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Significant light leakage, few light botches on sides/corners - defective?

Actually I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, but thought I'd share my experience here. Very disappointing, but certainly completely usable until I can exchange.

Hoping it's one of those strange manufacturing things where it "needs to settle," but I doubt it.

Note that I have an iPad 1 also, and it definitely doesn't have this problem.

iPad 2, iOS 4

Posted on Mar 11, 2011 4:58 PM

Reply
1,095 replies

Apr 9, 2011 2:45 PM in response to goodolcheez

Listen, I don't post a ton, but posts like yours made me feel compelled to do so. Why would anyone go through the trouble of belittling people who are having issues? Have you seen some of the pictures people have posted? You honestly think that is a "normal limitation of LCD technology?User uploaded file? I am a computer repair specialist and a computer instructor and this is NOT normal. The layers that make up an LCD screen are designed to diffuse this light so you don't have these issues. Uneven pressure from components inside, outside, or even from uneven tension of the frame are just a few of the things that can cause these extreme issues of light bleed. I have owned two first generation iPads and two iPhones with ZERO light bleed issues which were NOT affected by these "limitations" you mention. And also 10 percent brightness in the dark? Really? And as far as testing in a totally dark room, you just described the exact situation I use my iPad sixty percent of the time, in my dark bedroom, watching videos, and playing games. I wont even begin to comment on your stellar advice of " just be happy what you got". Listen if your happy with what you have, fantastic. But for the rest of us it's a real issue, and we are figuring out the best way to handle it relying on the experiences and advice of contributers much more helpful than you. My first iPad 2 had severe light bleed. My second, or first replacement, had light bleed in totally different locations albeit not as severe but the metal band on the iPad was defective, it was jagged and not stamped down all the way with a sharp edge and a large gap surrounding the bottom of the LCD. My last (the third), also has the bleed but it's the best so far. I was just going to settle and keep this one but I received a follow up call from apple told them about my experiences and the gentleman i spoke with insisted on helping me with a plan to get one thats as perfect as I have grown used to apple products being, He also has a perfect iPad one that he uses mostly at night just like me and his screen is also perfect. He was amazing and made me feel so great about the whole thing, not like a complainer or newbs as you are painting others to be. I am not irate or freaking out, but the screen bleed bothers me and really jumps out after spending so many hours with perfect products using the same technology. I am a consistant early adopter when it comes to gadgets and i know problems like this come with the territory. So I know, while not fun, it will get sorted out. It is not crazy to expect a second generation product to perform at the very least equally to the first. To those of you who are dealing with the issue, good luck, and thanks so much for posting your experiences and advice. It's been amazingly helpful. It's also great to hear people getting replacements that exhibit no light bleed, so again thanks to you folks for also reporting back and even posting pics. I guess yours must be magic since they don't exhibit this "limitation of LCD technology". Thanks again and also thanks for entertaining my 12 cents.

Apr 9, 2011 3:24 PM in response to Electricfx

Well, the plasma screens don't get this issue. I've owned two, sold one to someone else. Both had zero light leakage.

And I did say my iPad 2 is getting a tiny amount of leakage but nowhere near considered as severe. It must be one of the better ones.

Sorry to hear you've been going through so much trouble. For those who are getting a perfect/near-perfect replacement, what process did you have to go through? Contact Apple tech support directly? I would like to try your method if it works so I can get me a perfect one. I'm somewhat hesitant to take a shot because what if I get one that's worse than what I got? lol This is gambling.

Apr 10, 2011 10:31 AM in response to cheshireuk

Got my refund; they didn't even offer a replacement this time.

Felt quite fortunate I had screen bleed this time because the seams splitting apart is deemed to be 'normal' and without the bleed I would not have got my money back. The Genius said he has not seen it before but I've had 2 like it and a number of the white demo iPad's all had seams in varying stages of coming apart. Some - including my replacement - were so wide (between 3 and 4mm) that you could see the internal components.

Apple won't be hearing about it because it won't go on the return report (as it is supposedly normal behaviour). Will be interested to see what happens once these have been out in the wild for a couple of months.

Was interesting to note that not one person looking at the iPad's were interested in inspecting the build quality; they were so engrossed in what was happening on the device itself, which I guess is a great thing.

Sadly though, that is me done with the iPad.

Apr 10, 2011 6:45 PM in response to Chriscic

I recently received my 2nd bleeding light leakage IPAD 2 WI-FI 3G 64GB AT&T. I placed the order 4-weeks ago on the Apple Store web site. This is the second one I have received with bleeding light and leakage. The other IPAD 2 I picked up at Best Buy and has the same problems with bleeding light leakage. I have since returned that one and got a refund. The IPAD 2 that I waited for 4 weeks will now be set for a return and refund. This problem is not going away. Apple is an position where they are hurting their image of their brand world-wide. Although a few are responding in this post. There has been over 100,000 views since the release.

Just an FYI. This product is unfortunately in the hands of a Chinese Manufacturer oversees. No Quality COntrol processes. I wouldn't want to be the VP or Product manager for the IPAD 2 right now when it comes to the IPAD 2 displays.

I read recently that Apple has signed a 240 million dollar contract with Samsung to produce 3 million more displays for the IPAD 2. LG is the original manufacturer.

With all the billions of dollars Apple and the stock holders have earned. May be this is a good time to think about investing in their own manufacturing facilities to control the QC process and bring the plants back home to America. What do you think?

I hope the Apple leadership begins to pay attention to this problem and finds a solution. I just gave them an idea to solve a couple of problems in America.

I will return the second one again for a refund and wait to hear for the QC to get fix on the production line. I mean....Really?

Good Luck Everyone!

Apr 11, 2011 3:28 AM in response to Keith Gilges

I was at my daughters ballet recital last night here in NY and a woman was reading an ebook on her iPad 2 during intermission...of course being on my second defective iPad 2 with screen bleed with an upcoming Genius Bar appt today I asked if she had screen bleed....first off she had no clue there was an issue and said she didn't think so.

I asked if I could check (yeah I know..I'm shy)...she gave me her iPad and I checked it...NOTHING! Not an ounce of bleed....high brightness...dark screen etc....NOTHING....she purchased it just after launch she said...I tried to get an exact date but I felt like a detective after a while and was annoying her with the when did you purchase question...

So...all that to say...there are good ones out there!

I havent gotten one yet, but I hope to this time around!

Apr 11, 2011 7:49 AM in response to Chriscic

same problem here. i bought one ipad2 3G 64GB Black in the Apple Store in Munich/Germany. In the evening i noticed a massive light leakage on severall spots around the whole frame. The very next day I went to the Apple Store again. First they pretended that there is no leaking, then they argued it would be kind of a "feature". Finally I've got a replacement and guess what - it has the same issue but unfortunately worse than the first one. I scheduled now an appointment at the Genius Bar for Saturday this week but I am skeptical whether a further replacement will be the solution since it seems to be coincidental whether a device is free of this defect or not. This is very disappointing and I am annoyed about all the time this costs and the hassle. Well done Apple!

Message was edited by: dirkscheumann

Message was edited by: dirkscheumann

Apr 11, 2011 8:43 AM in response to Merged Content 1

Excellent post. You pointed out important things.

I should have checked what country the iPads are assembled in before dishing out for one. Luckily, I have very minor few light leakage and cannot be seen under dimmed indoor conditions. But they are there. Considering how many people getting severe leakages, I am pretty sure what the problem is.

All these iPads are being manufactured in China, as you stated. Anything made in China are subpar in terms of build quality / QC. Chinese may have taken shortcuts to save more money on the manufacturing process. They are also communist country which is why I try to boycott chinese goods. I am glad Apple signed a big contract with Samsung.


Someone said some of the posts in this thread have been deleted?.. It's probably the chinese.


.

Message was edited by: goodolcheez

Significant light leakage, few light botches on sides/corners - defective?

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