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Extreme Eye Pain on new Macbook Pro M3 (Max)

I'm on a computer all day and finally switched to Mac, love the speed, but it is using something called PWM on the screen I've learned; Pulse Width Modulation. After about 10 minutes I get a headache and extreme eye pain that lasts the entire next day, like there's sand in my eyes. Is there a way to force full brightness so that PWM is turned off on the new Macbook Pro M3 Max? I've tried night shift and grayscale settings with no help. Are there multiple manufacturers of the screen for the device? Have I got a bad one/defect?

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to return the device otherwise, the screen is unuseable, straight torture to my brain and eyes.

MacBook Pro (M3 Max, 2023)

Posted on Dec 27, 2023 10:26 AM

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Posted on Jan 1, 2024 2:05 PM

All m series pro models had that. I tried m2 pro, m2 max, m3 pro locked and unlocked and max all in 14 inch and same issue. There is an app to dim the screen (you go 100 brightness in photo mode) and then use the app to go back to 20 or 30. It will look bad so… i wait the m3 air as it will suffice (m2 air has no pwm, you can use the slow motion camera mode on iphone to check which laptops are ok).

also you can use laptop 100% on external screen but that is a waste of money…

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 1, 2024 2:05 PM in response to rdzaneka

All m series pro models had that. I tried m2 pro, m2 max, m3 pro locked and unlocked and max all in 14 inch and same issue. There is an app to dim the screen (you go 100 brightness in photo mode) and then use the app to go back to 20 or 30. It will look bad so… i wait the m3 air as it will suffice (m2 air has no pwm, you can use the slow motion camera mode on iphone to check which laptops are ok).

also you can use laptop 100% on external screen but that is a waste of money…

Jun 24, 2024 4:14 PM in response to rdzaneka

i have 3 macbook pros

intel 2015 15"

intel 2019 16" (for office use)

m2 2023 16"

Only one of them (2023 16") is causing serious strain and fatigue. A 1 hour use leaves me drained and exhausted. And i need a nap after that.


I have tried grayscale, i have tried high contrast and every possible combination of display settings.

I have also tried different external monitors, somehow i am still getting fatigued.


I have stopped using the m2 macbook now and writing this from my slow 2015 macbook.

Aug 17, 2024 8:40 AM in response to rdzaneka

Same issue with macbook pro M1 pro 16"


I've seen some solutions like:

  1. BetterDisplay app
  2. Disable font smoothing
  3. Disable temporal dithering
  4. Stillcolor on Github

But it not helps


I've wrote a comment about that on the another topic on Apple forum regarding this topic and know I can't write any comments about that beside this one. I don't know why?


Dec 27, 2023 11:09 AM in response to rdzaneka

Are there multiple manufacturers of the screen for the device?


Yes.


Have I got a bad one/defect?


Possibly. Contact Apple and discuss it that possibility with them: Official Apple Support. If you are unable to find a display setting that doesn't cause discomfort the next step would be to return it and try another, or return it for a full cash refund.


PWM is nothing new, and display technology has been evolving for a long time. Some people are more sensitive to it than others. It's highly subjective. Personally I find the opposite of full brightness helps — everyone else seems to be staring into a blindingly bright screen, and I don't know how they cope.


You're not alone: Eye Pain, Headaches, Nausea in Newer Versions - Apple Community


Although it's far from ideal, consider finding an external monitor that doesn't cause discomfort. If you elect to do that you might want to consider a desktop Mac Mini (for example).

Jun 24, 2024 6:13 PM in response to rdzaneka

Hi Author,


i have tried the RGB settings.

i have tried 50 and 60 Hz refresh.

I have tried grayscale.

I have also installed every combination of settings on the betterdisplay app.


Trying out a new display setting gives me a temporary relief but they don't work in the long run.


Please let me know if these new settings work for you after a couple of days?



Jun 24, 2024 6:15 PM in response to wkhan15

wkhan15 wrote:

i have 3 macbook pros
intel 2015 15"
intel 2019 16" (for office use)
m2 2023 16"
Only one of them (2023 16") is causing serious strain and fatigue. A 1 hour use leaves me drained and exhausted. And i need a nap after that.

I have tried grayscale, i have tried high contrast and every possible combination of display settings.
I have also tried different external monitors, somehow i am still getting fatigued.

I have stopped using the m2 macbook now and writing this from my slow 2015 macbook.

Consult an eye specialist.

Extreme Eye Pain on new Macbook Pro M3 (Max)

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