Q: My Retina Display has stain damage, HELP!!!

I have the exact same problem. It started a few weeks ago out of nowhere and now gets worse and worse.

My MBPr is still under AppleCare, so I made a Genius Bar appointment yesterday. I spent an hor there and talked tp three different people -- no luck. Best offer they made was to pay half, so about EUR 300 would remain for me. Totally unacceptable.

The worst part of the experience was how they were not willing to see any correlation between the pattern and the shape of the aluminium body. One of the three people I talked to got actually so obnoxious that another manager stepped in and took his place. Still no outcome -- they insist this problem has never been seen before and that it can only be my fault, period.

I am not going to accept this. This is the poorest experience Apple ever gave me.

I have the same issue with my MBP Retina.  This has ben slowly getting worse for the past year, but I have only just found this thread.  I am the only person using my MBP and most of the time I use a separate keyboard, but the outline of screen damage is exactly the same as others suffering from this.

I have the same problem on a MBR 13". See the screenshot (literally). My colleauge had the same on a MBR 15", a lot worse.

Although I agree with PlotinusVeritas' explanation why this happens, I don't agree that it is only user problem. It is clearly a product design problem, too.

My MBR is no longer under warranty. I am posting this to provide evidence for those who bring their MBR with same symptoms to Apple Care and hear the personnel yelling them "Your are a weirdo!".

My Macbook Pro has the same issue, anti-reflective coating comes off, starting under the space bar and slowly, slowly, spreading down.

After using my MacBook outdoors on a hot sunny day the screen started to show some lines (cracks) on the black borders.

I tried to clean the screen with a moist microfiber cloth as is described in the guide.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226

That didn't work. Instead it got worse. I also noticed some spots on the rest of the screen.

The screen is being repaired under warranty. I think it is a production problem.

It isn't normal that a screen looses it's coating after beeing exosed to the sun.

I Asked the service center and they hadn't seen this problem before.

I Have the same Problem.

I send my MPR 13" Early/2013 to Service ands Apple's return to me, as no Warranty for these problem.

A "Cosmetic Problem", was said the support, not a fabrication Problem.

I Posting to maybe a Apple made a recall of this Displays.

Just to add to the list... Another well looked after late 2013 macbook retina with the same kind of damage... you can see the outline of the trackpad but it hasn't gone down as low as the keys.

Mine is mainly used in clamshell mode in my office - Could contact heat from the chassis be a cause?

Going to take mine to the local Apple reseller / service centre on Monday (In Denmark so no local apple stores) and see what they say.

In my case, I use my laptop open most of the time next to a big 27" screen. So no heat damage.

I had a previous 17" machine Macbook PRO without retina, the same hands, the same soap, the same eating habits, the same cleaning habits, the same usage: zero damage. There is something wrong with these new retina screens.

Same problem here, always used it with clean hands, most of the time using external keyboard and mouse. Apple told me too this was the result of excessive pressure. Something I can't imagine my machine has been exposed to..

If someone manages to convince Apple this problem is real, let me know!

Well dropped my laptop off and two days later I'm now typing with a brand new screen replaced under warranty ... probably the benefits of dealing with an Apple approved service centre (and basically just a service centre) then a store.

They seem to agree with my idea that it was heat from running in clamshell and the ventilation isn't enough when closed... first time they had seen the coating peel.

Hope everyone else can get it resolved well.

I have had my MBP for just over a year now and am experiencing the same problem and its only getting worse! This past summer (july), i noticed the stains around the permitter of my monitor. The thing is, i rarely type on the keyboard, i use an external monitor, external keyboard and mouse. I went out and bought a keyboard cover before the stains in the middle started to appear...it did no good and as you can see is starting to spread from the center as well. Needless to say its VERY frustrating. I have not gone in to apple yet, as i fear its a waste of my time and will just be told that its not under warranty.

Hi Bradymott et all

15" Retina MBP Late 2013 - purchased April 2014.

Same problem here.  I am on my 5th MBP (over several years) using the same hands and never had this before.  I always encase a new Apple product before I even turn it on.

I first noticed the rainbow discolouration around the edge after about 4 weeks. Unfortunately, I was mid move to another country and didn't have time to let my mac go away for assessment.  I am now an hours flight, from the nearest Apple repair shop but having read the comments above, as soon as I am back in the ME, I will take it in.

I've included a photo too.  It started with the outside edge and I thought I was seeing a glue line or something behind the screen.   Last month the centre started going patchy and now, even if I accidentally brush a finger nail across the screen, I get dreadful scratch marks. 

The photo looks as if I have been really heavy handed with it but I am extremely careful with my expensive work tool; I dont let anyone else touch it and always clean according to Apples instructions.

I wish Apple would respond - its would appear to be more than an handful of machines suffering this problem.

I just bought this screen cleaner from Apple Online store and noticed that there was a smudge after I cleaned my Macbook screen. I found out the problem by searching and it took me to this thread. Should I ask Apple for a replacement screen? I am still under warranty.

I too have this issue and from the posts this looks increasingly like a manufacturing/technical issue. As we only have authorised resellers in South Africa, I hold little hope of a replacement screen. In another post (see reply from quicksend) it is suggested to use IPA wipes to remove the coating completely. For those of you who can get a new screen from Apple under warranty, I say go ahead. I will try to remove the coating rather than have to pay for a new screen. Unless of course anyone from Apple would like to call and authorise a replacement screen for me?

Hi everyone,

found this post after having dealt with an Apple Genius Bar "genius" and two support guys from Apple. That's how my screen looked a while ago (now it's even worse):

The genius at the store accused me of having caused this myself and tried to get rid of me with the statement "well, you wouldn't scratch the coating of your new car and then get back to the dealer to demand a replacement one". Nice experience. I got so mad I had to step away.

After that I talked to Euro support in Cork. The guys there were quite friendly but after all I just got the same explanation almost anyone else got. "Cosmetic problem", no warranty. I didn't even get some sort of split offer like pay for replacement only and get a new screen for free. Niente. Nada.

I have a MBPro Retina late 2013 still covered with Apple Care, so in total we're talking some 2.800 Euros. Not really a cheapo.

I don't go for premium just to make an experience like this. This is ridiculous. This isn't a "cosmetic" issue at all. Even some of the Apple guys I talked to weren't aware there was some sort of coating on the screen, neither was I. Nevertheless I only cleaned the screen like Apple wants me to, bit of water and a fluffy, fluffy little cloth.

We will see more issues like this as time moves on, no doubt. Meanwhile I will write to Apple Europe and explain again. If noone listens this time my lawyer will try to clarify my point.