MacBook Pro Retina display burn-in?

I first noticed this after my MBP [Retina] had gone to sleep, but: when returning to the login screen (since I have it set to require a password whenever the computer is idle long enough) I noticed what appeared to a very faint ghosting primarily noticeable on darker backgrounds.


After messing around with it a bit, there seems to be a fairly consistent in-display ghosting that occurs without much time at all; I was able to leave my screen on (a little above half-brightness) for about 10-15 minutes and the ghosted "burn" would be of the screen I left it on (which I deliberately reconfigured so that everything would be a new position).


Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a normal thing that I just have to get used to? It's not really noticeable at all in standard use.

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 16, 2012 10:26 PM

Reply
9,629 replies

Nov 7, 2012 7:13 AM in response to mittense

I just received my rMBP which is a third attempt to win the Samsung lottery. Is not yet opened. I will let you know whether it is Samsung or LG. Checked the serial no. and


Model:- MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012) (CTO)
Codename:- No codename assigned.
Build Country:- This unit was built in China
Build Year:- This unit was built in the second half of 2012.
Build Week- Week 18 (April) or week 45 (October)
Production Nr.:- This unit was number 1020 to be built that week.

Nov 7, 2012 8:11 AM in response to mittense

Ok, You guys where all right...... IR does indeed get worse over time. The first 2 weeks my rMBA was consistent in IR, Now it start to reach a point that just a few minutes on Facebook, leaves a long IR on other pages. This is no good....


I am convinced though, that it is just a matter of time, and more people will notice it. Even the people who don't read forums and stuff. As soon as I am back in my hometown, I will opt for a repair in the form of a screen replacement.

Nov 7, 2012 10:46 AM in response to mittense

I haven't been on this page in a while. I had decided to just live with the IR after getting my third replacement. For a few weeks, all seemed ok. I just kept my screensaver set to run after only a minute of inactivity to try to alleviate some of the burn in.


Then last night I discovered that the problem has progressed to the point where I can read text ghosted over the screensaver. This is utterly, utterly absurd. Privacy? Not on a Mac, apparently. For the record, I was using the arabesque screensaver, as I hoped it would do the best job of wiping away IR.


I tried posting an image, but I think the page is acting up... I'll try again later, if not, I've posted one to the facebook page about this topic.

Nov 7, 2012 11:31 AM in response to cs22ms

Obviously you are using your screensaver wrongly... Or maybe Apple should update the technical note in order to help you:


1 - Use the screensaver every 5 minutes in order to get rid of the image retention in your desktop

2 - If the image retention shows up during the screensaver, then keep in mind it is well within spec. Anyways, when the screensaver is on you are not working with your laptop, so if this really bothers you, please turn off the screen. Problem solved the Apple way...


Just joking... this is ridiculous, and apple is losing big sales playing silent with this issue. The crazy thing is that over time every LG screen user will catch the problem and ask for a fix. Maybe they count on most people will not perceive the problem during the 1 year warranty period so basically they are screwed, but this strategy seems foolish to me. Even more that they are shipping 13 inch retinas with the same LG displays. If image retention is within spec, then they shoud put in clearly in the specifications of the product so at least each purchaser was properly informed. I was looking for a retina macbook but no way I am playing lottery with a 2000+ euro purchase for a machine with a screen that will degrade over time and with 0 resale value in 2/3 years.

Nov 7, 2012 12:58 PM in response to cs22ms

cs22ms wrote:


User uploaded file

This is probably the craziest (and most powerful) example that's on this entire forum. I've been following since the beginning of it (before the 700k+ views got erased) and if the solution in Apple's support page that people are directed to instructs to use a screensaver....well this just about proves that there's a bigger BIGGER issue....any word on if there is such a thing as a 13" samsung?

Nov 7, 2012 1:18 PM in response to mittense

I just came home from my local Apple Store and, as promised, here's my update:


So, after getting my MacBook Pro back, I turned it on, went to the terminal and typed in ioreg -lw0 | grep \"EDID\" | sed "/[^<]*</s///" | xxd -p -r | strings -6 and, lo and behold, I got a Samsung screen! I noticed that it's much brighter and more vibrant than the LG that I swapped it out with. The only down side is that they put two small, but noticeable dents in the bottom piece of my MBP, but after bring that to the specialist's attention, he ordere me a new one to have them swap out once they get it in.


Needless to say, I'm definitely happy and, after praying about it, God provided me with a "perfect" screen, making a "perfect" Mac that I should've gotten the first time without IR (well, minus the two dents that will be fixed in a few days). Thank you Lord! I wish you all the best!

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

MacBook Pro Retina display burn-in?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.