RANT: what the hell is Apple doing with its MBP displays?

[PDE]

Hey crazyworld,

Mine is exactly the same - no difference. They're LG displays. Mine still had the shiny plastic protection on the front and there were some stickers, among them :

605-1133 (I assume this is the part number for Apple)

M57 Housing (the display assembly)

New Hinge (maybe there's a new hinge mechanism compared to the old?)

Then a sticker with the LG inverter and display serial numbers


Time to start using my computer. My daily average on macrumors has to come down!

 

[thegrandmaster]

Some questions...

Does the graininess of which some of you seem to be suffering, appear on C2D MBPs or just CDs?

Is uneven brightness a problem on glossy and and matte MBPs?

Thanks for the help.

 

[theheadguy]

I never thought I would be one of those people who said "yeah, same problem with mine, too." But alas, the time has come where my MBP has multiple issues. There is this loud buzzing noise from the power adapter area (it seems?) that comes and goes and ALWAYS turns off when I turn the display off (via the F1 key)... It's so annoying I can barely work. I would bring it in to get fixed but I can't do without this for days... pretty simple.

PDE: I have nothing else to say about your rant except you have a legitimate right to be angry and rant all you want. It's extremely pathetic to see people put down other Mac users (see: SMM) when they are very frustrated and are even discussing a widely known and experienced issue. You don't need built up credibility to be experiencing an issue(s) with a product you spent thousands of dollars for that is outsourced to every manufacturer on the planet.

 

[oldwatery]

At last one I can live with!

So I received my 3rd 17" MBP yesterday and I am pleased to say that it is good enough for me to be getting on with my life
It has been a long strange trip getting here.
I wrote to Steve and got to work with a very helpfull and caring Executive Assistant. (you can follow the details in my other posts).
The first replacements were no better than the original but this one is better to the point that I can now live with it. Perfect...absolutely not, but what is?

It still has a very poor viewing angle but at least the illumination is fairly even and I no longer have the bright bottom stripe. Grain is quite acceptable and as others have stated it is now time to move on.
As a strange aside I have noticed a much better keyboard feel and the track pad is way nicer to touch and operate

Overall I am now satisfied that i have a very fine computer for the money and that minor imperfections will soon be completely forgotten.
For the record my new computer has a 09C61 and it shows a manufacturer code 00000610.
Both prior units had 09C62 screens.
Mahalo to all who posted helpfull and supporting posts...and rants
I'm signing off this thread with much relief

 

[PDE]

So I received my 3rd 17" MBP yesterday and I am pleased to say that it is good enough for me to be getting on with my life
It has been a long strange trip getting here.
I wrote to Steve and got to work with a very helpfull and caring Executive Assistant. (you can follow the details in my other posts).
The first replacements were no better than the original but this one is better to the point that I can now live with it. Perfect...absolutely not, but what is?

It still has a very poor viewing angle but at least the illumination is fairly even and I no longer have the bright bottom stripe. Grain is quite acceptable and as others have stated it is now time to move on.
As a strange aside I have noticed a much better keyboard feel and the track pad is way nicer to touch and operate

Overall I am now satisfied that i have a very fine computer for the money and that minor imperfections will soon be completely forgotten.
For the record my new computer has a 09C61 and it shows a manufacturer code 00000610.
Both prior units had 09C62 screens.
Mahalo to all who posted helpfull and supporting posts...and rants
I'm signing off this thread with much relief

That's good news, and I'm sure a relief for you!


I just wanted to add one last comment. I've been looking at my new display more now and noticed that it really is not that much better in terms of illumination - it's just differently uneven. And less objectionable than my old one. When viewing a solid-colored background it's still very uneven with darker and brighter patches all over the place, plus the strip at the bottom.

Luckily I don't notice this much unless I have solid colors over the entire display so I can live with that. At least it looks better in daily use and the shifts in brightness mustn't be as big since I don't notice them.

So, to conclude: still not a great display by PC standards, but fine for general use and better than the old one. I can't be bothered anymore.

 

[crazyworld]

"For the record my new computer has a 09C61 and it shows a manufacturer code 00000610.
Both prior units had 09C62 screens."

so what olwater sayin is my nu 9C62 srceen aint th best i can hav??!!!!!

...mayb shud email this thread 2 appl..

\ or stop usin this site

 

[PDE]

"For the record my new computer has a 09C61 and it shows a manufacturer code 00000610.
Both prior units had 09C62 screens."

so what olwater sayin is my nu 9C62 srceen aint th best i can hav??!!!!!

...mayb shud email this thread 2 appl..

\ or stop usin this site

I honestly think it's impossible to say since there is such variation even between the same model display. I've heard people who were not happy at all with the 09C61 - so it varies AND people have different expectations and ability to evaluate a display. If you think your display is better than the old one, and you feel it's not bothering you all the time, I think you should settle for it and try to learn to look beyond the weaknesses (that's what i will do). If it bothers you a lot, I'd try one more replacement and then just return it - you said you were within your 14 days, right?

Good luck!

 

[oldwatery]

Mahalo.
Exactly my findings and feelings. Mine is also less uneven or at least less noticable. And for every day quite acceptable.

Bit of a shame we have to be saying these things about a $3000 computer but it is a rather cool computer otherwise.
Also, I just wanted to voice my complements to Apple for some really great customer service. Bravo.

PDE, it's settled for me too..... now I'm going surfing (http://www.mauiwindcam.com/)

 

[oldwatery]

That's good news, and I'm sure a relief for you!

So, to conclude: still not a great display by PC standards, but fine for general use and better than the old one. I can't be bothered anymore.

Mahalo.
Exactly my findings and feelings. Mine is also less uneven or at least less noticable. And for every day quite acceptable.

Bit of a shame we have to be saying these things about a $3000 computer but it is a rather cool computer otherwise.
Also, I just wanted to voice my complements to Apple for some really great customer service. Bravo.

PDE, it's settled for me too..... now I'm going surfing (http://www.mauiwindcam.com/)

 

[PDE]

Aaah, I want to be there surfing too! My sister used to live in Hawaii (Oahu, Kailua) and I was there a few times too -love it.

Enjoy the surfing!

 

[iW00t]

After a while, I don't find graininess to be the chief cause of anguish for the current crop of displays.

The thing that worsens it is the narrow viewing angles, if the whole screen can appear bright and contrasty regardless of where your head is I don't think we'd mind that bit of grain all that much.

 

[BWhaler]

I agree.

I have owned five (5) 17" PB/MBPs. Almost every model released.

In the last generation of the PowerBook, the screens changed and started sucking.

And they have been that way ever since.

I is a TOTAL DISGRACE.

I am using my MBP, C2D, and the screen is pathetic.

 

[iW00t]

I agree.

I have owned five (5) 17" PB/MBPs. Almost every model released.

In the last generation of the PowerBook, the screens changed and started sucking.

And they have been that way ever since.

I is a TOTAL DISGRACE.

I am using my MBP, C2D, and the screen is pathetic.

I actually prefer the monitor on the final generation on the Powerbook.

For one thing colours seems richer on that, and you get the extra 60 pixels worth of resolution, but you are right on the money on that one point, it is a TOTAL DISGRACE.

Wonder where is that one and only troll who constantly advertises his "flawless" MBP display in his sig, probably sold his Mac off to buy a PC

 

[AlBDamned]

Wonder where is that one and only troll who constantly advertises his "flawless" MBP display in his sig, probably sold his Mac off to buy a PC

I've not got a MBP (and I'm no troll ;-) ) but I've got a last revision powerbook and it's got an awesome display - however, it definitely does take a while to warm up and ocassionaly it dims or flickers for no reason.

I really can't believe what I'm reading about the MBP displays though. It's bad news that they're like that. Not unusual from Apple though as you guys say. And when you think about it, my mum has a 1Ghz Alu Powerbook with the massive white spots on the screen, the first batch of the last revision powerbooks had the line issue...

It does seem like Apple scrimp on this feature, which is bizarre when they go on about how bright they are "50% brighter than the last model" and all that crap.

Why scrimp on a $3,0000 laptop spec? Crazy.

 

[Policar]

First, to SMM: It's really pathetic to put me down and question my credibility for having valid criticism of Apple's current MBP displays. It's not as though I'm alone with my criticisms. I challenge anybody to compare them side-by--side the average COmpusa or BestBuy PC laptops (not dell)and tell me that the MBPs have a better display. Regardless, my frustration comes from wanting to understand better WHY Apple is using theses displays, or why these displays look worse than most of the competition. It just doesn't makes sense that a lot lesser companies are able to afford to put in good displays while Apple can't or won't. It's the one thing that should never be compromised on a portable computer. Your nasty post reminds me of people who say that putting down Bush is being unpatriotic (I'd argue that putting down Bush IS patriotic, just like criticising Apple for using poor displays is indicative of my desire to stay with the company - if not, I'd simply switch to a Thinkpad at this point).

I don't like the displays APple is using, but I have only very positive things to say about Apple support and attempts to resolve my issues. they have literally bent over backward to help me get a laptop that has a good display. The people working to help have been stuck with the limits of the hardware they actually have - the same displays that people are complaining about. There is, however, quite a bit of variance between units so it's possible to get lucky! For those who love their first generation MBPs: apaprently they used the samsung displays which were of higher quality. The current units have the AU optronics displays...

As I mentioned, I handed in my MBP yesterday at 11am and had a call at 5.30pm telling me it was ready! Unbelievably fast! These are my observations of the new display, which is also an LG:

- Overall, the shifts in brightness are not as bad at all. Looking left to right, there is almost no discernable difference in brightness except for -perhaps- the left side being ever so slightly less illuminated. Still, it's fine.With a solid color background, I can see some darker blotches/areas, especially above the bright strip at the bottom. I think it's an optical illusion caused by the contrast between the bright strip and the rest. With certain darker colors, the blotches are more apparent.

- My previous LCD did not have a bright strip along the bottom. It had slight light leakage on the right bottom and left side, but very difused. This one has the infamous thin bright strip along the bottom. It's really not that bad unless there's a darkish solid background, but it's still there nonetheless. If this somehow is related to more even brightness overall, I'm ok with the trade-off. There is also some bleeding on the top across the display.

- This display seems brighter. The other one I kep pressing the brightness key because I wanted just a little more. This one feels perfect brightness-wise.

Like Iwoot, I'm going to get used to the display and makes peace with it. This one doesn't annoy me in the ways the other one did and, given the current display situation, I can't ask for more than that.




Hi,

Can you tell is what model display you have? If you go to system preferences - display -colors -choose ColorLCD-click to the right on open profile and then scroll down in the new window to #13. What does it say there?

I think you may have one of the earlier displays made by samsung 09C56? Would be interesting to know.

I have a 00009C56. VERY grainy. Adaquate viewing angle, but not great. Evenly illuminated.

 

[iW00t]

I've not got a MBP (and I'm no troll ;-) ) but I've got a last revision powerbook and it's got an awesome display - however, it definitely does take a while to warm up and ocassionaly it dims or flickers for no reason.

No I'm not referring to you. That guy trolls using his sig, iBorg or something, can't remember his nick.

I think the warm up times are part of the package of using CCFL backlighting in the displays, hopefully they will go away with the next revision when we (hopefully!!) get LED backlit MBPs. What really bugs me is the poor colour and viewing angles though. It just looks cheap.

 

[Jay42]

I prefer my PowerBook 15" display to my friends MBP 15" display even though it is not nearly as bright.

 

[Cybix]

Hi,

Can you tell is what model display you have? If you go to system preferences - display -colors -choose ColorLCD-click to the right on open profile and then scroll down in the new window to #13. What does it say there?

I think you may have one of the earlier displays made by samsung 09C56? Would be interesting to know.

Just checked, yeah 09C56. I love it, it's perfect in every way!!

 

[PDE]

Just checked, yeah 09C56. I love it, it's perfect in every way!!

So that would indicate that it's not the assembly process, but the actual display quality itself that is the problem. Most people who have reported having a 09C56 have been happy with the display in terms of even illumination, viewing angles and grain (though somebody here said it had lots of grain) etc, while the 09c60 (AUO) and 09C57 (Chimei?) have had most negative comments. I went through many and they all had the latter two displays, none of which were good. I never saw the 09C56 but it seems that's the display to have....lucky you!

 

[iW00t]

So that would indicate that it's not the assembly process, but the actual display quality itself that is the problem. Most people who have reported having a 09C56 have been happy with the display in terms of even illumination, viewing angles and grain (though somebody here said it had lots of grain) etc, while the 09c60 (AUO) and 09C57 (Chimei?) have had most negative comments. I went through many and they all had the latter two displays, none of which were good. I never saw the 09C56 but it seems that's the display to have....lucky you!

Is the 9C56 from Samsung or LG-Philips? And aren't AUO and Chimei both chinese companies? I think this speaks loads about the quality of chinese stuff...

 

[PDE]

Is the 9C56 from Samsung or LG-Philips? And aren't AUO and Chimei both chinese companies? I think this speaks loads about the quality of chinese stuff...

I think the 9C56 is Samsung. ChiMei and AUO are both Taiwanese companies, not mainland Chinese. Usually Taiwanese companies have significantly higher standards than their mainland Chinese counterparts, but of course now everything is produced on the mainland, probably also these LCDs.

I really don't think we can link quality to country of origin. I have used Nikon digital SLRs for a few years and they are all made in Thailand. The build quality is superb and I've never had a single problem with them. Thailand is obviously not known for high tech products...but these are simply outstanding by any standards.


I just looked up AUO and it turns out that most of their factories are still in Taiwan - except for a two...

 

[iW00t]

I think the 9C56 is Samsung. ChiMei and AUO are both Taiwanese companies, not mainland Chinese. Usually Taiwanese companies have significantly higher standards than their mainland Chinese counterparts, but of course now everything is produced on the mainland, probably also these LCDs.

I really don't think we can link quality to country of origin. I have used Nikon digital SLRs for a few years and they are all made in Thailand. The build quality is superb and I've never had a single problem with them. Thailand is obviously not known for high tech products...but these are simply outstanding by any standards.


I just looked up AUO and it turns out that most of their factories are still in Taiwan - except for a two...

I see... seems like it's all good that I am a Canon person

I guess it is time we start a new "Official(tm) LED MBP waiting thread" since it is quite apparent that Apple isn't going to do anything about these problems for this round.