Q: MacBook Pro Retina display burn-in?

Tested with a Samsung screen - 16min no trace of IR at all.

I do say, if you have 3 years of apple care, you can hope, apple will let you repair it for a samsung screen. Otherwise, if you feel, that meight never happen, call apple care and return it.

Angelus512, return it asap, they will likely swap it for a new machine if you're still within the 14 days.

I was not so lucky, having mine since June, they offered to repair it by swapping the top clamshell in-store. Says it's 730 $ CAD to repair this. Good thing I don't have to pay for it.

They have to order the part of course, because they don't have any at the store, then they will call me back, then I have to go back to drop my bloody rMBP (which I absolutely need to work, but whatever...), then it might be 2 to 3 days before I get it back...

And then what? What if it's the same garbage display? Another 3-run trip to the Apple Store, because that's obviously all I have to do with my spare time with my expensive computer, right.

Remember, this is not something that's 'normal', it doesn't friggin' naturally occurs for all displays, as some might suggest on this board. Doesn't happen to any other of my Apple products. Not the last 17 Apple laptops I have owned, nor any other PC laptops, nor any of my previous Cinema Displays...

Anyways, time will tell... Not like my money. My money didn't tell, obviously.

An angry bird.

Yeah I think i'm going to return it. Hopefully they are comfortable letting me keep it until the new one arrives. Fingers crossed for a Samsung panel. I tested the IR test on a mate's 2009 MBP and even after 30 minutes not a single IR issue.

So I figure considering this computer is double the cost then its not good enough.

Hello,

I tried my test again, but this time I used the background picture with all of the zebras.

Predictably, when I closed the checkerboard, the image looked fine with no noticable IR (at least to my eyes).

I then changed the background to the dark gray and the checkerboard was there, clear as day.

Again, I only notice this issue when I'm using the sold color backgrounds, so, although I'm dissappointed, I'm not bothered enough (yet) to do anything about it.

Cheers,

Peter

<Edited by Host>

Well slight update as Im not one to go off the deep end without genuine justification. Picnaut did the same thing as you jsut now for a 2nd test.

In the apple wallpaper options there is 3 kinds of solid grey desktop wallpapers. Apparently this test only works on the DARK grey background.

So I ran it a second time with a light grey background and sure enougha fter 25 minutes I couldn't see a single thing.
Only displays on one particular type of background. So whilst its technically there i'm more keenly aware that in order to see it you really have to do some unrealistic stuff to produce it.

So....hrm might keep it. On the fence on this one.

Hello Yet Again,

OK, this is interesting.

Using this gray square...

...I left the zebra background up for a while with no other windows open on my desktop.

Then, I opened the gray square picture (above) with Preview and then just dragged it around.

It was as if the gray square was ever-so-slightly transparent. As I dragged it over the desktop, I could see some of the zebras through the square, because their patterns are so high-contrast. Of course, what I was actually seeing was the retained image revealing itself against the gray square.

So, although I likely won't be pushing this further (although part of me really wants to), I think the smart thing for customers to do (if they haven't already bought an rMBP yet and their particular model is in stock) is to (A) buy their rMBP from an Apple Store and (B) do a few tests with the dark gray background, squares, checkerboards, zebras, whatever, before you buy.

Good luck!

Peter

P.S.
Y'know, this really is kind of crummy Apple...

I was hesitant about buying an rMBP after reading this entire thread, because I need one for school and I don't really have time to return it and wait to receive a second, or gamble about getting one with a Samsung-made screen. @angelus512: However, if you're saying the ghosting isn't noticeable unless you have a specific kind of gray set as the wallpaper (which I wouldn't do) even on an LG display, then I can consider buying an rMBP again. I would definitely love one with a Samsung display, and know that there won't be any IR. But if, for normal use, the image retention isn't noticeable even on an LG, then I would be more willing to accept it. I just wouldn't want the condition to deteriorate.

Shay: Thats what im saying. Only showed on the darkest grey background. tried on light grey and couldnt get it to show. ps its a clear as day display. pity about this irksome issue

Please be aware that image retention is not the only problem associated with LG displays on rMBPs. Many who have been able to compare the Samsung displays to the LG displays have found that some LGs are much warmer, and have a yellower white point. This was actually one of my biggest problems with my display. I have IR after 5 minutes of testing, but my LG screen is also notably dimmer, lower contrast, and warmer, in comparison to my 2011 and 2008 MacBook Pros. When looked at on its own, it may appear fine. However, if you hold a non-defective iPhone, iPad, or other MBP display to it, you won't easily forget how yellow it looks in comparison. This is an LG deal breaker for me. I print my photography, and I need my white point and contrast to be of high fidelity. That said, some Samsung users have reported slightly pink/red hues on their display, but the problem seems markably less widespread than the LG warmness.

This thread is about IR, and I have been closely following it... but bcar1ton has a good point as I have mentioned earlier, I'm going through the same screen lottery process over here with a new MBA.  The LG has low contrast, and blow out colors.

Hence why I am hesitant to keep any laptop I get that has an LG screen (even if it has no noticeable IR). Later on, irregular contrast and white point will be much harder to convince AppleCare as worthy of repair.

@angelus: Yeah, exactly. Thanks for that info. So for day-to-day use it should not be a big issue or noticeable at all? Do you think if I get one which does have a problem and never test for IR I'll never realize it? Although, the off-balance white point of the LG bothers me, even though the color profile can be calibrated. It should come with the white balance close to correct on the default profile.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48143217@N02/  - thats the difference between the advertised MBA at the store and the weak LG that they shipped to me