Bubbles in screen???

Question

Level 1

6 points

Bubbles in screen???

I own a white, week 25 MacBook, and this is my first Mac. At first, I was delighted with the sleek design and glossy screen. However, about two weeks ago, I noticed several tiny (about 1-3mm diameter) bubbles beginning to form under the glossy screen. It is especially noticeable when the Mac is turned off. I am hoping that this is just an isolated occurence, but is this happening to anyone else out there?

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Aug 8, 2006 7:27 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 8, 2006 7:42 PM in response to cchiras

I don't believe anyone has posted an issue of that type. Have you contacted Applecare about this problem?

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Answer 2

Aug 14, 2006 5:55 AM in response to cchiras

I am having this same problem, you ever hear anything from AppleCare? I have about 10-15 of these little things on my screen. It is like when you put a screen protector on a dirty screen, you get these little bubbles around bits of dust.

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Answer 3

RADe8

Level 4

1,342 points

Aug 14, 2006 8:55 AM in response to cchiras

Are you sure they're actually bubbles and not (sorry for this) the results of either sneezing, coughing or otherwise just talking in front of it? Have you tried buffing them out with a nice microfiber cloth (like an eyeglass cleaning cloth)?

Do you have pictures of this posted somewhere?

It sounds (to me) a lot like little dots of saliva that sometimes get on the screen. I've never read anything on any forum here (or anywhere) about Apple LCDs developing bubbles.

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Answer 4

Aug 14, 2006 9:00 AM in response to RADe8

I do have a polishing cloth that I use on most of my devices, PDA, iPod, etc. and I tried buffing these spots out yesterday and they wouldn't come out. I will try to take a few pictures of this. I don't believe I throw out a lot of spit when talking but you never know. But like I said, I did try using my microfiber cloth on these, and it just doesn't do anything. They look kind of like little air bubbles that you get when you apply tint, or graphics to glass, you can work those out, but I don't think an exacto knife and a MacBook screen would be good friends.

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Answer 5

RADe8

Level 4

1,342 points

Aug 14, 2006 9:10 AM in response to Daniel Mundy

Yikes!

Exacto Knife and a Macbook screen.... those two words shouldn't even be used in the same sentence together! 🙂

Yes. I would like to see the pictures.

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Answer 6

cchiras Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 18, 2006 8:24 PM in response to cchiras

I'm sorry I wasn't able to post any pictures. The bubbles are tiny and slightly greenish in color when the laptop is turned off or held at an angle away from your eyes. When I made my post, my Mac was being serviced for the problem that I was describing. Thankfully, AppleCare was able to fix it, and now I have a beatiful, bubble-free screen.

If any of you are having this problem, call AppleCare about it, and try to tell them the estimated location of the bubbles, if possible. (e.g. lower left screen, top right corner, etc.) At first, they insisted that they couldn't find them, but then I told them the location of the bubbles and to hold the computer up at an angle to see them. They finally fixed it.

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Answer 7

cchiras Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 18, 2006 8:25 PM in response to RADe8

No bodily fluids, I assure you 🙂

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Answer 8

Aug 18, 2006 10:04 PM in response to cchiras

Sorry for the delay in posting, but apparently my problem was spit and sneeze goo. I had to moisten the screen by breathing on it and then used a lint free cloth to wipe away the crud.

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Answer 9

Shaffer22

Level 2

400 points

Aug 18, 2006 10:19 PM in response to Daniel Mundy

Yeah, it sounds to me like these "bubbles" are merely saliva/water/liquid spots. I've had that happen and they look exactly like what has been described. They come out easily with a damp micro fiber cloth. My guess is thats all AppleCare did, just clean the screen.

Jason

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Answer 10

cchiras Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 19, 2006 9:08 PM in response to cchiras

Okay, everyone seems pretty convinced that the "bubbles" are some sort of crud on the screen, so i'll leave it at that and won't argue/protest otherwise.

Either way, bubbles or not, Apple definitely replaced the screen; the old one previously also had noticeable scratches on it, and they are no longer there.

Anyway, the "damage" inflicted upon my screen is gone, so I at least am contented. Others with bubbles or other stuff on you screen try cleaning it first, then call AppleCare if it seems more serious.

Everyone, thanks for your input!

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Answer 11

EricLErak

Level 2

380 points

Aug 19, 2006 9:12 PM in response to cchiras

they probly used iklean on it and the scrathces you saw were probly water streaks or something

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Answer 12

Sep 18, 2006 1:37 PM in response to cchiras

I'd just like to confirm that I have now seen this problem with 4 MacBooks (White 13"). There is only one way to fix this problem and that is to replace the screen. All the other suggestions in this thread are way of the mark!

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Answer 13

Sep 18, 2006 2:37 PM in response to Chris Smosarski

I have this problem as well, and believe you me its not salvia, i have tried to buff these out with micro-fiber cloths but it doesn't work, I'm calling the place that i bought my macbook from today. i have a picture of them that i have had change the colour with to see them but they are there.... so here....

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a385/t_dimock/DSCF0004.jpg

troy

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