you demand from Apple? After all it is such a sleek and pretty machine, some engineering compromises have to be made at some stage.

 

[AdeFowler]

I'd send it back without any doubt, especially if it's as bad as you say it is.

 

[DHagan4755]

iWoot,

Please don't be condescending!

BWhaler: Yes, opening the MacBook Pros is a really nerve wracking these days.

It all comes down to this folks: Apple needs to change the design of the MacBook Pro for many reasons. In this particular case, since Apple rolled out much brighter displays, starting with the last iteration of the PowerBook G4, the pro portables have suffered from a tendency to come out of the factory with uneven illumination or backlight leakage. I think it has to do with the backlighting foil used to enhance the brightness at the expense of even illumination. And the fact that all of this doesn't quite fit or work well in the current enclosure.

The only good news with respect to the future of Apple's pro notebook line is the rumored 13-inch MacBook Pro "thin". Apple is rumored to be using a newer design enclosure, which if the past is to serve as any guide, might indicate a new enclosure for the rest of the line.

 

[CalBoy]

I'd send it back without any doubt, especially if it's as bad as you say it is.

Agreed. And don't let them charge you the restocking fee either. A bad product should not be tolerated.

 

[tobyg]

I opened my new 17" MBP with the high resolution display this weekend.

And the backlighting on the display sucks beyond words. Bleedling light, gray bar, the works.

What is the 'gray bar' you are referring to?

I ended up swapping returning 2 15" LED MBP's and finally ended up with a 17" MBP High Res. I love the screen. Backlight is very evenly lit. The colors are great, no yellowing. I love this machine. Only gripe so far is the display has a slight line on the bottom, a few millimeters from the bottom. Looks like maybe some slight pressure on the back causing this or something. I really don't know. It's very minor and doesn't disturb me. I checked out one in the Apple store and it also had this problem, although not as pronounced as the one I have. Either way, this is very much a keeper. Great notebook so far. I am not touching LED backlit screens again at least until the 2nd or 3rd revision.

 

[mac2be]

Do not let the door hit your ass on your way out

Last thing we need is more ass prints.

But seriously, there is a 15" model with a nice cutting edge LED screen, but no... you need a "Mac Pro" in a laptop and opted to go for a old fashion backlit machine, what more can you demand from Apple? After all it is such a sleek and pretty machine, some engineering compromises have to be made at some stage.

iW00t, at first I thought it was just a wrong impression. But after reading quite a few of your posts, I have determined that you actually act like an ass in these forums.

How hard is it to be kind to the other people?

The OP has just spent more than 3 thousand dollars on a piece of equipment that is less than acceptable and he is visibly upset about this. What's your advice and proactive reaction? You bash the OP and make fun of him ("no... you need...") for choosing the perfectly legitimate option of a 17" laptop.

I don't care if you have years of experience on this board, I invite you to reconsider your behavior. Most of your posts sound almost trollish, even though I'm sure you are not an actual troll. Think about it.

OP I'm very sorry about what happened to you and I sincerley hope that you can convince a "genius" at the genius bar to consider a replacement. I'm waiting for a 15" one myself, and really hope I won't be burned as well.

 

[Mr Fusion]

I'd send it back without any doubt, especially if it's as bad as you say it is.

Agreed. And don't let them charge you the restocking fee either. A bad product should not be tolerated.

And make sure you deal with Apple over the phone, those dimwits at the Apple Store wouldn't know a defective part if it, well you know...

Let us know how this gets resolved.

 

[greyhouse]

I understand that Apple has QC problems and I'm sorry that the OP spent 3k and didn't like what he got. However, it sounds like he (or she) knew about Apple quality control problems for some time yet continues to buy Apple products. What is that quote...

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

 

[mac2be]

I understand that Apple has QC problems and I'm sorry that the OP spent 3k and didn't like what he got. However, it sounds like he (or she) knew about Apple quality control problems for some time yet continues to buy Apple products. What is that quote...

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

True, but imagine having invested thousands of dollars and countless hours on Apple's products. Switching to Windows is not exactly the smartest thing to do either. So I guess for him was Apple or Apple, and he picked... well Apple. He probably hoped in an improvement but was burned. I don't see why this should be its fault, it's not like you have to expect each single laptop made by Apple to be defective.

 

[CalBoy]

I understand that Apple has QC problems and I'm sorry that the OP spent 3k and didn't like what he got. However, it sounds like he (or she) knew about Apple quality control problems for some time yet continues to buy Apple products. What is that quote...

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

That isn't the way to do things. Apple should be made aware of these issues, esspecially as its market share expands. The OP is a Mac user, and thus has a right to demand a Mac that doesn't come with major defects. If we did what you suggest, then almost no computer would ever be purchased again.

 

[BWhaler]

Do not let the door hit your ass on your way out

Last thing we need is more ass prints.

But seriously, there is a 15" model with a nice cutting edge LED screen, but no... you need a "Mac Pro" in a laptop and opted to go for a old fashion backlit machine, what more can you demand from Apple? After all it is such a sleek and pretty machine, some engineering compromises have to be made at some stage.

Well, I was going to ignore you given your reputation around here, but I feel compelled to respond since I don't want Apple or other idiots to think this is acceptible.

I chose the 17" screen because--wait for it--that is what I NEED and want. For my work, I need as many pixels as I can get on the road.

You're clever enough understand that not everyone is you and has your needs, right?

But honestly, that is not the point. Having spent about 20 grand on these laptops since their release, they didn't use to be that way. Because I upgrade once a year, I can tell you the exact iteration where the screen quality hit the toilet: the last revision of the PowerBook line. These issues were not there beforehand.

So, please spare us your apologizing for Apple by making crap up. There were no trade-offs, no engineering issues. It is simple: the quality of Apple's laptop is not what is used to be. And if you had the purchase history like I do, you would know this.

John Gruber has a great article I recommend you go dig up and read about the REAL Mac enthusiasts. They are the ones who give Apple the hardest time and are the most demanding because a) they know what they are talking about, b) are years past the fan-boi stage when Apple was magic, and c) don't care how bad Linux and Windows are because they want the best and don't mind paying for it.

Your petty and small little comment is of the frindge of the Apple community--the one that the Windows' users mock and hurts Apple's image.

Others here understand Apple is the best in the world at what they do. But that is not enough. Especially when the manufacturing quality of their products is headed in the wrong direction.

Next time you want to spam someone here with your fan boi comments, I recommend you double check who you are about to flame.

 

[pcmike]

Say what? Where can I read about this?

iWoot,
The only good news with respect to the future of Apple's pro notebook line is the rumored 13-inch MacBook Pro "thin". Apple is rumored to be using a newer design enclosure, which if the past is to serve as any guide, might indicate a new enclosure for the rest of the line.

 

[andiwm2003]

Do not let the door hit your ass on your way out

Last thing we need is more ass prints.

But seriously, there is a 15" model with a nice cutting edge LED screen, but no... you need a "Mac Pro" in a laptop and opted to go for a old fashion backlit machine, what more can you demand from Apple? After all it is such a sleek and pretty machine, some engineering compromises have to be made at some stage.

great helpful post.

to the OP: do you live close to an Apple store? if your MBP looks worse than a unit on display you might have a better chance to get a replacement.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I wonder if the new LED display technology will have these problems? I wanted the 17' one but it doesn't have it yet. I read so much about problems with displays that I am turned off by purchasing a new laptop. A friend at work talked me out of the 17' and wait until it has the newer display. And I am glad I didn't purchase it.

 

[Mr Fusion]

I understand that Apple has QC problems and I'm sorry that the OP spent 3k and didn't like what he got. However, it sounds like he (or she) knew about Apple quality control problems for some time yet continues to buy Apple products. What is that quote...

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

But this gets back to the bigger issue: The lack of choice in major operating systems. Pretty much everyone here understands OS X is way better than the only other mainstream option, Windows. But we are forced to buy Apple hardware because there is no choice. Unless Apple licenses OS X for third party hardware, all these hardware complaints are justified because we really are stuck with it.

 

[mac2be]

Well, I was going to ignore you given your reputation around here, but I feel compelled to respond since I don't want Apple or other idiots to think this is acceptible.

I chose the 17" screen because--wait for it--that is what I wanted. For my work, I need as many pixels as I can get on the road.

You're clever enough understand that not everyone is you and has your needs, right.

But honestly, that is not the point. Having spend about 20 grand on these laptops since their release, they didn't use to be that way. Because I upgrade once a year, I can tell you the exact iteration where the screen quality hit the toilet: the last revision of the PowerBook line. These issues were not there beforehand.

So, please spare us to your apologizing for Apple by making crap up. There were no trade-offs, no engineering issues. Quality is not what is used to be.

John Gruber has a great article I recommend you go dig up and read about the REAL Mac enthusiasts. They are the ones who give Apple the hardest time and are the most demanding because a) they know what they are talking about, b) are years past the fan-boi stage, and c) don't care how bad Linux and Windows are because they want the best and don't mind paying for it.

You're petty and small little comment is of the frindge of the Apple community--the one that the Windows' users mock and hurts Apple's image.

Others here understand Apple is the best in the world at what they do. But that is not enough. Especially when the manufacturing quality of their products is headed in the wrong direction.

Next time you want to spam someone here with your fan boi comments, I recommend you double check who you are about to flame.

Standing ovation for this reply!

 

[BWhaler]

Agreed. And don't let them charge you the restocking fee either. A bad product should not be tolerated.

I think you both gave great advice, but sadly, I tried this with my last two purchases, and they both came back as "within spec"

I even took my last one to the Apple store where my company buys boat loads of Macs and the Genius was great and honest about it. He basically said, 'yeah, it looks bad, and I can get you a new display if you want, but odds are it will look the same.'

This time around, I just don't have the time to be without my laptop. It's just a shame that Apple has taken an advocate who continually upgrades annually--including desktops, etc.--and sells others on Macs, and turned him into a "wait and see" and 'buy the last revision of a line every 3-4 years' customer.