Yellow tint on Haswell rMBP 15"

[pupilla]

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?

Have you tried troubleshooting with Apple as to what could be the cause of these sounds? This is dreadful, that you are taking your chances at yet another replacement. Same goes for Quu and others here.

I have to say that in my experience it takes a long time for me to receive a replacement, even though Apple allows me to keep my current MacBook until the new one has arrived. My second replacement is due this Friday, the 22nd. Though, some of you have already went through more replacements in the same time span.

Just to provide possibly interested people with an update on my current machine: it still is as solid as a rock, much more so than my previous machine. The difference in build quality is night and day; which - in my opinion - is a bad, bad thing to maintain such a low standard in (broad) manufacturing tolerances for a $2000+ laptop. The screen, however, is noticeably yellow from center to bottom - I would almost dare argue that it is not so much worse than my previous machine, but that the location of it is more within viewing range thus more noticeable.

If I could get a rMBP with this identical build quality with a nice and uniform screen, that would do it for me. Unfortunately, this seems to be more of the exception than the rule.

Buying another MacBook isn't really an option for me either, I would feel really silly about settling for another laptop while this is the model I have saved up for and want.

 

[johnnylarue]

Buying another MacBook isn't really an option for me either, I would feel really silly about settling for another laptop while this is the model I have saved up for and want.

I've decided that if my first replacement (which is being assembled) is still flawed, I'm simply going to return it for a refund and save my money for a Broadwell machine instead. I'll try to find a good deal on a used 2011 or 2012 model to tide me over.

I have no interest in playing the exchange game over a prolonged period of time. Better to give Apple some time to tighten up their operation...

 

[LCPR]

Pretty wild stuff. Could it actually be a shift/deviation in luminosity or brightness in those areas that's making the display look yellower than it really is?

I would have expected a colorimeter almost to exaggerate what your eyes were seeing rather than downplay those deviations.

The luminance data is pretty even across the screen (there's a falloff across the bottom though), so I don't think that accounts for making the display yellower than it actually is. I think it's the fact that the cooler portions of the screen are showing a greater deviance than the rest of the display (the 'yellow' bits are around 1-2% off from the centre WB while the cooler bits are double that) which throws off my mental/iPhone white balance. Here's an image that shows exactly how my screen looks in terms of temperature distribution:

My replacement is arriving tomorrow, will test it for some more data.

 

[MaclandValhalla]

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

My 15-inch Macbook Retina has a warm screen, and one of the corners (lower left) is a bit warmer than the others. But I don't want to risk replacing it with a unit with an even worse screen.

Anyways, warmer screens are easier on the eyes. There is even software (like f.lux[1]) that intentionally makes your screen warmer.

[1]: http://justgetflux.com/

So I don't think I should feel that bad.

 

[fitgirl]

Does this screen look OK to you guys?

Did you take the pic with an iphone? Cause when I take a pic of my screen it almost looks like yours however when I see it with my own eyes it looks great.

 

[Orr]

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

The overwhelming OCD present will continue to thrive regardless of any future screen quality.

 

[smoking monkey]

If I could get a rMBP with this identical build quality with a nice and uniform screen, that would do it for me. Unfortunately, this seems to be more of the exception than the rule.

Take it in for a screen replacement, that way you can keep the great body and also, more than likely, get a good screen as they will check the screen when they put it on for you.

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The overwhelming OCD present will continue to thrive regardless of any future screen quality.

I find your comment to be in poor taste considering what some of us have gone through.

I will quote you exactly what I was told by Apple Tech: "We have determined your screen to be defective".

And looking at photos of other screens, there is no way mine was as bad.

 

[pendragon1984]

Have you tried troubleshooting with Apple as to what could be the cause of these sounds? This is dreadful, that you are taking your chances at yet another replacement. Same goes for Quu and others here.

I have to say that in my experience it takes a long time for me to receive a replacement, even though Apple allows me to keep my current MacBook until the new one has arrived. My second replacement is due this Friday, the 22nd. Though, some of you have already went through more replacements in the same time span.

Just to provide possibly interested people with an update on my current machine: it still is as solid as a rock, much more so than my previous machine. The difference in build quality is night and day; which - in my opinion - is a bad, bad thing to maintain such a low standard in (broad) manufacturing tolerances for a $2000+ laptop. The screen, however, is noticeably yellow from center to bottom - I would almost dare argue that it is not so much worse than my previous machine, but that the location of it is more within viewing range thus more noticeable.

If I could get a rMBP with this identical build quality with a nice and uniform screen, that would do it for me. Unfortunately, this seems to be more of the exception than the rule.

Buying another MacBook isn't really an option for me either, I would feel really silly about settling for another laptop while this is the model I have saved up for and want.

We tried resetting the power management to no avail. That's the only trick the tech guy had up his sleeve.

I can live with the noises if I have to and would rather do that than have yellow blotches on my screen. So, if the replacement is worse, I'll just reject it.

I decided though to try one last time to get a perfect computer. Really, I worry about resale value. I don't want to have to say on ebay in 3 years that my notebook makes weird noises.

 

[PeopleTheseDays]

The overwhelming OCD present will continue to thrive regardless of any future screen quality.

How can you possibly be content with a mediocre quality display from a $2600 laptop? We should demand the best for spending such a high price for a computer.

If you get lucky on your first shot, or you just don't pay attention to details like that, that's fine, but I don't see why you have to be so negative towards those of us are expect better. I also had the same problem with the iPad 3 and 4. I was so turned off by the quality of displays after the 4th iPad 3 that I just returned it and waited till the next gen. When the iPad 4 came out, I thought I would try again, and it still took over 5-6 different iPad's before I finally got one with a uniform display. I don't think I'm ever going to upgrade till this breaks because of all the crap quality in displays out there.

I am also in a replacement loop right now going on my 5th 15" rMBP. I've had yellow gradients/splotches on all of them, one also had a large "dark spot" in the bottom half of the display (which the Genius also thought was strange), 4 LG's and 1 Samsung.

I feel for everyone in the same situation, how do these get past QA? It's just ridiculous, especially when the display is what they are bragging about with the product .

 

[Raris]

I just got my Macbook Retina the top base one and my screen seems to be fine! I had it full brightness to check, and nothing! So happy, it's an LG screen...

I must be lucky...?

 

[johnnylarue]

The overwhelming OCD present will continue to thrive regardless of any future screen quality.

I honestly would probably feel the same way if three Apple techs hadn't confirmed that my display was "definitely not within spec"...

 

[forgetcolor]

got my second 15"/2.6/16GB/1TB/750m. First one had a significant yellow tint on lower half of screen. it was an LG SJE1. new one is a samsung A01 and is better than previous, but still has significant yellowing, this time in the lower left corner. i could almost live with it but it's driving me crazy and am planning to try for a third.

i've seen people talking about going for 4 or 5 machines and sometimes just giving up. out of curiosity, how many of those here, who had a machine with the yellow tint problem, eventually ended up with a machine that doesn't have the yellow tint problem?

IOW, I'm wondering if they all have this problem and its just that most people don't see it, or maybe it really is a subset of machines (perhaps a large subset) and repeated tries should eventually result in a good one.

super frustrated but can't live with a white screen that is yellow in some areas.

 

[pendragon1984]

got my second 15"/2.6/16GB/1TB/750m. First one had a significant yellow tint on lower half of screen. it was an LG SJE1. new one is a samsung A01 and is better than previous, but still has significant yellowing, this time in the lower left corner. i could almost live with it but it's driving me crazy and am planning to try for a third.

i've seen people talking about going for 4 or 5 machines and sometimes just giving up. out of curiosity, how many of those here, who had a machine with the yellow tint problem, eventually ended up with a machine that doesn't have the yellow tint problem?

IOW, I'm wondering if they all have this problem and its just that most people don't see it, or maybe it really is a subset of machines (perhaps a large subset) and repeated tries should eventually result in a good one.

super frustrated but can't live with a white screen that is yellow in some areas.

You need to insist that Apple check the screen first. That does seem to be working for people. Just say, "If the screen has yellow, I'm returning it, so you could save me a lot of time and Apple a lot of money if you would please have someone check it before sending it to me."

 

[fitgirl]

How does this look

 

[LCPR]

Much happier with this screen (this is on the standard profile that comes with it, this one calibrates to 6499K), the cooler areas aren't as wildly out and they are all along the top corners where nothing much happens - so pretty much unnoticeable in real world use. Third time's a charm:

(this is at 2% deviance, the highest deviation is 2.9%)

It's another Samsung display as well.

 

[fitgirl]

How does this look

Anyone, this is now my 5th replacement getting really sick and tired of this game in trying score a good screen.

 

[Quu]

Anyone, this is now my 5th replacement getting really sick and tired of this game in trying score a good screen.

You need to ask people in real life who can see it with their eyes. These photos don't work well enough for us to say one way or another.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

To me it does not look to bad. Need to remember there is light fall off. But honestly as a Pro photographer i can't go by your image. I have no idea if your photo is color balanced or not. Folks put the iPhone away that is not the tool to be using to post images. Every shot with a iPhone I can guarantee you is running on the warm side and that just adds to the yellow effect. Bottom line if it bugs you to your eye and looks yellow return it. If not than don't worry about it in 95 percent of the folks that use these laptops are not working with color correction or dealing with white balance and producing images or video for a living. I am but even so most photographers have a secondary monitor to do there real work on. Mine is a NEC 27 inch wide gamut monitor which is color corrected and my laptop is also color corrected and they look very similar but the retina does have light falloff. Thats pretty normal. Also my images on the retina are more saturated and blacker blacks and that is normal as a wide gamut monitor sees far into the shadows the retina can't pick up. But this is not on the level of 95 percent of the people out there this is from a Pros seat which is a different animal all together.

Best advice look at the screen if it looks yellow and it bugs you return it. I suggest walk into a store get another and check it before you walk out. Thats what I did

Also a suggestion have a friend come over and look at it don't say anything just have them see if they pick up on it. One other thing we all see color differently yellow to you could be completely different on a color chart than the true color. Lots of variables here

 

[fitgirl]

The pic was taken with an iphone so maybe your right, when I look at it in real life it looks good, I had a friend of mine who works in IT and he checked out the screen for in the apple store and he said that it looked great so maybe I'm being a bit OCD.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

The pic was taken with an iphone so maybe your right, when I look at it in real life it looks good, I had a friend of mine who works in IT and he checked out the screen for in the apple store and he said that it looked great so maybe I'm being a bit OCD.

Maybe so but again you want to be comfortable looking at it all day. But your iPhone photo even though I know its off the screen looks pretty good. You will have that falloff as that is pretty normal. Its really the yellow tint and any blotchiness you maybe seeing. I don't want to downplay folks issues at all as i totally get it but we can't be freaking out either. Go to safari turn off your wifi and ethernet by pulling the plug and hit any site and a white screen will come up and that can give you some visual screen to go by. Most cases your looking at a application anyway and not a blank screen.

 

[fitgirl]

Maybe so but again you want to be comfortable looking at it all day. But your iPhone photo even though I know its off the screen looks pretty good. You will have that falloff as that is pretty normal. Its really the yellow tint and any blotchiness you maybe seeing. I don't want to downplay folks issues at all as i totally get it but we can't be freaking out either. Go to safari turn off your wifi and ethernet by pulling the plug and hit any site and a white screen will come up and that can give you some visual screen to go by. Most cases your looking at a application anyway and not a blank screen.

Now when you say the iphone photo looks pretty good do you mean the actual photo of the screen looks good?

 

[ICQf0r3v3r]

Can somebody give an instruction for checking the screen

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Now when you say the iphone photo looks pretty good do you mean the actual photo of the screen looks good?

I'm overlooking any color shift but looking at the falloff itself which looks pretty normal but even than I know a iPhone will add more contrast than normal. Its a srgb device which does not cover the full gamut of color and tone. Also Im a Pro so I understand this much better than a lay person looking at these things if you know what I mean. Better said I know the limitations of these devices like a iPhone. Also web is srgb so color and tone get shrunk to fit the color space which is very small compared to the printed press lets say which is Adobe RGB and a much bigger color space, that carries color and tone much bigger. Im trying to keep this simple and not talk over your head since it is fairly complicated. Thats not a dig just something your not aware of.

Now there is no harm in making a genius appointment and bring it in and see what they think. End of day you want to be comfortable and truthfully not think about this again because stuff like this would bug me to no end if I was in doubt.

All I want to do is help folks understand this a little better when it comes to color, tone, white balance and things that will have some effect on this problem. I think myself its not the screen brand but more a bonding issue in the production process and reason we are seeing blotchiness in these screens. They press these things together and apparently something id off in that process or we would not see some of these really bad issues folks are having. I'm totally Pro return if unhappy, these cost a load of money and you should get the quality you seek from it. I bought a completely maxed out unit and it was expensive to say the least.

 

[UBS28]

The overwhelming OCD present will continue to thrive regardless of any future screen quality.

You probably haven't seen one of those screens in real life. I have had 3 rMBP and I can confirm what people report here. Uneven yellows.

And the rMBP's that had a good screen had hardware problems ... go figure. So I give up since I either have a rMBP with hardware defects or a screen that sucks.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Nothing wrong with being OCD I expect nothing less when we are buying high end computers and electronic devices. I feel really bad for the 3,4 and 5th timers here and its a really frustrating to say the least but I will say of all those folks that are at this level now have done there due diligence from what I read here to try and work it out as best they can and also tried testing, calibrating and so on and still hitting walls. Thats not OCD thats good folks trying to get a handle on having a good screen.