Q: Mouse cursor in Word 14.3.5 turns light grey on MacBook Air

No it has no effect on word. I installed the latest office updates but it didn't solve the problem, still very light over italic fonts.

I give up talking to them after a couple of tries. It was a waste of my time explaining the obvious problems to them again and again.

According to my computer support guys, this isn't a software problem. My Adobe CS5 and 6, Quark, MOS stuff works on my MacBook Air 11inch (2012) but not on the MBA 13inch (2013). Apparently, Apple changed the supplier of one of the components for this model and there's a glitch in its design. This problem doesn't happen on any of the Apple programmes. Surprisingly, they didn't seem to test it on the design industry standard software packages. Apple are a major player and know there is a problem, but are keeping quiet.I returned my MBA 13ins to the Apple Store because I believe that Apple have decided that it is either too expensive, too complicated or embarrassing to fix.I really can't see them announcing a recall of the product. I think they are waiting for the software manufacturers (Adobe, Microsoft et al) to resolve the problem in their independent software products (which is what seems to be happening). 

I'm normally a great fan of Apple, but in this case they've disapointed me in not acknowleding their error. Apple will probably revert to the original supplier of the faulty component for future MBA 13ins. But we'll only know if they have done this when the owners of the 2014 won't be complaining on this forum. Realistically, what's the alternative – switch to PC? If your MBA 13 is under warranty - my advice is to do what I did and take it back.

ma-m, thanks for your post. I have the same problem but in addittion to that I will add the problem with built in camera that its not recognized by Skype or Google Hangouts.

I know return policy only allows returns in the first 14 days after purchase. I bought my MAC 13" in mid August. Do you think I can still ask for a return considering the time passed and the issues we have been facing?

jcr2173. You are entitled to take your MacBook Air 13ins to any Apple Store even if you didn't buy it there if as long as it's under warranty. They will ask for a receipt (although they can call up when and where you bought it from by the serial number without a receipt). Fire up the MBA and demonstrate your problem. Give them the case number that you were given from the Apple help line and on your MBA, bring up the Apple Support Communities discussion page that we're all on, and point out that it's a common complaint. Tell them that it is not fit for puropse and you would like a refund. If they refuse, then tell them that it's under warranty so please could they repair it. When you pick it up from repair, load up your software in front of them (and the customers) and see if the problem is still there. If they haven't fixed it, hand it right back to them on the spot and ask them to look at it again. Don't take it out of the store. You will probably have to come back in a few days whilst they have another look in the workshop. It's a pain, and you may have to go through this process a couple of times. But eventually they will either offer to replace it or refund your money. If they replace it you go back to square one and have a new warranty and you will have 14 days to return it if the new one is also faulty and claim your refund. Good luck and keep us posted.

I bought MBA 2013 the day before yesterday and had the same probrem in Igor pro.

the cross cursor on the graph is very light gray and hard to find out.( on the other hand, no probrem in macbook pro)

when I zoom in the display by control key + scroll, cursor turn to black.

Why Apple can not fix this problem? Why is it so difficult?

If have trouble with your camera (skype etc), try this https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5306216?start=0&tstart=0

I can't believe that neither Apple nor Microsoft have attempted to solve this issue. I'm a professional editor and I'm forced to use another machine or boot Windows on my MBA 2013 because I can't edit italic text (I can but it's so frurstrating). I hope Mavericks solve this because I don't see Microsoft rushing out to fix this issue...

Just applied the latest office update from 10/8. Unfortunately it didn't fix the cursor issue.

I've posted a topic in MacRumors: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=18119083#post18119083

Asking if someone with Mac OS X Mavericks GM (final version) could test if the bug is still present in that OS. Let's hope it's not so at least we can upgrade to have it fixed. Feel free to post follow ups there so we get everyone's attention

Unforunately I've been able to install Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks on my system and I hate to say that the bug is still there. I think we should bother Microsoft to release a patch, as Apple won't fix it cause they don't think something is broken at all.  

It is not a MS problem. I have Office 2011 on my MBP from 2011running Mt Lion 10.8.5 and do not have this problem. Neither does anyone that has a slightly old, model year, Mac than the one you have. It is a problem with the newest Intel and discrete GPU and the drivers for those GPUs. Which makes it an Apple problem.

Right Apple won't acknowledge it just like they haven't acknowledge, publicly, a problem with the Mid 2012 Mac Air SSD that are failing all over the place. Look at this thread.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5210319?start=0&tstart=0

Some people in that thread have had Apple replace their SSDs for free, Apple doing the work with a $0 cost, and others have had to pay to have it replaced. But yet no word from Apple about it, publicly.

Apple never highlights the problems they have with any device unless they are forced to by the technology media.

outis13 wrote:

 

Unforunately I've been able to install Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks on my system and I hate to say that the bug is still there. I think we should bother Microsoft to release a patch, as Apple won't fix it cause they don't think something is broken at all.  

I totally agree, I too think it's a problem with Haswell GPU drivers in Mac OS X, but I know Apple won't fix it because, as you said, they only address problems that are widely known by users and the media, and this is not one of them. I was thinking about Microsoft releasing a patch because other companies, like Adobe and Quark, have gone that route adjusting their products so they work as they should, but if Apple would take the time to solve this issue, all those efforts wouldn't be neccesary at all.     

I have the same problem on my Imac 2.7 i5 running 10.8.5 in Adobe Illustrator (CS 5). MS word (office 2013) s fine though???

Hi all, if you have the problem in Adobe Illustrator CS5, the problem is FIXED with CS6 upgrade. I presume the Adobe Acrobat issue will be fixed also with the upgrade. It seems it's a software problem after all. So I presume the same thing happens with an upgrade from Word. Cheers.