"Smudges" on the screen, can't get rid of them.

Question

Level 1

5 points

"Smudges" on the screen, can't get rid of them.

I've been mostly satisfied with Macbook Pro 15" but about a month ago I noticed this "smudge" on the screen. I didn't make much of it, and when I got home I cleaned it, following Apple's instructions. With the MBP turned off, it seemed my screen was spotless. Surprise, surprise, I open it the next day at work and find the smudge still there, unchanged. Weird. I tried cleaning it again, perhaps I hadn't done as good a job as I thought, but after the second (and third, and fourth) attempt to clean the screen, still, the smudge remained. And now there's two of them! I have no idea what caused them, I'm quite careful with my MBP and nobody else uses it besides me.

A detail that might or might not have anything to do with the unknown origin of these smudges: they're mostly on the same horizontal line and at almost the same distance from the screen margins. With the lid closed, the right smudge corresponds to the ; (above the right apple key, Portuguese keyboard) and the left one over the X.

The following link is a photo of the right side smudge. It is most visible when over a bright white background.

By itself this is VERY annoying, every 10 seconds my eyes are diverted from the work I'm doing and noticing those ugly things. Adding to that, I'm a designer, working heavily with illustration, print, web and video, so you can have an idea of what crystal clear images mean to me.

I've been doing some research but haven't found anyone with the same problem. Seen some images of screen problems, but they didn't seem to be the same thing. Has anyone had a similar problem? Thanks in advance.

Macbook Pro 15" Mac OS X (10.4.9) Bought November 06, 2Gb RAM

Posted on Apr 9, 2007 6:21 PM

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Answer 1

egalet

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2007 3:19 PM in response to maguskrool

I just got the same problem few weeks ago. I tough the screen was dirty but in fact it is the exact same "smudges" that you have. I'll check with apple tomorrow. Let me know how they manage the problem for you.

Thanks

eric

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Answer 2

Apr 11, 2007 4:05 PM in response to maguskrool

I have the same problem, different spot on the screen but essentially the same issue. Interestingly enough I had a previous MacBook Pro and also had this problem. It was never explained why. I sent it in for the infamous whine problem and told the AppleCare employee that I was also having this problem. The computer came back with a new display. After several months the problem recurred, but I never bothered to have it fixed. I subsequently sold the unit and got a new MacBook Pro. The display was beautiful, but now the smudges have returned. Very weird. I think Apple would replace it, but I can't be without the computer as I use it for work. Oh well, maybe at some point.

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Answer 3

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Apr 9, 2007 11:09 PM in response to maguskrool

If the MBP is still under warranty I think you can make a good case for a replacement. That type of blemish shouldn't be there. If it is internal to the screen and not on the top surface, I don't see how Apple can blame you for its appearance.

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Answer 4

maguskrool Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 12, 2007 2:53 AM in response to maguskrool

Thanks for your input, guys. I will try to get my MBP to the Mac store and have the display repaired, or get a new one. I'll only be able to give you some feedback on this in a few weeks, though, because my deadlines make it impossible for me to be without it. I still appreciate all info you or anyone else can give me, that will sure help my case whn I do take my MBP to the store.

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Answer 5

Leeron

Level 1

30 points

Apr 13, 2007 3:41 PM in response to maguskrool

I had the same issue and think these stpes should solve it:

1. Get iKlear or a similar cleaning poduct intended for cleaning/polishing MACS i think there is one more out there, but i would stick to iKlear prepackaged wipes. They come in double packages with one wet wipe and one dry wipe.

2. Clean the screen with the wet wipe, using fast circular polishing movements, liberally wetting the spots with the smudges. Have the dry wipe ready to go.

3. Right after, use the dry wipe to polish the screen in a similar motion. Make sure the screen is OFF and don't be scared to apply the needed pressure.

This got rid of my smudges but, ocasioinally, creates a new smudge! just repeat the process until they are al gone. I literally thought there is NO WAY to get it off, the trick ended up being liberal application of iKlear. Hope this helps!

PS - that stuff got marks off of my MBP casing that i was convinced were scratches! In my opinion, it's well worth the price.

-Leeron

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Answer 6

Cohea

Level 1

95 points

Apr 14, 2007 8:12 AM in response to maguskrool

I noticed this same problem on my company's laptop PC after an overseas flight where the PC was in my checked luggage. I believe that cold temperatures can affect LCD displays and suspect that extreme low temperature in the airplane luggage compartment caused my problem.

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Answer 7

maguskrool Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 19, 2007 2:44 AM in response to maguskrool

Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to discuss this issue.

When I first posted this here I had already ordered some iKlear and was anxious to try it. While great doing what it does, it didn't take away the darned smudges. So I guess I'm eventually taking the MBP to the Apple store and see what they can do about this. I'll probably mention this thread as well.

I hope this was just bad luck on my part, I'm actually pretty careful with my MBP, I keep it clean, it hasn't entered an airplane yet and hasn't been exposed to any sort of "extreme" temperatures nor adverse conditions that I'm aware of.

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Answer 8

Apr 19, 2007 9:14 AM in response to blankets

I posted this in a similar thread and will cross-post it here as well.

http://web.mac.com/bluloo/iWeb/Site/Blog/BD6DEBD5-BA8E-490D-8EF2-D4B046E0B594.ht ml

If this is the effect you are experiencing (and it looks to me like for the oringal poster it definitely is) iKlear or any other product will not remove this.

Mura is a result of a manufacturing defect and is something you will have to consult with Apple Care to determine if that is indeed what is going on with your screen.

I don't think extreme temperatures or adverse conditins can "cause" this though I wouldn't doubt that they can perhaps contribute to exposing an underlying problem.

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Answer 9

Lazate

Level 1

5 points

Apr 22, 2007 4:32 AM in response to maguskrool

I have these smudges on my macbook pro 17 and they seem to be spreading. I have tried the IKlear and that did nothing. I will be interested to see what apple does about this, I find it very distracting.

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Answer 10

andyshen

Level 1

0 points

Apr 26, 2007 6:41 AM in response to Lazate

I have the same problem and i call them shadowy patches.

Previously there was a discussion topic which was taken off once and a part 2 came along but now i cannot find it. There were many users stating the same problem too.

I had my first MBP 15" in Nov 06 since then until Apr 07 i had my screen change 3 times. And then they offer me a replacement. Now I observe the same problem again in the new machine. It is starting again. It is not that obvious now but i bet within a month or so it will be quite bad.

And i will have to go back again to have the screen replace 3 times and this time perhaps i will demand a refund and wait till the quality improve.

Anyway i am from Singapore. Any one from Singapore having the same problem and keep going to YCK?

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Answer 11

Apr 26, 2007 8:42 AM in response to blankets

I've got the smudges too. Can you let me know how you
get on with the iklear solution. I've been very
careful and cleaning with a damp microfibre cloth has
not removed them.

Water is one of the worst things to use, especially if you live in a hard water area, as I do. The CaCO₃ in hard water is slightly abrasive and will scratch the delicate coating on the screen.

By the way, your signature is ambiguous. There is no such thing as an "Intel iMac G5" your machine is either Intel (x86) or it's a G5 (PowerPC). Which is it?

Helena

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Answer 12

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Apr 26, 2007 1:27 PM in response to Helena Handbasket

Water is one of the worst things to use, especially if you live in a hard water area, as I do. The CaCO₃ in hard water is slightly abrasive and will scratch the delicate coating on the screen.

Apple's own recommendation (emphasis mine):

"How To Clean an LCD Panel

This article describes the best way to clean an LCD panel such as those used on PowerBook computers and Apple flat panel displays.
To clean the LCD:

1. Turn off the computer or display. You may need to turn off the computer in order to turn off some Apple displays.

2. Dampen a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper with water only.

3. Wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen.

You may also use a mild glass cleaner that contains no alcohol or ammonia. Most office supply stores sell cleaning kits specifically designed for this purpose."

I doubt very seriously that any water delivered to anyone's house would be so abrasive, especially in the small amount one would use to clean an LCD screen, would be sufficiently abrasive as to damage a screen. The cloth or other wipe used is going to be far more abrasive that any water that's drinkable by humans. I think Apple (and every other LCD vendor I checked) would not recommend the use of water if it could be a problem. Problems with hard water come more from scaling, not abrasion, and scaling is unlikely to be a problem just from a damp cloth.

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Answer 13

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Apr 26, 2007 2:51 PM in response to Helena Handbasket

Even very hard water will only contain on the order of 700 milligrams of calcium carbonate in a gallon, so the amount contained in the ca. one tablespoonfull of water used to dampen a cloth to clean a screen is going to have less abrasiveness than the cloth itself.

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Answer 14

rom.ph

Level 4

2,021 points

Apr 29, 2007 4:11 AM in response to maguskrool

I have had my share of smudges on my powerbook. What I used was radtech's omnicleanz. I can swear that it works - you just buff up your screen and it will look like new.

I tried iKlear before - only good on light smudges.

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Answer 15

Apr 29, 2007 6:48 AM in response to maguskrool

I had this exact problem. In fact, if you look in the same area, with the screen at an angle, you may be able to see uniformly sized white circles (I had a pretty arrangement of 3.)

My screen was replaced for this problem, although I find that it's returning on my replacement screen. Rub-through from the display frame sounds like a possibility.

I purchased apple care yesterday (my last day of regular warranty) - with the assumption that this is going to be an ongoing issue. 😟

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