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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

Saucier

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2008 2:33 AM in response to HopingForHelp

My new MacBook has just gone back for a refund too. Compared to my 2 year old black MacBook I found the screen incredibly difficult to read text on. Sure the screen is much brighter but the lack of contrast makes all text look blurry and indistinct.

I wasn't worried about the limited viewing angle and slightly washed out screen but is it really too much to ask for a display that can clearly show text on a £1000+ laptop?

Anyone who mainly uses their laptop for word-processing, emails and the internet should have a very close look at the new MacBook screens before buying one.

Jim Pomme

Level 2

210 points

Nov 6, 2008 3:36 AM in response to Saucier

Anyone who mainly uses their laptop for word-processing, emails and the internet should have a very close look at the new MacBook screens before buying one.

I haven't noticed any problem with text etc. but that might be because I've upgraded from an old iBook and the screen is vastly improved compared to that! It also seems sharper than my iMac G5's screen.

My main gripe was with the glossy screen as I've never been a fan of them (and I've been used to matte on my last few Macs). I'm not finding it too bad actually so far - photos look stunning compared to my LCD Macs.

If you've got a window behind you it's quite bad, but I found you can adjust the screen's angle to remove most reflections. I'm in the UK though and the weather is dull (even more than usual) so I'll have to wait and see what it's like in Spring/Summer when it's brighter.

If contrast is your main issue then you can calibrate the screen. There's some examples here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=588431 (The 'JC Diplay' one gives improved contrast).

Saucier

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2008 4:17 AM in response to Jim Pomme

I tried calibrating the screen with the JC Display but the problem is that there's not a lot of contrast to play around with to begin with.

The German site notebookjournal measured the contrast of the new Macbook and found it to be 147:1 compared to the MacBook Air's value of 596:1. To put this in perspective the Dell Studio 15 ($800) has a contrast ratio of 700:1. (Higher is better)

http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/697apple_macbook_2_4ghz/2
http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/514apple_macbookair/3
http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/661dell_studio15/2)

Message was edited by: Saucier

joemacuk

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2008 7:06 AM in response to Saucier

Why don't you increase the contrast in 'Universal Access'?

MacRicky

Level 3

744 points

Nov 7, 2008 7:55 AM in response to RUnited

RUnited

I too am satisfied with my new 2.4 MacBook and can also understand that others may need to look at other options if the limitations of the MacBook are not to their liking.

Hopefully a software update will further improve the display issues some users have experienced.

applefab

Level 1

52 points

Nov 8, 2008 6:26 PM in response to HopingForHelp

...sincerely, at the end I don't understand people returning their MacBook because of the screen poor quality: upgrading from my old iBookG4 14", the difference in screen sharpness, brightness and contrast is huge.
And I can tell even the vertical viewing angle is better on the MacBook.
Also, when compared to the previous MacBook screen, the new one is not a loser, although the new LED screen didn't introduce improvements but more brightness.

Nov 8, 2008 11:48 PM in response to applefab

I believe that there are decent MB panels out there - they are probably the ones made by AU Optronics - they are the supplier of the MBA screen, which everyone loves universally, myself included. I have not read a bad word about it.

I also have a new MBP, and can say that its screen is noticeably better than the MBs that I have seen, though it is not as good as the MBA, IMO. However, that could also be because there are two different suppliers of the MBP panel too - one being the cheap Taiwanese brand Chinmei - so much for paying more for the 'best'.

I returned my MB for the MBP - a decision I do not regret, but wish wasn't the case - I just couldn't live with the poor viewing angle and the eye strain. In order to get a compact computer with the best screen, I then also bought an MBA. The MBP is my desktop replacement.

I am with everyone here that suggests that Apple bring out a 13' MBP (which a lot of us thought the 2.4ghz version seemed to be - it has everything that the MBP has except for the dual graphics cards, and it appears, a similar quality screen.

I love Apple products, and won't conceive buying anything else - Apple has lifted the bar in design - we also already pay a premium for this, but it would be great if you could just buy any Apple product with confidence and know that you are getting the best of everything. There are similarly priced, or cheaper PC laptops that have better screens than in the new MB - that shouldn't be the case.

lakeshore

Level 2

306 points

Nov 9, 2008 3:10 PM in response to sathinator

I spent almost an hour at Best Buy contemplating buying the new MB, but decided against it because of the screen, which is unfortunate because it's a beautiful computer. I found it nearly impossible to view the screen without seeing major color shifts one way or another. I could find a sweet spot dead center, but the moment I moved either my head or the screen cover even slightly, the color distortions would kick in. The screen has a very poor viewing angle. The reflections play a part in the general washed out look. Again with the reflections, I can find a sweet spot where my brain is able to see through them or "forget" that they're there, but the moment I move my head slightly, they become very visible again, washing out all of the dark areas of the screen with reflections of everything around me.
I found the screen on the MBP to be much higher in quality, though the reflections from the glass were still an issue. Oddly enough, an older model Macbook Air with the LCD screen was sitting right in the middle of these two new LED Macbooks, and its screen was a lot better--colors were more vibrant, there weren't as many reflections due to there being no glass, and the viewing angle was better as I moved my head around.

Trysta

Level 1

10 points

Nov 9, 2008 4:24 PM in response to HopingForHelp

I've been looking forward to making the switch for a while now. The new macbooks seem perfect in nearly every respect:
-emphasis on durable sturdy case
-good specs
-better graphics
-os x (which I'm really looking forward to trying)

But the screen is really a conundrum for me.
I've looked at them in person in two separate stores (one an apple store, the other a best buy). I can see immediately what people are talking about in terms of screen quality. The screens look very washed out and only look crisp and bright with the display tilted all the way back (this is however with me standing over the computer not sitting in front of it since I was in a store). I even tried changing the gamma on the displays in the color profile (which helped make things look better at that narrow sweet spot but did nothing for the abysmal viewing angles). I haven't tried the new MBAs but the old MBAs and new MBPs do not suffer from these problems (I compared all three). It's also important to note that the combination of ultra gloss and narrow viewing angles means that the angle needed for avoiding reflections and the angle needed for seeing crisp colors can be mutually exclusive - I ran into this issue at the apple store with multiple computers. (of course to be fair apple stores are very brightly lit)

Please note I am not a picky person. I'm currently using an old thinkpad. These machines are great but not exactly known for brilliant displays. This particular one has three dead pixels which I'm perfectly capable of ignoring in normal use. All i'm asking for is that when I fork out 1500+ dollars I don't downgrade from the display in my $800 PC. I really hope apple does not ignore this. You look at the display the entire time you are using a computer. It is not something that people should have to compromise on.

Anyway I was wondering what the likelihood is that apple might use better quality displays in a rev b product if they realize people are finally noticing the subpar displays in the current revision (and for the record I really do believe based on 1st hand evidence and reading forums that the issue is cheap panels not software, calibrations etc.) I sure hope so as I'd love to have this computer 🙂

Nov 9, 2008 5:16 PM in response to lakeshore

Actually I believe the Macbook Air has always had an LED. I have one of the 1st gen ones, and it has an LED. It's beautiful--it has the glossy display, but the reflections are nowhere near as bad as the new MB's, and the contrast levels and viewing angle are so much better. The new aluminum MB with the MBA display would be absolutely perfect.

lenn5

Level 4

2,537 points

Nov 9, 2008 8:06 PM in response to Trysta

If the new MBs sell as well as the latest generation did then Apple won't have any reason to put a higher quality/more expensive display in them. Why would they if they're selling well?

I think Apple's response to people who would like a higher quality display is to either go with the MBA or MBP.

lenn

Message was edited by: lenn5

Message was edited by: lenn5

lakeshore

Level 2

306 points

Nov 10, 2008 3:42 AM in response to lenn5

I agree. The 20-iMac has a less-than-impressive screen with a very poor viewing angle and readily apparent vertical color shift, but people are either buying them or moving up to the 24-inch model, so Apple has done nothing to improve the 20-inch model. The MBs will fly off the shelf as they are.

lco

Level 1

45 points

Nov 10, 2008 4:11 PM in response to lakeshore

Fascinating - Just got my Macbook Al and I can not complain about the screen, it probably would have been wise for Apple to offer a matte and glossy as they have done in previous years.

One thing is the lack of firewire - when will Apple stop this flip flopping? They should have included at least 1 firewire port like the last macbook. They provide iMovie, for what? How the **** can one get video on to the machine now! Morons

Nov 11, 2008 3:17 AM in response to Trysta

I purchased a new Macbook to replace my 2.16Ghz Macbook Pro 1st gen. For me the size is great, the speed is more than ample and with 4GB of RAM should suite me fine.

That was 5 days ago. Today i'm returning it to the Apple store. This is 100% due to the display. It's washed out and the blacks invert easily. To get any kind of proper viewing angle I have to tilt the display right back. Side by side with my old MBP the new Ai Macbkook display was quite frankly a disgrace for a £1300 machine. Apple this is really bad.

They should have aimed this higher end MB at those people who wnat the look and functionality of a MBP with more portability.

However I have just answered that question because I was that appauled at the display to the point where I find it unuseable, I am now left with the only decision available. Upgrade to a new Macbook Pro and pay Apple MORE money.

So if you are thinking of getting a Macbook pay lots of attention to the screen and how you normally use your machine. You choice for a proper quailty display (gloss issues aside) is either AIR or MBP.

Luba Cox

Level 1

0 points

Nov 11, 2008 1:24 PM in response to jmwhittaker

But unfortunately the MBP hinge is too loose. 😟 I tested everyone out on the store floor and they are all too loose. The MB hinge is at the correct tightness.

I was all set to buy and cancelled my MBP order. Don't know what to do now. Wait until Jan 2009 when the new iMac's come out? Wait to see if the MBP hinge gets updated, if that ever happens?

Scary the road Apple is taking. Are they getting overly confident and lax and arrogant like Microsoft? I can understand the pressure to get products out to the market, but not if they are not ready. This is Microsoft's business model: Get it out there and let the customers be the beta testers. I hear Vista is so bad, I am still going to convert over from PC to Mac even though Apple has gone down hill. I am willing to pay a premium for peace of mind in getting a product that works. Doesn't Apple understand that? We are willing to pay for quality, not just for a cool design.

New MacBook Display is Horrible