Q: MacBook Pro Retina display burn-in?

Morning all,

I too have fallen prey to the new 'Retina display' MacBook pro.

I work in London freelance for various ad agencies and design studios. I've purchased Apple products since '91, first being an Apple IIsi.

I currently run two Apple iMacs one with the Core duo architecture and the other with the i3 processor, also have a 4 year old MacBook Pro Core duo and iPhone 4S.

All these products are still running fine though the iMac i3 which is 2 years old had its Hitachi disc blow on me several months ago but I have an extended warranty. This was a surprise but I wonder whether the Hitachi disks run that well with OSX though my 4 year old MacBook Pro is testament that it does…

I saw the new MacBook and decided with the amount of freelance work I get running mainly Creative Suite products that it would be essential. As soon as you open the product you know you're in for something special. No light reflection on the display, it's weight and ease of carrying around. My first project with it and I was leaving work and had switched the Macbook off. Someone asked me if I could do some corrections so within seconds I reboot the MacBook and Photoshop fires up in less than 7 seconds and before you know it you're working again doing corrections. Incredibly fast piece of kit, totally silent, even played some music in the background and the sound is stunning...

I bought from Amazon only 3 weeks ago, they supplied with an LG screened model from week 33 and at this point I was unaware of any future problems with the kit. However, my first problem with redraw by the graphics card. The computer has only been used plugged in so it would have reverted to the faster graphics card. Sometimes in Photoshop and often accessing the 'net I've found redraw problems I hadn't experienced on a Mac since the days when you didn't get a graphics card with a Mac, I knew something wasn't right but it was happened every other day… but then within the last week I've noticed ghosting, faintly on each occasion particularly when using Safari, only twice with Photoshop images being shut down on the screen.

Must say having read some of the posts now on this thread that it leaves you wondering about Apple's quality control. For something that costs $3,000+ here in the UK I was expecting perfection. I can remember years ago buying Bang & Olufsen equipment for its design and performance but, as equipment grew older it didn't last… I hope Apple aren't falling into the 'B&O' trap of having well-designed high-performance equipment that has flaws in it.

I had to see my accountant last weekend, upon running through my accounts I noticed he had a new computer with a stunning screen. It was an Acer which had cost him just £550 and the screen was comparable in quality to Apple's Retina display. I'm left wondering whether Apple is turning itself into a Mobile Phone company replacing the likes of Nokia but leaving its previously main revenue drivers such as computers behind where quality is concerned. I'm stuffed if they are as I've always bought Apple/Adobe products and that combination has served me well for over 20 years.

All we seem able to do is wait and see if Apple puts its hands up where its new Retina model is concerned and wait for them to tell us when a model they deem 100% acceptable becomes available. If they  don't my next laptop will be a PC and as a previous poster pointed out, we can run Creative Suite via the creative cloud on a PC.

I can remember nearly four years ago when I bought my last MacBook Pro, everyone in the office wanted one and indeed, nearly everyone in the office went out and got one eventually, it would be a shame if that kind of reaction doesn't continue because Apple dropped the ball where the quality/price of its products were concerned.

lm2

londonman2

I had to see my accountant last weekend, upon running through my accounts I noticed he had a new computer with a stunning screen. It was an Acer which had cost him just £550 and the screen was comparable in quality to Apple's Retina display. I'm left wondering whether Apple is turning itself into a Mobile Phone company replacing the likes of Nokia but leaving its previously main revenue drivers such as computers behind where quality is concerned. I'm stuffed if they are as I've always bought Apple/Adobe products and that combination has served me well for over 20 years.

Liked the post, but have issues with a Acer laptop offering comparable quality compared to a retina display.  As for Apple putting too much emphisis on being a mobile phone company, yes they did get carried away at the expense of everything else.   But you go where you make a pile of money, right?

Now if they would just replace their iworks 09 app's that are outdated.  Apple really needs to concentrate on business software more.

 

Well, the store decided that my screen was "within spec" and recommended that I USE IT DIFFERENTLY or CHANGE MY USAGE HABITS!!!!

 

How many times are we going to have to read lunacy like this before these people that want to try to defend "LG's" and not returning within 14 days understand.

The problem is not only with LG panels but with Apple's response to the problem. Just because this is the way business is done, doesn't mean you the customer have to accept it.

For me the options are simple.

1. Wait for next rmbp release, assuming they fix it.

2. Move on, there are other solid options despite what some people would have you believe.

3. Buy and if you get an LG, return it immediately unless apple comes out with a statement that says the problem has been fixed.

4. Buy and if it's an LG, return once your IR gets so bad you can't work properly.

5. Buy and if it's an LG, learn to live with it.

6. Buy and if it's an LG, accept that you've paid top dollar for what you thought was going to be the best notebook built to date and that it has serious screen problems but you're weak and/or must have Apple's latest release, even if it's broken and really don't have what it take to fight for your rights as a consumer.

7. Buy and if it's a samsung with no problems, enjoy.

8. Buy and if it's a samsung with a problem, return it and get it fixed.

You decide for yourselves.

btw, at the moment, due to the fact that Best Buy's online purchasing is a colossal failure, I've chosen 1. but it could change to 2 at any moment as I'm not attached to Apple for some emotional or work reason.

This Apple message below and similar one, are so vile I'm thinking of making it my sig on this site just as a reminder to everyone.

"Well, the store decided that my screen was "within spec" and recommended that I USE IT DIFFERENTLY or CHANGE MY USAGE HABITS!!!!"

AAARRRRRHHHHHHH.....

After my screen got replaced from a Brun-in LG to a perfect Samsung. My Samsung now has it first dead pixel.

AAARRRRHHHHH come on. This is going to be a never ending story.

**** you Apple. What a piece of over price carp of a Macbook you made.

Again guys, are there any of you who have a PERFECT LG? I´m in week 2 on my BTO rMBP. Got an LG with perfect light, perfect colors, and NO IR at all.

Same here, after returning my first LG rMBP simply because I lost trust in AppleCare to do the right thing and replace it if/when IR becomes an issue, I lucked out and got a Samsung Display. Yes, it does have some yellow tint which I was willing to get used to but after 3 days I started hearing cracking noises coming from the chassis when I type, place my wrists on the palm rest or just lift it up. This is just wrong, remind me a cheap $500 plastic laptops and as a matter of fact, my 2007 MBP which been through **** and back still does not crack like this rMBP. Anyway, I am taking this one back, might try one more time or just have to wait for the next iteration.

hmrl wrote:

 

Again guys, are there any of you who have a PERFECT LG? I´m in week 2 on my BTO rMBP. Got an LG with perfect light, perfect colors, and NO IR at all.

I think it's fair to say that if there is anyone with a perfect rmbp, these forums aren't where you'd find him. That said, I'd be willing to bet my money that the guy with the perfect rmbp is a rare person and the people with rmbp's that have had them for a while are either tolerating the computers or the problems haven't shown YET. In fact the numbers are probably in reverse of what they should be. That is, good to bad computers ratio. IMO.

Thanks johns1,

I'll try that. And I really hope it works. I love everything else about the computer... it's speed it's power... but if I can't work on it, it's useless.

For the record, I don't blame the employees at the store. Their hands are tied and they really can't guarantee that whatever screen they replace it with will fix the problem. This is a problem that HAS to be fixed by a higher level. I really hope I can reach that higher level, and that they'll be willing to help me.

hmrl

Again guys, are there any of you who have a PERFECT LG? I´m in week 2 on my BTO rMBP. Got an LG with perfect light, perfect colors, and NO IR at all.

If it looks good to you, and no issues, why worry.  Mines almost 3 months old now. (LG)

HI.

I have a BTO 2.6/16/512 (it's the third I have bought - not returned for IR issues - but for the spec), I do a lot of video and 3D rendering so need a powerful laptop. Anyway, my point is I have had no IR with any of these - all of which were/are LG.

The first I bought in July and had for 4 weeks, but returned for refund (even though out of the 14 day window) when they change the spec combination,

The second purchased in August I had for two weeks but I realized the HDD was far too small.

Now have a Wk40/41 LG and I must say I am very happy with it! Colour and colour temperature, brightness, contrast, consistency and pixels are all excellent

I have seen IR 'in action' at the Apple Store in WC2 and PC World on LG screened models and yes I was disappointeded, I have also seen Samsung versions with strange inconsistencies across the screen and stuck pixels - which I found far more distracting.

The LGs I have 'owned' have all been stunning displays - that is my personal experience. However, we shall see, I have 12 days left on this one - I really want this to work out - it's a cracking computer!

I'm not a 'fanboy' type - I'll go with whatever is best for what I do - that happens to be using processor-hungry Mac-based software, so I'm tied-in, (so, for me at least all the 'Go and buy a Dell' etc. advice is irrelevant - it's a MBP or nothing (I borrowed a regular late 2011 MBP from my work while waiting for delivery I couldn't go back to a regular MBP now).

I hope I'm not alone.

I Have the above with slight IR but not enough to bother me and it dose not seem to be getting any worse at present. I don't  beleve many people who are in same situation as me would normally follow this thread. The only reason I checked it out was because of article on Mac Rumors.

I guess everyone should decide for themselves what is important in this imperfect world.

Hi guys.  Week 41 LG screen.  A couple of pages ago I reported I took my screen in and they tested it and could barely notice any IR.  I told them I was good and if it got worse just wanted it on the record that I came when I first purchased it and noticed it so I could get it repaired later with no issues.  On the way out I tested two displays and noticed IR on an LG panel and decided I was going to return mine.  I used the macbook today with the notion I was going to finish up as much work as I could then return on Tuesday which is my 14th day.  I realized today after working on it without bringing my attention to the IR it will most likely not effect my usage whatsoever so I'm keeping the Macbook.  Its a brilliant piece machine.  More than satisfied after working on it today.  If it starts to effect my work I will go in and get a replacement.    

In response to some comments on my own post.

Of course if Apple concentrates on just becoming a phone manufacturer then the products such as the new Retina display quality will mean less and less people will purchase additional Apple product who are still using PC's. Moreover synchronisation using iCloud between iPhone / iMac / iPad and MacBook which I currently enjoy breaks up, as people question the quality of Apple's product range.

A lot of the big ad agency groups in London buy their iMacs in bulk. MacBook 's are purchased for art director's so they portability in briefing others. So you can see the potential in the PC market to gain back market share, particularly in the creative industry where Apple has dominated for 20 years since the IIfx machine. It only needs a bad machine who's main selling point is its screen to be proven 2nd rate and the rot has started at the core.

lm2

Guys, after I have gone through LG and Samsung. IR and yellow tint were unacceptable. Lack of quality and heat issue give me feel like I dropped 3,000 $ for Apple to test its first generation rMBP. So, I quitted. I returned two time. Get money back and wait for 2nd generation. In the meantime, I dropped 1000$ for MacBook Air 13" 2012 instead.

I hope Apple will solve everything in the next generation and choose the right display technology. This should give Apple a headache enough and quietly step up to solve the problems.

Yellow tinting is bothering me so much but I don't know if I can handle going for a refund because I love everything else about this machine... *sigh*