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Q: Uneven backlight is "normal" on retina MacBook Pro?

I bought my 13'' Haswell retina MacBook Pro days ago, I've experienced the unresponsive trackpad issue and I'm happy to see it's already resolved. But now I've encountered a new issue, and it's about the display.

2013-11-13 005707.jpg

 

As the picture above shows, in low ambient lightning coditons, I can clearly see the brightness is uneven, the top left corner and the left bottom of the screen is brighter. The center of the screen seems brighter, too. But please ignore it because I suppose it's because of my poor phone camera quality, I don't see any significant brightness with my eyes.

 

I was considering replace it at first, but later I called Apple, the advisor told me it's "normal"!!! Actually, he said according to my description, my symptom is not very profound, of course I can get a replacement if I insist, but he really can't promise I'll get a better one since it's a normal issue on IPS displays...

 

To my knowledge, among all the Macs, only iMac and retina Macbook Pros use the IPS technology. I agree that my sympton is not that profound. The first time I noticed it is when I try to watch a movie in a dark night. In normal use, I can't say I have much bother. Except when I let the browser enter the full screen mode, since most sites use a white background, then I can see a small area of the left bottom of the screen is a little whiter, which is not profound but kind of distracting though.

 

I've asked one friend of mine who used the 2012 rMBP and he said he have the same condition too... So now I really wonder whether it's a common issue as the advisor said. Please download this full black image, open it and go to the full screen (or presentation) mode. Turn off your light and increase the brightness of your screen if it's set too low. Then check whether you have the same issue with me. Thanks a lot!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Nov 12, 2013 6:27 PM

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Q: Uneven backlight is "normal" on retina MacBook Pro?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by sanjampet,Helpful

    sanjampet sanjampet Nov 12, 2013 6:45 PM in response to baskia
    Level 5 (7,874 points)
    Nov 12, 2013 6:45 PM in response to baskia

    First, bring it it in to an Apple Genius bar (make an appointment) this is not the way it should work, Take full advantage of your warranty, and either exchange it fir another machine or get a refund.

  • by baskia,

    baskia baskia Nov 12, 2013 7:04 PM in response to sanjampet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 12, 2013 7:04 PM in response to sanjampet

    Thanks for your suggestion, but I've used this laptop for two weeks and I don't want to replace it if it's really a normal behaviour. Like I said, It's not profound, many people even don't know it really exists. you have to be in a dark room... So now I just want to know more tests result to help me make my decision.

  • by yuri_my,Helpful

    yuri_my yuri_my Nov 12, 2013 11:20 PM in response to baskia
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 12, 2013 11:20 PM in response to baskia

    I have a siminar thing here. I already got mine replaced only to found out the second one is not better, actually a bit worse. It's only visible on bright backgrounds (white, gray) and when moving desktops. On a static page everything seems fine. I don't want to get another replacement, but I will book another appointment to see what can be done about it (changing the IPS panel or something else). Maybe I will stop noticing after a while and it's just the initial disappointment.

  • by baskia,

    baskia baskia Nov 13, 2013 12:16 AM in response to yuri_my
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 13, 2013 12:16 AM in response to yuri_my

    I feel a little disappoint too. I bought it mostly because of its retina dispaly, but Apple never told me it's not that perfect.

  • by YuLaw,

    YuLaw YuLaw Feb 22, 2014 10:43 AM in response to baskia
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 10:43 AM in response to baskia

    Yes, I also have the same problem on my late 2013 rMBP. I've returned the model 4 times already due to various defects. Can anyone see the uneven white balance from left to right screen where left side looks more yellowish?Very disappointed at the quality of the screen. Looks like this is "normal." Should have purchased the New Samsung ATIV 9 instead.

     

     

    All White screen.jpg

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Feb 22, 2014 11:40 AM in response to baskia
    Level 6 (14,806 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 11:40 AM in response to baskia

    NORMAL,  you know, I presume, that there is a strip of LEDs that illuminate the display?

     

    100% absolute perfect backlighting is hardly feasible.

     

     

    youre looking at a black screen in that snap anyway.

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Feb 22, 2014 11:41 AM in response to YuLaw
    Level 6 (14,806 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 11:41 AM in response to YuLaw

     

    YuLaw wrote:

     

    Can anyone see the uneven white balance from left to right screen where left side looks more yellowish?

     

     

     

    looks good, looks normal.

     

     

    youre both looking at white or black screens,  thats whats not normal.

  • by YuLaw,

    YuLaw YuLaw Feb 22, 2014 12:19 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 12:19 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    Returning it. Yellow vertical bar tint area is unacceptable. I paid for a perfect screen like the ones in the Apple store.  Very noticeable when viewing white pages or typing documents. After a while it becomes an eye sore. Screen on my iMac is perfect. I can't settle for this.