Q: My Retina Display has stain damage, HELP!!!

So you didn't learn your lesson that many of us here are quickly adapting to?

I have always been aware of what's out there in the market and the competitive price:features ratio. Apple in no way comes out on top to justify the price of $2700 for late 2013 15'' MBP with integrated graphics. With so little courtesy as to not even acknowledge the issue but instead hear "some user use xyz to clean their products" is no short of insulting the customers that give them surplus of billions of dollars.

I am quite content with this experience because like all disillusions its not pleasing but harsh reality rarely is. I hope many owners here learn from this experience and make educated buying decisions for future purchases.

Same problem here, the screen damage started showing around the camera where my fingers touch while opening the lid and the left top corner of the screen. No chemicals used ever, only cleaning with the cloth that I bought at the Apple store. I am wondering if anyone had any luck getting the screen replaced recently. It looks that the issue has been around for some time now. The issue with coating seems to be time and aging related too since with the same cleaning etc, it suddenly started getting progressively worse. As everyone said, it is frustrating to have this ridiculous issue for the 3K piece of equipment. It is not a first problem I had with Apple monitors. I had a hard time with Apple support when my new Cinema 27'' monitor had to fixed. The technicians in the store ended up scratching the cover glass badly and it took me a lot of time and carrying that heavy monitor around the town to get it finally fixed. Naively I assume that high price tags mean some responsibility for the product quality and some decent service.

I have an update for everyone with this issue:

On a recent call to get my display repaired/replaced I was informed by the Apple supervisor/manager/someone-high-enough to authorize my repair for free that Apple is aware of this issue and a possible solution is on its way, most likely within a month or less.

For me (out of warranty) I was warned that this will be an one time exception and no future concerns will be entertained. I am on my own after the gesture of goodwill from the kind individual.

I am only relaying this information to other customers who have been worried and feel unhappy about an expensive purchase that shouldn't exhibit such poor quality issue. The individual mentioned something to the effect of offering discount/repair/replacement but I politely nodded and didn't probe further because I was just too selfish to focus on my issue. For that I am very sorry. I wasn't a good team player.

Take it as you may. There may be something, may not be. But I hope it somewhat helps anyone who has not been successful in having an understanding person of authority to fix their issue.

Kind regards.

My optimistic side thinks Apple will offer a $20 gift card with a 90 day expiration date.

Are the new 2015 MBPs having this problem?  I would really like to buy one if not...

There is no official word on that. But as most people are finding out anywhere between 7-20 months of owning a Macbook Pro, there may still be 2015 models that may be affected. For now, there is no clear evidence to suggest that they are in fact affected.

Just wanted to add another computer to the list. I bought my MBP Retina 15" late 2013 for €2700. The stains are visible almost everytime. Very annoying when working in Photoshop. I cleaned my screen with a microfibre cloth and water only and I am very careful with my stuff. I have owned five MacBooks/Powerbooks before this one and have treated them the same way always, never a problem.

I will go to the Apple Store in Amsterdam next tuesday and will be very polite and friendly. I will ask them to demonstrate how to clean the screen. I will let you know what their response was.

If they are not willing to help me I really have to think about what to do when I'm going to buy my next laptop. I am an Apple fan but I'm afraid to spend this much money on a laptop again if things like this can happen. Anyone any ideas about alternatives?

Add yet another MBP to the list. I bought my 13" MBP in late 2013. I first noticed the problem about 6 months ago but just around the edges. I put it down to over-aggressive cleaning although I don't ever remember being aggressive and I have been using a product bought from my local Apple dealer. Now I can see some of the coating going in the middle of the screen and that is definitely not down to cleaning. I did buy Apple Care when I acquired my computer and, given that this seems to be a systemic problem with MBPs, would expect Apple to honor its Apple Care obligation for this.

I bought my MBP in Nov-2013.

I made the post on this site.

Today I went to the Apple store in Argentina (reseller).

They told me they know of many cases but apple does not even responsible.

They took pictures of my screen, and I was given a case number. I invite you has to make this visit.

But I think going to the store in your city will make people support see our problem, as clearly the forum where all think that Apple would take the issue responsibly does not.

Greetings to all.

Hi. I have late 2014 retina 15" top model for 10 moonths. Couple of days ago i tried to clean the screen with the cloth attached to my macbook (no water, no fluids) and big part of the coating also fell down. Not only has this big stain but also all around the screen there are already small lines - so propably in couple of weeks it will go out like in the top of the screen.

Really ****** off for the 3k usd computer, where the screen is most important issue (im graphic designer)

Now trying to get it replaced here in Thailand on warranty.

Just came back from the Apple Store here in Berlin/Germany from an appointment to show my staingated MacBook Pro Retina. The guy at the genius bar said that they won't replace it for free. He said he knows the issue and that Apple's stand is that the user are cleaning it wrong ((I guess even the genius guy was convinced it's a production issue -- he doesn't say it but it felt like it)).

Replacing the screen would cost around 530 Euros and it would take a while to get the screen (not in stock) and when it arrives a week to replace it. Not sure what to do ... maybe I'll wait until the stains are unbearable.

The big problem is that if Apple does not see this as an issue the next MacBooks might have the same problem so getting a new one would not a solution.

Here's my update. Went to the Apple Store in Amsterdam.

I told them I cleaned the screen with a microfibrecloth and water, always (which is true), I cleaned my four previous laptops the same way without issues and I payed €2800 for the machine to do graphic work on it in december 2013.

Genius: I have seen this problem many times before. The reason that it happened is because you clean the machine the wrong way.

Me: How should I have cleaned it.

Genius: The way you just described.

Me: But that is what I did.

Genius: We have no way to make sure you did, so I cannot repair it under warranty. The replacement screen costs €595 exVAT.

Then he made a case report saying that should this issue in the future fall under 'production faults' I'll be contacted.

I am furious...

It looks like more MacBook Pro users are having this issue. Here's a picture of my damaged AR coating:

This happened after using my laptop for only a bit over half a year (2014 model). I can't believe Apple would release a product like that and blame their customers for this defect.

Hey apple i think you are doing it wrong...

This is a manufacturing defect that affects some of the macbook pro's made during 2013. The lack of the dialectric coating to adhere to the screen has nothing to do with the user, or how the display is handled. My coating began peeling around the periphery of the screen, where the display is not touched by any keys, hands, etc.

I find it disgusting that Apple will not own up to their responsibility to fix their manufacturing defect. It demonstrates poor business practice, and an irresponsibility that I did not expect from Apple.

Shame on Apple computers.