Screen distortion issue with new Macbook Pro model A1708

Question

Level 1

50 points

Screen distortion issue with new Macbook Pro model A1708

Hello,

I have a brand new 13" Macbook Pro (model A1708 without the TouchBar). I'm very happy with the system except for one problem. Whenever I wake the system from sleep, the login screen is distorted (see picture below). Once I login then the screen returns to normal. I've tested a few things and determined that this only happens when I'm using a scaled resolution (since I prefer 1280x800 over the default resolution). If I switch back to using the default resolution then the distortion doesn't happen at all.

My question is - should I bring the laptop in for service, exchange it, or not worry about it? In my opinion it's a software/driver issue since it only happens when using a scaled resolution.. so I'm hoping that a future OS X update will fix it (as I'm assuming I'm not the only one experiencing this issue). But if it's a more serious problem, I'd want to fix or exchange it while it's still under warranty. So I appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Thanks!

Here's a picture of the distortion:

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.1), A1708

Posted on Dec 2, 2016 1:48 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 27, 2017 11:36 AM in response to JPL007

This has been happening to me too! I have the Macbook pro 2016 w/ no touch bar. It's actually my second laptop. I initially bought the 2015 macbook pro and the flickering was happening so I returned it and they gave me the new macbook pro 2016, and its been about a month and now the same problem is happening. It's so frustrating because I have to watch videos and stuff for my classes and this issue occurs when I'm watching videos.

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Answer 2

Calby

Level 1

30 points

Jan 27, 2017 3:13 PM in response to JPL007

This looks like rendering issue (hardware) but try to do the diagnostic test by holding down the D key during boot.

I don't have access to my mbp now but I can look at this tomorrow.

So you have chosen the lower resolution then default?

I have tried the higher one before and then I did not have any issue, but I have not tried the lower one.

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Answer 3

jimla44

Level 1

4 points

Jan 27, 2017 3:25 PM in response to nik_2.1

I had the pixelated login display for 5 - 10 seconds after waking my 13" MacBook from overnight sleep using the 1280 X 800 resolution setting. This problem was resolved by upgrading to Sierra 10.12.3. Jim

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Answer 4

Dec 2, 2016 10:53 PM in response to JPL007

Definitely take the Mac in for service.

BTW, you have 14 days from the date you received the Mac for an exchange or refund.

http://www.apple.com/shop/help/returns_refund

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Answer 5

JPL007 Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 2, 2016 1:54 PM in response to JPL007

Ok thanks, I didn't know it's only 14 days for a refund or exchange. I will take it back to the Apple store this weekend then. I got it last week so I'm still under the 14 days. I think I'd prefer a 15" MacBook anyway so if it's defective then I'll use that as an opportunity to upgrade to 15".

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Answer 6

JPL007 Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 2, 2016 2:41 PM in response to JPL007

Darn, I just realized that the new 15" models are only available with a TouchBar (I'm not a fan of the TouchBar). I also prefer the older style keyboards as well.. even after a week of heavy use on my new but defective 13" MacBook Pro I still don't like the feel of the new "butterfly" keyboard. So, I'll probably just exchange it with the older 15" "Silver" model.. I'm VERY happy that the Silver model is still available!

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Answer 7

Dec 2, 2016 10:54 PM in response to JPL007

Depending on if they considered this to be covered by warranty, you have a one-year limited warranty included with the computer as well.

http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/embedded-mac-warranty-us.html

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Answer 8

JPL007 Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 2, 2016 10:08 PM in response to steve.frost

Ok thanks for the info. I went to the Apple Store and they said it was a faulty screen so I was able to exchange it on the spot for a new 15" MacBook Pro "Silver" 2015 model. I'm much happier with the larger screen and the "regular" older style keyboard. In fact, I forgot how much I preferred the older style keyboard until I started using it again (I'm typing this comment with it right now). I liked the updated "style" of the new MBP but in hindsight I really didn't like the butterfly keyboard. Personally, I think the butterfly keyboards should be in the MacBook Airs and not in the MacBook Pros (because the butterfly keyboard is so thin there was much less "feedback" in the keys and the keys also felt very "slippery" and therefore my typing performance really suffered). Anyway, I'm much happier now with the 15" Silver. Cheers.

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Answer 9

Jurre93

Level 1

4 points

Dec 3, 2016 4:09 AM in response to JPL007

It is caused by macos sierra (i think) sometimes when i start my macbook i also have this pixalated screen on my macbook bought in 2015.

I didnt had any trouble on other OS versions from apple.

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Answer 10

JPL007 Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 3, 2016 3:10 PM in response to JPL007

Update: I believe this is the problem I was having with my new 13"MBP that I exchanged: http://www.macrumors.com/2016/12/02/new-macbook-pro-graphics-issues/

The videos/pictures in the article are pretty much what was going on with mine. Just wanted to share that it sounds like Apple is aware of the graphics issue on the new MBP's and investigating it.

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Answer 11

JPL007 Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 7, 2016 3:33 PM in response to JPL007

Update: according to this article, the graphics issues are OS X related and not hardware related (which is good news). Apparently, the up-comming OS X 10.12.2 update will fix the issues: http://www.macrumors.com/2016/12/07/macbook-pro-graphics-issues-email/

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Answer 12

Dec 7, 2016 3:44 PM in response to JPL007

@JPL007 - my problem is exactly the same as yours. It only happens when I use scaled resolution too. Also, it is the second one I bought with the same problem (I returned this one). Did you install the beta OSX Sierra new version? Did it help. I haven't done that yet. Please share what you find. Thanks.

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Answer 13

JPL007 Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 7, 2016 4:32 PM in response to spinneret

@spinneret - I actually exchanged my 13" 2016 MacBook Pro (that had the graphics issue) for the 15" 2015 MacBook Pro (so the older model that Apple is still selling).. so I no longer have the issue. However, according to this article the graphics issue with the new MBPs could be with OS X and not the hardware so I'd say that's good news: http://www.macrumors.com/2016/12/07/macbook-pro-graphics-issues-email/

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