Getting my v 2,2 MBA 2.13 GHz with SSD tomorrow afternoon! I will report back then.

[Scottsdale]

Got my 2.13 rev C today. No lines out of the box and under multiple lighting conditions. Have not had it long enough to judge anything else carefully. Got very lucky. Apple was willing to accept my 1.86 rev B return even though I was outside the 14 day limit by 3 days. I had no idea a refresh was coming so fast. Monday was not a good day for me! Today - very good.

Well, what display do those of you with line-free MBAs have. Under system preferences - displays - color - profile - click on second to last line and it will show info about display.

9c90 is the bad display.

I now have my fourth MBA. It has been stuck on the "create your account" page for 15 minutes twice!

 

[Giancarlo]

I don't doubt it at all. Normal Apple behavior. I would be extremely surprised if they were to ever admit this as an issue.

Yes, but they also are very famous for changing things without a single word to anyone... i.e.. the screens on the previous macbooks...

They have not done a single thing about this issue and given that it is random and does not really apply solely to a specific panel, than one must assume Scottsadale theory could very well be valid.

 

[ayeying]

Well, what display do those of you with line-free MBAs have. Under system preferences - displays - color - profile - click on second to last line and it will show info about display.

9c90 is the bad display.

I now have my fourth MBA. It has been stuck on the "create your account" page for 15 minutes twice!

I have 9C90, line free. Compared with my Rev. A, looks exactly the same, even close up

 

[entatlrg]

\HLdan;Let it go dude. Go buy a 13" MBP. It's a great computer with fantastic specs and you won't be going through this madness anymore. Is the MBA really worth all of this?? IMO, NOT AT ALL. That's why I got rid of mine and ordered the 13" MBP.

Yes, I've been reading along here for quite some time too. Personally, I think adjusting the display settings removes the lines, even those here who claim they see lines admit it's a "tiny percentage of the people who will ever notice it" well then ... for the few who see lines, look at the text on the screen, don't focus on the background, I've never seen displays so nice as I have on Apple products .... anyway ... enough about the displays, I feel bad for those having troubles ...

On the power issue, what to buy MBA or 13" MBP it should be an easy decision, you either need the extra's of the MBP or you don't. People are bitching out Apple for doing what they do, I dunno, they have a business to run, we don't know 1% of the circumstances they buy or receive parts, it's not a simple as people make it sound, that's a fact. I'm in the product development, engineering, manufacturing field and if you ask me Apple has done an 'incredible, stand up, first class job'.

The 13" MBP is really intriguing, I can use the SD slot, the added power, improved screen, better battery etc so I ordered one. I'll use it along side my revB MBA and keep the one I like and sell the one I don't. Then I'll finally be doing ALL my work from one "main" computer, it'll make life easier and no doubt the 13" MBP hits the sweet spot there.

 

[Scottsdale]

This display is not perfect, but I think I can live with it. It's probably not quite as good as the second one. I knew I should have kept that.

I am seriously considering determining what type of cable is used from display to logic board. If ribbon cable, could use standard cables and jump across to see what the display looks like with potentially higher grade (awg) cables. But maybe it's absolutely impossible, as I don't really know what I am talking about. I haven't tore it open and looked at it.

I will say that with the 2.2 setting, it really looks good until I get close enough or see a grayish/brown/gold background which really sets it off (like the background on opening create your account page when starting for first time). I could see the lines instantly on all three before even getting to actual desktop. I knew with all three that I had 9C90 before getting to display. From having a 9C9A, it's obvious when I see a 9C90. So, I don't know if it's a power issue, why the 9C90 is so very obvious to me.

Anyways, I may try one more after waiting a few days to see if anyone gets a different display model. Or, I may return it and use a 13" MBP. But until I do the review, I don't see any way I would take that huge brick over this tiny Air. This thing still looks incredible with videos, darks look like a black hole, and angled views are great. The colors are amazing, BUT not nearly as nice as the 13" MBP! I do appreciate the silver bezel and no glass though.

Please keep me updated with all of the display models that you all get in your new MBAs. Also, best wishes in getting a line free display, like a few of you have reported.

 

[macinsomniac]

On the power issue, what to buy MBA or 13" MBP it should be an easy decision, you either need the extra's of the MBP or you don't. People are bitching out Apple for doing what they do, I dunno, they have a business to run, we don't know 1% of the circumstances they buy or receive parts, it's not a simple as people make it sound, that's a fact. I'm in the product development, engineering, manufacturing field and if you ask me Apple has done an 'incredible, stand up, first class job'.

The 13" MBP is really intriguing, I can use the SD slot, the added power, improved screen, better battery etc so I ordered one. I'll use it along side my revB MBA and keep the one I like and sell the one I don't. Then I'll finally be doing ALL my work from one "main" computer, it'll make life easier and no doubt the 13" MBP hits the sweet spot there.

I just pulled the trigger and bought a 2.13 Air. I was so on the fence, that I immediately questioned myself, asking if I made the right choice. Will the Air meet my needs? Will it be powerful enough? Will the screen have the quality of the 13" MBP?

Most likely, I am only second-guessing since I've repeatedly seen the Air not taken seriously by people on forums and blog comments. The 2.13 SSD Air will be far more powerful than my current iMac that is being auctioned now, and has comparable processor power to my work machine (at work), and faster memory. If the screen is high quality and without lines, then I see no reason why I would be disappointed. If for some reason, within two weeks, I find myself wanting more, then I will exchange it for a 13" MBP.

I am curious to hear about your experiences and comparison. What kind of software are you using for work?

 

[Scottsdale]

I have 9C90, line free. Compared with my Rev. A, looks exactly the same, even close up

Congratulations on your line free MBA!

 

[Scottsdale]

This made me happy. Thank you drjsway. I'm gonna test this on the Apple store demos. If the line is barely noticeable, then I'm back with the Air.


Anyone else try this?

I tried on the demo in the store I went to and the lines looked more obvious on white. However, on my new MBA, with 2.2 setting, the white looks pretty good... it's the beige/gold/gray color that has obvious lines.

 

[macinsomniac]

This thing still looks incredible with videos, darks look like a black hole, and angled views are great. The colors are amazing, BUT not nearly as nice as the 13" MBP! I do appreciate the silver bezel and no glass though.

Don't make me regret just ordering an Air! Does the 13" MBP have a better display for sure? If that is the case, I might have to make a return. I will not be doing too much graphic work on my laptop (most will be on external), but I still don't know if I should sacrifice display quality.

 

[Scottsdale]

Don't make me regret just ordering an Air! Does the 13" MBP have a better display for sure? If that is the case, I might have to make a return. I will not be doing too much graphic work on my laptop (most will be on external), but I still don't know if I should sacrifice display quality.

As far as color gamut, and being 100% line free, the 13" MBP has a gorgeous display. It looks EXACTLY like the display in the 15" MBP. At the same time, the viewing angle, blacks, and fact that it's not glassy MBA WINS the best looking display. One has to remember that there is basically no reflection problems on the MBA and it doesn't have the dreaded black glass bezel, so it really is easier on the eyes. I am not seeing the lines right now at all. If I put my eyes at they keyboard, I can see it on the beige/brown/gray area like around the text box here when typing. I cannot see it on white at all, which is extremely weird and I guess the 2.2 setting helps that. The lines are obvious on the beige/brown/gray areas of websites or like the Create your account page when starting MBA for first time.

I am still trying to determine how bad the lines are here. They seem to come and go... I AM ONE MILLION PERCENT SURE THIS IS A POWER RELATED ISSUE. From doing some more reading, and calling an electrical engineer I know at a client's office, I even hypothesize that this could be the shielding on the cables that run from logic board to display. I may try to test that, but it will require more knowledge and experience than I have... so I will have to depend on someone else to help.

I am not 100% sure that I will keep this MBA, as I plan to do a full review of the 13" MBP to see if the benefits outweigh (literally with the MBP) the lugging around of a brick compared to a notepad! I know it's 1.5 lbs, but it feels like triple the weight to lift the 13" MBP.

 

[mhnajjar]

Scottsdale, are you going for #5?

Didn't the store already put you on their black list? They usually get mad even though it is Apple's fault for this kind of low-quality screens.

 

[Veinticinco]

Spec: 2.13GHz/SSD Model
Model: 9C90
Serial: W8923

Thanks. Just noticed your sig - you're running a Snow Leopard beta on it? How's that looking?

 

[Veinticinco]

Scottsdale, are you going for #5?

Didn't the store already put you on their black list? They usually get mad even though it is Apple's fault for this kind of low-quality screens.

Think Scottsdale has to adopt this 'stealth' approach in his local Apple outlets...

 

[mhnajjar]

Think Scottsdale has to adopt this 'stealth' approach in his local Apple outlets...

This is so funny .... I never thought of it

 

[ayeying]

Thanks. Just noticed your sig - you're running a Snow Leopard beta on it? How's that looking?

It runs extremely well. So far, the only thing I've noticed is the fans can get a little trigger happy, but they slow down just as fast as they speed up

 

[eVolcre]

As far as color gamut, and being 100% line free, the 13" MBP has a gorgeous display. It looks EXACTLY like the display in the 15" MBP.

Am I the ONLY person on these forums who's seeing the difference in quality between the 13 and 15? I don't even know how to describe it but the 13" just did NOT seem as vibrant as the 15" screen. "Washed out" is the first thing I thought of. It was like looking at an iPhone screen naked or through a screen protector.

Seemed like whites seemed whiter on the 15", colors were popping more and it seemed more clear.

Oh well. I guess even if it is JUST me, perception becomes my reality and if I think the screen isn't as good - it will keep eating at me.

! I know it's 1.5 lbs, but it feels like triple the weight to lift the 13" MBP.

EXACTLY! If it seems that way to me, coming from a 6.6 pound 17", I don't think a MBA user will be happy with 'Junior' (MBP 13 ). I'll wait for your detailed review, you've got a lot of experience with the MBA, before making my decision. Speed up a bit, will ya! I head back overseas for another 2 years next week! No Applecare, no exchanges so it has to be a smart decision.
eV

 

[entatlrg]

I am not 100% sure that I will keep this MBA, as I plan to do a full review of the 13" MBP to see if the benefits outweigh (literally with the MBP) the lugging around of a brick compared to a notepad! I know it's 1.5 lbs, but it feels like triple the weight to lift the 13" MBP.

I think those comments should be taken with a grain of salt ............

I don't agree the 13" MBP feels like a "brick" compared to the MBA - NOT AT ALL !!

People, you are all best to make your OWN judgement about this, go to an Apple Store or Best Buy and pick both up, then you'll know for sure.

 

[Regaj]

I Got a Good One

Scottsdale, et al,

I stopped by the local Apple Store on the way home tonight and spent awhile playing with their display model MBA (a 1.86 model). It had the 9c90 display but try as I might, I couldn't see any lines. I went to the Google page; went to these forums; and a few other sites with very light backgrounds. I made sure the display brightness was turned all the way up. I looked at it from all kinds of angles. Dunno if my eyes simply aren't sensitized to what other folks are seeing, or if that display unit just simply happened to be a "good" one. But in any case I decided to take the chance.

"Got one of the 2.13 versions?" I asked.

They did.

I'm now home typing on it. And like that display model in the store, I can't see any lines, though I've tried mightily.


I'm new to the Air, but not to Macs. I've got a 15" UMBP which I use as my main computer (and an older MBP before that; and a PowerBook before that). I also have the 24" Cinema Display and do a lot of serious photography. I'm usually attuned to nuances of screen detail, color profiles, white balance, and the like. When I first started reading about all the line issues - and especially how pervasive that problem seems to be on the 9c90 displays - I figured there was little chance I'd end up with an Air.

I'm very happy to have been surprised. And - no surprise to you who have already used the Air - but this is a most astonishing form factor!

After 30 minutes I'm already in love.

Best of luck to you folks who are awaiting yours or are still on the fence...

 

[macbook123]

9c90 displays have lines. Like Apples taste sour-sweet. There's no 9c90 display without lines. At least I highly doubt it. They're hard to see, but if you've looked at a MBP screen for comparison, you'll notice that the MBA screens are washed out (in part of the lines). Of course I don't want to say 100% that yours has the lines, but it just doesn't make sense to me that it wouldn't.

 

[Balthezor]

I just got back from the Apple store as well and was playing with both the display models. Both had the 9c90 screen. The 1.86 model I think the lines were more visible than the 2.13. But really to me, its barely noticeable. I really have to focus my eyes on it. Now I feel like my Thinkpad has lines lol.

The 13" MBP is nice, but damn the screen is so shiny, I really hate that. I turned on the Sims 3 demo and a black screen came up while the game loaded, and the screen is practically a mirror. So no black backgrounds for sure.

To me I think I'll live with the lines than the shiny gloss. I'm still unsure what to buy for med school, I got til August to decide.

So right now, I'm still torn between the MBA and MBP, both have their pros and cons. That 7 hour battery is tasty. If I do get the MBA, I will exchange it until I get one with the faintest lines or hope that I get lucky.

Going to Baltimore this weekend, I'll check the Apple store at Towson, and see if its any different.

 

[steve31]

Went to the local Apple store here in Edmonton to check there screens. All were 9c90 and I could not see any lines. I am waiting for my 2.13 to arrive. If it is the same as the ones in the store...then I will be happy. They were much better than the Uni MB I sold. Also they looked better than the 13 inch Uni MBP that were in the store.

 

[h1d]

One in every how many MBA about are affected by this display issue? It sounds like so many, will someone give me an idea? I am in love with the MBA

It would be hard to tell by just the posts in here, because there could be only 0.01% of people having problem and all we see could be them, but there have been various reports (including myself) seeing the defected models displayed at Apple Stores themselves and other local electronics stores, meaning, there could be a decent amount of them with lines.

Also, about the display problem suggested as power flow related, has anyone tried playing with CoolBook with various settings (possibly at the lowest possible juice given to CPU just before kernel panics) and see if any difference is made? Obviously this is a super amature guessing, but, if anyone has a chance, why not try it on either rev B or C...

 

[eVolcre]

Any update Scottsdale?

Cheers,

eV

 

[sherthang]

Any other potential problems related?

If this is in fact a problem with power, does this lead to other possible problems that may emerge?

 

[drjsway]

More evidence that 1.8 gamma is outdated and everyone should use 2.2 regardless of lines.

From the Apple's Snow Leopard page:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/refinements/enhancements-refinements.html

Gamma 2.2.
The default gamma has been changed from 1.8 to 2.2 to better serve the color needs of digital content producers and consumers.