Thin Horizontal Lines on Rev 2 MBA?

[Loki.Mephisto]

Maybe IF it was wide spread but its not, no update will be coming.

Oh, its not widespread? You´re dreaming, aren´t you? What do you think this thread, the treads on Apple´s Forums and even some Magazines Articles are all about?

Your reality denial really makes me laugh!

[YOKOJP]

I bought the MBA the day it arrived @ apple store. In the beginning the lines didn't bother me but after a while it starts to get irritating. Will call apple support see if I can get it fix. Like people said you paid a premium price and you expect a premium and perfect computer.

If I can't get it fix, I sue apple for damaging my eyes. lol.

wish me luck.

[Ironic]

You talk like you are Steve himself! otherwise you might as well want to stop spamming.
Newbie you are the one posting crap around here go home and play with your toys.

[Loki.Mephisto]

Newbie you are the one posting crap around here go home and play with your toys.
Very sophisticated post for a "veteran" member of one month. I don´t think it is appropriate behaviour to speak that tartly.

It´s not the kind of question i usually ask, but as time passes by, i wonder: how old are you? *shakehead*

[Ironic]

Very sophisticated post for a "veteran" member of one month.

It´s not the kind of question i usually ask, but as time passes, i wonder: how old are you? *shakehead* Conceived in the 50's

[Lumpydog]

So I just spent an hour at my local Apple Store (Apple North Shore - Peabody, MA). Here is what i saw:

1) There were two MBAs - a new Rev B, 1.86GHz SSD and an older Rev A, 1.6 HDD. The Rev B had lines - faint, but you could see them. The Rev A was next to it and here was definitely a difference. The Rev A screen was clearly line free. I ran the test images found on page 4 of this thread. both images passed, but interestingly, the second/right image had a pulse-like flicker on the Rev B where the split ran down the middle of the image. I loaded the same image onto the Rev A and it displayed it rock solid. No flicker.

2) I then looked at two 15 inch screen late 2008 MBPs. One of them had lines. The other was perfect. I ran the same page 4 images from this thread. The MBP with the lines flickered on the second image. On the MBP with no lines the image did not flicker.

3) Looked at 3 new MBs - all had zero lines.

It seems like the display on the Macbooks with lines were almost strobing - like the LED backlight's refresh rate or frequency was lower (sorry, I'm not an engineer, so that's the best way I can describe it).

[wheelerw]

Conceived in the 50's

Maybe that is why you can't see the lines. You are going blind at your ripe age.

[Ironic]

Maybe that is why you can't see the lines. You are going blind at your ripe age.
wow, yea Don't hate because you have lines and the two I bought are perfect, maybe its not my eyes, oh and still in my 40;s good luck :)

[wheelerw]

wow, yea Don't hate because you have lines and the two I bought are perfect, maybe its not my eyes, oh and still in my 40;s good luck :)
Well, I don't have the lines anymore, because I just got the Rev A instead. And I am not hating, just poking fun. :)

[nmook]

I don't deny there is an issue,

but - for a thread that is THIS LONG - it is interesting that only 15 people (as of right now) on this forum have voted to say they are affected by this issue.....

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=608263

I didn't vote because Week 43 wasn't an option.

[h1d]

The OP in that vote thread says, if you got an earlier model than week 44, you should vote on 44 too.

[WorldIRC]

Returned my MBA. No hassles at the store!

[frifra]

What? This is an issue now for other a month and apple hasnt done a thing or mentioned anything about it?

Is there anyone without these lines on his MBA rev.b?

Does the display from the MBA rev.a and b differ? If it is the same type it might just be the nvidia driver. Anyone tried a new driver yet?

[StefanR.]

So I just spent an hour at my local Apple Store (Apple North Shore - Peabody, MA). Here is what i saw:

1) There were two MBAs - a new Rev B, 1.86GHz SSD and an older Rev A, 1.6 HDD. The Rev B had lines - faint, but you could see them. The Rev A was next to it and here was definitely a difference. The Rev A screen was clearly line free. I ran the test images found on page 4 of this thread. both images passed, but interestingly, the second/right image had a pulse-like flicker on the Rev B where the split ran down the middle of the image. I loaded the same image onto the Rev A and it displayed it rock solid. No flicker.



thank you.

[al3ph]

So I just spent an hour at my local Apple Store (Apple North Shore - Peabody, MA). Here is what i saw:

1) There were two MBAs - a new Rev B, 1.86GHz SSD and an older Rev A, 1.6 HDD. The Rev B had lines - faint, but you could see them. The Rev A was next to it and here was definitely a difference. The Rev A screen was clearly line free. I ran the test images found on page 4 of this thread. both images passed, but interestingly, the second/right image had a pulse-like flicker on the Rev B where the split ran down the middle of the image. I loaded the same image onto the Rev A and it displayed it rock solid. No flicker.


This pretty much describes what I saw on the two MBA`s I was delivered, grey lines, and unpleasant flicker when viewing the test image.

[justit]

Will be returning my 2nd MBA week 45 (both from same store). The screen looks dirty, and when I place it next to a Gen A on display, the Gen A has a perfect screen. What on earth did apple do to mess with something that wasn't broke in the first place?? :(

[ichigo11]

Just received my MBA Rev B week 47 also with lines. I also have the new Macbook and that screen has no lines at all.

After taking the risk I'm start to think maybe all of the Rev B has lines, because all the ones I saw at several Apple stores all have the same problem.

Also I been following this thread since the beginning I think there were only 4 or 5 with the "perfect" screen and the rest were just Ironic posting on every page telling people he has the perfect MBA and we should all just take the plunge.

Well after taking the plunge I don't know if I should just live with this problem or try another one, but as of right now I don't think I will be able to find a perfect MBA until Apple address the problem.

Also can one of those people with a perfect screen post a picture of your screen? so at least we all can see what a perfect MBA look like because I haven't seen one yet.

[StefanR.]

Also I been following this thread since the beginning I think there were only 4 or 5 with the "perfect" screen and the rest were just Ironic posting on every page telling people he has the perfect MBA and we should all just take the plunge.

if you have nothing else to do this is maybe a nice place, better then kindergarten.


Well after taking the plunge I don't know if I should just live with this problem or try another one, but as of right now I don't think I will be able to find a perfect MBA until Apple address the problem.


the lines are very very subtitle, I could life with them, but not with the headache the screen produces...

[Ironic]

I hope for everyone the do find a cure, but many DO NOT have lines, how many we don't know.
Is the headache form the flicker or lines?

[tommi80]

I hope for everyone the do find a cure, but many DO NOT have lines, how many we don't know.
Is the headache form the flicker or lines?

i dont think the headache comes from the lines.
i rather think the lines and the headache are a indication for a bad flickering screen.

[ichigo11]

[QUOTE=StefanR.;6700189]if you have nothing else to do this is maybe a nice place, better then kindergarten.



wow....I guess you have nothing better to do either than insulting people on a Mac forum.

I'm only reporting what happened to me and my opinion. I was in the same situation wanting wait before the problem was resolved.

However, I couldn't help myself and took the risk and I just want to inform people that's wait what happened to me before they make their decision.

This is why i rarely post on these forums, talking about being in kindergarten.

This will be my last post on the matter, hope every one with a problem screen keep this thread alive and maybe Apple will fix this problem.

[Loki.Mephisto]

wow....I guess you have nothing better to do either than insulting people on a Mac forum.

Slowly, bronco, slowly. I think you´re on the same side, but a little lost in translation :)

[h1d]

if you have nothing else to do this is maybe a nice place, better then kindergarten.

oh... his brave report is only little better than being in kindergarten? I guess you failed to know the better world we live in :D

For christ's sake, Ironic's recommendation surely is working...
I'm sorry for those who took the chance and didn't get the luck...

I guess I'm seriously holding my purchase for now. Switching to SSD Rev A sounds better for now, for those HDD Rev A owners if they are thinking of upgrading (safely). Individual SSD is too expensive to just do the swap work, instead a whole replacement is cheaper.

[Ironic]

oh... his brave report is only little better than being in kindergarten? I guess you failed to know the better world we live in :D

For christ's sake, Ironic's recommendation surely is working...
I'm sorry for those who took the chance and didn't get the luck...

I guess I'm seriously holding my purchase for now. Switching to SSD Rev A sounds better for now, for those HDD Rev A owners if they are thinking of upgrading (safely). Individual SSD is too expensive to just do the swap work, instead a whole replacement is cheaper.

I say you should get a rev. A go for it.

[h1d]

For the uncountable time, yeah I already have one.
In fact, I even went for a second one (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=610449) :D But thanks for asking...

[wheelerw]

I say you should get a rev. A go for it.
Wow, I think I just saw a pig fly.

[frifra]

Hi guys,

I now read through all 22 pages (526 posts) and I will tell you something:

I) For those of you joining later: USER h1d did a very good summery:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6688398&postcount=410

II) the poll ( http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=608263 ) is a nice idea
but it does not show the replacement MBAs - right?

III) I've put everyone from this topic in a list, who said his MBA is working or not
(Faint Screen Lines)

-----People who have lines: -----

1. al3ph (W8845 9c9a) 2x
2. bened (Week 45, Tokio)
3. bigrasmusdk (8844, 8845, 8846, 8847) 4x
4. burdenendds 2x
5. dogg 2x
6. echo44
7. ercanbas
8. Essjay ***
9. fizzwinkus (9c9a)
10. fizzwinkus (W8843)
11. frunty (W884304)
12. glhiii (9c9a)
13. HeadForTheHills
14. ichigo11 (Week 47)
15. joemobile 2x
16. justit 2x
17. Kalmia
18. kanpachi (W8843, thread starter)
19. lincolnchee (Week45, 9c9a)
20. Luvion (replacement Week 47 kind of ok)
21. MacMT (8844, 9C9a)
22. menix (Week 44, 55, Germany) 2x
23. nmook
24. omaragra (dissapears more or less when ext.monitor connected)
25. orch5
26. ryanhawiya
27. Starfall (9c9a)
28. StefanR (Week 46, Spanish keyboard) 2x***
29. threepin
30. tommi80 (Week 48) 2x
21. tommyv (Week 45, 47, Switzerland) 2x
32. wheelerw (Week 45)
33. WorldIRC (Toronto, Canada)
34. Y2JDMBFAN (W8844)
35. YOKOJP
36. zer0tails (week 43, 9c9a) ***


***recognised lines later



-----People who have NO lines: -----


1. Ames
2. bwiley
3. chris11 (Italy, US layout)
4. Cynicalone (W8843, 9C9A)
5. dehory (W8844)
6. drevil (W8845)
7. foodcoma (Week 43, Singapore)
8. Herofan (swedish, W8845)
9. iomatic
10. Ironic (Week 44) 2x
11. lincolnchee
12. McGilli (Week33)
13. NC MacGuy, (W8843)
14. stealthman1
15. The golfer (8844, 9c9a)
16. The Toddfather
17. tigres (Week 46)
18. ulim


IV. RESULT:

- WITH Lines: 36 people, 48 MBAs including the replacements.

Further, Nr. 19 Luvion said his replacement MBA would be better than his first one.
MiBook84 experiences the same problem with his MBP.

- WITHOUT Lines: 18 people, 19 MBAs

Nr. 12 McGilli has Week 33? Is this a typo or is this Rev.A?


- So in Total that makes 48: 19 MBAs.

- I am wondering, that Nr.24 omaragra said, that it gets better, when she connects an external monitor. Did anyone else reproduce that?

- So far I have only seen one PICTURE from an MBA with LINES. All the others, like Nr.4 (no lines) Cynicalone, Nr. 15 (no lines) the golfer, were only screenshots! Which doesnt help at all.

- SO PLEASE could people post some more pictures. And is it not possible to design an image which makes it easier to spot the lines?

- Again a link to the Pic of the Problem in general: pic of the problem:
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514


THANKS!


PS: Ironic, please dont take it personal, but I think you are pretty much the only one who keeps repeating himself about the MBA whitout lines. When people with Lines usually mentioning this again, they bring in some new information. But you dont. I think it actually a little bit annoying, too.

[Ironic]

Hi guys,

I now read through all 22 pages (526 posts) and I will tell you something:

I) For those of you joining later: USER h1d did a very good summery:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6688398&postcount=410

II) the poll ( http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=608263 ) is a nice idea
but it does not show the replacement MBAs - right?

III) I've put everyone from this topic in a list, who said his MBA is working or not
(Faint Screen Lines)

-----People who have lines: -----

1. al3ph (W8845 9c9a) 2x
2. bened (Week 45, Tokio)
3. bigrasmusdk (8844, 8845, 8846, 8847) 4x
4. burdenendds 2x
5. dogg 2x
6. echo44
7. ercanbas
8. Essjay ***
9. fizzwinkus (9c9a)
10. fizzwinkus (W8843)
11. frunty (W884304)
12. glhiii (9c9a)
13. HeadForTheHills
14. ichigo11 (Week 47)
15. joemobile 2x
16. justit 2x
17. Kalmia
18. kanpachi (W8843, thread starter)
19. lincolnchee (Week45, 9c9a)
20. Luvion (replacement Week 47 kind of ok)
21. MacMT (8844, 9C9a)
22. menix (Week 44, 55, Germany) 2x
23. nmook
24. omaragra (dissapears more or less when ext.monitor connected)
25. orch5
26. ryanhawiya
27. Starfall (9c9a)
28. StefanR (Week 46, Spanish keyboard) 2x***
29. threepin
30. tommi80 (Week 48) 2x
21. tommyv (Week 45, 47, Switzerland) 2x
32. wheelerw (Week 45)
33. WorldIRC (Toronto, Canada)
34. Y2JDMBFAN (W8844)
35. YOKOJP
36. zer0tails (week 43, 9c9a) ***


***recognised lines later



-----People who have NO lines: -----


1. Ames
2. bwiley
3. chris11 (Italy, US layout)
4. Cynicalone (W8843, 9C9A)
5. dehory (W8844)
6. drevil (W8845)
7. foodcoma (Week 43, Singapore)
8. Herofan (swedish, W8845)
9. iomatic
10. Ironic (Week 44) 2x
11. lincolnchee
12. McGilli (Week33)
13. NC MacGuy, (W8843)
14. stealthman1
15. The golfer (8844, 9c9a)
16. The Toddfather
17. tigres (Week 46)
18. ulim


IV. RESULT:

- WITH Lines: 36 people, 48 MBAs including the replacements.

Further, Nr. 19 Luvion said his replacement MBA would be better than his first one.
MiBook84 experiences the same problem with his MBP.

- WITHOUT Lines: 18 people, 19 MBAs

Nr. 12 McGilli has Week 33? Is this a typo or is this Rev.A?


- So in Total that makes 48: 19 MBAs.

- I am wondering, that Nr.24 omaragra said, that it gets better, when she connects an external monitor. Did anyone else reproduce that?

- So far I have only seen one PICTURE from an MBA with LINES. All the others, like Nr.4 (no lines) Cynicalone, Nr. 15 (no lines) the golfer, were only screenshots! Which doesnt help at all.

- SO PLEASE could people post some more pictures. And is it not possible to design an image which makes it easier to spot the lines?

- Again a link to the Pic of the Problem in general: pic of the problem:
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514


THANKS!


PS: Ironic, please dont take it personal, but I think you are pretty much the only one who keeps repeating himself about the MBA whitout lines. When people with Lines usually mentioning this again, they bring in some new information. But you dont. I think it actually a little bit annoying, too.

Maybe do that for the flickering also?

[frifra]

Yeah Ironic, may be, you are just always ironic or maybe, as I ve now seen some other comments from you in other threads, YOU are JUST annoying. May be we should make a poll about YOU.

Honestly, first you said you own a MBA without lines and afterwards, when people kept complaining about their MBA, you got another MBA. Well, what a surprise, I am waiting for your 3rd one. Surprise me - maybe your dog or grandma got one too? Why dont you take some pics from every angle? Instead keeping annoying people?

[justit]

THANKS!
^^^^^
Thank you, nice summary!

I agree we now need to see the correlation of bad screens with flickering. This is harder to judge as some flickering may be acceptable for some but what is excessive becomes subjective. I wonder what role eye sight plays to flickering.

[wheelerw]

Hi guys,

I now read through all 22 pages (526 posts) and I will tell you something:

I) For those of you joining later: USER h1d did a very good summery:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6688398&postcount=410

...............
WOW, Thanks for your hard work! This is a great overview.

[YOKOJP]

Hi guys,

I now read through all 22 pages (526 posts) and I will tell you something:

I) For those of you joining later: USER h1d did a very good summery:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6688398&postcount=410

II) the poll ( http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=608263 ) is a nice idea
but it does not show the replacement MBAs - right?

III) I've put everyone from this topic in a list, who said his MBA is working or not
(Faint Screen Lines)

-----People who have lines: -----

1. al3ph (W8845 9c9a) 2x
2. bened (Week 45, Tokio)
3. bigrasmusdk (8844, 8845, 8846, 8847) 4x
4. burdenendds 2x
5. dogg 2x
6. echo44
7. ercanbas
8. Essjay ***
9. fizzwinkus (9c9a)
10. fizzwinkus (W8843)
11. frunty (W884304)
12. glhiii (9c9a)
13. HeadForTheHills
14. ichigo11 (Week 47)
15. joemobile 2x
16. justit 2x
17. Kalmia
18. kanpachi (W8843, thread starter)
19. lincolnchee (Week45, 9c9a)
20. Luvion (replacement Week 47 kind of ok)
21. MacMT (8844, 9C9a)
22. menix (Week 44, 55, Germany) 2x
23. nmook
24. omaragra (dissapears more or less when ext.monitor connected)
25. orch5
26. ryanhawiya
27. Starfall (9c9a)
28. StefanR (Week 46, Spanish keyboard) 2x***
29. threepin
30. tommi80 (Week 48) 2x
21. tommyv (Week 45, 47, Switzerland) 2x
32. wheelerw (Week 45)
33. WorldIRC (Toronto, Canada)
34. Y2JDMBFAN (W8844)
35. YOKOJP
36. zer0tails (week 43, 9c9a) ***


***recognised lines later



-----People who have NO lines: -----


1. Ames
2. bwiley
3. chris11 (Italy, US layout)
4. Cynicalone (W8843, 9C9A)
5. dehory (W8844)
6. drevil (W8845)
7. foodcoma (Week 43, Singapore)
8. Herofan (swedish, W8845)
9. iomatic
10. Ironic (Week 44) 2x
11. lincolnchee
12. McGilli (Week33)
13. NC MacGuy, (W8843)
14. stealthman1
15. The golfer (8844, 9c9a)
16. The Toddfather
17. tigres (Week 46)
18. ulim


IV. RESULT:

- WITH Lines: 36 people, 48 MBAs including the replacements.

Further, Nr. 19 Luvion said his replacement MBA would be better than his first one.
MiBook84 experiences the same problem with his MBP.

- WITHOUT Lines: 18 people, 19 MBAs

Nr. 12 McGilli has Week 33? Is this a typo or is this Rev.A?


- So in Total that makes 48: 19 MBAs.

- I am wondering, that Nr.24 omaragra said, that it gets better, when she connects an external monitor. Did anyone else reproduce that?

- So far I have only seen one PICTURE from an MBA with LINES. All the others, like Nr.4 (no lines) Cynicalone, Nr. 15 (no lines) the golfer, were only screenshots! Which doesnt help at all.

- SO PLEASE could people post some more pictures. And is it not possible to design an image which makes it easier to spot the lines?

- Again a link to the Pic of the Problem in general: pic of the problem:
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514


THANKS!


PS: Ironic, please dont take it personal, but I think you are pretty much the only one who keeps repeating himself about the MBA whitout lines. When people with Lines usually mentioning this again, they bring in some new information. But you dont. I think it actually a little bit annoying, too.

awesome job. wondering how many people kept their MBA with lines?

[Ironic]

Yeah Ironic, may be, you are just always ironic or maybe, as I ve now seen some other comments from you in other threads, YOU are JUST annoying. May be we should make a poll about YOU.

Honestly, first you said you own a MBA without lines and afterwards, when people kept complaining about their MBA, you got another MBA. Well, what a surprise, I am waiting for your 3rd one. Surprise me - maybe your dog or grandma got one too? Why dont you take some pics from every angle? Instead keeping annoying people?
What are you talking about I had two always, one is mine the other is my son's?!
No two is plenty however a tablet would be nice.

[frifra]

What are you talking about I had two always, one is mine the other is my son's?!

So then you have a lot material to take pics from - dont you?

@all

As I've read before, could it be, that the flickering is related to the screen brightness sensor? Deactivate it and see if it works.
Further I was wondering if anybody with a NON-US Keyboard tried to change his settings to US, including his keyboard. Would the 4-finger gesture work then?

HERE IS A ONLINE SCREEN TEST: http://tft.vanity.dk/monitorTest_scale.html
it comes with a lot of features (Flash), let me know if it is easier to spot the lines with the test.

[YOKOJP]

Currently living in Japan. Bought my MBA Rev B in NY with the lines. Called apple support service in Japan and told them the situation. They are coming to pickup my MBA and see what the problem is and they said most likely they will replace the graphic card which might caused the lines.

Hope is helps and will keep you guys posted.

[Ironic]

Currently living in Japan. Bought my MBA Rev B in NY with the lines. Called apple support service in Japan and told them the situation. They are coming to pickup my MBA and see what the problem is and they said most likely they will replace the graphic card which might caused the lines.

Hope is helps and will keep you guys posted.

keep us updated;

[davnee]

Just signed up to the forum (been a lurker until now) to let you all know that my Air arrived today with lines. Saw them right off the bat. And my eyes were burning in under 5 minutes. Looks to be week 47. I'm in the U.S. and 4 finger swipe works. It's going back to Apple in the morning.

[The Toddfather]

So then you have a lot material to take pics from - dont you?

@all

As I've read before, could it be, that the flickering is related to the screen brightness sensor? Deactivate it and see if it works.
Further I was wondering if anybody with a NON-US Keyboard tried to change his settings to US, including his keyboard. Would the 4-finger gesture work then?

HERE IS A ONLINE SCREEN TEST: http://tft.vanity.dk/monitorTest_scale.html
it comes with a lot of features (Flash), let me know if it is easier to spot the lines with the test.

Thanks for the test page. I did not see lines or flickering - anyone else?

[The Toddfather]

Yeah Ironic, may be, you are just always ironic or maybe, as I ve now seen some other comments from you in other threads, YOU are JUST annoying. May be we should make a poll about YOU.

Honestly, first you said you own a MBA without lines and afterwards, when people kept complaining about their MBA, you got another MBA. Well, what a surprise, I am waiting for your 3rd one. Surprise me - maybe your dog or grandma got one too? Why dont you take some pics from every angle? Instead keeping annoying people?

Great summary but the comments were unnecessary.

[omaragra]

frifra wrote
"I am wondering, that Nr.24 omaragra said, that it gets better, when she connects an external monitor. Did anyone else reproduce that?"

Hey I am a Guy :mad:. LOL :D

Yes that happens with my MBA !!

Regards
Omar

[Kalmia]

Thank you for the summary, frifra; it's a big help! It's just unfortunate that there doesn't seem to be an obvious common thread among those of us who had problem displays. Maybe something will present itself on down the line.

I dropped into Best Buy a couple of days ago in the hopes of looking at their revision B display model, but all they had was a revision A with the HDD (and a perfect screen). I talked to an employee who explained that the new models aren't being sold at the physical store locations as of yet, so there went my idea. Ah, well. If I'm at another Apple Store anytime in the next few weeks, I'll see what I can get done, research-wise.

Have any others in this thread sent their MBAs back to Apple and heard back from them? It seems like a few different machines were shipped back, but every person so far has gotten a different response about the issues.

[lincolnchee]

It should be 48:18. Mine has lines.

[Loki.Mephisto]

I´m curious on Apple´s statement on the flickering. The line-issue is one thing, but they can hardly claim the flickering is "expected behaviour" or "within spec".

At the end, Apple will have to announce something, i believe....

[tommi80]

I´m curious on Apple´s statement on the flickering. The line-issue is one thing, but they can hardly claim the flickering is "expected behaviour" or "within spec".

At the end, Apple will have to announce something, i believe....

IMHO, they will address these issues and until they get it, they tell us the "within spec" story.

Everything else would be a bad joke. Flickering screens and grey lines cannot be "within specs"!! 400EUR Netbooks might have a better display than these MBA units...

[pilotError]

Wow, I think I just saw a pig fly.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Major LOL. You could almost say it's Ironic!

[h1d]

Irony of the day : It's Ironic my Rev As are flawless and his wasn't...

But, when people talk about the flickering, does the test image flicker without scrolling the image at all?
I see the image flicker on Rev A (or even on an external display) if I scroll them (image at the original size), but doesn't if it stays static.

Great summary but the comments were unnecessary.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: (And yours [and other 'oh just go get one its gotta be flawless! stop whining newb!'] were?)

And this is a general suggestion but can we not quote the whole big post just to make a reply? (Unless you need it to make yourself make sense, but it's making a page damn long.)

[al3ph]

Irony of the day : It's Ironic my Rev As are flawless and his wasn't...

But, when people talk about the flickering, does the test image flicker without scrolling the image at all?
I see the image flicker on Rev A (or even on an external display) if I scroll them (image at the original size), but doesn't if it stays static.



Mine flickered without scrolling.

[jessica.]

I can say I've yet to see an MBA with lines. I saw a member here in person and basically smudged the screen with my nose and saw nothing. I'm going to the Apple store later and I'll be looking. Has anyone equated this to an issue outside the US? Like horizontal scroll? Just curious.

[tommi80]

I can say I've yet to see an MBA with lines. I saw a member here in person and basically smudged the screen with my nose and saw nothing. I'm going to the Apple store later and I'll be looking. Has anyone equated this to an issue outside the US? Like horizontal scroll? Just curious.

make sure that the device you are looking at is a 2nd generation (Rev. B) MacBook Air. The first one didnt have these issues.

[Lumpydog]

Mine flickered without scrolling.

Ditto for the Rev B I looked at in the Apple Store. The flickering ocurred in the middle of the image and was verttical - right up the middle part of the image.

[tommi80]

Hey,

I've just got a call from an Apple Engineer on behalf of Steve Jobs (really, that's what he said ;-) ).
He told me that they will inspect my two returned MBAs and asked me about the problems i had with them (headache, flickering, grey lines...)

They've also read this thread here (I noticed it in my reclamation mail) and they promised me to give me feedback soon...

so.. lets hope the answer is not again "in specs" ;-)

Tom.

[h1d]

Thank god our posts (and all other places/blogs that wrote about it) got their attention at last. But that aside, 2.5k isnt' really supposed to have this sort of thing... come on Apple, you can do it :)

Bloody hell it better not be 'Within Specs', because if that is so, I'm sure many will put Apple's defective production as 'Within Expectation' and would consider less chance of buying... Certainly lost 1k out of me for going Rev A SSD instead of B. We're yet the better ones still 'waiting' for the fix, instead of average users going 'wtf, this is Apple!? I'm back to Dell' kind of flocks.

[StefanR.]

I believe that there are Air´s around without lines, my first one had no lines. the lines in the second one have been very very subtle. nearly not visible.

I doubt that there are Air´s around without a flickering screen, today i saw a Air from a friend (he got it today) faint lines and flickering screen, also no 4 finger swipe. even if you dont see the flickering on your screen, this is what creates the headache and eye burning.

[Lumpydog]

even if you dont see the flickering on your screen, this is what creates the headache and eye burning.

I think you're right about this - my personal opinion is that the LED backlight is strobing - kind of like a flourescent light. For some reason, on the new airs, the LED's strobe at a slower rate than the old. This is probably causing both the lines and the headaches.

I wonder if anyone here understands LED technology enough to weigh in.

I also wonder if the LED backlight's settings can be controlled via the firmware...

[davnee]

Spoke with Applecare today. Apple is going to attempt to replace my screen. Anybody else have them take this approach or is this new?

[frifra]

- Odd question: Would a MBA Rev. A Screen work on a Rev.B ?

- Did anyone manage to produce the same results as Omaragra, when HE ;) connected an external display to the MBA?

- What happens if you shut off the sensor for the sreen brightness and connect an external monitor?

- Was anyone able to see any lines when the MBA is off?

- I really dont know, what it could be, but could BLACKLIGHT be of any help?

[Lumpydog]

I think you're right about this - my personal opinion is that the LED backlight is strobing - kind of like a flourescent light. For some reason, on the new airs, the LED's strobe at a slower rate than the old. This is probably causing both the lines and the headaches.

I wonder if anyone here understands LED technology enough to weigh in.

I also wonder if the LED backlight's settings can be controlled via the firmware...

Here are a few interesting web pages with information about LED backlit LCDs and flicker. I wonder if the new Rev B Air's backlights is not getting enough current?

http://www.pacificdisplay.com/lcd_backlights.htm (see the section titled "Maximum Backlight Brightness)

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=214744 (This discusses a laptop with potentially simiar issues)

[tubbymac]

I did a test today and instead of going to my local Apple store I picked one at random in the city. I'm in Canada for reference.

Spent half an hour examining a Macbook Air 1.8 with 128 ssd with the sole purpose of trying to find the horizontal screen lines and the flickering. Bent screen to extreme viewing angles, looked at it from as far horizontally as possible, the works. Tried as many color combinations as possible on the screen, test patterns from web sites, and went so far as to try photographing the screen using my iPhone camera from various close up angles.

Trust me, I tried hard to find the problem and just couldn't see it. Four finger swipe was working on this model, and no screen issues could be found. The workers there probably thought I was crazy, and at this point, I would be inclined to agree.

But that's my experience as of today. The only thing I could find fault with was the slower animation frame rate of the dock magnification compared to the Macbook Pro which is silky smooth.

[LeonX]

and went so far as to try photographing the screen using my iPhone camera from various close up angles.


Could you post some of the pictures?

[Loki.Mephisto]

First reports on MBAs shipped in Austria / Germany report no problems.

I consider a visit to the Apple Store in Munich (opens this saturday) next week. We´ll see....

[tommi80]

First reports on MBAs shipped in Austria / Germany report no problems.

I consider a visit to the Apple Store in Munich (opens this saturday) next week. We´ll see....

That sounds really good :) Are they only "linefree"? Or flicker free and headache free too?

I'm from Vienna and I am looking forward to getting a "good" MBA as soon as possible.

[Loki.Mephisto]

That sounds really good :) Are they only "linefree"? Or flicker free and headache free too?

I'm from Vienna and I am looking forward to getting a "good" MBA as soon as possible.

Good question.

Check out www.macuser.de for detailed information. Btw, nice Mac-Store in Schönbrunnerstrasse is McShark

Greez

[tommi80]

Good question.

Check out www.macuser.de for detailed information. Btw, nice Mac-Store in Schönbrunnerstrasse is McShark

Greez

Much nicer is the new McShark Megastore at the Mariahilferstr.! ;-)

[Loki.Mephisto]

Much nicer is the new McShark Megastore at the Mariahilferstr.! ;-)

uh, i yeah. Reminds me haven' t been in Vienna for longer time :-)

[LeonX]

First reports on MBAs shipped in Austria / Germany report no problems.

I consider a visit to the Apple Store in Munich (opens this saturday) next week. We´ll see....

As I said before, I checked the first one on display in Hamburg, it had the horizontal line issue as well as missing 4-finger-swipe.

[frifra]

Does it really matter where the MBAs are without any problems? Are they not all coming from China?

[Loki.Mephisto]

Does it really matter where the MBAs are without any problems? Are they not all coming from China?

Nobody really knows. Europe in general, especially germany are sometimes considered as difficult markets and therefore QC is harder (cars!).

[alphaxono]

Where in Hamburg was the new model on display? Would love to check it out.
Go Hamburg!

[h1d]

Someone said about lines appearing in MBA picked up in Tokyo, so I guess everyone would have a chance. :cool:

[LeonX]

hamburg? Saturn! i would love to know if you realize the lines on that specific model...

[HLdan]

YAWN.... This thread is getting tired. Now horizontal lines are in Tokyo....blah blah blah....Let it go. This thread needs to be closed. We got the point H1d. :rolleyes: You keep harping on it.

[al3ph]

YAWN.... This thread is getting tired. Now horizontal lines are in Tokyo....blah blah blah....Let it go. This thread needs to be closed. We got the point H1d. :rolleyes: You keep harping on it.

Tsk.. If it bores you so much, why don`t you go troll on some other thread..

[StefanR.]

YAWN.... This thread is getting tired. Now horizontal lines are in Tokyo....blah blah blah....Let it go. This thread needs to be closed. We got the point H1d. :rolleyes: You keep harping on it.

dont read it.

[jessica.]

make sure that the device you are looking at is a 2nd generation (Rev. B) MacBook Air. The first one didnt have these issues.
Seriously don't be stupid. Of course a rev b. Apple store Crabtree also has 2 Ssd models on display with no lines. You people are off your rockers.

[lincolnchee]

Seriously don't be stupid. Of course a rev b. Apple store Crabtree also has 2 Ssd models on display with no lines. You people are off your rockers.

Well... If you look at the poll, you will notice that there are quite a number of defective units, so it is pointless to go further.. Let's not argue on this and wait for Apple's response.

[tommi80]

Well... If you look at the poll, you will notice that there are quite a number of defective units, so it is pointless to go further.. Let's not argue on this and wait for Apple's response.

hmm.. there is one vote for "Have exchanged for one that does not have the faint thin horizontal lines" :-)

[h1d]

YAWN.... This thread is getting tired. Now horizontal lines are in Tokyo....blah blah blah....Let it go. This thread needs to be closed. We got the point H1d. :rolleyes: You keep harping on it.

I hope you are having fun reading replies out of your spamming by now :D And you do realize I'm not the only one keeping the thread alive, as far as I know. And I hope you have PM'ed every owners with lines, potential buyers to drop the topic already and moderator to shut the thread or are you too shy to say so to other than me? :) But for a 'newb' like me being just a week old member, I was glad this thread already exposed who the spammers are on the part of the forum ;) So, it will be easy to read who's replies should be carefuly read and who's can just be scrolled, especially like yours, who just can't grasp anything but your own bent will. What's the point trying to make your post worth less and less every time? Unless that's about your life. You got this point too? If you are so concerned, start a poll with options of 'Should HLDan bug off?' 'Should the thread be closed?'.

[frifra]

Well, I've got some news:

I have been to 2 Apple Stores in Toronto. The Eaton Centre (which just reopened 22.11.08) still hasn't got any MBA. But the Apple Store in Yorkdale has one MBA Rev.A next to a MBA Rev.B. - BTW: For some reason it was not possible to access MacRumours - it was stated, that the IP address was blocked from MR.

- I could see the lines, only on the Rev.B.

- You can see them on google on the white Background and if something is lightgreen (try for example the online screen test: http://tft.vanity.dk/monitorTest_scale.html )

- Your eyes or lets say your face have to be above the end of the MBA, where the trackpadbutton ends (to describe the distance) If you go closer you might only slightly recognise it. But it is best recognised, if you have another notebook to compare e.g. the google main page.
I showed it to 2 employees - both agreed, that something isn't right. They could also see, that the Color White doesn't really look like it - As it was described before it is a little dirty/grey.

- Now the interesting part: I openend on both MBAs the following picture: http://www.keithstravels.com/travelog/photos/desktopsplit-loginscreen.jpg
When you just use the link, you might see it in a smaller resolution than it actually is (TEST A). If you click on it, it gets bigger (TEST B).

It was very noticeable that under (TEST A) the picture was FLICKERING a lot!
But ONLY on REV. B, not on Rev.A. I also showed this to an employee, who was really surprised. On (Test B) you could still see it, but not as much as on (Test A).
He then changed the display options. He unchecked the box 'only display settings for this screen', so then a lot of different types came up. He choosed the last one, which name started with a "W". AND GUESS WHAT, the FLICKERING ON THE REV.B was totally gone.
Could somebody maybe try all the different modes? And tell if there is any difference?

- Another difference I recognised between the Rev.A and Rev.B was, that if you use the Link for the online screen test and you choose "Color Range \ Black White Grad." then the steps from black to white, which were visible, were smaller on the Rev. A. - what does this mean?

PS: I played half an hour with the Rev.B, but cannot say that I got a headache or burning eyes.

Both MBAs I tested had the same display resolution (max.)

[Ironic]

I hope you are having fun reading replies out of your spamming by now :D And you do realize I'm not the only one keeping the thread alive, as far as I know. And I hope you have PM'ed every owners with lines, potential buyers to drop the topic already and moderator to shut the thread or are you too shy to say so to other than me? :) But for a 'newb' like me being just a week old member, I was glad this thread already exposed who the spammers are on the part of the forum ;) So, it will be easy to read who's replies should be carefuly read and who's can just be scrolled, especially like yours, who just can't grasp anything but your own bent will. What's the point trying to make your post worth less and less every time? Unless that's about your life. You got this point too? If you are so concerned, start a poll with options of 'Should HLDan bug off?' 'Should the thread be closed?'.

H1D you are the one causing problems, no one else is!
you fight to start flaming us to keep this sad thread going, I for one would love it closed.

[h1d]

oh well, you all work for Apple don't you? or else, what is this... it's getting sad about all of you trying to dismiss people's problem... do you know such a phrase called 'none of your business'? 'start flaming us'... oh, right, just read again from page 17, where I first showed up... About time I'm gonna just ignore all the spams, or I'm doubling the amount of useless posts while people still make useful reports. [Ironic, ToddFather, HLDan] Just taking memo for my own.

[tubbymac]

Could you post some of the pictures?

Here's the best picture of the bunch. The reason it looks like it has a wavy effect to it is because there were so many customers in the store one nearly bumped into me as I was taking it so the camera moved a bit.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/4371/img0008tl6.jpg
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/img0008tl6.jpg/1/w1200.png

The other pictures I took I tried to get to more extreme angles and closer to the Macbook Air but they ended up discolored from the bad lighting angle. Couldn't get any closer with my iPhone and take a shot that didn't look terrible.

[Ironic]

Here's the best picture of the bunch. The reason it looks like it has a wavy effect to it is because there were so many customers in the store one nearly bumped into me as I was taking it so the camera moved a bit.



The other pictures I took I tried to get to more extreme angles and closer to the Macbook Air but they ended up discolored from the bad lighting angle. Couldn't get any closer with my iPhone and take a shot that didn't look terrible. That one looks grainy.

[tubbymac]

That one looks grainy.

Woah didn't realize the picture would be so big. Yeah it's pretty grainy and low quality since it was taken from an iPhone camera. On top of that the stores like to stick the Macbook Airs off to the side where the lighting isn't too great. Couldn't find the horizontal lines on it though.

[Ironic]

Woah didn't realize the picture would be so big. Yeah it's pretty grainy and low quality since it was taken from an iPhone camera. On top of that the stores like to stick the Macbook Airs off to the side where the lighting isn't too great. Couldn't find the horizontal lines on it though.I also check some stores today and a Best buy, no lines on any?

[joemobile]

I also check some stores today and a Best buy, no lines on any?

would be interesting to know/see how these devices behave when displaying and moving the test pictures. Have you had the chance to display any?

About closcing this thread. I am definitely against closing this thread since I want to know how things go on. If anybody received a perfect replacement and even more with which answer Apple will come around actually examing some of the thread users' devices.

[Loki.Mephisto]

H1D you are the one causing problems, no one else is!
you fight to start flaming us to keep this sad thread going, I for one would love it closed.

1. YOU are the one causing troubles and who is ridiculously wining around

2. We all know, you do not like us to discuss that matter. So, why don´t you just bail out and ignore this thread, if you don´t like it?

[Lumpydog]

Stopped by my Apple store last night. Rolled the dice and purchased a Rev B. No lines - and I know what to look for because the store floor model has them.

Great laptop - so far a nice improvement over the Rev A.

[Ironic]

would be interesting to know/see how these devices behave when displaying and moving the test pictures. Have you had the chance to display any?

About closcing this thread. I am definitely against closing this thread since I want to know how things go on. If anybody received a perfect replacement and even more with which answer Apple will come around actually examing some of the thread users' devices.

I didn't have the links with me and MR was also blocked from the store.
I did change it to the all white back ground and it had NO lines at all, so either its not hat big of a issues or they are getting better.

[jessica.]

That one looks grainy.
Agreed. And Tubbymac, a photo taken while you're bumped won't be wavy like that. It'd be blurry and possibly show ghosting ...
Woah didn't realize the picture would be so big. Yeah it's pretty grainy and low quality since it was taken from an iPhone camera. On top of that the stores like to stick the Macbook Airs off to the side where the lighting isn't too great. Couldn't find the horizontal lines on it though.What store? The MB Airs are on the side wall right where their MacPros used to be. All of the store is well lit until you get back to the accessories and software side. And please, go back and edit your posts using TIMG tags.

I didn't have the links with me and MR was also blocked from the store.
I did change it to the all white back ground and it had NO lines at all, so either its not hat big of a issues or they are getting better.

What store? I've been to a number of Apple stores and MR is never blocked. I doubt MR was blocked from your store.

As for the pics, again I see no lines. How interesting.

[Ironic]

NY store, and yes it was blocked. Also I was not the one who post a picture?

[h1d]

Uh oh... Time to mod down every comments! :cool:
http://apple.slashdot.org/apple/08/12/05/135207.shtml

Ironic, he probably meant, the original picture to stay inline, but your quote didn't have to repreat the image.

To the author of the blog on slashdot story (if you ever read this) : There's an example of lines on MBP late 2k8 on page 6, so, it's not just MBA.

[jessica.]

NY store, and yes it was blocked. Also I was not the one who post a picture?

That's nice. I asked tubbymac, hence me quoting his post. ;)

Uh oh... Time to mod down every comments! :cool:
http://apple.slashdot.org/apple/08/12/05/135207.shtml

Ironic, he probably meant, the original picture to stay inline, but your quote didn't have to repreat the image.

She. The name "Jessica" is just one helpful clue. ;) And I wasn't talking to Ironic about the tags, as stated previously.

[gaadzook]

Last weekend I went to 5 Apple stores within the Boston area -- every Rev B I looked at had the lines. The lines are faint but very visible. (I also went to a Best Buy -- but they only had Rev A on display.) Several of the Apple stores also had Rev A on display and no lines were on any of those. The Rev Bs were weeks 43 and 44.

Still, I really want a MBA so I decided to "play mba lotto" and buy a Rev B. Its scheduled to arrive today. If it has lines its going back.

None of the photos I've seen posted quite display the lines that I've seen - I assume they are hard to capture due to their faintness. If I lose the lotto and get a mba with lines, I'll try my hand at photographing the issue.

[Blue Velvet]

I've had to spend too much time working with this thread to keep it from going off the rails. This thread is closed.