Q: MacBook Pro Retina display burn-in?

It has been confirmed. MacBook Pro 13 with retina display.  Repeat, MacBook Pro 13 with retina display. It has the same behavior of Image retention as well.

Check this out.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=-q6wPG-nBgA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-q6wPG-nBg A

The honeymoon is indeed over.

I used to be a windows user exclusively but I moved to Apple for better reliability and better customer service in 2006. Until my purchase of a 2010 MBP I never had a problem with any Apple product. The 2010 MBP was a real lemon and this was the start of a series of issues that I have had with every Apple product I have purchased since right up to the defective rMBP that I purchased a few weeks ago. To a degree I can accept an imperfect product but I will never tolerate rotten customer service. This is the last straw with Apple.

Never before this experience had anyone from Apple provide me with inaccurate or misleading information. Never before had anyone from Apple been inattentive or simply uncaring as to what my specific needs were and how the problems I was having with my devices might be affecting my ability to run my business.

I tried to resolve my issue with Apple regarding my unacceptable rMBP display and I was met with not only the worst customer service experience I have ever had with Apple but one of my worst customer service experiences period. As an Apple supporter for many years I can say that being able to walk into a fast food joint and raise a concern about the quality of a 1$ hamburger and be met with better customer service than I received from a company which I gave over 3000$ for a laptop is nothing less than shameful.

Subsequent to my terrible experience I provided Apple with written feedback. I explained that I not only use their products to run my business but I do so in a corporate environment that is dominated by Windows and Windows users. I showcase my Apple products to users who wouldn't have such an immersive experience otherwise and I have intrigued, wowed and converted more than a few over the years. I invited Apple to contact me personally to try to find a better resolution than me just returning my rMBP and having to look for another solution elsewhere. Nothing. No response at all from Apple.

If history is an accurate example it isn't likely that we will see a resolution from Apple on the present retina issue. They have crossed the line from a company focused on its client community to a company that does little but scramble to appease shareholders. The push for profits and the integrity of the stock price has become paramount. The blinders are now fully on. Can you imagine if Apple admits a problem with its flagship notebook or that a major component of the unit it sub-standard? Auto makers wouldn't admit such faults if it wasn't for government intervention. Apple will likely resolve the problem in production but never admit that it is a defect. In the meantime Apple will continue to peddle its defective products to a mostly unsuspecting public. Remember that most users are not as savvy as many in this forum. Apple is counting heavily on that.

Personally I have built my entire tech life and business around Apple but there a options. Windows and Android players are making a huge push to take market share from Apple in the home user category. There are plenty of exciting upcoming releases and I welcome them. My purchase of the rMBP from Apple was to be the start of a refresh of many of my devices. Portables, desktop machines, tablets and even my phone were all going to see a refresh this year but I realize the only way I have any say in any of this is to vote with my money and my purchases and this time around Apple doesn't get my vote. I invite all of you to follow. Apple won't listen if you buy a product and then complain about it because you will have already allowed them the privilege of being able to inform their shareholders that they have your money. The loudest protest that you can make to Apple is to show them that you are willing to side with their competitors. Apple is acting like the master. Let's remind them that they are the servant.

This is the worst news on this thread.

Releasing another product with the same problem means they really won't do anything to solve the ir.

They just want to deliver high rez displays only for the sake of marketing. Don't they have enough money? Apple should focus on what made them what they are today, and that's delivering high quality products. Not fooling people. For pros the display is really a problem.

Having to exchange 3-4 times "the best laptop we've(apple) ever created" to get a decent display is just wrong.

I can't do anything from my country but american costumers please fill in costumer reports or something at least to not let them slip away and continue to do this to future products. Steve Jobs not being there to make them give 110% they're just going to get lazy.

Thank you Apple. I throw away 3100€.

Before:

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/7125/img9462r.jpg

After 40 sec:

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/4951/img9463t.jpg

How can I work with this for professional post-production?

Best regards from Slovakia.

That's pretty bad. I hope you have a way to return it.

with iphone 4 problem they gave everybody free bumpers; maybe now they're going to give everybody cinema display's:D

Is @nt an Apple exec ?!

After 300+ pages on this thread *only* (meaning there is more evidence out there anyways), you, @nt, have to be very naive, or not acting in good faith, to advocate that image retention is a phenomenon 'within specs'.

That's preposterous on so many levels. I have a Samsung display (after having had six LGs) and there is no hint of image retention. I also have five displays at home, all but one are LGs, no image retention. I have had 19 MacBook Pros since 2005, no image retention until this year. I have had desktop computers and laptops since the mid-80s, no image retention.

Need I say more? And FYI, IPS technology is nothing new. It's been out for years in the PC world, even in Apple's products. So it is not the case that IPS panels all exhibit image retention. Image retention on any display for such expensive devices is unacceptable.

There is nothing right about image retention. Plus, the 'within specs' rubbish is an idiotic and dishonest reply on two levels:

1- the spec may be arbitrary, subjective, and defined by Apple

2- the spec is UNKNOWN, unavailable to customers prior to purchase

Therefore, what the ef is that spec anyways? Is it recognized by ISO, ICS, ANSI ?

Oh wait, they won't tell you that.

Do you know what a tech spec is? I work with engineers, computer scientists, and businesspersons on a daily basis, I'm a human factors scientist by trade and a cognitive scientist by education. Standards and specifications for technology is something I have to deal with on a daily basis. They are well-defined, and leave little to the imagination. If they do, it means that whatever hasn't been explicitly determined is up to the engineer.

You, madam or sir, are being blindsighted by sheer devotion to Apple, a lack of understanding of technology, or something else altogether which I cannot diagnose.

Some people will be Apple (or any brand) apologists to irrational levels. I used to be very eager to 'promote', 'support', and even 'defend' Apple products. I haven't been much lately, with multiple issues on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The honeymoon is over.

Hello Dr Sly. 

I wish I as an apple exec cause I would be super rich.  I am a music producer.  My website is under my profile info.  We are all sharing our experiences right?  If you look at my posts I clearly say for what I do this machine is amazing.  If the IR annoys you or hinders you from working return it.  All I'm trying to do is get people to the bottom line and move on to something else without obsessing with this thread and literally going mad.  Bottom line people...these macbooks have image retention.  We can't do anything about.  Do I want a perfect machine?  **** yes I do.  The perfect machine I want is close to not existing now that Samsung is being phased out.

Let me breakdown the specifics before you think my comments are driven by sheer devotion to Apple products.  There is no other notebook out there right now that can handle 30+ virtual instruments at once while running my master chain that used to take up close to 120% of my notebooks capacity.  I now run at 50%.  No glitches.  It is amazing how this computer can do that.  Loading samples with SSD is unbelievably fast.  I stand by my comment...this machine is amazing.  I clearly stated it is perfect for me.  I am sharing my experience.  I am not telling anyone they are being stupid for ******** about IR.  I simply state to save yourself some time and agony.  If it's something that doesn't interfere with your work and it goes unnoticed then keep it.  If it does interfere send it back. 

I know you guys express your opinions so your voices can be heard but honestly the best thing you can do if this is what you would like to accomplish is to return your unit.  By keeping it and whining about it you are still handing them your money. 

I dont have to know what tech spec is.  What I have to know is what does it mean to me.  As far as IR being within specs...bottom line...it is their product and they call the shots as to what falls within spec.  Now if you don't agree then return in.  You didn't design the macbook.  They did.  So they call the shots.  Is it fair.  Probably not.  Do they have the right to do this?  YES.  Do you have the right to not purchase the product?  YES.  If you want to complain on what they should be doing good luck with that.  If you want to avoid the bullsh!t and make the best decision based on whats infront of you then its easy.  Macbook Retina has IR.  Will it suit me?  Yes...keep it.  No...return and move on. 

What I find funny is you hating the notebook and going on this forum crying about how bad it is yet apple still has your money (not sure if you decided to keep it or not but some people fit this description).  If this is the case then do something about it.  Make an impact and return it.  Thats the only way to get your message across. 

Ok, your arguments are sound and level-headed.

Indeed, no one is holding a gun to our heads, forcing us to buy an Apple product which we find flawed.

Nevertheless, as you might have inferred from my spiel about standards and specifications, I do still believe that Apple is being dishonest about IPS panels and image retention. There are some objective measures of performance and even for perceptual things such as display performance requirements for most workplaces.

I have a perfect rMBP, actually. It has a S-PLS Samusng display. Perfect white point (D65 K), no yellow oversaturation, no pink, no blue. And yes, the machine is otherwise awesome. I have the top tier model, the 2.7 GHz. The performance is amazing.

It better be amazing, it was more than 4K $ ;-)

Peace out.

I'm jealous.  But I don't have a choice.  I can beef up the non retina with the same specs which comes out to more.  I can try another notebook which as of right now I can't find anything that will handle the workload.  I agree about it appearing to be dishonest.  If they would have told me "Hey Franz...we can sell you an amazing machine but it has the thing called image retention.  Take a look and if it doesn't effect you grab one."  I still would have purchased.  Its the way we find out about the issue that really bugged me but at the end of the day what can we do?  Make the best choice given the situation that suits your specific needs.  Have a good one Dr Sly and I hate you for having a perfect model by the way.  Cheers!

Here are my photos. Taken today before and after facebook for 3 minutes: Before:

After just over 2  minutes:

There is no way for me to do my graphic design on this machine. Worse: after 7 weeks of use I have backup my files and programs and settings and favourites and emails and lots of other stuff. Seriously wish I would have returned this unnecessarily expensive junk earlier!

If someone from apple can get in touch with me and can arrange to swap this for one with a Samsung screen (I know: there's no chance of that happening given the current system in place and also how others have been treated) Anyways I would I promise I won't post this to my 200+ facebook friends and many many twitter followers..Please? I know more people should be made aware of this mistreatment of customers but I need a machine for work...Is this really asking too much after paying so much money?!

So I actually have a burn-in spot on my LG Retina MBP.  It's not a pixel, it's like a 4mm in diameter bright spot in the lower left side of the screen that is now PERMAMENTLY there.  The guy at Apple Store said that this is unusual as it tends to happen - if it does - on retina screens that have been used for longer. 

Anyway, they placed an order for a new screen. 

And today on top of my burn-in light leakage spot I notice I have a ghost burn-in issue in general.  Great. 

So I am still unclear - do they now replace all the displays with Samsung ones?

Hi, I was planning on getting a MacBook Air 13 initially but decided the screen size and power were lacking so I splurged and got the rMBP with best display ever in a notebook.  It's unfortunate that it took 4 exchanges until my 5th rMBP 2.3/8/256 base model has a perfect Samsung display.  (Build week 40 according to AppleSerialInfo.)

I came across this thread post-purchase and although exchanging the rMBP has caused a good amount of time and effort, I finally got what I initially paid almost $2500 for.  Those of you that are within your 14 day exchange / return period have a choice: 1) Keep your rMBP with LG display if the IR is not apparent or does not bother you or 2) Exchange your rMBP until you get a Samsung display you are happy with.  Given all the reports of Samsung ramping down and eventually ceasing display production for Apple, the 2nd choice should be acted upon sooner than later as the Samsung display quantities diminish.

My story:

My first was an LG that was perfect other than some minor IR against gray backgrounds.  I had decided that I would exchange it as it bothered me enough to make me regret my purchase.  I was thrilled that the 1st exchange netted me a Samsung from week 40.  However, the next day I noticed the screen / lid was a bit warped meaning the right side gap (with the lid closed) was about double the gap on the left.  In addition, the colors seemed a bit washed out and viewing angles were far less impressive than the previous LG.  I was strongly considering keeping it given how so many on this forum get LG after LG for exchanges...  On the 14th day I went in the store to exchange it as I decided I should't have to accept a product that doesn't live up to it's lofty promises.  I dealt with an Apple Store employee who was extremely helpful and believed I should have a product I am satisfied with.  He offered no objection to exchanging the unit for a new one and we agreed to try a max of two exchanges as they had limited quantity on hand.  Both unfortunately were LGs from week 40 and I was "stuck" with the second LG as you can't undo an exchange.  He recommended I go to another Apple Store and try my luck there.  The next morning, I took his advice and was at another local store as soon as it opened.  I was informed by the employee there that 1 final exchange would be allowed or a refund would be offered.  I agreed and took the final exchange home without bothering to open it in the store as I would need to think things over for a couple of days if it was an LG.  I was ecstatic when the terminal window displayed "LSN" and grateful that I could move on and actually be happy using my new rMBP.

So in the end I have a perfect rMBP and I can justify that it was money well spent as this is the best computer I have ever used.  I've been following the topic for several weeks now and I truly hope everyone who is experiencing an issue ends up with a product they are 100% satisfied paying the premium price for.  Cheers!

WOW.  There is no way in **** I am buying one of these. What a shame. I wanted a Macbook retina for photography programs so I could use them on location.  This proves that you would never be able to trust what you see on the screen. I just saw that the new 27" iMacs are due out in December. I think I may get one of those and just use existing windows laptop on the road. Of course I am going to really  look over the iMac first before I buy.  I don't think they have retina screens though.

I had been considering returning my 15 inch rMBP for the 13 inch due to the much better size advantage, but I happened across this one as a great open box deal in Arizona while traveling and then found out it has the Samsung display. Given the amount of trouble some have gone to here to get that screen in brand new in the BOX models, I guess that was a pretty lucky find.

That said, I do think the IR thing is getting to be a little overblown, to an extent. If the IR issue is temporary and resolves as the screen wipes and refreshes content, then it isn't such a huge deal. However, my concern as I have seen with a lot of LCDs in supermarkets and other venues that are under constant use, is that what looks like light IR right now, is going to eventually leave darker and darker spots and "smudges" with extended use, that won't simply go away. Of course, the machines aren't quite old enough yet to know whether that will be the case or not, but it would be interesting to know if people who have very early run 15 inch rMBPs with IR that decided to keep them are noticing any gradual worsening to the overall effect. If not, it may be much ado about nothing for anyone but intense graphic artists.

Display issues aside, the much more annoying problems with these notebooks are just the side effects in operation from driving such a high number of pixels in a "Gen 1" product. Lots of scrolling jerkiness and things that just aren't quite as smooth as they are on the lower res displays. Functionally, these issues are much more annoying than the minor IR so many seem to complain about.

My case has been esculated to a fifth person, after 2 protracted months of talks, and into my 2nd screen replacement, and this "senior" relationship officer had the audacity to tell me that its the first time she had came across such cases of IR. I will write to Tim Cook if this officer could not sort out the problem.