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New MacBook Display is Horrible

I just got my new Aluminum MacBook last night, and it's going right back for refund this morning. The LCD is far inferior to my 1st generation MacBook display, and it's actually one of the worst displays I've seen on a modern notebook computer. I've been an Apple owner since I bought an SE/30, but Apple has screwed up badly here, and I find the new MacBook nearly unusable. (Please note, my current MacBook has a glossy screen; that level of glossiness is not the issue here.)

The issues:

1. The whole screen has an icky blue cast, and nothing in the display calibration settings will fix this. My old MacBook has a much more pure and natural looking white. I think Apple needs to work more on the LED back-lighting (or maybe they cheaped out on the MacBook LEDs).

2. The blacks on the new display are washed out. This is obvious on the start-up animation (with the multi-lingual "welcome" animations against the Leopard nebulae in space). It's not just an issue with black images, however, this propagates to everything looking less crisp. And it's not an issue of adjusting brightness or screen angle. In fact, if you try to adjust the screen angle to get some reasonably good blacks, you get parts of the screen where you have a metallic or posterized effect. I saw this in the store displays as well, but I didn't realize that it would occur under normal viewing angles vs. extreme situations.

3. Colors are not vibrant (nothing compared to my 1st generation MacBook). By not vibrant, I mean that different hues of blue, for example, are not distinct from one another. When I open Word, the splash screen has four different blue colors in the "feather" shape at the top right. On the old MacBook the blues are distinctly different and colorful, on the new MacBook they are much closer in hue and more dull. I think this is a result primarily of issues one and two above, but it may also have to do with other aspects of the inferior LCD on the Aluminum MacBook.

4. The new MacBook screen should be called "mirrored" not "glossy". My 1st generation MacBook has a glossy screen. It's good. I rarely have an issue with visible reflections from it. The new MacBook is a constant battle. One major problem is that the screen needs to be pushed farther back to get reasonable contrast, but this angle directly reflects ceiling lights at the user. It's also so significantly more reflective than the previous glossy screen that it picks up windows and floor lamps and everything else a lot more easily. It's a mess.

I hope this helps other folks avoid my mistake in seeking to upgrade from an existing MacBook. The new one is not any faster in day to day use (3D rendering excepted), and it has crippling issues with the display.

Aluminum MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Oct 18, 2008 5:59 AM

195 replies

applefab

Level 1

52 points

Oct 26, 2008 1:55 AM in response to HopingForHelp

well, saying that I generally prefer matt screens over glossy ones cause I hate reflexes, and said I generally didn't like the MB screens which I always considered of poor quality, after comparing the new MB to the previous generation (white) side by side, I can tell the new one has a slightly better display in my opinion, cause at least it's shiner. I didn't notice much difference in viewing angles.
So I think from the previous MB to the new one it's a (very) small step forward, not backward.
However, both are ridiculous displays for a 1200/1500 euro priced computer!!!

Definitely, I was once buying Macs because they were better computers with better software. My 5-years old iBook has been (still is) a fantastic computer from all aspects. But comparing prices and quality of Apple lineup today, well THERE'S ONLY ONE REASON I'M STILL BUYING MACS: OS X.

jayelwhy

Level 1

5 points

Oct 26, 2008 9:39 AM in response to HopingForHelp

1 week with MB 2.4GHZ so far and verdict is:

A. new MB is miles ahead of old iBook G4 and other MBs.
B. MBA has a brighter display and colours seem richer.
C. new MBP better viewing angle, although didn't notice much with brightness.

overall happy with new machine, think LED brightness and quality should be the same regardless of notebook type. can live with difference in resolution between machines, but a 65 watt bulb is a 65 watt bulb whether is large or small. if Apple wants to differentiate between models according to screen quality, that should be a stated spec. right now all are LED, only differentiated by size.

we'll see how it goes, i may upgrade to a MBP. better than my iBook (although that should be a given no?)......

Oct 26, 2008 8:40 PM in response to jayelwhy

I am VERY HAPPY with my new MacBook aluminum! I did not compare it to the Pro or Air because I had no interest in those machines. It was either get the new MacBook or keep my old one. The display on my Core 2 Duo Black MacBook was washed out, flickered randomly, and had developed some dead pixels. I didn't realize how bad it had gotten until I started using my new MacBook. The brightness and sharpness of the display, and the vivid colors are wonderful. When I attach to my external Dell 2005FPW, it's an adjustment to use the big display because the notebook display is noticeably sharper with whiter whites (maybe I should calibrate the Dell!). Yes, I have to adjust the viewing angle a bit, but I don't think I've ever had a laptop display where that wasn't true. I do find the glossy screen annoying when there is a lot of light behind me but on the other hand the display is so bright I can use it where my old MacBook would be useless.

Oct 27, 2008 2:46 AM in response to jayelwhy

I read a customer review on Amazon.com who argued that it is no secret that the MBP screen is better than the MB. Well...actually, it is a secret that the the MBP has a superior screen LCD panel to the MB - this is because this information is not available on Apple's website, as it should be. It is only garnered through trawling through user reviews etc. This is simply not good enough - let users make an informed decision about which Mac they will/will not buy. It amounts to a deliberate deception on Apple's part. Why? Because they know that if people know there are differences between the models, some people who cannot afford the high(er) end models will opt out all together - and all this from a company rolling in cash. Tells you a lot about what they think of their customers. As someone who has had Macs ever since the first Apple ][, I cannot say just how disappointed I am by Apple in this case. It was the same with the original iPod Touch screens - they were clearly inferior to the screens on the original iPhone - like the new MB's, they suffered from poor viewing angles, poor contrast, and negative black issues. Really, does anyone think any of this is acceptable?

joemacuk

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2008 3:53 AM in response to Christopher P

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. I have had a Sony Vaio with an X-Black screen for years. My new macbook is glorious. In fact, it looks like HD, especially on the desktop. Vibrant reds, greens and deep dark black. I can view from all angles, there is hardly any reflection and the black border makes it feel even better.

I love my new macbook and my iphone and my big mac with it's glorious 24'' screen.

Oh, and the time machine. best thing ever. Got a home network with three macs and not a virus, bug infested PC in sight.

Love it.

Oct 27, 2008 6:01 AM in response to sathinator

Hi, I have already ordered a new macbook from an official reseller in Vienna, Austria as I live there. In addition I have already gave 20% of its price as I have ordered it with the international keyboard layout. However after reading this topic and others throughout the web I am really disappointed and I am not sure if I still want it.

I want to ask, is it possible to ask for the money I gave back if I don't like it? I will tell them to open it in front of me and see how the screen looks like, but can they say that "This is the screen and you have to buy it"? I really don't know how things will go.

Nick A

Level 4

1,522 points

Oct 27, 2008 6:25 AM in response to nicthegreek1990

EU law (directive 94/47/EC) requires at minimum a ten day cooling off period for this type of purchase contract. Thus you are not locked in and have the right to reject the goods, so long as you've bought the items as a consumer (not as a business). Similarly, they cannot charge you a restocking fee.

This period may be longer in Austria, but it cannot be any shorter.

Oct 27, 2008 6:28 AM in response to Nick A

Ok. Thanks a lot. I will go and have a look. I will also search for the law to have it with me if they say anything... They should also give me back the money I gave in advance. Is it like this?

Nick A

Level 4

1,522 points

Oct 27, 2008 6:58 AM in response to nicthegreek1990

If you use your right to terminate the contract within the cooling off period then any money paid towards satisfaction of the contract will be due to you. So if you tell them you do not want the computer they will owe you the money you paid to them. However I just realised you ordered a special keyboard, which varies your right as it's considered a customisation. If you find you're unhappy simply speak with them nicely and they should work with you to resolve the issue. EU law only laid out the basics, thus Austria may have more favourable laws in place even when the item is customised. I'd read over their terms and conditions carefully. Also note that the minimum period for consumer goods is 7 days, not 10. Again, Austria's could be more than 7 days. In the end you still owe them 80%. If you're not happy there's nothing compelling you to pay the balance. They are very unlikely to take the matter to court to force the 80% from you, thus by only having paid 20% you have some bargaining power to come to a favourable solution, unless the contract states the 20% will be forfeited if you wish to back out. Again, read the contract carefully. Overall, being nice can go a long way. Good luck.

DanInDub

Level 3

658 points

Oct 27, 2008 11:13 AM in response to HopingForHelp

Hi All,

just wanted to say I noticed the same issue. Went today to the store to have a look at the new MacBook (at the moment I'm using mid-07 one) and I was really disappointed with colors and contrast of 13" one. 15" seems good (not perfect though). Going to postpone upgrade for time being, probably until mid-08...

web500

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2008 12:14 PM in response to HopingForHelp

I have used MacBook since it came out on Oct 15. You have to use it in a relative dark area or use your light in the front of the MacBook. Or buy an anti glare screen from apple store.

I went to Costco and a lot of other brand PCs have the same problem with reflection. It is just the nature of LED.

Message was edited by: web500

David.

Level 4

2,145 points

Oct 27, 2008 4:44 PM in response to joemacuk

I bet it doesn't look "glorious" when viewed from a variety of VERTICAL angles! If you look at it from below the optimal angle, it looks "reversed" and when viewed from a high angle it looks all washed out, with light gray "blacks".

David.

Level 4

2,145 points

Oct 27, 2008 6:00 PM in response to sathinator

I "opted" out for MANY reasons:

1. PRICE!
2. screen:super-narrow vertical viewing angle.
3. lack of firewire, Expresscard slot, card reader, VGA video
4. touchpad! tried it--hate it, and I really had high hopes it would be really "cool". IMO, it isn't in the least bit "cool".

Consumers really need to STUDY such purchases BEFORE plunking down daddy's or their own hard earned cash for products that incur hefty restocking fees, should they get their purchase home only to discover it doesn't suit their needs. My internet costs me $50 a month, but I save that amount many times over by doing my "homework" on product research, as well as savings by purchasing online.

Caveat emptor!

Oct 27, 2008 8:03 PM in response to David.

I agree, research is important. However, why doesn't Apple provide its customers with the information necessary to make an informed decision? That is part of my problem with this whole mess. Why do I have to search backwaters to discover that the LCD panel is of a different quality to the MBP?

In another note - I am starting to think that the issues that some people are having with their Alum MB is the result of a badly built batch. Ridiculous viewing angles aside, those that are finding their laptop emitting a blueish light, might want to have a look at the left hand side of their screen from an angle on the right. I was sitting at such an angle today when I realised that there was a a bright, blueish light coming from the side, and quite possibly spilling across the panel. It appears that the LCD panel has not been fitted correctly to properly hide the backlighting - there is a gap between the panel and where it meets the glass. I went into the store to return my MB and had a look at a 2.0ghz model in store that did not exhibit this problem - hence why some people seem to be puzzled by the problems others have been having...

David.

Level 4

2,145 points

Oct 27, 2008 8:17 PM in response to sathinator

I always come to these forums BEFORE I either buy a new model of iPod, OR I install the latest version of iTunes. Doing both has saved me a TON of grief! 🙂

New MacBook Display is Horrible