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Dead pixels: how many is enough, and how many do I have?

K

kevin1182

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 8, 2005
56
0
Hey everyone,

I love my macbook, but after about 8 months there are a bunch of dea pixels. There are actually 3 distinct areas where there are dead pixels. I cannot tell how many are dead at each location, but the size of the "dead" area seems to vary from location to location. They are not the end of the world and really are only noticeable on certain web pages and stuff like that. But, I was wondering how I can figure out how many dead pixels I have, and how many it would take before I could get a replacement?

Thanks a lot,

Kevin
 
K

kevin1182

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 8, 2005
56
0
Great!

Hey everyone,

Great, thanks. I think I will take it to the apple store sometime soon. Will the computer definitely be shipped off for repair, or is there any chance that I will get a new computer on the spot :D

Kevin
 
taylorwilsdon

taylorwilsdon

macrumors 68000
Nov 16, 2006
1,868
12
New York City
kevin1182 said:
Hey everyone,

Great, thanks. I think I will take it to the apple store sometime soon. Will the computer definitely be shipped off for repair, or is there any chance that I will get a new computer on the spot :D

Kevin
Click to expand...

Probably neither. You'll have to pay for a new LCD, Apple doesn't cover dead pixels in their policy.
 
EvryDayImShufln

EvryDayImShufln

macrumors 65816
Sep 18, 2006
1,094
1
It's so frustrating that nobody knows how many there needs to be. I was in the apple store and the guy told me 1 was enough to replace it. Then when I bought my MBP they told me that that was not true, and it depended on the manager at the location at that particular time and what he thought. Can't they have a scientific policy for LCD replacement?
 
I

iProducer

macrumors newbie
Oct 30, 2006
2
0
sydney, australia
It is incredibly frustrating..

It seems to be a grey area as from what I can gather apple will replace the defective screen if you make enough noise - the argument goes that if they had to replace every screen with a single dead pixel it wouldn't be cost effective..

I had a samsung lcd with a single dead pixel and they replaced it absolutely no questions and even delivered it for free here in Sydney.

My argument is we pay a small premium for owning apple products so why they can not give us a screen without faults that other manufacturers replace without question is not to be accepted.

If you say your a graphic designer etc they will in some cases replace your screen (so i've read here) but put simply I would not take no for an answer, how annoying will that be every second you look at your screen ?

In this case you don't need luck, just some moral support from the good folk here : )


Greg
 
Erasmus

Erasmus

macrumors 68030
Jun 22, 2006
2,756
300
Australia
I believe (without much accuracy) that it's something like:

A number of dead pixels (eg. 5), or less if they are in critical parts of the screen, ie. in the middle. It was something like this about 2 years ago.

However, when my dad had his screen replaced (A full vertical line of red pixels), the man who replaced it (On Applecare of course) said the rules have recently changed. To what, I have no idea. I would say it is extremely likely that if you are very nice to the guy at the Apple Store, you will get your replacement screen, possibly on-site repair.

After my Dad's Powerbook screen was replaced, his computer now has to be placed within a few metres of our wireless modem to get a signal, so there is obviously something wrong there. I advise you check that, because they just replace the whole lid.
 
P

Pct1theory

macrumors member
Dec 24, 2006
36
0
NY
6

it's 6, if u have 6 then they will replace it under apple care (b/c it could be a defected screen)...

ik this b/c my friend at Apple told me (i have a almost-dead pixel)
 
E

emac82

macrumors 6502
Feb 17, 2007
461
25
Atlantic Canada
On a screen there are million of pixels, so I can understand why 1 isn't seen as defective. It's not the end of the world for one dead pixel, even if you are a graphic designer. You won't always notice it anyway. Most manufacturer deem 5 dead pixels or more as defective, which is more reasonable. If they replaced every screen for a single dead pixel, it's not very cost effective.
 
K

kevin1182

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 8, 2005
56
0
Thanks a lot

Everyone,

Thanks for your responses. I definitely am not terribly picky, and when I first saw some dead pixels it didn't bother me. But now I have 3 separate areas where there must be at least 1 dead pixel, so I guess that puts me up to at least 3. I think I will head over to the Apple store and just see what they say, although I am not sure when I would get it fixed because I can't really be without my computer at the moment.

This whole thing reminds me- better buy Apple Care! One year warranty expires in May for those of us who bought the Macbook soon after it came out...I swear, these Apple guys are smart. The price of Apple Care is just on the edge of what I would pay for it. I figure most problems with the computer could actually be fixed for less than the price of Apple Care (hard drive, ram, optical drive, etc.). But, if that motherboard goes or the screen or something like that you better have Apple Care. And, I like the peace of mind, but it sure would be easier if it cost $150!

Thanks,

Kevin
 
greenmeanie

greenmeanie

macrumors 65816
Jan 22, 2005
1,422
615
AmigaWarez
I had one dead pixel when I bought mine and they told me to bring it back.

If I had it for awile I don't know if they would have let me.
And as far as applecare goes when I am buying a mac book pro it shouldn't be breaking!
 
S

SC68Cal

macrumors 68000
Feb 23, 2006
1,642
0
I have 30 damaged pixels on my screen. A few scattered around the edge, then a clump dead center.

Not happy. Not happy one bit.
 
I

iProducer

macrumors newbie
Oct 30, 2006
2
0
sydney, australia
I believe this problem will only become more prevalent as we all upgrade to larger and higher resolution displays in all consumer electronics, as apple are trying to move in to.

Testing the consumers tolerance.

I would assume apple have reasonably exact numbers of how many screens are manufactured defective each month, and how many they are willing to replace.

Are apple trying to increase profit margins at your expense ? but that is what a successful company does - in this case though they have a monopoly on 'apple' products so there is no competition to force them to abide by what we may consider is morally right.

If they charged additional fees for zero tolerance defective screens it would clash with they're current advertising that products manufactured by them are superior to other manufacturers, so it seems they leave it up to you to force they're hand.

Sadly a very grey area but for the time being the only solution is to rely on ones personal charm to get results : )

Be sure they'll do the right thing in this case though, there's an army of supporters on your side.
 
S

SC68Cal

macrumors 68000
Feb 23, 2006
1,642
0
emac82 said:
Well, I'm sure that woud get replaced no problem under warranty. That's a lot of dead pixels.
Click to expand...

Took it to the store, and it was replaced without any hassle. Got the computer back today after a 3 day turn around (1 day to order the part) and I am very pleased.
 
Chrispy

Chrispy

macrumors 68020
Dec 27, 2004
2,270
524
Indiana
To the OP, if you have 3 separate areas with dead pixels then I'm sure Apple won't give you too much hassle. Just be friendly but stern about it and explain that you understand 1 or 2 pixels but 3 is getting to be a bit much for you. I have had success getting just 1 pixel resolved so you should be able to get yours fixed with at least the 3 you have. Keep us posted on the status.
 
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