"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

25 replies

CRMendez

Level 1

0 points

May 7, 2007 5:32 PM in response to maguskrool

Like most in this post, i had identical spots. So I took it to the apple store and they told me it's "LCD Bruising," and they say it's a result of applying too much external weight on the outside of the screen. I carry mine in a neoprene sleeve, but apparently because i carry it in my backpack a, the housing is too flimsy to be around books. I bought Apple care , however they claim is my fault, even though the external appearance is flawless. Their excuse is that the housing is Aluminum and can bend. I say that's ridiculous, make a housing out of horse crap if you want, but it should meet quality standards.
It's surprising how many have problems with these displays, so far my experience with apple is that there operating system is great, their machines look good, but there quality is bad.

just my two cents...
-

-Mendez

MacBook Pro C2D 2.66Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.9)

whuggy

Level 1

110 points

May 8, 2007 8:20 AM in response to CRMendez

I also have tiny smudges, and aside from that I have very small (subpixel) dark specks that have appeared on the lower left and lower right side. When I brought it to the apple store, the genius told me that it's not covered by warranty. He said these things will "just go away" and that he can't do anything about it. I was given a telephone number to call and that's it.

May 8, 2007 8:51 AM in response to maguskrool

I have seen all these replies about using iKlean, however I think the issue is more than "skin deep." I have these smudges as well and I tried cleaning just as you did. Look at your computer screen on an angle from the left or right side. You will see blotches of white instead. This is the LCD screen not the surface. Something is going on underneath.

I just hope they don't keep coming up.

May 10, 2007 3:18 PM in response to maguskrool

I have what you are calling "mura". Two vague gray areas that look white when you look at them from an extreme angle; a white area nearby; and another long gray area near the middle of the screen.

I carry my machine to and from work every day, but it is carried in a Tom Bihn Brain Cell inside of a Brain Bag backpack always oriented away from the backpack wearer, there shouldn't be any pressure applied to the screen back.

This pack also carried a Ti PowerBook and later an Al PowerBook, together for about five and a half years, without a similar problem showing up. The pack is older but not showing signs of much wear.

May 14, 2007 7:29 AM in response to Michael Brian Bentley

I have the same issue, within a month it was really bad, I sent it off to Apple and they replaced my screen but now it is back again, It has developed since the screen was replaced which makes me think it has something to do with the handeling of the machine however I have been very careful with it and still the marks return.
What can I do?

ScottyD

Level 1

35 points

May 18, 2007 6:39 AM in response to marcusAbbott

This is obviously a hardware defect. There is no reason why Apple can't replace the LCD. However, like others have said, it seems that this is an on going issue. I have seen ibooks, powerbooks, and have heard that other pc manufacturers have this same problem. I think it's a result of Apple using cheap parts. What causes it? I have no idea.

The only way to solve this is to make a big stink to Apple. There is no reason a $2k+ notebook computer should have this problem.

Regards,
Scotty D

DerekS

Level 1

15 points

Apr 14, 2007 7:23 AM in response to maguskrool

My 17" MBP had similar smudges, presumably grease from the fingers that assembled it.

I got an iKlear kit and that cleared it up!

blankets

Level 1

0 points

Apr 19, 2007 7:32 AM in response to maguskrool

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.

Apr 26, 2007 2:35 PM in response to varjak paw

Distilled or cool, boiled, water, maybe - but not straight from the tap! I live in the SE (specifically the northern Chilterns) and, obviously, it's all chalk here.

Helena

CRMendez

Level 1

0 points

May 10, 2007 11:52 AM in response to TrowaBarton

TrowaBarton is right, what looks like dark spots looking straight at the screen, turn into light spots when looking at the screen at an angle. I don't think it can be at the surface.

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