MacBook Pro Retina display burn-in?

I also just got a 15" rMBP ordered from the online store and while I didn't look at the cycle count, the serial number says it was manufactured on week 32.... this is when people here report getting week 42 and even 44. On one hand, I find it hard to beliebe Apple would keep a brand new MBP almost 3 months in stock, on the other, I believe it is illegal to sell a returned product as brand new so I doubt it is a return.

Well finally some good news!

A few weeks ago I send a letter to Apple in Cupertino. Today the Dutch customer service of Apple called me (:

The woman said the Apple Store in Amsterdam does have new screens without IR and they will replace the screen the same day (:

I hope this will be solved very soon! (:

Hi Yaronfr,

Mine was a week 33 purchased almost 4 weeks ago from today. Amazon have sent me a new one which is a week 41, I've run the terminal command and it says it's an LG. I've emailed Amazon regarding the fact it has been recharged 3 times which is a concern. I sent my one back with just 2 full charges. It was run off the mains each day at various design/ad agencies.

It will be interesting to get the response from Amazon for the reason for this regarding the cycle count, moreover, I'm fully booked on the freelance circuit between now and Christmas on the London ad agency scene. If this MacBook Pro Retina (the one that arrived today) behaves just like the last one then I can assure you Apple will get to know about it...

lm2

Well finally some good news!

A few weeks ago I send a letter to Apple in Cupertino. Today the Dutch customer service of Apple called me (:

The woman said the Apple Store in Amsterdam does have new screens without IR and they will replace the screen the same day (:

I hope this will be solved very soon! (:

Nice to hear.

I'm going to Barcelona next week and have planned an appointmen with Genius. Let's see.

As far as I see IR doesn't progress over time, at least not dramatically so I can notice it. But anyway it appears in less than 30 seconds and lasts for at least a minute.

The other thing is that I don't want uneven yellow screen. I think it's worse than IR, though both are unaceptable for such a high end machine.

Has anyone been able to determine whether or not there are ANY 13" rMBP that have SAMSUNG screens? We know there are 13" ones with LG and image retention....just trying to see if there's any hope that they used the Samsung ones w/ the 13" laptops.

Thanks!!

Alright, so I just got back from the Genius Bar a little over an hour ago and here's what happened:

First, I made sure to switch my wallpaper to the darkest gray color of the 3 grays. I went to a website posted on this thread somewhere that is very similar to Apple's test (more on that in a bit) that basically shows a white and black checkerboard pattern that shows said pattern for 5 minutes before switching to a dark gray/light gray background. Additionally, I showed the Genius my background just to confirm that it wasn't just the web page faking it; he agreed that he saw it.

So, that's when he went to a page on the Apple Store's intranet on my MacBook Pro which showed the exact same pattern for 3 minutes, but then showed a black background (where you can't see anything) instead of the dark gray color (where you can see the ghosted image), as mentioned in this thread. After examining the black-colored screen for a timed 1 minute, he said that my MacBook Pro with Retention...I mean...Retina Display passed the 1st party test after it failed the 3rd party test, he went to speak with the manager (who I know, by the way).

Fast forward a couple of minutes; he came back and said that he'll make a one-time exception and swap out the display. I asked if there was a way that I could get a Samsung display (since they had replacement displays in-store) and he said, and I quote, "I'm not gonna go there!". He further told me that everything should be done within 3-5 days. So, I acknowledged him and parted ways.

But I didn't part ways with the Apple Store yet, as I went to see the manager and talk with him about the issue. He said that he allowed it this time because I noticed it and that it bugged me. I asked him that, if the replacement display were to have the same issue, I could get a replacement screen again. He replied, just as the Genius and others who were brave enough to play the "perfect LG/Samsung display lottery" said, "It's within spec.". When asked about why Apple uses a black-colored background instead of a dark gray, he simply stated "I don't know.", although he did mention that he has heard of the IR problem and ways to check your screen for the manufacturer, etc. He also added that his screen didn't have the problem.

I left, went to my car, and prayed about it and thanked The Lord that I'll get a "perfect" display. No joke.

So, to wrap things up, unless your screen is that bad to where you'll notice ghosting in everything you do, I wouldn't bother going through the hassle. Also, take this as a warning to those of you who are considering getting a MacBook Pro with Retention, sorry, I mean Retina display. You now know what you might have to deal with. This should also go as a lesson to those who are as OCD as I used to be: don't be so anal and try to get the "perfect" product because, like the lottery, you're going to lose. Plus, the Apple Store that you get obsessive compulsive with will record you "long history", much like mine did when I got so stupid over a small dead pixel with multiple iPhone 3Gs back in 2009.

Again, I will let you know what the results are when I get my "perfect" MacBook Pro back. Until then, I will follow this thread and see what others have to say. Sayonara, for now.

P.S. It was fun typing the above post with my iPhone 5 since I don't have my Mac back yet, and I'm waiting for the 4th generation iPad with LTE to come out. Just thought I'd let you know...

Technologeek KMJ wrote:

Fast forward a couple of minutes; he came back and said that he'll make a one-time exception and swap out the display. I asked if there was a way that I could get a Samsung display (since they had replacement displays in-store) and he said, and I quote, "I'm not gonna go there!". He further told me that everything should be done within 3-5 days. So, I acknowledged him and parted ways.

This conflicts with some other people's experiences and really bad news for people who cannot specify that they want the 661-7171 Samsung panel. What city and state is your Apple store?

Several people have said that any panel repairs are done with the Samsung. If you get an LG repair back, then that means people who want the proper rMBP will have to do the buy/return lottery. Can people please post their experiences on their 661-7171 request, whether or not it was honored, and the city that the Apple store is located.

Let me throw my name in the hat as yet another rMBP user with the image retention issue. I got mine within a week after it was released, so roughly 7 months old now. It is a week 23 model and it has a LG display.

I just noticed it today after switching from browsing the web to previewing a PowerPoint presentation with a very dark, even background - at first I thought it was something wrong with the PowerPoint, then a Google search eventually led me here...

I must say that I had not noticed it at all within the previous 7 months, so the IR problem is definitely progressive over time. Now that I know it's there, I can quite clearly see it when switching to the desktop with even the default galaxy wallpaper, and it is really bad with a solid desktop wallpaper.

For those who have been following this thread, what's the best way to go about getting this fixed? I do have AppleCare, so when I return home from college over Thanksgiving break I am planning to go to the Genius bar at the Apple store that I purchased it from.

Specifically, what's the best way to approach them about it? Should I play dumb? Talk about how it is a well-documented problem and ask for a Samsung display? Request a specific display part number?

Thanks.

suge Wrote:

"This conflicts with some other people's experiences and really bad news for people who cannot specify that they want the 661-7171 Samsung panel. What city and state is your Apple store?

Several people have said that any panel repairs are done with the Samsung. If you get an LG repair back, then that means people who want the proper rMBP will have to do the buy/return lottery. Can people please post their experiences on their 661-7171 request, whether or not it was honored, and the city that the Apple store is located."

My Apple Store is located in Brea, CA. And, in response to your statement about Samsung displays, not everyone in this thread said they got a Samsung display. Heck, a few got a "perfect" LG.

Eriksrocks wrote:

"Let me throw my name in the hat as yet another rMBP user with the image retention issue. I got mine within a week after it was released, so roughly 7 months old now. It is a week 23 model and it has a LG display.

I just noticed it today after switching from browsing the web to previewing a PowerPoint presentation with a very dark, even background - at first I thought it was something wrong with the PowerPoint, then a Google search eventually led me here...

I must say that I had not noticed it at all within the previous 7 months, so the IR problem is definitely progressive over time. Now that I know it's there, I can quite clearly see it when switching to the desktop with even the default galaxy wallpaper, and it is really bad with a solid desktop wallpaper.

For those who have been following this thread, what's the best way to go about getting this fixed? I do have AppleCare, so when I return home from college over Thanksgiving break I am planning to go to the Genius bar at the Apple store that I purchased it from.

Specifically, what's the best way to approach them about it? Should I play dumb? Talk about how it is a well-documented problem and ask for a Samsung display? Request a specific display part number?

Thanks."

I think you mean that you owned/used yours for almost 5 months, not 7. Also, just be yourself, give your knowledge and evidence, and ask for a Samsung. Oh, and prayer helps...

Oops, did my math wrong. Yes, it would be about 4.5 months. I'm shocked that I didn't notice it before. It must have come on really quickly in my case because it is very noticeable now...

If they give me a hard time, I'll be fully prepared to make a scene. In fact, my rMBP is the very first one the store sold. If they can't bother to fix my $2200 machine (especially with AppleCare - issues like this are exactly why I gave in to purchasing it), I am going to be one frustrated and angry customer.

Technologeek KMJ wrote:

My Apple Store is located in Brea, CA. And, in response to your statement about Samsung displays, not everyone in this thread said they got a Samsung display. Heck, a few got a "perfect" LG.

You're probably right that a few people got an LG replacement panel. However, in my haste, I should have specified that the most recent replies about a repair/replacement have almost all been Samsung. Someone had a theory that Apple was allocating Samsung panels specifically for these repairs because they knew that providing an LG replacement wouldn't make the customer happy.

Who knows. Would appreciate a report back from you when your rMBP comes back.

suge wrote:

"Would appreciate a report back from you when your rMBP comes back."

Not a problem! It's my pleasure to do so! Ah, the joys of being a first generation buyer...

I too had similar issues with my local store, (iPad Backlight Bleed Issues). I feel your pain. I went through the rMBP lottery myself and even though I received one with a Samsung display, I decided I would enjoy a 27" iMac &13" MacBook Air more and have not looked back. Two devices versus one. I must admit that after getting used to a Retina display it has been a little difficult to not miss the brilliant display. My question to you is this. I have seen some talk of the 13" rMBP displaying IR and was wondering if you know this to be factual? I cannot seem to find a 13" rMBP owner that has posted a thread claiming he or she has one with IR. I am seriously considering going to the 13 rMBP but do not want to go through that experience again! Thanks in advance!