Uneven Illumination, as bad as White Spots - Having problems? Speak up!

[Darkside]

How many of you have experienced a PowerBook display failure, characterized by half of your screen being dimmer than the other?

Over in the Displays category of Apple Discussions (http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?14@215.LInsagv1qVq.172128@.59999aa8), there are a lot of 15" Aluminum PowerBook users that have had this Uneven Illumination problem, myself included (http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?14@215.LInsagv1qVq.172137@.599c3e3f/71); after a few weeks or months of usage, half of the screen (usually right half and bottom-right corner) becomes noticably darker than the other half.

This is very noticable when the Brightness is not turned all the way up, and especially on a white background. To test your display, turn down the Brightness (even just two or three bars will do), then open up and resize a TextEdit windowm to cover the whole screen.

Many users are initially unsure if the uneven illumination is a problem. Here are some comments I've seen:

- "It's only noticeable on a completely white background."
- "I don't see it if the Brightness is all the way up."

Those uncertainties, combined with that fact that the standard Apple background (the blue Abstract with the "swish") has a dark gradient at the bottom, probably means there are a lot more people with this problem that don't realize it's a problem!

There are a number of reports from people that have had their screens replaced twice already (http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?14@215.LInsagv1qVq.172138@.599c3e3f/75), and the problem is still reocurring. The "Uneven illumination" threat at Apple Discussions (http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?128@215.LInsagv1qVq.172128@.599c3e3f) is informative. Apple's increasingly attrocious customer service (http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?14@215.LInsagv1qVq.172134@.599c3e3f/80) is not reassuring, for anyone. Apple Support has been largely unhelpful, and sometimes rude and accusatory.

There has been no official information about the cause of this issue. Apple hasn't acknowledged it as a problem. But professionals like myself--Graphic Designers, Web Developers, etc.--and other prosumers deserve to have these issues addressed candidly.

We've payed $2,000 or $3,000 for our PowerBooks, and for that price they should work. If repairs are necessary, so be it; but the technicians need to identify and replace the defective parts instead of blindly swapping out screens.

[Darkside]

In order to generate some more discussion and awareness of the Uneven Illumination issue, I started an Apple Discussions thread: "Uneven Illumination; Help me w/ facts, cause" (http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?128@215.LInsagv1qVq.172157@.599e9b34).

It addresses some of the popular theories and fixes floating around in the Apple Discussions forums and elsewhere. It's also been a great to realize we're not alone: users with this problem tell their story, voice their concerns (http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?14@215.LInsagv1qVq.172158@.599e9b34/5), and get some friendly support, rather than the often abrasive treatment from Apple (http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?14@215.LInsagv1qVq.172158@.599e9b34/8).

Some of these have been suggested by Apple technicans (NVRAM / PRAM resets), others are theories of users. It is important to note that none of these are an official fix, since Apple hasn't even acknowledged Uneven Illumination as a problem.

[bryanc]

I've got this problem too. My display was beautiful when I first got my 667MHz TiBook about two years ago, but as it aged (and it has been used *very* heavily) it began to develop an uneveness that isn't really a big deal, but is less than perfect.

That, in combination with the logic board failure I had to pay $920 to fix after owning the thing for only 18 months, have convinced me that my next purchase from Apple will include full AppleCare to cover this kind of stuff.

Cheers

[Darkside]

Originally posted by bryanc
My display was beautiful when I first got my 667MHz TiBook...To clarify, the Uneven Illumination problem I'm referring to seems to be manifesting exclusively in the new Aluminum PowerBooks, particularily the 15" model.

Many AlBook owners have this problem develop in a matter of weeks, rather than your case of dimness developing after years of usage.

Also, the dimness in the new models is more than "unevenness"; for Aluminum PowerBook owners, the difference is quite severe, sometimes causing headaches and eye strain (although most send it in for replacement before it degrades to this point). It persists after the screen warm-up when the Book is first turned on or woken from sleep.

The problems AlBook owners have experienced with Uneven Illumination are dramatic and severe.

[Paolo30]

Yes, well, you know me...first machine DOA'd ten days after purchase in September 03 for uneven illumination. Replacement machine had screen replaced ~December 23 o3. Uneven illumination showed up on new screen 3 days later, gradually worsening.
2 machines, 3 screens.
AppleCare did not - generally rude and seemingly ignorant, but actually told not to admit anything was wrong with the alpb (I got this out of two of the AppleCare people I talked to - I was getting a little pissed at the obviously feigned ignorance and I backed them into a corner on it - naughty, I know.:D )
fourth (?) guy I talked to was very good but genuinely didn't know what the problem was.
I hope they fix it with rev B, coz I'm going to keep kicking and screaming til I get what I paid for.:p

[Shaughn]

Just figured I'd chime in, bump this thread and say I've also had this problem and am looking forward to an official and working fix.

I submitted a note to Apple's Knowledge base, I'd suggest that we all do the same. :)

~S~

[michaelrjohnson]

there was a very informative thread on this just recently.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50894&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[Shaughn]

I saw that thread, Micheal. Unfortunately, the problem looks like it's still not being acknowledged by Apple.

Be it a cable problem, screen problem, lid assembly problem... nobody knows at this point, it's still a mystery to everyone.

Here's hoping that Apple gives us an official response.

~S~

[Paolo30]

well, I just got a phone call from somebody way up in the food chain at Apple Australia actually apologising for all the crap I've been through with this (these) machine(s). It's nice to know they really do care.... and Steve Jobs really does read his email.

I have asked my new friend in Apple to investigate this issue - shall keep all informed of progress.

[Shaughn]

Please do, Paolo. I'm on my second screen, and while the problem isn't nearly as bad as the first one, it's still there.

I still can't get a handle on what's causing this. Though I suppose my curiosity would be less piqued if there was a working fix. :)

Don't leave us hanging, there are plenty of people who would really like to get to the heart of the matter.

~S~

[Shaughn]

Called Applecare Education today, spoke to a really friendly tech. Told him I was currently on my second screen and he said he hadn't heard of the problem before. I tend to believe him as well, he did mention the white spots and that he'd had calls about them. Reset the NVRAM to no avail.

So I'm getting sent out a repairbox, and I'll probably send it in while I'm on vacation in a week or so.

The downtime is really unfortunate, but so far so good as far as how I've been treated.

I'll be sure to keep you posted. Wish me luck!

~S~

[winwintoo]

My white iBook has a similar problem. Does it count??

m

[Gallows Pole]

Got my PowerBook G4 Alu 15" some days ago.
I powered it up just to update the system to 10.3 then update this update to 10.3.2. So I did not took a close look at the display even or uneven illumination.
Now I'm working with the thing and as soon as I turn down a little the brightness of the screen…_there you go : uneven illumination.
Asked some friends of mine to confirm that it was not only me seeing it. They were all able to onfirm.
I really do NOT think that this is related to the LCD display itself. If it was, I could not explain to myself why the problem does not occur when brightnees is turned to max.
I have to take it to the reseller to check a thing or two. I'll ask him about this issue then.

[jprickitt]

Glad I found this forum and message thread. I got my 15" AlBook just before Christmas and just started noticing the uneven illumination/ screen lighting yesterday. I haven't called Apple yet. It sounds like it will be hit or miss about whether the tech I talk to will know that it's a problem. Before, I thought that I would never need AppleCare, but now I think I will pay for it, at least for my PowerBook.

Has anyone had a permanent fix succeed? (If so what is it?)

Any tips on when I talk to Apple? What is this I hear about being able to have a temporary machine while mine is being worked on? How does that work?

[Paolo30]

According to my experience (3 machines, 4 screens) there is no fix. Apple won't acknowledge it because their banking on most of the Plebs who bought the thing not noticing the problem. After all, you'd have to be into graphics to see it, wouldn't you.
As for speaking with Apple, you have to be inordinately nice to them, coz they sure as ***** won't be nice to you.

I'm getting a refund and getting out. Anybody with me?

[Gallows Pole]

Hi Paolo,

Well, if you look at history from Apple, I would not give up all hope to see the fixing the problem some day.
Remember the unbelievably loud AC Power supplies from the MDD PowerMacs ? They didn't recognized the problem…_and all the sudden they offered a replacement program !
Let's hope with this issue.
As far as experience with Apple customer service goes, I always talk not directly to Apple but with an official Apple Center that has always been nice to me. Let's see what they say about it here in France.
Don't get me wrong : I'm not defending Apple and I really believe the uneven illumination problem is a scandal !

[Shaughn]

I don't know, Paolo.

I don't do graphics work, and I noticed it as soon as it started to happen. I've seen some of my friends' 15" Alu Books and they certainly do NOT have this problem. A couple in my local Apple Store do not have the problem either.

It's not something that's in all of them, at least not in my experience. What the missing link is between why so many of us have the problem come back time after time is a mystery to me.

~S~

[Gallows Pole]

Hi all,

To all those with uneven illumination problems, here's what I suggest.

1°) tell us the exact machine they got
2°) where they got it from (local store, Apple Store, Refubished or "Genuine")
3°) if possible Serial Number (that one can be found using the "Get info" menu or Apple system profiler
4°) power adapter used (should be 65W but apparently some 15' Alu shipped with 45W power adapters)
5°) conditions under which the uneven illumination happens the most visibly

Maybe that kind of info will help !

By the way, one pixel of my screen just died. I think Apple tolerates up to 2 of them. Will an Apple Care help get the display changed with one dead pixel ?

Regards

[Shaughn]

Originally posted by Gallows Pole
Hi all,

To all those with uneven illumination problems, here's what I suggest.

1°) tell us the exact machine they got
2°) where they got it from (local store, Apple Store, Refubished or "Genuine")
3°) if possible Serial Number (that one can be found using the "Get info" menu or Apple system profiler
4°) power adapter used (should be 65W but apparently some 15' Alu shipped with 45W power adapters)
5°) conditions under which the uneven illumination happens the most visibly

Maybe that kind of info will help !

By the way, one pixel of my screen just died. I think Apple tolerates up to 2 of them. Will an Apple Care help get the display changed with one dead pixel ?

Regards

Nah, Apple won't budge on one dead pixel, sorry to say.

As for the rest, my power adapter is the proper one. Bought it online in early December, developed uneven illumination in mid January. Second screen also developed the problem in about a week's time. It's most noticeable when the PB wakes up from sleep and when brightness is even a couple notches off maximum. However, after extended use at maximum brightness, the screen will show the same problem, albeit to a lesser extent.

Probably going to go into the shop again this week; I'll be out of town to see family and don't need my PB with me. Might as well do it then.

~S~

[howyoudoin]

I have a Alu powerbook that i got in october. After about a month five white spots appeared in the center of the screen all seperated about the same distance apart.

I called apple support (i have applecare) and as soon as i said white sports to the customer service rep he replied immeditatly that they knew about the problem and told me it would only take about a day to fix.

He said apple has been getting a lot of problem but said fixing it has been a top priority.

[Gallows Pole]

Hi all,

Here's the info I think might be useful and ask others to give us.

PowerBook G4 Alu 1,25GHz (anyone with a 1Ghz experiecing the same problems ?)
Bought on the first days of January from SmallDog as a Refurbished machine.
Serial Number begins with RM352ZP1.
Came with a 45W Power adapter instead of the 65W.
Problem shows up when the screen isn't set to full brightness and hasn't "warmed up".
As Shaughn, the problem also shows up after an extended use at full brightness, but then again, I think even if not normal, it's tolerable.
Hope this will help find out where the problem is…

[Paolo30]

well, when I was in my reseller's shop pointing out the uneven illumination on machine number three, the tech said "All fifteen inch aluminium Powerbooks have unevenly illuminated screens because of the lid construction." I was then told that this is considered within spec.
The fifteen inch that they had on display had a very uneven screen when I put it on solid white desktop, and was returned to the abstract Apple desktop very quickly by staff.
My previous powerbooks were perfect for the first week or so - this one had spots and uneven illumination out of the box.
Maybe I am being too harsh, but I've lost a lot of time and money because of this and the novelty has thoroughly worn off.

[Gallows Pole]

Hi Paolo,

Well, I don't know what applicable laws look like where you live.
But here in France there's a law that forces the seller and/or manufacturer of a product (whatever it is) to inform the customer of the precise state of the machine.
So, as I have seen nowhere written that the screen has uneven illumination, then as a customer I am enabled to give it back to him and ask for a refund.
The exact same thing goes for dead pixels. It's writtent NOWHERE that the screen might have 1 or 2 dead pixels. So if I find one, I have to be enabled to give the computer back.
I'll see if this argument works for me… to have them get me a new machine.
If they don't do it willingly, I'll see if a legal action will help, as I am a bit of a lawyer myself…
I'll keep you informed.

[Gallows Pole]

Here are the latest news on my machine.
PowerBook G4 1,25Ghz.
Concerning the uneven illumination.
I just called Apple in France.
They did not seem to know about the problem. But they did not tell me it is normal and tolerable either.
They said : Your machine is under warranty. You can either send it back to us or go to the nearest Apple Center and let them have a look.
Apparently, if the problem is obvious, they are willing to do something (even though I don't really know exactly what for now).
Let's wait, see and hope ;-)

Maybe they'll change the display, and I will get one without the defective pixel…

[GrizzlyHippo]

Just chiming in to say I had white spots, illumination problems, VERY bad battery life, and warped screen lid.

Waited as long as poss. for Apple to get their **** together.

Sent it in for repair.

Got it back, fired it up, white spots immediately evident. Hinge now creaks and snaps loudly when opening the lid, battery life as bad as before, screen lid warped (or probably bent on purpose) in the opposite way.

Had a ******** fit.

Called a senior person at Apple.

Replacement PB ordered for me, but none available until first week of Feb... updates? Hopefully at least they've stopped production to sort all the problems and the new batch will not have Jonathon Ive's design faults in them.

Now awaiting my new machine and cursing Apple. This is the fourth Mac in a row over the last 4-5 years that I have had problems with and that has gone back to Apple for repair and they've f*cked it up more than when it was sent to them!

-- Most of this is already posted on the Apple discussion started by Darkside, only under my alias of Tom Grzelinski!!!

Grizzly

[Gallows Pole]

Hi Grizzli,

Nice to hear from you, even though I wished it were more good news.
My experience is not the same as yours.
I've had 1 iBook and 2 PowerBooks before this one. All have worked flawlessly and did not present a single defect 'no dead pixels or whatever other problem might occur).
So this is my first bad experience and I am waiting for Apple to solve the problem.
But as you say, I think it is not acceptable that Apple stays so long without recognizing that :
1°) there is indeed a problem
2°) tell if they are able or not to fix it
3°) tell what they've done or what they plan to do to fix the problem

The whole "secret" and opacity that has always surrounded Apple isn't always a help to customers…

I agree tha a Mac is for life, not only for an Expo !

[Paolo30]

I have requested a full refund from Apple Australia, so I will let you all know how that goes.
I actually asked for a refund on Friday, and the Apple Care lady who was previously my "best friend" spat venom down the phone at me and told me that she would get back to me "sometime next week," so I sent my request straight to the CEO this morning. He seemed a bit nicer than the people in Apple Care.
:D
good luck everyone, whatever you decide to do.

[Paolo30]

Well, refund approved.
This is a sad day, *sniff*, I had had such high hopes for this beast.
ce la vie...

[CyVice]

here is my suggestion:

http://www.weisse.fr/iGlassUS.jpg

[Shaughn]

HAHAHAHA, that's pretty hilarious. And it'd certainly do the trick, too.

~S~

[gopher]

Apple is acknowledging the white spots problem:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86632

Next time you speak to customer support refer them
to that knowledgebase article number 86632.

Also if support is less than helpful, ask to speak to customer relations.

A friend of mine waited till the end of December to send her Powerbook G4 15" in, and got it back in good shape. It seems like the problem has finally been solved. So try again.

[Shaughn]

Originally posted by gopher
Apple is acknowledging the white spots problem:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86632

Next time you speak to customer support refer them
to that knowledgebase article number 86632.

Also if support is less than helpful, ask to speak to customer relations.

A friend of mine waited till the end of December to send her Powerbook G4 15" in, and got it back in good shape. It seems like the problem has finally been solved. So try again.

Unfortunately, the two issues are completely different. There are a number of people who got their screen fixed for white spots and got uneven illumination on their replacement screen.

Uneven illumination does NOT have a working fix.

~S~

[Shaughn]

The saga continues.

Though the nature of my third screen failure adds no more insight, only confusion. I hadn't touched my 'Book in about 30 minutes. I had iCal running and I was looking at my schedule when the right side went dim right before my eyes. I was shocked. I'd never actually seen it fail before.

This kills several of my theories about what's causing this:

1) Temperature extremes. I wasn't actively running any apps. My PB had been in my office and running for 6 hours so it wasn't cold. I hadn't been playing videos, watching DVDs or doing anything processor taxing all day, so I know it wasn't hot.

2) The fans. The fans weren't blowing, so the hot air on the screen theory doesn't apply to this particular failure.

3) Sleep mode. The first screen of mine went down after it woke from sleep. This time around, thinking that might have something to do with it, I didn't put the PB to sleep ONCE in the past 2 weeks. I turned it on at work, then turned it off to go home. I turned it on when I got home and off again when I packed it up for work the next day.

4) Lid movement. Same as above. I opened and closed the lid only to turn the PB on and off. In the past 2 weeks, the lid has been moved less than 30 times. Certainly not extreme and not even applicable in my current case, because I hadn't been doing anything with the book that might unseat something or warp something in the lid assembly.

Here's the kicker. I went to my Apple Store while I was at the mall yesterday (Cambridgeside Galleria in Boston) to look at the iPod mini and gaze at PowerBooks prettier than mine. Sure enough, at first glance, the 15" model on the PB demo table was bright and pretty. It occurred to me that the brightness was probably set to maximum, so I took a look. Set the brightness to 6 bard and the background to white, and sure enough, uneven illumination.

That in of itself wasn't shocking. This was:

EVERY 15" model in the store had the problem. Not only that, but I saw 2 17" PBs with the problem as well.

The one 17" model I saw without the problem had a build date in January 2004; even at low brightness, the screen was solid white throughout with NO trace of grayness. This is how my screens have always looked right after a repair.

What is it about time and NORMAL use that's causing these screens to look like this?

Confused,

~S~

[jameskk]

I too have the problem with my 15" Albook and it is driving me nuts. I had the famous white spots on my screen but that didn't bother me but when the right side of the screen went noticably dim, I called Apple Care for a replacement. They replaced the screen and the new one was perfect, for about 3 or 4 weeks and then the dim right side came back. So I went to the discussion boards on Apple's website to research the problem and here I am. I hope they have a fix soon. This is definately a problem.

[killmoms]

Wow, um... I've NEVER seen this problem. I had white spots on my PowerBook when I got it, but those were replaced; I do have the issue with the creaky, clicky hinge now (and they didn't connect the sleep on latch thing). So I'm not entirely pleased with AppleCare, but they're issues I can LIVE with, unlike the white spots. But I've never seen uneven illumination on my screen, at very low brightness when I'm working in a darkened classroom or at full brightness anywhere else. The right side looks just as good as the left to me. Maybe my eyes aren't good enough... is the problem really dramatic, or just something a VERY exacting person would notice?

I might add that I haven't seen this problem on any of my three other friends' new 15" PowerBooks. Two (mine and my roommate's) are from the initial run w/ white spots, both of which have had replaced screens via AppleCare. Another friend ordered his in late November after the white spot problem was fixed. These three are SuperDrive, 1.25GHz ones, stock. The fourth is another friend's, a BTO Combo w/ backlit keyboard and Airport Extreme sans white spots. None of these have problems with uneven illumination to my knowledge.

--Cless

[Shaughn]

Maybe my eyes aren't good enough... is the problem really dramatic, or just something a VERY exacting person would notice?

--Cless

You might only notice on anything but a white background initially. But if the problem develops, it tends to get worse.

At its worst, I could barely read the text under my desktop icons on the right side of my screen, and the right side of my Safari window would be dark grey, making text hard to read.

If you want to test it, set your brightness to around 5 bars and set a white desktop. If your white is even across the screen, I'd say you're safe.

~S~