Yellow tint on Haswell rMBP 15"

[Quu]

Well I'm back waiting for my 4th replacement now. My brand new rMBP that didn't have any yellow? Well it has developed a shadow on the display now.

I've only had it four days and the bottom of the display has developed this weird shadow that just wont go away no mater what I do. I tried my Spyder4Elite calibrator on it and as far as the calibrator is concerned the display is messed up, top of the display gives great colour bottom half is so far off it's crazy.

I can see it with my eyes of course but the calibrator confirmed what I was seeing and that I wasn't going crazy.

I've made an image to illustrate the problem. On the top is how the image should look, and on the bottom is how my screen looks.

Incase you're having trouble seeing the shadow I've highlited it in red in this image:

If you look closely at the bottom image you can see it's actually bright around the edges then the centre goes darker dramatically, this is not a smooth gradient in to the darker tint it is very jarring, so much that you can see it from up close or even 3 feet away.

I think the LED back lighting on my display is defective as it looked perfect the day I got it and this dark area was not there at first. It has developed over the weekend during normal usage. I shut my Mac off last night and this morning soon as I started it up the shadow was still there. I expected it may just be the IPS display and that it would go away after turning the machine off but it did not and I'm pretty confident the culprit is the LED back lighting.

So anyway I'm now waiting for my 4th unit. At-least I get to keep this one until the new one arrives, I can use it hooked up to my external monitor in the meantime.

 

[Fzang]

Damn, all these issues. And I was so pumped to get an rMBP but haven't been able to since the Chinese government still has to "approve" it.

Will I also have a 80% chance of getting a defect, or can I hope for new, quality controlled stock?

 

[Quu]

Damn, all these issues. And I was so pumped to get an rMBP but haven't been able to since the Chinese government still has to "approve" it.

Will I also have a 80% chance of getting a defect, or can I hope for new, quality controlled stock?

I think that since some of us have gone through 3 or more units that your chances of getting a poor one are high. But this is just my opinion based on my own experience and what I've seen in this topic.

I'd say that most people probably have a defective unit and don't even know it because they either use it in a very well lit area (outside, in a work environment with bright white lighting overhead) or their eyes aren't trained to see differences in the subtle white balance issues some of us are having.

And then there are a small number of units that are completely perfect. My unit my 3rd one was perfect until yesterday then it developed an issue with the display so the problems aren't always immediate it seems and can come after some usage.

So far the displays suffer from image retention, yellow tints, uneven back lighting & dark shadows. Those issues are specific to these retina displays then you also have the normal LCD issue of dead pixels but it doesn't appear many purchasers have suffered dead pixels just the other problems.

I think most of these issues stem from Apples side of the manufacturing. Putting the displays in to the computer, adding the back lighting system and bonding the glass to the displays polarizing film. One thing is certain, it doesn't matter if you get a Samsung or an LG they can exhibit the same problems in the same areas of the display.

 

[JFabbiani]

Hi guys!

I'm going to travel to US this weekend and I'm planning to buy the 2.3/16/512/dGPU model, since there is no Apple Store in my country and also I can't return any apple product without paying a ridiculous amount of money in shipping, I was wondering, if I buy the machine and open it right in the store and I found any imperfection (with the screen and/or cracking), can I have a replacement just right away in the store? I'm asking because I will spend only a week there in the US, I can't wait for long return period.

 

[Sybersport]

Hi guys!

I'm going to travel to US this weekend and I'm planning to buy the 2.3/16/512/dGPU model, since there is no Apple Store in my country and also I can't return any apple product without paying a ridiculous amount of money in shipping, I was wondering, if I buy the machine and open it right in the store and I found any imperfection (with the screen and/or cracking), can I have a replacement just right away in the store? I'm asking because I will spend only a week there in the US, I can't wait for long return period.

Just walk over to a Starbucks or something and open it up there. Actually, trying it out in an area with darker / dim light may be preferable, as very bright lights may mask any issues the screen could have.

Either way, you can open it up, turn it on, test it out and if you don't like it, just walk back in the apple store 20 minutes later and exchange it.

 

[jcmendes]

My 3 is processing.

Come all From Millan (italy)

I from Portugal, and the last 2 the screen was made from samsung A022, boths the same issue Yellow in left side e same in right but less.

I´m a litlle frustrait.

 

[hugo525]

Last Day of return period.

Uneven screen, hesitating on whether to go through the exchange process

 

[Quu]

Image

Uneven screen, hesitating on whether to go through the exchange process

For the price, don't settle for anything but a perfect display.

These are way too expensive to just live with faults, especially when it comes to reselling no one will want a messed up display.

I know it sucks having to replace stuff especially with Apples long lead times on online orders and the annoying employees in the store but you'll not forgive yourself if you don't get it sorted out.

 

[hugo525]

Does this screen look OK to you guys?

 

[Quu]

Does this screen look OK to you guys?

It doesn't look uniform to me hugo but these camera pictures are not proof positive of anything as they have their own light balancing techniques.

The best thing for you to do is ask somebody else to examine the display and take a small window with grey in it (like the System Preferences window) and move that around the display slowly but smoothly while looking at it. As it enters the yellow parts the greys will turn beige.

 

[hugo525]

It doesn't look uniform to me hugo but these camera pictures are not proof positive of anything as they have their own light balancing techniques.

The best thing for you to do is ask somebody else to examine the display and take a small window with grey in it (like the System Preferences window) and move that around the display slowly but smoothly while looking at it. As it enters the yellow parts the greys will turn beige.

I went to a local apple store and checked every rMBP(13" and 15") using this link http://imac.squeaked.com/, none of the screens look uniform to me. So I am not sure I can get a perfect one after returning my 3rd unit.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Hi guys!

I'm going to travel to US this weekend and I'm planning to buy the 2.3/16/512/dGPU model, since there is no Apple Store in my country and also I can't return any apple product without paying a ridiculous amount of money in shipping, I was wondering, if I buy the machine and open it right in the store and I found any imperfection (with the screen and/or cracking), can I have a replacement just right away in the store? I'm asking because I will spend only a week there in the US, I can't wait for long return period.

Absolutely I opened mine up right there in the store with the associate right there. Your just setting up your computer , people do it all the time before they leave. You see a problem ask for another. I did this with my first and second one. My first one was a different issue than this yellow tint and returned it two days latter and got the second one which I opened and setup in store. No need to leave the store. Your money your computer you open anywhere you want too.

 

[johnnylarue]

Well I'm back waiting for my 4th replacement now. My brand new rMBP that didn't have any yellow? Well it has developed a shadow on the display now.

I've only had it four days and the bottom of the display has developed this weird shadow that just wont go away no mater what I do. I tried my Spyder4Elite calibrator on it and as far as the calibrator is concerned the display is messed up, top of the display gives great colour bottom half is so far off it's crazy.

I can see it with my eyes of course but the calibrator confirmed what I was seeing and that I wasn't going crazy.

I think the LED back lighting on my display is defective as it looked perfect the day I got it and this dark area was not there at first. It has developed over the weekend during normal usage. I shut my Mac off last night and this morning soon as I started it up the shadow was still there. I expected it may just be the IPS display and that it would go away after turning the machine off but it did not and I'm pretty confident the culprit is the LED back lighting.

So anyway I'm now waiting for my 4th unit. At-least I get to keep this one until the new one arrives, I can use it hooked up to my external monitor in the meantime.

What the ?!?!

Damn, Quu--that's an awful lot like mine was. Not the most comforting feeling in the world to know that this problem can show up after a few days...

And for anyone suspecting this thread is for OCD sufferers only, I'd like to point out that the Genius and three Apple techs who looked at my shadowy display all agreed it was subpar and deserving of a replacement. This is a legitimate problem, folks.

 

[Quu]

I went to a local apple store and checked every rMBP(13" and 15") using this link http://imac.squeaked.com/, none of the screens look uniform to me. So I am not sure I can get a perfect one after returning my 3rd unit.

There are perfect ones out there. My display was perfect until this shadow appeared. Perfectly uniform. And my friend has one, 15" Ivy Bridge, his is uniform. And the one I saw in store was unform but hard to tell under the store lighting I will admit.

I think this is it for me, if the 4th one is not perfect I'm getting a refund and keeping my old 17" for another year.

 

[hugo525]

There are perfect ones out there. My display was perfect until this shadow appeared. Perfectly uniform. And my friend has one, 15" Ivy Bridge, his is uniform. And the one I saw in store was unform but hard to tell under the store lighting I will admit.

I think this is it for me, if the 4th one is not perfect I'm getting a refund and keeping my old 17" for another year.

My 2012 15" rMBP is perfectly uniform, It's just ridiculous after one year, the screen quality of 2013 rMBP dropped and now It's so hard for me to get one with good screen.

 

[pendragon1984]

Well I'm back waiting for my 4th replacement now. My brand new rMBP that didn't have any yellow? Well it has developed a shadow on the display now.

I've only had it four days and the bottom of the display has developed this weird shadow that just wont go away no mater what I do. I tried my Spyder4Elite calibrator on it and as far as the calibrator is concerned the display is messed up, top of the display gives great colour bottom half is so far off it's crazy.

I can see it with my eyes of course but the calibrator confirmed what I was seeing and that I wasn't going crazy.

I've made an image to illustrate the problem. On the top is how the image should look, and on the bottom is how my screen looks.

Image
Image​

Incase you're having trouble seeing the shadow I've highlited it in red in this image:

Image​

If you look closely at the bottom image you can see it's actually bright around the edges then the centre goes darker dramatically, this is not a smooth gradient in to the darker tint it is very jarring, so much that you can see it from up close or even 3 feet away.

I think the LED back lighting on my display is defective as it looked perfect the day I got it and this dark area was not there at first. It has developed over the weekend during normal usage. I shut my Mac off last night and this morning soon as I started it up the shadow was still there. I expected it may just be the IPS display and that it would go away after turning the machine off but it did not and I'm pretty confident the culprit is the LED back lighting.

So anyway I'm now waiting for my 4th unit. At-least I get to keep this one until the new one arrives, I can use it hooked up to my external monitor in the meantime.

I'm very sorry to hear that you're having to go through another replacement. My screen is perfect and staying perfect, but as I mentioned, my computer makes weird buzzing, electronic sounds. So, I am awaiting my 5th replacement.

Hopefully for me the 5th time is the charm, and hopefully for you the 4th time is the charm. LOL WOW Apple just WOW

Apple did tell me that they were willing to discuss some compensation for my trouble. I'm thinking of asking for free 3 year Apple Care. What do you guys think?

 

[Alexjones]

I am picking up my rMBP from the Apple store after work.

If i request the fifth digit of the serial number to be N or greater as recommended by bravo.ftwftw, Will the sales rep look at me funny? What ever happens, Wish me luck

 

[Quu]

Apple did tell me that they were willing to discuss some compensation for my trouble. I'm thinking of asking for free 3 year Apple Care. What do you guys think?

I was offered a Magic Trackpad and I asked that to be changed to an Airport Express which arrived this morning. Works great surprisingly (sarcasm).

If I was you I would ask for Apple Care, god knows we're gonna need it with these machines.

 

[mscice]

Well after 4th replacement, gave up and got maxed out AIR i7 256 8Gb...

Apples quality has GONE downhill its sad.

my mates perfect screen that had no issues, well it started to blur in one of the corners wtf is that ?? retina is FAIL

 

[PDFierro]

There are perfect ones out there. My display was perfect until this shadow appeared. Perfectly uniform. And my friend has one, 15" Ivy Bridge, his is uniform. And the one I saw in store was unform but hard to tell under the store lighting I will admit.

I think this is it for me, if the 4th one is not perfect I'm getting a refund and keeping my old 17" for another year.

Four replacements is absolutely insanity, man. That's just crazy. Trying next year is definitely a good idea if you can't get a good display soon, but you shouldn't even have to do that. Apple's quality control needs to be better than this.

 

[johnnylarue]

Apple did tell me that they were willing to discuss some compensation for my trouble. I'm thinking of asking for free 3 year Apple Care. What do you guys think?

I got a free external hard drive added to my order and I'm only awaiting my first replacement, so I don't think you'd be out of line asking for free AppleCare considering your situation.

Ultimately, it's a lot more hassle than anyone should have to deal with, especially for a so-called 'premium' product.

 

[got2go]

I was offered a Magic Trackpad and I asked that to be changed to an Airport Express which arrived this morning. Works great surprisingly (sarcasm).

If I was you I would ask for Apple Care, god knows we're gonna need it with these machines.

You need to give up and get a different brand of computer. I don't think there is a retina display up to your standards.

 

[Quu]

You need to give up and get a different brand of computer. I don't think there is a retina display up to your standards.

Seriously? It has nothing to do with being up to my standards. These screens are faulty. Even my screen calibrator gave the display an F rating for uniformity.

This is my 5th Apple notebook, all the four previous were perfect. I'm trying one last time and if I don't get a good one then I'm just gonna keep my 17" MBP another year.

EDIT: Also I just wanted to add, I have had an iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and an iPad Air. All with retina displays and all stunning. The iPad Air especially I've never seen a display better than the iPad Airs. The problem isn't me. I also showed my wife each rMBP and she saw the yellowing and now the dark shadow too, I didn't even need to point it out to her she saw it on her own.

 

[johnnylarue]

You need to give up and get a different brand of computer. I don't think there is a retina display up to your standards.

No, I really think Apple has hit a rough patch with these retina displays.

I also thought I was being overly fussy with the shadowy area in the middle of my display (very similar to Quu's), but the issue was verified by the technicians at my local Apple Store.

This wasn't just a case of Apple humoring me--these displays really aren't meant to have visible yellow gradients or dark grey shadows running throughout them. Many of these displays are, for all intents and purposes, genuinely defective.

 

[Alexjones]

40 minutes has passed without a new comment or reply. This is a record. Maybe the yellowing issue is improving