Thin Horizontal Lines on Rev 2 MBA?

[kanpachi]

Just picked up one of the new MBAs today - pretty happy with it overall, although I'm noticing a bunch of faint horizontal lines across the screen spanning across the entire viewable area. Is this a defect or is this normal?

[FFTWarren]

sounds like a defect. knock on wood, mine doesnt have that

[kanpachi]

sounds like a defect. knock on wood, mine doesnt have that

It's really subtle - do you notice anything when looking at the screen up close? It spans the entire vertical area of the screen. It's like a bunch of super thin gray lines that are parallel to one another appearing every other pixel. Faint and subtle, but definitely noticeable.

If you don't notice it on yours though, I suppose an exchange is in order.

[FFTWarren]

I dont notice anything like that.

[frunty]

Yep, I have that on my 1.86/SSD model also, as do the ones on display at the local Apple Store. I took a closer look at my Rev. A MBA, and it also has faint horizontal lines, though not as noticeable as on the new machine. I'll give it a week or so to decide whether it bothers me enough to exchange it.

[kanpachi]

Yep, I have that on my 1.86/SSD model also, as do the ones on display at the local Apple Store. I took a closer look at my Rev. A MBA, and it also has faint horizontal lines, though not as noticeable as on the new machine. I'll give it a week or so to decide whether it bothers me enough to exchange it.

Wow, that's no good, seems like a widespread issue then. On the bright side though, I'm glad you can at least confirm there is an issue with the screens and I'm not crazy. :)

[jessica.]

Any way to show an actual picture of the "issue".

[kanpachi]

Not sure if you guys can see it.

Just had it exchanged this morning and I'm still seeing the same thing.

Not sure if you guys can see it.

Just had it exchanged this morning and I'm still seeing the same thing.

It doesn't show up on the screenshot - looking at it from another computer. Sigh, oh well. I'm on my MacBook right now and I don't see any of those annoying lines. I guess you'll just have to buy one or go to the store and see for yourself.

[mhnajjar]

We will never be able to see what you are talking about from a screenshot. You have to provide us with an actual photographed picture since this issue would be produced from your monitor.

[Starfall]

I have the new MacBook Air 1.86/128GB SSD, and I too see very faint lines on my display. They are not completely horizontal - rather, they are pitched at about a -5 degree angle from left to right, and appear to be about 1 pixel in width, and 1 pixel apart.

What's interesting however, is that the lines change their position, relative to the actual screen image, depending on a slight change in viewing angle. In other words, these lines appear to "roll" over the actual screen image when the viewing angle changes back and forth.

This leads me to believe that they might be some sort of interference fringe caused by the interface between the LCD panel and the glossy surface, rather than a darkening (or lightening) of the display pixels themselves?

Regardless, I'm not going to exchange mine, given that many Airs seem to display this phenomenon, and my Air is pretty much perfect in every other way (no dead pixels, no dents, misaligned keys, flush lid when closed, etc.)

[twist2b]

WOw, this is starting to become a wide spread issue! I really wonder...................................... WEIRD!

[kanpachi]

I have the new MacBook Air 1.86/128GB SSD, and I too see very faint lines on my display. They are not completely horizontal - rather, they are pitched at about a -5 degree angle from left to right, and appear to be about 1 pixel in width, and 1 pixel apart.

What's interesting however, is that the lines change their position, relative to the actual screen image, depending on a slight change in viewing angle. In other words, these lines appear to "roll" over the actual screen image when the viewing angle changes back and forth.

This leads me to believe that they might be some sort of interference fringe caused by the interface between the LCD panel and the glossy surface, rather than a darkening (or lightening) of the display pixels themselves?

Regardless, I'm not going to exchange mine, given that many Airs seem to display this phenomenon, and my Air is pretty much perfect in every other way (no dead pixels, no dents, misaligned keys, flush lid when closed, etc.)

Starfall, thanks for the detailed explanation. This is EXACTLY what I am seeing on my screen as well. Lines are not completely horizontal, but rather as you said, are slightly curved and are at an angle.

Spoke to AppleCare, but this is not a known issue. Also spoke to a Genius over the phone and she mentioned that all other Airs she saw showed the same phenomenon.

It's reassuring at least to know that other people are seeing this problem and appears to be "normal" (or as Apple would call it, "within spec").

[Vulcan]

...it is normal to Apple for over half of Airs to have a defect? Wow... just wow.

[ppc750fx]

...it is normal to Apple for over half of Airs to have a defect? Wow... just wow.

No, but it is normal for people on various forums to assume that a handful of samples from a vocal, technically-savvy minority represent a multi-million unit product line in a statistically significant way.

[mhnajjar]

For the guys who are having this issue, do you notice a horizontal line flickering through the screen while browsing in Safari by holding the blue scrolling button to the right of the browser?

I am thinking that these lines are due to nVidia's fault not Apple. Let see what you get first.

This flickering line would appear as if it was going through your text while scrolling. I will go to the Apple store this Friday and find out myself and let you know too :D

[nat.i]

could u take a photo and post ? thx

:confused:

[frunty]

I'm in the same boat as Starfall in that this MBA is great in every other respect, so I'm hesitant to do an exchange when all the models on display at our local store have the issue. My wife's MBA, which shipped from China and arrived yesterday, also exhibits the lines.

I spoke to an Apple Genius and he agreed that the lines were visible, but only at some angles. When we turned the screen off and looked at the reflection of a bright light in it, the glossy coating on the LCD panel seems to have slight ripples on the surface, whereas my first-gen MBA doesn't. Whether it's relevant to the lines, I'm not sure.

I've had a difficult time photographing the lines with my Sony DSC-T1 (old-school), though the lines are staring me right in the face as I type this. I'll see if I can borrow a better camera and get shots of both the lines and the screen coating.

[kanpachi]

Just received a call from an engineer at Apple headquarters. Apparently they're treating this as a pretty serious issue and wanted to know more about the problem.

Does anyone's Air NOT have this problem?

[aristobrat]

I'm surprised NC Mac hasn't replied to this thread. He's ripped his 1st and 2nd gen MBA's apart enough to know every detail...

[twist2b]

This IS serious. My guess was the graphics card as well. I think its not displaying right. NC has not reported the problem though...

Anyways, does it happen INSTANTLY on boot? Have you ever been able to make it dis-appear at small intervals of time?

Also, do the lines MOVE at all? Or do they stand still and are hard to see?

Thanks.

[kanpachi]

This IS serious. My guess was the graphics card as well. I think its not displaying right. NC has not reported the problem though...

Anyways, does it happen INSTANTLY on boot? Have you ever been able to make it dis-appear at small intervals of time?

Also, do the lines MOVE at all? Or do they stand still and are hard to see?

Thanks.

Yup, the problem happens right when you turn it on and see the gray screen with Apple logo. Noticed the problem the first time I turned on the computer.

The lines don't move at all - they stand still, but they're pretty annoying especially on a lighter background, although you can still notice them on a dark background. It sorta looks like this, but not as pronounced:

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/7343/lines0tw.jpg

Imagine this happening across the entire vertical span of the screen with the lines stretching entirely from left to right.

I personally don't find this to be acceptable at all given the high cost of this machine. After all, it is the display that you look at every time you use the computer and no, the solution is not to hook it up to an external monitor.

[echo44]

just got back from the apple store and they had an old macbook air
next to the new version. I noticed the lines almost makes a white screen
look textured like partchment paper. Compared to the old one which to my eye
had similar lines only much fainter almost impossible to see.
It didn't seem like a deal breaker. I wonder if it may have something to do with an anti glare coating? I noticed a pattern even with the screen dimmed off. I noticed the mac book air screen is a lot less reflective than the new mac book pros! I am not sure it would have bothered me until i read this thread
now I may wait on the purchase to see how it pans out.

[twist2b]

Can you do me one last favor.... Test this out:
1. Completely dark room, no outside light. See how well you can see the lines.
2. Make sure you alot of light from a light source or outside
3. Try FORCING glare on the screen.

I know that sounds crazy, but I really lets me know how well the lines are noticeable.

One time installing ubuntu I had extreme lines going through the screen. It was REALLY strange. I re-installed and did not have the problem. I really don't think its the screen as much as its the graphics cards driver, or something else.

edit - keep us informed if you get any more information. I am extremely interested.

[Sceeter]

I just got a MacBook Air yesterday, same problem with horizontal lines. They aren't always there it seems, but when they are it looks like subtle gray slightly recycled paper.

I hope its just a driver fix and not something that needs a swap.

:(

[Y2JDMBFAN]

Just opened mine that came Monday today...Was conflicted about keeping it until Apple offered me $150 to keep it...Anyways, mine has these lines as well...Not sure what the best strategy to take here is, this is going to be a pain to take in to the Genius' ...I guarantee they will say they can't see the lines...And to think I went with the 2nd Air because it had a screen better than the Macbook and awesome size to replace my first gen Air...

Y2J

[echo44]

I am wondering if the lines are normal for this product?
After obeserving them on the demo unit in the apple store they seemed
more related to the surface of the screen rather than the LED panel
as if they reside in the glass? Aren't they also on the old models?
I thought the same lines were ther only a lot less prominant?
I did not see them on the new mac book pro but that machine has different glass?

[mhnajjar]

Just opened mine that came Monday today...Was conflicted about keeping it until Apple offered me $150 to keep it...Anyways, mine has these lines as well...Not sure what the best strategy to take here is, this is going to be a pain to take in to the Genius' ...I guarantee they will say they can't see the lines...And to think I went with the 2nd Air because it had a screen better than the Macbook and awesome size to replace my first gen Air...

Y2J

Why did Apple offer you $150 to keep your machine :confused:

[kanpachi]

I am wondering if the lines are normal for this product?
After obeserving them on the demo unit in the apple store they seemed
more related to the surface of the screen rather than the LED panel
as if they reside in the glass? Aren't they also on the old models?
I thought the same lines were ther only a lot less prominant?
I did not see them on the new mac book pro but that machine has different glass?

It's not normal considering the lines don't appear on the old and new MB/MBPs. If you look at the Air from the side, the lines are actually red so either there's something up with the screen transistors and the glass/screen is muting the effect depending on the angle or the LED panel itself is defective.

I do notice though that the glare on this screen is much less pronounced than the former glossy and new MB/MBPs, so perhaps the lines are a result of a "bad car window tint job" (lines instead of bubbles though) effect to minimize glare? But if that were the case, I would think the lines would be visible when the screen is off, but maybe the anti-glare coating is beneath the external display layer. :confused:

Why did Apple offer you $150 to keep your machine :confused:

I guess it's their way of admitting there's an obvious problem?

[twist2b]

I guess it's their way of admitting there's an obvious problem?

I don't know if that is a true story. I have NEVER heard of that before!
I would REALLY like to find out whats going on.

SOMEONE EMAIL STEVE!

[lewchenko]

This is pretty worrying for me. Its kinda stopped me in my tracks at purchasing an air now.

The last thing I want to do is buy one and find fault with the screen (especially as one of the reasons Im buying the air is due to the fact that the screen is supposed to be better than the macbook)

You know its an expensive computer, and nothing short of perfection is expected.

Apple seemed to really have dropped the ball with their latest batch of products, what with faulty trackpads in the macbooks and macbook pro's and now dodgy 'textured' screen interference on the air's. Well atleast the air's dont overheat now like the Rev A models..

For Christ's sake Apple ... sort out the Quality. What next... the 3 red rings of death!

[kanpachi]

Per request and consideration of the MacRumors community as well as other Mac users out there, I submitted the email below to Steve Jobs regarding this issue. Will let everyone know if I hear back despite the unlikeliness of this happening.

---
to sjobs@apple.com
date Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 2:22 PM
subject MacBook Air Display Defect

Steve,

Whether it is you or a representative of you reading this, I just wanted to let you know that many people (especially myself) are quite disappointed with the display in the recently launched MacBook Airs. There are thin horizontal lines that span across the entire screen throughout the vertical landscape of the display appearing about every 1-2 pixels. As you can imagine, this is quite distracting and damages the overall user experience.

Given the high price point of this product and similarly high gross margins that you enjoy, I would have hoped that additional investment would have been put into the QC and manufacturing processes to avoid these type of issues. We have already seen issues with the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros - specifically, unreliable trackpad responses, dents in the unibody enclosure, unusual fan noises, etc. - and to see these types of problems on a revised notebook model is not very confidence-inspiring to say the least. You already target a very niche market with this notebook who are willing to pay a premium for the portability and beautiful display, but because of the issues, this has deterred many people from purchasing it. As this problem becomes more well-known, I can only imagine it losing popularity.

I have been a die hard Apple fan for years - starting all the way from the Macintosh LC days playing Shufflepuck Cafe and using Writing Center, but it is clear that QC has suffered greatly in recent years due to the growing demand of your products. I actually received a call from one of your engineers to inquire further into the issue which is reassuring, but to accept that such a fundamental flaw in the display has already reached the masses (which could have been fairly easily caught in the QC process) makes me question the company's emphasis on product quality vs. design.

Anyways, there are a lot of disgrunted and concerned users out there (including myself). My hope is that this message will at least bring more internal attention to the matter and a resolution will be available soon.
---

[aristobrat]

The fact that you've received a call from an Apple product engineer is impressive, period.

What did the engineer ask? What did you tell them? And more importantly, why aren't any other Air owners beating this drum?

[kanpachi]

The fact that you've received a call from an Apple product engineer is impressive, period.

What did the engineer ask? What did you tell them? And more importantly, why aren't any other Air owners beating this drum?

He asked me to explain the issue in more detail and wanted me to send the Air in for investigation, but I didn't since he wanted me to ship mine first as collateral in exchange for a replacement.

I basically told them about the horizontal lines, how they spanned across the entire vertical landscape of the screen and how it was pretty annoying. He seemed sincerely apologetic about it and was serious about getting the issue resolved.

Not sure why people aren't responding more to this - either they're okay with it or aren't really being vocal. But I anticipate more people will mention it in the coming weeks as the Air only came out very recently.

[Cynicalone]

What is the best way to see these "lines"? I have my Macbook Air 1st Gen. sitting next to my Macbook Air 2nd Gen. and I can't see them. I tried to see them with a blank page open in Firefox, (all white screen) still couldn't see them.

[Essjay]

I see the horizontal lines across my 2.0 SSD but they are barely noticeable for my eyes. For example while I type this I have to squint and be a few inches form the display to notice them. Is it more pronounced on your Air or is this just my eyes failing me?

[Cynicalone]

I see the horizontal lines across my 2.0 SSD but they are barely noticeable for my eyes. For example while I type this I have to squint and be a few inches form the display to notice them. Is it more pronounced on your Air or is this just my eyes failing me?

You must have better eyesight than me. I'm practically kissing my screen and I can't see them.

[kanpachi]

You might be able to notice them better if you look at the screen from the side at about 15-20 degrees from the side. When I do that the lines become red. It's also more noticeable if there's some color on the page (but not too much) like the Google homepage. But just want to caution you that once you notice them, you probably can't "unnotice" them anymore!

As for the Gen 1 Air, people have said that the issue isn't as bad so you're lucky. But I guess nothing's perfect since the Gen 1 has heat issues and such. :(

Also, the lines are most noticeable when sitting at a typical viewing distance (about 1-1.5 feet) away from the screen. I can't see them myself either when getting to kissing distance.

[Cynicalone]

I'm not questioning what your saying I believe you must see them but I just can't. I tried what you suggested still can't see them. The screen seems identical to my 1st Gen Air. I have them on my desk sitting side by side. I just can't see it. Maybe it doesn't effect all of the screens? I wonder if NC MacGuy can see this.

Or admittedly I could just be going blind in my old age. :o

[mhnajjar]

Do you both have the same manufacturing facility and production week? List first few digits of your serial numbers :)

I am still gussing this is due to some nVidia fault but I'll check hopefully this Saturday when I get the time to visit the Apple store.

[Cynicalone]

Do you both have the same manufacturing facility and production week? List first few digits of your serial numbers :)

I am still gussing this is due to some nVidia fault but I'll check hopefully this Saturday when I get the time to visit the Apple store.

On the second generation the first 3 digits are W88.

EDIT: Just checked the display is 9C9A.

[Essjay]

On the second generation the first 3 digits are W88.

EDIT: Just checked the display is 9C9A.

I have the same serial and display model as you, and I am also having trouble seeing the lines.

[Cynicalone]

It is a different display than my 1st Generation MBA which is using a 9C6F display.

[mhnajjar]

W88 means nothing since it is common since that it would be W88 for sure where W8 is the facility and 8 is the year lol :D.

Please provide more like the next two digits after that to show what week even though I am thinking you might have the same week also.

BTW, in a dark black screen, do those lines appear greyish under full screen brightness?

[Cynicalone]

Please provide more like the next two digits after that

43

[mhnajjar]

43

Thanks, this means that yours was produced in week 43 of this year. Now we are just waiting for the rest of the guys who are having this problem to provide us with these two digits and hopefully screen part number.

BTW, my B.Sc. degree is from TU :D so how is Tulsa nowadays. I spent there 4 of the best years of my life. It had (hopefully still has) a lot of nice people representing the South :)

[Cynicalone]

BTW, my B.Sc. degree is from TU :D so how is Tulsa nowadays. I spent there 4 of the best years of my life. It had (hopefully still has) a lot of nice people representing the South :)

Tulsa is still a nice place.

I live in Brookside if you're wondering. I know the TU area well you would be impressed with all the improvements they have made to the area over the last couple of years.

[kanpachi]

Mine is W8843 as well.

I'm not questioning what your saying I believe you must see them but I just can't. I tried what you suggested still can't see them. The screen seems identical to my 1st Gen Air. I have them on my desk sitting side by side. I just can't see it. Maybe it doesn't effect all of the screens? I wonder if NC MacGuy can see this.

Or admittedly I could just be going blind in my old age. :o

Maybe that's the case, but hopefully not. :) The lines are also visible when you see the initial gray screen upon boot up, but maybe your screen just doesn't have them.

[Starfall]

Mine is W8843 as well.

Mine too. (And I see the lines)

[mhnajjar]

Is it confirmed now that all week 43 MBA2 having the lines :confused:

[frunty]

Mine too. (And I see the lines)
Lines on mine and I've got W884304xxxx.

[Cynicalone]

Could it be the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M chip instead of the display? Perhaps a bad batch of chips? Looking at the info on my About This Mac screen I can't find a serial number just for the chip itself.

[kanpachi]

Wow, this is pretty amazing. I just received a call from the Executive Office at Apple about this issue per the email I sent. Apparently this problem is being elevated to the executive team, so hopefully they'll come to a resolution soon.

The lady mentioned that she would be willing to help me arrange a refund, exchange or even request the manager at the Apple Store to open up another new Air and see if the display shows the same problems. But regardless, I'm quite happy with the customer service.

[Essjay]

Wow, this is pretty amazing. I just received a call from the Executive Office at Apple about this issue per the email I sent. Apparently this problem is being elevated to the executive team, so hopefully they'll come to a resolution soon.

The lady mentioned that she would be willing to help me arrange a refund, exchange or even request the manager at the Apple Store to open up another new Air and see if the display shows the same problems. But regardless, I'm quite happy with the customer service.

Cool, keep us posted I want to know if this is a hardware or an issue that can be addressed via a software update....

[NC MacGuy]

I don't know if my eyes are old but I can't see these lines and I looked hard.:confused:

Tried black screen, gray screen, white... can't see 'em.

But then again I couldn't find my golf balls yesterday to save my life (I attributed that to fallen leaves.;))

[kanpachi]

I don't know if my eyes are old but I can't see these lines and I looked hard.:confused:

Tried black screen, gray screen, white... can't see 'em.

But then again I couldn't find my golf balls yesterday to save my life (I attributed that to fallen leaves.;))

Can you try viewing the screen from an angle (about 15-20 degrees from the side) and see if you can notice any red/gray lines on a white background? If you really can't see them or maybe even your wife or kids if you have any, then I and others here can at least be hopeful that an exchange will resolve the issue.

[tigres]

Wow, this is pretty amazing. I just received a call from the Executive Office at Apple about this issue per the email I sent. Apparently this problem is being elevated to the executive team, so hopefully they'll come to a resolution soon.

The lady mentioned that she would be willing to help me arrange a refund, exchange or even request the manager at the Apple Store to open up another new Air and see if the display shows the same problems. But regardless, I'm quite happy with the customer service.

That is very good to hear, I am happy to see this issue get resolved for you and potentially many others. Nice.

[NC MacGuy]

Can you try viewing the screen from an angle (about 15-20 degrees from the side) and see if you can notice any red/gray lines on a white background? If you really can't see them or maybe even your wife or kids if you have any, then I and others here can at least be hopeful that an exchange will resolve the issue.

Okay - horizontal is left to right. Vertical is top to bottom. Which way should they be running? I can ask the others to look if they see any but I still can't.

[Essjay]

Anyone tried seeing if the lines existed while in Bootcamp? If the lines dont exist in Windows it can isolate the problem to a software fix that could be applied later.

[fizzwinkus]

the lines we are talking about here - they aren't milling lines are they?
i can see faint clear lines on the glass from the machining process - spanning the entire screen and visible on a white background, but nothing that would be red or more noticeable from a 15-20 degree angle.

my serial is W8843 as well.

[Daveway]

Don't some of the Macbooks have this? My roomates July '07 macbook has faint diagonal lines in the display.

[kanpachi]

Okay - horizontal is left to right. Vertical is top to bottom. Which way should they be running? I can ask the others to look if they see any but I still can't.

The lines run horizontally, but span the entire vertical landscape of the screen. Sorta looks like when you look at a window with a blind covering it you see the lines from the individual blinds running horizontally, but they cover the entire vertical plane of the window.

[kanpachi]

the lines we are talking about here - they aren't milling lines are they?
i can see faint clear lines on the glass from the machining process - spanning the entire screen and visible on a white background, but nothing that would be red or more noticeable from a 15-20 degree angle.

my serial is W8843 as well.

Could be these milling lines you're talking about, but regardless they're really annoying! :(

[asthukral]

the lines we are talking about here - they aren't milling lines are they?
i can see faint clear lines on the glass from the machining process - spanning the entire screen and visible on a white background, but nothing that would be red or more noticeable from a 15-20 degree angle.

my serial is W8843 as well.

Is there a way to know the serial # of the laptop before buying it especially if i am buying at the Apple Store. Can someone guide me on this since I at best want to avoid the 43..series since most of the complaint is apparently coming from that batch.

[aristobrat]

Is there a way to know the serial # of the laptop before buying it especially if i am buying at the Apple Store. Can someone guide me on this since I at best want to avoid the 43..series since most of the complaint is apparently coming from that batch.
If you buy in a retail store, the Specialist helping you should be able to go in the back and tell you what they have.

[echo44]

You can check the serial number on the box
however there is no convincing evidence that this may not be a problem on all the mac book airs. The ones I have seen at the store all have this problem.
The only way we will know for sure is when either Apple explains the problem wether or not they are supposed to be that way, or when someone who has the problem returns their mba and receives a unit without the issue. So far no one here has reported the problem and than found a unit without the problem
until I have more info I will probably wait. After looking at the lines my guess
it is related to the production of the glass but it is only a guess!!
Any one out there who has noticed the issue please let us know if you find a mba that doesn't have the lines.

[Essjay]

Just exchanged my week 48 and recieved a week 44 will check and post results.

[lincolnchee]

Quoted from someone else post:

Run your Air in Bootcamp, do the thin horizontal lines still appear ? If so, then it may be a hardware flaw otherwise I guess a software patch would be able to rectify the problem.

[NC MacGuy]

I've looked, my kids looked - even got wifeness to stare hard.:rolleyes: None of us see any lines. Luck?

[stealthman1]

No lines here, W8843...Display is beautiful...though I now see spots from staring at it at full brightness in a dark room...:D

[tigres]

I've looked, my kids looked - even got wifeness to stare hard.:rolleyes: None of us see any lines. Luck?

LOL, I can see me doing this :D

No lines here, W8843...Display is beautiful...though I now see spots from staring at it at full brightness in a dark room...:D

Spots from staring... keep looking will ya, I am getting nervous mine will have them, should it ever get here.:D

[Essjay]

New display is looking great W8844, will post pics later.

[glhiii]

Very faint lines -- wouldn't have noticed them if I hadn't read about other people's problems. Used another (darker) color profile I happened to have and the lines became even fainter, though I could still see them if I tried hard. 9C9A.

[xBeeza]

Has anyone seen these lines on a W8844 ? I looked at a demo 1.86 W8843 at an apple store this morning and didn't notice any lines.

[Essjay]

New display is looking great W8844, will post pics later.

Scratch that, I did not see them as I was reinstalling OS X for more HD space, the new display is much worse. As someone said before it looks like cheap recycled paper. I will be returning the Air and pick up a different laptop as I need it for school, and photography. These lines are very distracting and I will not pay 2.5k on a laptop that is not perfect. :mad:

[xBeeza]

Anyone have pictures of the lines ?

[echo44]

Strach that, I did not see them as I was reinstalling OS X for more HD space, the new display is much worse. As someone said before it looks like cheap recycled paper. I will be returning the Air and pick up a different laptop as I need it for school, and photography. These lines are very distracting and I will not pay 2.5k on a laptop that is not perfect. :mad:

Bummer! After your first post I had hope; and was thinking about picking up an air 2.0 today. But as of yet no one who is able or has seen the lines has
received a new air without the lines I am betting all units are affected and
it is related to the method of glass manufacture rather than the led or card.For me the best way to see the lines is open up a window which has a white background like clicking on the hard drive to look at files. Just as you described the white looks like parchment paper or recycled paper and when you look closer the reason it look like that are the lines.

I guess I will either wait until this gets sort out or spend 2.5k and live with it
:mad:

It was really noticable at the Old Orchard Store in Skokie where they have
an old MBA next to a new MBA and behind the two a new MBP the only computer with these lines was the new MBA:eek:

I hope someone will post who has noticed the lines and exchanged for a unit that doesn't have the lines. That is the only way we will no if this is a limited issue or widespread?

[kanpachi]

Scratch that, I did not see them as I was reinstalling OS X for more HD space, the new display is much worse. As someone said before it looks like cheap recycled paper. I will be returning the Air and pick up a different laptop as I need it for school, and photography. These lines are very distracting and I will not pay 2.5k on a laptop that is not perfect. :mad:

Serious? Was hopeful from your previous post that an exchange would do the trick, but apparently not. :(

[xBeeza]

echo44 - Do you know if all of the screens in the Old Orchard Store where set to the same brightness ? Did they have the same screen shot on them ? I've just noticed that if I stare at my Acer 24" external monitor long enough I notice faint horizontal grey lines. I turned the brightness down and they start to go away. I don't notice that they turn red when you look at the monitor from an angle however. Could it be that all screens have these lines to some extent ?

[Y2JDMBFAN]

I just went and did the same comparison at the Orland Park Apple Store and saw the same thing. These lines are present on my 1.86/128 SSD and on the Rev 2 unit at the store, and they are not on the Rev 1 unit. It appears to be something to do with the glass in my opinion and not necessarily the screen itself. I'm not sure if this is a deal breaker for me or not at this point, but I went from a 1st gen Air, which I sold, to the Macbook Alu, which had a crappy screen, swapped it for a MBP, which I didn't open because I didn't want to chance not liking the size and ended up with a 2nd gen air with the 1.86 and 128GB SSD, hoping it was going to be perfect. Now I see these lines and am disappointed. I may try to send this back without paying the restocking fee, because if I am paying $2600 with tax, I want it close to perfect.

Y2J

[echo44]

echo44 - Do you know if all of the screens in the Old Orchard Store where set to the same brightness ? Did they have the same screen shot on them ? I've just noticed that if I stare at my Acer 24" external monitor long enough I notice faint horizontal grey lines. I turned the brightness down and they start to go away. I don't notice that they turn red when you look at the monitor from an angle however. Could it be that all screens have these lines to some extent ?

They were both at maximum brightness displaying the same content.
I tried changing the brightness on the mba 2.o the lines didn't change
which is what makes me think this may be in the glass or between the glass and the LED? The old mBA showed no evidence of the lines at any brightness level

[Y2JDMBFAN]

Has anyone seen one of these without the lines?

[HeadForTheHills]

Somewhat disappointingly - my MBA 2 : 1.6GHz 128SSD has to go back :mad:

It finally arrived today:

Before I even turned it on, I noticed the USB door was bent: not flush at the rear like plastic not clipping into place.

On power up I could immediately see the infamous grey lines - even on the splash background screen.

W8845 serial number

[Y2JDMBFAN]

Mine is/was W8844...I was in love, but I can't stand the gray lines...I wish I wouldn't have read the forum post. However, the online Apple Store is taking it back without a restocking fee. So that is one good thing...I will probably buy another one after Christmas, hopefully the issues will be worked out. Everyone who has this problem should call and complain about it. I am going to pick up an MSI Wind today to hopefully tide me over...I have an original EeePc, but it is too small...

Y2J

[keantan]

Somewhat disappointingly - my MBA 2 : 1.6GHz 128SSD has to go back :mad:

It finally arrived today:

Before I even turned it on, I noticed the USB door was bent: not flush at the rear like plastic not clipping into place.

On power up I could immediately see the infamous grey lines - even on the splash background screen.

W8845 serial number

After reading that I am concerned now: My MBA 1.6/SSD is due for delivery tomorrow. And seeing everyone's problems I hope my computer will be OK :(

[dogg]

Received my MBA rev 2 today. I have the lines,, and in addition no 4 finger swipe!!!

[wheelerw]

Could anyone with this problem post a picture of it? Or is it tough to capture it with a camera? My MBA 1.6 with SSD is due for delivery on Thursday. Thanks in advance!

[kanpachi]

Could anyone with this problem post a picture of it? Or is it tough to capture it with a camera? My MBA 1.6 with SSD is due for delivery on Thursday. Thanks in advance!

Here is a good picture on MacRumors that very closely matches the issue. Apparently this plagued the old 15" PowerBooks as well. :mad:

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514

Mine is/was W8844...I was in love, but I can't stand the gray lines...I wish I wouldn't have read the forum post. However, the online Apple Store is taking it back without a restocking fee. So that is one good thing...I will probably buy another one after Christmas, hopefully the issues will be worked out. Everyone who has this problem should call and complain about it. I am going to pick up an MSI Wind today to hopefully tide me over...I have an original EeePc, but it is too small...

Y2J

Well, at least it's better now than later when you don't have the option of returning it. :)

[r6girl]

I've looked and looked with various backgrounds and lighting conditions, but my Air does not have these lines. And 4 finger swipe works for me, too. Maybe I got lucky?

[aristobrat]

Here is a good picture on MacRumors that very closely matches the issue. Apparently this plagued the old 15" PowerBooks as well. :mad:

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514
Wow, that PowerBook issue really sucked. Took Apple MONTHS to get the issue resolved, and the fix was to ship your PB in for a whole new screen.

I'd guess that if the Air's problem was the same as the hi-rez PB's (horizontal banding), then viewing these two attachments full-screen would make the point clear. They're from the thread you linked to, so all credit goes to the folks who posted them there.

In the pass/fail one, if the FAIL is clear to read, then it's probably the same issue. On the desktopsplitologinscreen one, if it appears that the left side of the screen has a pattern noticeably different from the right, then it's probably the same issue.

Remember that if you click on the attachment in Firefox, it'll open in a new window at a reduced-size. Click on the graphic again to view it at 100%.

[aristobrat]

I've looked and looked with various backgrounds and lighting conditions, but my Air does not have these lines. And 4 finger swipe works for me, too. Maybe I got lucky?
Maybe batches of Airs went out with the wrong specialized version of OS X on them. I recall NC MacGuy saying that the 4-finger swipe worked for him and that he didn't notice any lines.

Be interesting to see if everyone seeing the lines also can't 4-finger swipe. Also be interesting to see their OS X build number from "About This Mac".

[Cynicalone]

Maybe batches of Airs went out with the wrong specialized version of OS X on them. I recall NC MacNut saying that the 4-finger swipe worked for him and that he didn't notice any lines.

Be interesting to see if everyone seeing the lines also can't 4-finger swipe. Also be interesting to see their OS X build number from "About This Mac".

No lines and I have the 4 finger swipe.

[echo44]

Here is a good picture on MacRumors that very closely matches the issue. Apparently this plagued the old 15" PowerBooks as well. :mad:

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514



Well, at least it's better now than later when you don't have the option of returning it. :)

wow Kanpachi! Thats it that is the same thing I was seeing on the displays at the apple store. Do you know what the cause of the problem last time was?
I guess I am going to wait until this issue is fixed.

[bwiley]

Picked my Rev 2 MBA up last week from the Apple store in Carlsbad, California. Gave my Rev 1 MBA (also SSD) to my wife.

I have seen no lines, and my four finger swipe works just fine. Guess I got lucky twice, as I had no over-heating or noisy fan issues with my Rev 1 MBA either. Frankly, I haven't experienced a single problem I've seen written about - but that might be luck of the draw.

By the way, both Rev 1 and Rev 2 MBA's seem to work (i.e., launch programs, wake up from sleep mode, less prone to spinning beachball-of-death, etc.) better than my two 17" MBP's with 4 gigs of RAM (both of those models are less than 12 months old). I'm absolutely in love with these SSD's - just need more storage capacity!

Now, if they could come out with a MBA with 17" monitor (I actually do need the larger screen for some pretty intense spreadsheet work) and a 256 gig SSD (so I can keep my iPhoto and iTunes collections intact) - I would be in heaven. Unfortunately, I realize the likely market for Apple for such a machine is probably to small to warrant it ever getting built.

Still - no "grey lines" problem, and 4 finger swipe working well.

[jessica.]

Maybe batches of Airs went out with the wrong specialized version of OS X on them. I recall NC MacNutGuy saying that the 4-finger swipe worked for him and that he didn't notice any lines.

Be interesting to see if everyone seeing the lines also can't 4-finger swipe. Also be interesting to see their OS X build number from "About This Mac".

I fixed that for you. ;)

And fwiw, someone mentioned the lack of 4 finger swipe to be an issue for users outside the US. I am sorry that I can't see how that relates, but that is what I read elsewhere.

[Y2JDMBFAN]

Here is a good picture on MacRumors that very closely matches the issue. Apparently this plagued the old 15" PowerBooks as well. :mad:

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514



Well, at least it's better now than later when you don't have the option of returning it. :)

That picture shows my problem exactly...

[kanpachi]

wow Kanpachi! Thats it that is the same thing I was seeing on the displays at the apple store. Do you know what the cause of the problem last time was?
I guess I am going to wait until this issue is fixed.

Hey, you can take a look at the original thread here, but it seems that it was an issue with the screen that could only be fixed with a replacement.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=158751

You can Google "powerbook horizontal lines" to see other related articles.

[NC MacGuy]

Having seen the pic, I can say that mine definitely does not have the lines. 100% positive - and 4 finger swipe works.

It seems that non-U.S. buyers are the only ones getting shortchanged on the four finger swipe.

[echo44]

Having seen the pic, I can say that mine definitely does not have the lines. 100% positive - and 4 finger swipe works.

It seems that non-U.S. buyers are the only ones getting shortchanged on the four finger swipe.

I trust you! But I will feel better when someone who has the lines
returns their unit and obtains one without the lines! So far no one has achieved
this.:confused:
I do feel confident If this turns out to be a widespread issue apple will stand behind their product they always do

[aristobrat]

I fixed that for you. ;)
Oh, crap, I can't believe I did that. "MacNut" is the license-plate of a Mac consultant that some departments of the company I work for use. :eek:

And fwiw, someone mentioned the lack of 4 finger swipe to be an issue for users outside the US. I am sorry that I can't see how that relates, but that is what I read elsewhere.
Hmmm. So then there's no correlation between the 4-finger swipe and the lines? After having read that the new MB and MBPs had a special build of OS X, I was really hoping this line issue was a case of Apple accidentally throwing the wrong build in the new Air. Le Sigh. :(

[aristobrat]

I do feel confident If this turns out to be a widespread issue apple will stand behind their product they always do
My very first Apple purchase was one of those 15" PowerBooks that had the screens with the horizontal banding issue.

Apple finally starting replacing the screens for people that complained, but they never did a general recall or anything. It took a few months of people on the forums here and elsewhere sending in their PowerBook for repair (and getting them back with a new screen that had the same issues) before Apple finally got it nailed out.

If this is a physical screen issue, I really hope that Apple addresses is more promptly and publicly. The only communication on that issue was owners posting in the thread linked to earlier.

[MacMT]

I've got 'em. Barely noticeable at some angles, obvious at others. I have a Serial #8844. Does not diminish my fondness for the MBA 2.0, which has been solid in its first week.

[mhnajjar]

I visited the Apple store yesterday and I was not impressed with the 1.86/SSD rebB MBA on display. The heat difference is like 5-10 degrees C max between revA and revB.

As for the lines, I noticed them appearing on light/white backgrounds :(

[jachiho]

I spoke to Apple about the white lines. Seems like they know nothing about it. They said I can either get a replacement, refund, or get it looked it at apple service centers. I still haven't decided what to do yet. Coming from the new mb pro, i really like the size and the screen that i can actually use outdoor. But with these lines, on top of the heat problems Im having, Im thinking of whether or not to go back to the pro. Decisions decisions!

[Y2JDMBFAN]

Get a refund for now. It's a hardware issue that may not be resolved right away....It looks like all week 43, 44, and 45 models are exhibiting this, or 95% at least based on the forum findings and the people checking in the apple stores.

[bigrasmusdk]

Get a refund for now. It's a hardware issue that may not be resolved right away....It looks like all week 43, 44, and 45 models are exhibiting this, or 95% at least based on the forum findings and the people checking in the apple stores.

Yeah I am kind of inclined to agree with you, my model is 8845xx and it has no four finger swipe, and grey lines, My friend got a 8844xx with the same problem. And seeing the feedback here it looks to be a major hardware issue, but I'll give Apple a chance to exchange it, if the new one comes back with the same issues, well then I'll take a refund.

[echo44]

here is another thread about this on apple web site
hopefully Apple will respond to these issues
I hate the "we are not aware of this issue" response

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1786926&tstart=0

[orch5]

I have a week 45 model and have the same problem with the lines on the screen.

I had it delivered to my office and noticed the lines as soon as I had the OS booted. It had been bugging me all day at work, I assumed that my MacBook at home would be the same and I had perhaps just got used to it. It's not, it's much clearer and just as bright (even though is CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent tube) backlit).

I'm going to send mine back, but I do have a question. Has anyone got bootcamp running with Vista/XP. I was curious as to whether with a windows based driver the same problem appears? Would be good to know, as if it's a driver issue I won't return my Air. However, I pretty convinced it's a hardware fault - either the coating/alignment of the screen itself - or possibly some kind of interference?

Any people running Vista :eek: on their Air?

On a side note the Air rev 2 is the product it should have been originally. It's just a wonderful piece of kit.

Graham.

[Y2JDMBFAN]

I have a week 45 model and have the same problem with the lines on the screen.

I had it delivered to my office and noticed the lines as soon as I had the OS booted. It had been bugging me all day at work, I assumed that my MacBook at home would be the same and I had perhaps just got used to it. It's not, it's much clearer and just as bright (even though is CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent tube) backlit).

I'm going to send mine back, but I do have a question. Has anyone got bootcamp running with Vista/XP. I was curious as to whether with a windows based driver the same problem appears? Would be good to know, as if it's a driver issue I won't return my Air. However, I pretty convinced it's a hardware fault - either the coating/alignment of the screen itself - or possibly some kind of interference?

Any people running Vista :eek: on their Air?

On a side note the Air rev 2 is the product it should have been originally. It's just a wonderful piece of kit.

Graham.

It's not a driver issue because it exhibits the same thing when you turn on the computer and the grey boot screen appears.

y2J

[orch5]

It's not a driver issue because it exhibits the same thing when you turn on the computer and the grey boot screen appears.

y2J

Fair enough. :rolleyes: I've only had it a day and it's not with me at the mo. Was just a thought...

[dehory]

I'm not entirely convinced that this is specific to particular batches.

Like MacMT and others, I have serial no. W8844xxxxxx, but I have no problem with these lines or 4-finger scroll.

[aristobrat]

Is it worth looking to see if there are different panels and if anything correlates that way?

System Preferences -> Display -> Color

Open the default LCD profile.

Scroll down to number 13 and you should see model number listed there.

[The golfer]

Hello everybody,

I bought the Macbook air in Montreal last sunday. The four fingers works and I do not see any trouble with the display. I have attached a picture of the default LCD profile. I feel sorry for you guys. :confused:


Macbook air 1.86 v2 128 SSD

[aristobrat]

Thanks for the info. So that's once 9C9A that has no lines. Anyone else?

[Cynicalone]

Here is mine

[aristobrat]

So that's two 9C9As with no lines.

OK, someone with lines reply! LOL :)

[Starfall]

So that's two 9C9As with no lines.

OK, someone with lines reply! LOL :)


9C9A here, identical to the others, but I do see the lines.

[fizzwinkus]

9c9a here as well - i've got lines.

[dehory]

9C9A and I do not have the lines.

Back to the drawing board, I guess? :rolleyes:

[mhnajjar]

Those with lines, why don't you give your machines to Apple to do their research/HW and find out what is wrong? :rolleyes:

[echo44]

The only way we can be certain those without lines truly don't have the lines is if they had a previous unit with lines or have seen the lines on other units.
The lines are not obvious and could be overlooked.
I am still waiting to hear from someone that had the lines and exchanged for a unit that doesn't have the lines? Therefore at the risk of sounding arrogant
until this happens i am not willing to drop 2.5k and assume all units have the lines:mad:

[NC MacGuy]

9C9A - another without lines. If I've got 'em, no one else can see them either.

My 14 days are up this Friday and believe me - I've been looking.;)

[Ames]

Wow, that PowerBook issue really sucked. Took Apple MONTHS to get the issue resolved, and the fix was to ship your PB in for a whole new screen.

I'd guess that if the Air's problem was the same as the hi-rez PB's (horizontal banding), then viewing these two attachments full-screen would make the point clear. They're from the thread you linked to, so all credit goes to the folks who posted them there.

In the pass/fail one, if the FAIL is clear to read, then it's probably the same issue. On the desktopsplitologinscreen one, if it appears that the left side of the screen has a pattern noticeably different from the right, then it's probably the same issue.

Remember that if you click on the attachment in Firefox, it'll open in a new window at a reduced-size. Click on the graphic again to view it at 100%.

These seem to look better on my Air (a 44) then on my Pro.

[stealthman1]

Wow, that blue background example is fugly. As previously stated, I've got a week 44 version with no lines and I did not notice lines on the display units at the Sacramento, Arder Fair Demos. Four finger swipe works fine for me as well.

[MacMT]

I have the same 9C9A settings, and I have faint lines. Not sure I would have noticed before reading this thread. Has anyone else heard from Apple, as folks earlier in the thread have?

The lines seem to effect the crispness of text.

[UltraNEO*]

My very first Apple purchase was one of those 15" PowerBooks that had the screens with the horizontal banding issue.

Apple finally starting replacing the screens for people that complained, but they never did a general recall or anything. It took a few months of people on the forums here and elsewhere sending in their PowerBook for repair (and getting them back with a new screen that had the same issues) before Apple finally got it nailed out.

If this is a physical screen issue, I really hope that Apple addresses is more promptly and publicly. The only communication on that issue was owners posting in the thread linked to earlier.

I think, at the end of the day it's not really Apple's fault for receiving a batch of working but faulty displays... Apple after all doesn't manufacture it's own parts, though you think with all the experience from previous systems they'd be quality testing for future occurrence??

Umm scratch that! Those system are built in cheap and cheerful China, where they'll most probably resort to buying "B" rated displays to save a cent. Therefore, faults and imperfections is the norm!

[orch5]

I have a 9C9A here, identical to the others. Also no four finger swipe either. I'm returning mine back today and Apple is replacing it (UK model).

I spent some time comparing the Air display with my white (Intel) MacBook. On reflection the MacBook screen is darker, but the display is crisper and the text much cleaner than the Air. The screen on the Air is fantastic and bright but the lines seem to make the text less readable. It reminds me of a slightly out of sync CRT monitor, as if the text is just a little off focus, very subtle but you know it’s not right. It's odd to describe but I have to say I noticed it instantly when it was out of the box.

It gets more annoying in a darker room and it's *very* distracting when typing documents. You constantly find you’re questioning the focus, more so when you know you have a MacBook that you’ve used for years with a perfect screen (and nearly a £1000 less money).

I’m not entirely sure the replacement will be any better. However, if I do get one without the lines I will post about it on here.

Right! Back to my MacBook.

G.

[Luvion]

....

I’m not entirely sure the replacement will be any better. However, if I do get one without the lines I will post about it on here.

Right! Back to my MacBook.

G.

That's what I'm thinking as well. I also have the lines and no four finger swipe. I'm not sure yet about exchanging it.

[aristobrat]

Back to the drawing board, I guess? :rolleyes:
Would appear so. Blah.

[jessica.]

I think, at the end of the day it's not really Apple's fault for receiving a batch of working but faulty displays... Apple after all doesn't manufacture it's own parts, though you think with all the experience from previous systems they'd be quality testing for future occurrence??

Umm scratch that! Those system are built in cheap and cheerful China, where they'll most probably resort to buying "B" rated displays to save a cent. Therefore, faults and imperfections is the norm!

I couldn't disagree more with the first statement. Quite frankly, if you do a random sample testing of each batch you would have caught this. I am not convinced there's an issue, but I haven't bought mine yet.

The second part is mildly true. The display on the MBA is actually quite nice. I don't think you own an air so it'd be hard for you to compare. I can tell you that the Air's display is better than the new MB display and probably up there if not better than the MBP display (probably more along the lines of up there).

[LeonX]

I wonder if the horizontal line problem is the reason while delivery has been postponed here in Germany. The earliest date you could get a revB here is November 25/26. No reseller carries them to date, all of them saying they have been noticed that even the SSD-model wont come before. I was about to put in an order right after the announcement but thought I might rather wait until the first units are on display... now it seems to be worth to wait a few weeks for fixinig...

[kanpachi]

Those with lines, why don't you give your machines to Apple to do their research/HW and find out what is wrong? :rolleyes:

I'm returning mine today and coordinated with the Apple Store and Executive Relations to have it sent back to Apple HQ for investigation. Engineering is already looking into the issue, but hopefully this will help resolve the issue for everyone else out there.

For now, it's back to the good old reliable Thinkpad with Win XP for me.

[dogg]

I'm returning mine today and coordinated with the Apple Store and Executive Relations to have it sent back to Apple HQ for investigation. Engineering is already looking into the issue, but hopefully this will help resolve the issue for everyone else out there.

For now, it's back to the good old reliable Thinkpad with Win XP for me.

I to emailed Steve Jobs yesterday like Kapanchi. A member of Executive Relations also phoned me today. They are sending me a new MBA, and are going to make a door step swap for my current one, which is then like kapanchi's, going to the labs for testing.

Cant wait for delivery of the new MBA...

You just know its going to have the same faults as my current model!!!

[dehory]

The only way we can be certain those without lines truly don't have the lines is if they had a previous unit with lines or have seen the lines on other units.
The lines are not obvious and could be overlooked.
I am still waiting to hear from someone that had the lines and exchanged for a unit that doesn't have the lines? Therefore at the risk of sounding arrogant
until this happens i am not willing to drop 2.5k and assume all units have the lines:mad:

I don't discount the possibility that the lines are right there in front of me -- but to my eyes, those two 'test cards' look identical on my MBA as they do on my 15" PB G4.

It'll be interesting to see whether the people who are exchanging them get units with line-less screens. If nothing else, at least it seems like Apple is taking this quite seriously.

[MiBook84]

My new MBP also has the lines across the screen. Quite annoying when you think of it, it looks like the screen has a texture or something. Very weird and most certainly not software but in the screen hardware. Also my screen is really yellowish, white colours are brown/yellow.

Beginning to think apple is compromising on screen quality. Or this might be a problem with the new chipset - nVidia.

Edit: just took a picture to show how it looks on my MacBook Pro Late 2008. I should say that the lines are not visible on my MacBook Air (delivered march -08).

http://initum.se/ellerhur/MacBook-Pro-Screen-lines.jpg

[kanpachi]

My new MBP also has the lines across the screen. Quite annoying when you think of it, it looks like the screen has a texture or something. Very weird and most certainly not software but in the screen hardware. Also my screen is really yellowish, white colours are brown/yellow.

Beginning to think apple is compromising on screen quality. Or this might be a problem with the new chipset - nVidia.

Edit: just took a picture to show how it looks on my MacBook Pro Late 2008. I should say that the lines are not visible on my MacBook Air (delivered march -08).

http://initum.se/ellerhur/MacBook-Pro-Screen-lines.jpg

Wow, that's a great picture - exactly how it looks on the MBA. Sorry to hear it's affecting your MBP as well, that's terrible.

[zer0tails]

so for those with macbook airs with the lines issue, would you advise me against purchasing one at the moment?

I need a laptop but if all the MBAs are suffering from this issue, I might just pick up a refurb macbook pro.

what do you say, honestly?

[zer0tails]

Hello everybody,

I bought the Macbook air in Montreal last sunday. The four fingers works and I do not see any trouble with the display. I have attached a picture of the default LCD profile. I feel sorry for you guys. :confused:


Macbook air 1.86 v2 128 SSD

Love Montreal. I'm in Canada too, Toronto actually. I wonder if maybe the Canadian MBAs escaped this problem? Could you kindly post a picture of your screen if it ain't too much trouble? thanks :)

[Cynicalone]

After seeing those two pics posted above, I can 100% say I don't have those.

[wheelerw]

So, just received my Macbook Air. It is a week 45, 1.6 with SSD... It has the lines and 4 dead pixels. I called up Apple and they will issue me a full refund. Its back in the box ready to be shipped back. I really hope they fix the line issue soon. It is a great computer, but I just can't see spending $2,200 on a computer with a screen like this. Especially the 4 dead pixels.

[menix]

Hey, my display also shows the lines and it was produced in week 44. There is no four finger scrolling for me! Got mine from Apple in Germany.
TNT is gonna pick it up for a replacement today and my new model will arrive the next days. I'm very excited if the replacement has the same issues.
...very annoying!

[Essjay]

Returned my 2 Airs because of this issue, and know I have to return my second MBP because of scratches and the computer wont go to "sleep." Ill put it in my bag and an hour later it will be smoking hot and have a drained battery....

Has Apples QC gone way down or is it just me?

[The golfer]

ZerOtails,

I don't think those picture are gone help much since my screen does not show the pixels you see here. one picture was taken from a camera, the other from
a picture screen.

[al3ph]

Same problem here, thin gray lines and non functional 4 finger swipe.

Also when viewing the test image my display flickers in a nauseating manner , anyone else seeing this..

http://www.csse.uwa.edu.au/~lucas/background.html


W88450BN5L9

Display
manu 00000610
model 00009c9a
serial 0000000
Man date C2486D00

[Sybersport]

I was at the Apple Store Yorkdale (Toronto) and the new 1.86 SSD MBA definately had the lines.

[HLdan]

so for those with macbook airs with the lines issue, would you advise me against purchasing one at the moment?

I need a laptop but if all the MBAs are suffering from this issue, I might just pick up a refurb macbook pro.

what do you say, honestly?

Since you want an "Honest" opinion, I say stop reading forums and you may actually purchase a computer and enjoy using it. MR forums can be useful, AT TIMES, however if you need MR to help you point out flaws then there are really no flaws if you need a forum to point them out.
You will never buy an Apple computer if you hang out here too long.

Example, the allegedly MBA horizontal line issue was brought up by ONE person on the forum and then extended to several due to the snowball effect. Until yesterday it seemed that it was dedicated to the MBA. Now that one forum member has shown us that it also extends to the MBP then we know it's not dedicated to the MBA.

Yes, there are faint horizontal lines, so what? Is it damaging the screen to a point where it's not useable? NO. Is it so noticeable that it detracts focus away from what you are doing on the computer? NO. Have many people actually noticed it so much that it bothers them? YES. Why? Because they came here to MR and allowed them to make a mountain out of a molehill.

And before you tell me that I am wrong, I have the new MBA Rev B so I speak from experience. I am enjoying my computer ever since I got it 4 days ago and maybe you will too if you just buy it and USE it instead of letting MR downgrade your enjoyable experience.

[Starfall]

Have many people actually noticed it so much that it bothers them? YES. Why? Because they came here to MR and allowed them to make a mountain out of a molehill.

I for one noticed these lines on my new Air within the first few hours of using it, before reading about others' experiences here on MR.

And since these lines are not present on all screens, it is obviously possible to have an LCD screen without the lines. So I think it's legitimate to point out the lines as a flaw, since they're obviously noticeable to many and not within spec for standard LCDs.

That said, I'm not returning mine, mostly because I need it, and I don't see consistent stories of the problem being fixed.

[tigres]

Since you want an "Honest" opinion, I say stop reading forums and you may actually purchase a computer and enjoy using it. MR forums can be useful, AT TIMES, however if you need MR to help you point out flaws then there are really no flaws if you need a forum to point them out.
You will never buy an Apple computer if you hang out here too long.

Example, the allegedly MBA horizontal line issue was brought up by ONE person on the forum and then extended to several due to the snowball effect. Until yesterday it seemed that it was dedicated to the MBA. Now that one forum member has shown us that it also extends to the MBP then we know it's not dedicated to the MBA.

Yes, there are faint horizontal lines, so what? Is it damaging the screen to a point where it's not useable? NO. Is it so noticeable that it detracts focus away from what you are doing on the computer? NO. Have many people actually noticed it so much that it bothers them? YES. Why? Because they came here to MR and allowed them to make a mountain out of a molehill.

And before you tell me that I am wrong, I have the new MBA Rev B so I speak from experience. I am enjoying my computer ever since I got it 4 days ago and maybe you will too if you just buy it and USE it instead of letting MR downgrade your enjoyable experience.


+1 X2

Received my MBA last eve. The first damn thing I looked for were the lines from this forum. Well, mine is as clean as a whistle; perfect actually.

So this poster has it right, I was almost was scared before I even recieved my unit.

Point is this: This is a very nice machine; it is in the top of it's category on all fronts; however you will always find people who have negative to say. If you want one and can afford it--- go buy it most likely you already know you will love it.;)

[Cynicalone]

The problem is the same as it always is. People come to a forum more often when they have problems. Not when there computer/phone/ipod is working perfectly. If you took a look around here you would never buy an Apple product.

[echo44]

found the lines before comming to this forum
and it is reassuring that others are noting the same problem.
I have been reading these forums for years and currently own
7 macintosh computers. The forums are invaluable!!!
My advice is to wait until Apple irons out the problems!.
If you don't notice the lines or they don't bother you go ahead with the purchase. I do believe this is a wide spread problem since every unit I have seen has the issue. Also there is a post about this on both apple's discussion forums and Mac intouch web site.
It seems from what I have been reading many issues exist with the MBP
as well. I have been using Macintosh computers for 20 years. Although from time to time issues arise I have noticed a decline in quality control over the last year or so?
User should make a big deal over these issues. The appeal of Macintosh computers has always been their attention to details to provide a better computing experience for the users. Thats why we pay a premium for their products. If perceived quality is declining should we just close are eyes
to these issues and fork out 2500k$ ?

[wheelerw]

Since you want an "Honest" opinion, I say stop reading forums and you may actually purchase a computer and enjoy using it. MR forums can be useful, AT TIMES, however if you need MR to help you point out flaws then there are really no flaws if you need a forum to point them out.
You will never buy an Apple computer if you hang out here too long.

Example, the allegedly MBA horizontal line issue was brought up by ONE person on the forum and then extended to several due to the snowball effect. Until yesterday it seemed that it was dedicated to the MBA. Now that one forum member has shown us that it also extends to the MBP then we know it's not dedicated to the MBA.

Yes, there are faint horizontal lines, so what? Is it damaging the screen to a point where it's not useable? NO. Is it so noticeable that it detracts focus away from what you are doing on the computer? NO. Have many people actually noticed it so much that it bothers them? YES. Why? Because they came here to MR and allowed them to make a mountain out of a molehill.

And before you tell me that I am wrong, I have the new MBA Rev B so I speak from experience. I am enjoying my computer ever since I got it 4 days ago and maybe you will too if you just buy it and USE it instead of letting MR downgrade your enjoyable experience.

The problem IS very noticeable, maybe not on all (yours), but mine you could notice right on startup. It doesn't make the computer unusable, but it degrades the screen quality ALOT, at least in my case. I brought my computer to the Apple store and they said it is a problem, and that I shouldn't have to live with this kind of screen. I would recommend waiting a few weeks until the problem is ironed out instead of spending the money now. Apple will fix this problem. They know about it. Or if you can "live" with the problem knowing that you will most likely get a screen with lines in it, by all means buy it now. If they can get the screen like they had on the rev. A MBA's, then this computer would be AMAZING! It will be fixed, hopefully within the next few weeks.

[Ames]

I just can't see it on mine. I ran those test patterns and really am looking for something, but it looks fine.

[iomatic]

Wow, that PowerBook issue really sucked. Took Apple MONTHS to get the issue resolved, and the fix was to ship your PB in for a whole new screen.

I'd guess that if the Air's problem was the same as the hi-rez PB's (horizontal banding), then viewing these two attachments full-screen would make the point clear. They're from the thread you linked to, so all credit goes to the folks who posted them there.

In the pass/fail one, if the FAIL is clear to read, then it's probably the same issue. On the desktopsplitologinscreen one, if it appears that the left side of the screen has a pattern noticeably different from the right, then it's probably the same issue.

Remember that if you click on the attachment in Firefox, it'll open in a new window at a reduced-size. Click on the graphic again to view it at 100%.

mine passes. week 44?

[zer0tails]

Since you want an "Honest" opinion, I say stop reading forums and you may actually purchase a computer and enjoy using it. MR forums can be useful, AT TIMES, however if you need MR to help you point out flaws then there are really no flaws if you need a forum to point them out.
You will never buy an Apple computer if you hang out here too long.

Example, the allegedly MBA horizontal line issue was brought up by ONE person on the forum and then extended to several due to the snowball effect. Until yesterday it seemed that it was dedicated to the MBA. Now that one forum member has shown us that it also extends to the MBP then we know it's not dedicated to the MBA.

Yes, there are faint horizontal lines, so what? Is it damaging the screen to a point where it's not useable? NO. Is it so noticeable that it detracts focus away from what you are doing on the computer? NO. Have many people actually noticed it so much that it bothers them? YES. Why? Because they came here to MR and allowed them to make a mountain out of a molehill.

And before you tell me that I am wrong, I have the new MBA Rev B so I speak from experience. I am enjoying my computer ever since I got it 4 days ago and maybe you will too if you just buy it and USE it instead of letting MR downgrade your enjoyable experience.

Thank you for your honest opinion, I really appreciate it. :) That's why I like coming on macrumors because I can get honest advice from people who have no reason to lie.

So anyways, I went ahead and picked up a 1.86GHz macbook air this afternoon.

It has the 4 finger swipe. The screen Manufacturer is 00000610, Model 00009C9A, Serial Number 00000000, and Manufacturer Date C2486D00

It is a week 43 model. I have tried to find problems with the screen but I can't. Only minor issue is the port door isn't straight but it's not a deal breaker for me.

It doesn't have the horizontal lines as some of the pictures have shown, but when I inspect the screen up close I see tiny squares instead like a grid. Not sure if that's the problem people are having or if an LCD is supposed to look like that. I never noticed this on my previous MBP.

But that's only when i go up close. In regular use, I don't notice anything bad.

I agree that it's the people with problems that usually come on to the forums. Well, I'm going to do the opposite. No problems, and loving it in my first 45 minutes of use. :)

edit: @HLdan: I also wanted to add that when people talk about a problem, even if your computer doesn't have the problem, you start to think you have the problem too.

[StefanR.]

Yes, there are faint horizontal lines, so what? Is it damaging the screen to a point where it's not useable? NO. Is it so noticeable that it detracts focus away from what you are doing on the computer? NO. Have many people actually noticed it so much that it bothers them? YES. Why? Because they came here to MR and allowed them to make a mountain out of a molehill.



I dont need a forum to see "faint horizontal lines". In my office we work with several mac´s, none has strange lines. but one thing is for sure, if we get a machine what costs 2500, with faint lines, it will go back from where it came from.

... so what?

[kanpachi]

Since you want an "Honest" opinion, I say stop reading forums and you may actually purchase a computer and enjoy using it. MR forums can be useful, AT TIMES, however if you need MR to help you point out flaws then there are really no flaws if you need a forum to point them out.
You will never buy an Apple computer if you hang out here too long.

Example, the allegedly MBA horizontal line issue was brought up by ONE person on the forum and then extended to several due to the snowball effect. Until yesterday it seemed that it was dedicated to the MBA. Now that one forum member has shown us that it also extends to the MBP then we know it's not dedicated to the MBA.

Yes, there are faint horizontal lines, so what? Is it damaging the screen to a point where it's not useable? NO. Is it so noticeable that it detracts focus away from what you are doing on the computer? NO. Have many people actually noticed it so much that it bothers them? YES. Why? Because they came here to MR and allowed them to make a mountain out of a molehill.

And before you tell me that I am wrong, I have the new MBA Rev B so I speak from experience. I am enjoying my computer ever since I got it 4 days ago and maybe you will too if you just buy it and USE it instead of letting MR downgrade your enjoyable experience.

Well, different people have different tolerances to problems. Apparently you fall within the complacent crowd so all the more power to you, but to pay $2500+ for a laptop that has a defective screen is simply unacceptable to many. We pay the high price premiums and expect a commensurate level of quality in return. Also, just the fact that Apple Execution Relations and Engineering are taking this issue in the serious manner they are should be indicative of its severity.

[HLdan]

Well, different people have different tolerances to problems. Apparently you fall within the complacent crowd so all the more power to you, but to pay $2500+ for a laptop that has a defective screen is simply unacceptable to many. We pay the high price premiums and expect a commensurate level of quality in return. Also, just the fact that Apple Execution Relations and Engineering are taking this issue in the serious manner they are should be indicative of its severity.

Just a second, there has been nothing to confirm that the screen is actually "defective", those are your words. Those very faint horizontal lines could be from out of spec drivers from the Nvidia card and if that's the case then a software update will fix this. If you haven't noticed, this alleged issue affects both the Macbook Air and the Pro, not certain about the Macbook

[HLdan]

Thank you for your honest opinion, I really appreciate it. :) That's why I like coming on macrumors because I can get honest advice from people who have no reason to lie.

So anyways, I went ahead and picked up a 1.86GHz macbook air this afternoon.

It has the 4 finger swipe. The screen Manufacturer is 00000610, Model 00009C9A, Serial Number 00000000, and Manufacturer Date C2486D00

It is a week 43 model. I have tried to find problems with the screen but I can't. Only minor issue is the port door isn't straight but it's not a deal breaker for me.

It doesn't have the horizontal lines as some of the pictures have shown, but when I inspect the screen up close I see tiny squares instead like a grid. Not sure if that's the problem people are having or if an LCD is supposed to look like that. I never noticed this on my previous MBP.

But that's only when i go up close. In regular use, I don't notice anything bad.

I agree that it's the people with problems that usually come on to the forums. Well, I'm going to do the opposite. No problems, and loving it in my first 45 minutes of use. :)

edit: @HLdan: I also wanted to add that when people talk about a problem, even if your computer doesn't have the problem, you start to think you have the problem too.

Good for you!!!! See, you didn't allow this forum to scare you from making a good purchase and you are a satisfied customer. :)

[dogg]

I received my replacement less than 24 hours after being contacted by Apple Executive Relations...

It has the same problems. I have emailed them with my concerns but this now being the weekend it is doubtful i will receive a reply till maybe Tuesday.

There are a few posters that don't agree with these issues and say MBA owners should just deal with it and stop moaning. From a personal point of view i do have high standards... But these standards were set originally by Apples previously flawless products and exceptionally high quality control track record.

In the past there products have been second to none, so when you purchase any Apple component and its not the usually high standard you have come to expect, you feel exceptionally let down.

I will keep everyone updated.

[zer0tails]

I agree that if it's a $2500 computer you should be thoroughly satisfied. So you have every right to bring this to Apple's attention until you are happy with your purchase. Go for it guys I support you.

I do have a question though, for those who say they have the lines, is it obviously visible during normal use or do you have to look closely at the screen to see it?

i tried looking closely and on a different variety of colored backgrounds but all I see are tiny squares in a grid on the whole screen.

[HLdan]

In the past there products have been second to none, so when you purchase any Apple component and its not the usually high standard you have come to expect, you feel exceptionally let down.

I will keep everyone updated.

You are obviously unaware of the Powerbooks in the past. The Titanium Powerbook suffered from the paint chipping and Apple did nothing about it except introduce the new Aluminum Powerbooks in 2003. The Aluminum Powerbooks suffered from the lid not sitting even when closed. The gap separating the lid from the palm rest is uneven and gives the impression that the lid is warped. Apple did nothing about this and kept the uneven gapped lid throughout the Macbook Pro line. Rather than fixing the issue Apple intro'd the new unibody enclosure.

Oh yeah, you may have not known about the G4 Cube in year 2000 that exhibited cracks around the casing after owning it for a month or so.

Maybe you are unaware of the sunflower iMac in year 2002 that had a wobbly screen and tilted to the side, as usual Apple did nothing about it except intro the new iMac G5.

Also the Powerbook 5300 intro'd in 1995, it caught fire to nearly every customer who bought one, it made television news.

Lastly the PowerMac MDD intro'd in 2002 which had the outrageously loud fans that sounded like a jet engine no matter how low the fans spun. You could hear it easily in the Apple stores. Apple discontinued it after one year.

Don't make Apple's current lack in quality control something new, you are sadly wrong if you think it was all better in the past.

[aristobrat]

Also, just the fact that Apple Execution Relations and Engineering are taking this issue in the serious manner they are should be indicative of its severity.
I think that they're being responsible by investigating an issue on their second-most expensive notebook, but until we see how they handle the issue now that they've captured your machine, it's probably a little early to be saying that they're taking the screen issue seriously.

[wheelerw]

Just a second, there has been nothing to confirm that the screen is actually "defective", those are your words. Those very faint horizontal lines could be from out of spec drivers from the Nvidia card and if that's the case then a software update will fix this. If you haven't noticed, this alleged issue affects both the Macbook Air and the Pro, not certain about the Macbook

Not to burst your bubble, but it is a defect. Apple agreed. I just got off the phone with applecare and they wanted me to send in the computer to their "research department" or something like that. The guy said that there have been a few computers returned due to "unsatisfactory screen quality", and apple is working on a fix. He did say that the problem does not affect all the new MBA's, and some seem to be worse than others. And a software update will NOT fix this.

[echo44]

Not to burst your bubble, but it is a defect. Apple agreed. I just got off the phone with applecare and they wanted me to send in the computer to their "research department" or something like that. The guy said that there have been a few computers returned due to "unsatisfactory screen quality", and apple is working on a fix. He did say that the problem does not affect all the new MBA's, and some seem to be worse than others. And a software update will NOT fix this.

thanks! sounds like future units will not have this problem!!!
I don't know why people have to bash those of us who have the issue and discuss it on these boards? personally I only read the posts on these boards
when I have an issue. I always thought that was the purpose of these boards:
for the mac community to come together and discuss problems and solutions as well as educate each other. Not to critique each other?
And for those who are here to defend apple as the perfect company or to suggest those who have raised the possibility of a flaw in the computer to be flawed themselves why waist your time reading these forums? I personally would rather be using my flawless computer for more productive things!

[stealthman1]

Not to burst your bubble, but it is a defect. Apple agreed. I just got off the phone with applecare and they wanted me to send in the computer to their "research department" or something like that. The guy said that there have been a few computers returned due to "unsatisfactory screen quality", and apple is working on a fix. He did say that the problem does not affect all the new MBA's, and some seem to be worse than others. And a software update will NOT fix this.

Do you honestly believe Applecare has a clue what they're talking about?

[macbook123]

When I go to the crowded Apple store around the corner I usually don't have the peace to check out products in detail and may miss the screen issue described here. So I'm wondering if there exists an easy test to determine whether a given MBA has the LCD issue or not, such as a background image that makes the horizontal lines particularly apparent?

[kanpachi]

When I go to the crowded Apple store around the corner I usually don't have the peace to check out products in detail and may miss the screen issue described here. So I'm wondering if there exists an easy test to determine whether a given MBA has the LCD issue or not, such as a background image that makes the horizontal lines particularly apparent?

It's pretty easy to notice if you go to a page like Google.com that's mostly white with a bit of color on it to help emphasize the lines.

[macbook123]

It's pretty easy to notice if you go to a page like Google.com that's mostly white with a bit of color on it to help emphasize the lines.

OK, thanks. I hope that in the course of this thread a trend will emerge indicating which MBA's are affected, i.e. which screen production numbers or weeks are the faulty ones. Maybe it would be good to have a systematic poll for this?

[wheelerw]

Do you honestly believe Applecare has a clue what they're talking about?
Uhm, yes? At least I would hope so. Its what they are paid to do. If its any help, applecare transfered me to someone from "executive product team" or something official sounding. They are the ones who wanted me to send it back and told me it is a known problem.

[Herofan]

My new swedish edition of the macbook air with serial W8845 does not have the 4 finger thing either, but one more thing......... my screen is phenomenal :) No grey lines at all. When I watch the pic attached earlier in this thread with the FAIL and PASS text on it everything is in order. But when I watch it with my old Powerbook G4 it not.

Anyway Im realy satisfied with the Air and I want change it just because the four finger gesture is missing.

[wheelerw]

My new swedish edition of the macbook air with serial W8845 does not have the 4 finger thing either, but one more thing......... my screen is phenomenal :) No grey lines at all. When I watch the pic attached earlier in this thread with the FAIL and PASS text on it everything is in order. But when I watch it with my old Powerbook G4 it not.

Anyway Im realy satisfied with the Air and I want change it just because the four finger gesture is missing.
Thats great news about the perfect screen! About the lack of 4 finger swipe. Did you try the hack that is on the front page of macrumors? It looks like there is a way to enable 4 finger swipe.

[lincolnchee]

I am getting a Macbook Air on this Friday. Looks like I have better check for both the 4 fingers swipe and the annoying gray lines. The yellow-tint issues on the iPhone 3G's screen has since affected my confidence and I will always perform a thorough check before making payment.

[bened]

Got an MBA rev B, production week 45, yesterday in Tokyo. No four finger swipe, small horizontal lines all over the screen. Even if you had to look close to recognize them they gave a muddy and not uniform appearance. It looked like as if you were looking through some grease. The lightning of the display was very uneven compared to an old MBP. I compared the new MBA with screens of old MBA on display and their screens were flawless. Swapped today for a another new MBA that showed the same lines (production week 46). I cancelled the contract. I might try again in some weeks when the issues are solved.

Genius thought that the lines were normal and claimed he could see them as well on the old MBA (but there were none). He was quite astonished about the missing four finger action and proposed that it would be solved through a software update.

Regards
B

[daneoni]

I saw several MBAs at my local store and they all had the lines and it is quite annoying because its in your face. Also no four finger swipe.

[foodcoma]

In Singapore for business and just bought a week 43 MBA rev B today (1.86Ghz, 128GB SSD). No horizontal lines and four finger swipe worked.

Haven't had time to play with it as it's currently updating office and OSX. Fan is on during updating but it's otherwise off (so far)...

[zer0tails]

I think we can count week 43 as safe. Mine has the 4 finger scroll and no lines, and it's a week 43.:)

[justit]

I think we can count week 43 as safe. Mine has the 4 finger scroll and no lines, and it's a week 43.:)

Reminds me of GM when they discovered cars built on Monday and Friday were more defective due to worker attitude. When is a good day in China?

[McGilli]

Reminds me of GM when they discovered cars built on Monday and Friday were more defective due to worker attitude. When is a good day in China?

I just don't think that looking at the week the computer was assembled is valid - I think it is more a matter of when the LED screen was created. Obviously - if it was created during the Summer Olympics in China - then your screen is screwed cuz all the workers heads were turned watching the tv - so no quality control to pull the bad ones out of the line - they let it all through....

;)

maybe...

BTW my MBA is week 43 and is perfect.

[Ironic]

Bought one tonight and it seems fine.

[tigres]

Bought one tonight and it seems fine.

I have a week 46 and my screen is perfect.

[Ironic]

I have a week 46 and my screen is perfect.Mines a week 44!

[justit]

if it was created during the Summer Olympics

too funny

[zer0tails]

LOL so yes McGilli is right. From what the others have posted, the week in which it was manufactured isn't a factor.

My screen is a 9C9A if that helps, though I believe a lot of us have that model.

[bigrasmusdk]

I just got my replacement from Apple Online Store.... It has the SAME ERORRS!

STILL NO FOUR FINGER SWIPE
STILL HORIZONTAL LINES

I am NOT happy.... Apple will replace it AGAIN.... 3 TIME

Serial no on 1st: 8845
Serial no on 2nd: 8846

Both with the same error

[aristobrat]

Has anyone outside of the US received one where the 4-finger swipe worked? :confused:

[al3ph]

That`s pretty lame, I`m getting mine swapped this week (I hope), though I suspect it`ll have the same issues, can`t believe they messed up the four finger swipe, has anyone got a V2 air with working swipe (excluding US)?

I just got my replacement from Apple Online Store.... It has the SAME ERORRS!

STILL NO FOUR FINGER SWIPE
STILL HORIZONTAL LINES

I am NOT happy.... Apple will replace it AGAIN.... 3 TIME

Serial no on 1st: 8845
Serial no on 2nd: 8846

Both with the same error

[drevil]

I'll put in my 2cc's worth, W8845****** no lines,beautiful screen.All gestures work also.

[Ironic]

In US 4 finger works perfect.

[tommyv]

Has anyone outside of the US received one where the 4-finger swipe worked? :confused:

I received 1.86 SSD last week in Switzerland (from Swiss Apple Store, US keyboard, English OS), 4 finger swipe works, but faint lines present, made in week 45, OS X Build 9F2523. I checked the localized models at local Apple dealers, none of them had 4-finger swipe working and the OS X build was 9F33.

[foodcoma]

Has anyone outside of the US received one where the 4-finger swipe worked? :confused:

Yes. Got one in Singapore during a business trip and the four-finger swipe worked.

[aristobrat]

So there's no apparent rhyme or reason to the lines or the lack of 4-finger swipe. Hmmmmm. :confused:

[bigrasmusdk]

yeah the rythm is not that it is from the US...but it has a US keyboard...NON-Localized.

I dont know how many times I told Apple Care that the problem might be a little bigger than they though, but apparently they want to swap indefinitely... Anyone received to useful feedback from a executive department ?

[immaculate]

I received 1.86 SSD last week in Switzerland (from Swiss Apple Store, US keyboard, English OS), 4 finger swipe works, but faint lines present, made in week 45, OS X Build 9F2523. I checked the localized models at local Apple dealers, none of them had 4-finger swipe working and the OS X build was 9F33.

tommyv: have you returned your MBA owing to the lines? I also live in Switzerland and was about to order a US keyboard 1.86 SDD from the Swiss Apple Store - then I learnt about this display problem and have put the order on hold.

[immaculate]

I received 1.86 SSD last week in Switzerland (from Swiss Apple Store, US keyboard, English OS), 4 finger swipe works, but faint lines present, made in week 45, OS X Build 9F2523. I checked the localized models at local Apple dealers, none of them had 4-finger swipe working and the OS X build was 9F33.

tommyv: have you returned your MBA owing to the lines? I also live in Switzerland and was about to order a US keyboard 1.86 SDD from the Swiss Apple Store - then I learnt about this display problem and have put the order on hold.

[tommyv]

tommyv: have you returned your MBA owing to the lines? I also live in Switzerland and was about to order a US keyboard 1.86 SDD from the Swiss Apple Store - then I learnt about this display problem and have put the order on hold.

@immaculate: no, not yet, I'll wait couple of days to see if the problem gets official, and will call AppleCare for sure. Despite everything, a friend of mine ordered the same MBA today. Will keep you posted when it arrives.

[immaculate]

@immaculate: no, not yet, I'll wait couple of days to see if the problem gets official, and will call AppleCare for sure. Despite everything, a friend of mine ordered the same MBA today. Will keep you posted when it arrives.

Thanks for the information - hope your friend's MBA is OK when it arrives.

[bigrasmusdk]

So what we can conclude so far is:

- Horizontal lines affects all around the world, but not everyone is hit by it.
- Missing Four finger swipe affects only MBA 2.0's with NON-US keyboards, everyone with them are hit by it.

[StefanR.]

got the Air today, Spanish keyboard. week 46

NO four finger swipe (I dont care, dont need that)

but the best!

NO thin faint horizontal lines :D !

happy.

[menix]

got the Air today, Spanish keyboard. week 46

NO four finger swipe (I dont care, dont need that)

but the best!

NO thin faint horizontal lines :D !

happy.

Hey StefanR, are you sure there are no lines? Even when you look close to it?

Today i got the replacement for my defective MBA and the replacement is Week 45, with lines, no 4finger scrolling AND a bent case that stands very uneven. and now? refund or should i give 'em yet another chance to exchange for a third replacement?

[StefanR.]

Hey StefanR, are you sure there are no lines? Even when you look close to it?

Today i got the replacement for my defective MBA and the replacement is Week 45, with lines, no 4finger scrolling AND a bent case that stands very uneven. and now? refund or should i give 'em yet another chance to exchange for a third replacement?


100% sure, no lines, close, far, left, right, down, up.... no lines.

[Ironic]

No lines on mine and my eyes hurt from looking!

[kyrules2008]

100% sure, no lines, close, far, left, right, down, up.... no lines.

Can you try to bring up the test pattern in the post #89 on <http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=594520&page=4>?

I compared a new 1.86Ghz 120GB SSD MBA and the latest MB for the screen display at a local Apple store this weekend, and I found that even though I couldn't detect any visible lines on the MBA screen, it flickered quite a bit when I had that test pattern on a full screen Safari. MB didn't have the flickering problem at all.

The HD trailers and other moving pictures displayed very well on the same MBA, but the flickering was so bad, I didn't buy one.

[aristobrat]

Can you try to bring up the test pattern in the post #89 on <http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=594520&page=4>?
FWIW, you can link directly to a post if you right-click on the post# and copy its location.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6592860&postcount=89

Also, those test patterns were designed to illustrate the horizontal line issue on the last gen 15" PowerBook, so they may not directly apply to the issue with the Air. It's just that the PowerBook issue was the most recent issue that might have related...

[macbook123]

I'm really curious to see if any folks with the new MBA get the "FAIL" on the left test image. It would be an awesome decisive tool to filter out bad MBA's from good ones in the store.

Interestingly, displaying the images on my new MB Pro, the lines are flickering noticeably, to the extent that it's uncomfortable to look at. Does anybody know why? Both sides of the image are the same shape though.

[kyrules2008]

FWIW, you can link directly to a post if you right-click on the post# and copy its location.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6592860&postcount=89

Also, those test patterns were designed to illustrate the horizontal line issue on the last gen 15" PowerBook, so they may not directly apply to the issue with the Air. It's just that the PowerBook issue was the most recent issue that might have related...

Thanks for the tip on the link. It was interesting though that the latest MB didn't have the flickering problem with the same test pattern. A store employee saw those patterns on MB and MBA, and confirmed the flicker problem on the MBA.

[bigrasmusdk]

I am currently waiting for my THIRD replacement.... Although I seriously doubt I will receive a working (meaning 4 finger swipe/no horizontal lines) copy of the MBA 2.0.

I will post here as soon as I receive it

[StefanR.]

Can you try to bring up the test pattern in the post #89 on <http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=594520&page=4>?

I compared a new 1.86Ghz 120GB SSD MBA and the latest MB for the screen display at a local Apple store this weekend, and I found that even though I couldn't detect any visible lines on the MBA screen, it flickered quite a bit when I had that test pattern on a full screen Safari. MB didn't have the flickering problem at all.

The HD trailers and other moving pictures displayed very well on the same MBA, but the flickering was so bad, I didn't buy one.

yes, your right, no "fail" but there is a little "flickering", not so on my MBP.

[kyrules2008]

yes, your right, no "fail" but there is a little "flickering", not so on my MBP.

The MBA I played with at the store had quite a bit of flickering.

My 6 month old 15' MBP also flickers a bit with the test pattern, but I have not had any display related problem what so ever thus far.

[StefanR.]

No lines on mine and my eyes hurt from looking!

after some hours I have the same problem, some burning in the eyes.

[zer0tails]

unfortunately, the lines issue appeared on my macbook air on Sunday and so I returned it today. They did offer me an exchange, but opening up the new one had a very dirty screen, and the manager refused to open up another.

No problem for me so I just took the refund. I did compare a previous gen macbook air to the rev. 2 version and the rev. 1's screen was significantly brighter and clearer.

[LeonX]

Well, there are people who experience the lines and people who don't. I wonder if there is anybody who got a replacement and was eventually satisfied?

[orch5]

I have a 9C9A here, identical to the others. Also no four finger swipe either. I'm returning mine back today and Apple is replacing it (UK model).

I spent some time comparing the Air display with my white (Intel) MacBook. On reflection the MacBook screen is darker, but the display is crisper and the text much cleaner than the Air. The screen on the Air is fantastic and bright but the lines seem to make the text less readable. It reminds me of a slightly out of sync CRT monitor, as if the text is just a little off focus, very subtle but you know it’s not right. It's odd to describe but I have to say I noticed it instantly when it was out of the box.

It gets more annoying in a darker room and it's *very* distracting when typing documents. You constantly find you’re questioning the focus, more so when you know you have a MacBook that you’ve used for years with a perfect screen (and nearly a £1000 less money).

I’m not entirely sure the replacement will be any better. However, if I do get one without the lines I will post about it on here.

Right! Back to my MacBook.

G.

I've very reluctantly returned my replacement MacBook Air to Apple today for a refund.

Unfortunately the replacement Air still had a screen that was ‘grainy’ in appearance. I am not confident that I will ever get a replacement without the grainy appearance. I am pretty much convinced that the coating on the screen is the issue. I do not believe that it a fault with the system or LCD itself.

Essentially I used the Air for a couple of days for word processing. I found that while the screen is bright, the white background is not even. Half way through editing my document I swapped MackBooks and used a White Intel MacBook instead. There is a very discernable difference in the quality between the two screens. The White MacBook is sharper and the text is crisp and clear. My eyes felt a lot better looking and the White MacBook screen.

To be honest, I couldn’t really care about the four finger swipe (which didn't work BTW). But I do care about my eyes, and I feel the screen quality of the Air is not reflected in the price of the product (no pun intended).

I’m in London next week and will pop-in to Regents Street and have a chat with someone about.

Graham.

[al3ph]

got replacement same problem, no 4 finger swipe, and faint grey lines, could probably live with this if it didn't make my eyes hurt after 5 minutes of use.
It certainly looks like an issue with the top plastic layer of the lcd.
going to ask for refund as I've little hope of getting a fixed air, and Apple support seems oblivious to the issue (how?)

[Ironic]

Guess i was lucky no lines at all.

[al3ph]

Guess i was lucky no lines at all.

From the sounds of it you were VERY lucky :)

Probably give it 6 months before I bother trying again, though I am a bit shocked with their QC, especially the 4 finger swipe screw up.

[LeonX]

Guess i was lucky no lines at all.

Would it be possible that you simply don't see them - so either people seeing the lines would be more sensitive than the average user or you are less sensitive? I somehow doubt that the use a diffrent coating already...

[NC MacGuy]

I don't have any either. I think the coating theory may be off.

[echo44]

Would it be possible that you simply don't see them - so either people seeing the lines would be more sensitive than the average user or you are less sensitive? I somehow doubt that the use a diffrent coating already...

I think we have to assume the lines are on all units and some people may not be bothered by them or do not perceive them those are the lucky ones.
The only way to prove that all units are not plagued by this is for someone
who has identified the problem with their MBA return it and receive
a replacement without the problem. So far no one has claimed this. Until this happens I think I will hold off buying the new air or change my mind and get a new MBP. I carefully looked at all the new MBAs in the apple store and none of the units had the same lines

[HLdan]

I've very reluctantly returned my replacement MacBook Air to Apple today for a refund.

Unfortunately the replacement Air still had a screen that was ‘grainy’ in appearance. I am not confident that I will ever get a replacement without the grainy appearance. I am pretty much convinced that the coating on the screen is the issue. I do not believe that it a fault with the system or LCD itself.

Essentially I used the Air for a couple of days for word processing. I found that while the screen is bright, the white background is not even. Half way through editing my document I swapped MackBooks and used a White Intel MacBook instead. There is a very discernable difference in the quality between the two screens. The White MacBook is sharper and the text is crisp and clear. My eyes felt a lot better looking and the White MacBook screen.

To be honest, I couldn’t really care about the four finger swipe (which didn't work BTW). But I do care about my eyes, and I feel the screen quality of the Air is not reflected in the price of the product (no pun intended).

I’m in London next week and will pop-in to Regents Street and have a chat with someone about.

Graham.

Not trying to come across as a meanie but IMO you are being very picky and a bit OCD. You make it sound like the Air is hurting your eyes so bad that it's unusable. It sounds more like you are looking for perfection because you paid for it and because this forum has helped you to become a perfectionist.

I'm saying this because people work with computers all day at work and most computer monitors at work don't even come close in quality to your brand new home computer's screen. Most people have no choice but to deal with their job computer and even if the monitor is crappy they can't become OCD with their boss and make them replace it because it's either slightly grainy or has faint horizontal lines.

[NC MacGuy]

I think we have to assume the lines are on all units and some people may not be bothered by them or do not perceive them those are the lucky ones.
The only way to prove that all units are not plagued by this is for someone
who has identified the problem with their MBA return it and receive
a replacement without the problem. So far no one has claimed this. Until this happens I think I will hold off buying the new air or change my mind and get a new MBP. I carefully looked at all the new MBAs in the apple store and none of the units had the same lines

I am very picky and have had quite a few Apple laptops in my time and I can say without a doubt, there are no lines on my unit.

[orch5]

I don't have any either. I think the coating theory may be off.

I'm going to stand by my guns. I think it's a screen infront of the LCD panel that is causing the problem. It is also possible that a coating on the screen is exacerbating it.

Try this: open a window with a lot of white in it (so you notice the lines more), then move the window around the screen. If you look closely as you do this you'll see that the 'grain' appears to be on top of the screen image. The lines do not change or move, the texture of the grain remains the same.

Anyway. Whatever it is it's annoying.

G.

[orch5]

Not trying to come across as a meanie but IMO you are being very picky and a bit OCD. You make it sound like the Air is hurting your eyes so bad that it's unusable. It sounds more like you are looking for perfection because you paid for it and because this forum has helped you to become a perfectionist.

I'm saying this because people work with computers all day at work and most computer monitors at work don't even come close in quality to your brand new home computer's screen. Most people have no choice but to deal with their job computer and even if the monitor is crappy they can't become OCD with their boss and make them replace it because it's either slightly grainy or has faint horizontal lines.

Sorry, I don't agree. This is an £1800 laptop in the UK. Eighteen-hundred-pounds. I have two iMacs and a MacBook. All my other Macs have wonderful screens. I'm 40, with good eyesight, and have my own company which has 15 PCs. I sit at a screen on average for 10-12 hours a day, and use a variety of displays. The one I'm typing on now is a £200 Dell 19" monitor and is crisper than the Air, but not as bright.

Do not confuse me with some perfectionist seeking the unattainable. There are problems with some Airs, and the displays are uncomfortable to view after a short period of time.

Graham.

P.S. I am actually due for an eye test. :D

[NC MacGuy]

Sorry, I don't agree. This is an £1800 laptop in the UK. Eighteen-hundred-pounds. I have two iMacs and a MacBook. All my other Macs have wonderful screens. I'm 40, with good eyesight, and have my own company which has 15 PCs. I sit at a screen on average for 10-12 hours a day, and use a variety of displays. The one I'm typing on now is a £200 Dell 19" monitor and is crisper than the Air, but not as bright.

Do not confuse me with some perfectionist seeking the unattainable. There are problems with some Airs, and the displays are uncomfortable to view after a short period of time.

Graham.

P.S. I am actually due for an eye test. :D

Personally, I found the new MB to be unacceptable. Poor horiz. viewing angle, blurred fonts and inadequate black levels led me to return one and buy the new Air and a MBP.

It must be the abroad versions cause my U.S. Air has 4 finger swipe and a super bright, crisp non-lined display.;) I've even showed it to others just in case my eyes are really bad and no one has been able to see any lines except the ones that are supposed to be there.

[kyrules2008]

Personally, I found the new MB to be unacceptable. Poor horiz. viewing angle, blurred fonts and inadequate black levels led me to return one and buy the new Air and a MBP.

It must be the abroad versions cause my U.S. Air has 4 finger swipe and a super bright, crisp non-lined display.;) I've even showed it to others just in case my eyes are really bad and no one has been able to see any lines except the ones that are supposed to be there.

Hi NC MacGuy,
Have you tried the test pattern mentioned above on your MBA? Do you see any flickering at all? When I played with a store unit, I had a full screen Safari, had that pattern on, click on the pattern to have it fill the screen, and observed quite a bit of flickering.

Kind Regards

[StefanR.]

again me, now after using it yesterday and today some hours, definitely no lines, but a little flickering when looking at the test images posted above and that causes the burning in the eyes if you sit longer infornt of the screen.

so I think I will give it back.

[fizzwinkus]

I had lines on my first and second MBA (Mini Displayport) and have seen them on every single new MBA I have seen.
They are not present on my MBA (Micro DVI).

[menix]

again me, now after using it yesterday and today some hours, definitely no lines, but a little flickering when looking at the test images posted above and that causes the burning in the eyes if you sit longer infornt of the screen.

so I think I will give it back.

Oh, i regret to hear your MBA is also affected. I'm going to send back my second replacement tomorrow.
I'm givin up. I'm disappointed Apple doesn't seriously care about the quality problems of such a high-priced machine.

[omaragra]

Hi Guys,

i was talking to some senior guy from Apple's relations center names Gusto and he said that he is aware of the missing four finger swipe and said that is not a very big issue and will be solved soon with a firmware update 100 %, regarding the horizontal lines he said he will look into it and also asked me to send him a picture, I tried taking one but was not very successful so I emailed him the link to this forum and also a link to the apple discussion forums related to this same issue.

He told me he will call me back tomorrow.

Cheers

Omar

[omaragra]

You guys won't believe this !!

THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN AN EXTERNAL MONITOR IS CONNECTED

So here is my setup, I have an external monitor plugged in to my MBA and all my icons are on the external monitor so my MBA desktop is empty NO ICONS, the desktop has the purple Mac wallpaper and I cannot see the lines on my MBA (just realized they are there but really very very faint almost un-noticeable , but as soon as I select Automatically hide and show the Dock the lines appear and they disappear when I un-check the option !!

But if I don't have an external monitor the lines are always present as usual!!


I can do this every time

[bigrasmusdk]

You guys won't believe this !!

THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN AN EXTERNAL MONITOR IS CONNECTED

So here is my setup, I have an external monitor plugged in to my MBA and all my icons are on the external monitor so my MBA desktop is empty NO ICONS, the desktop has the purple Mac wallpaper and I cannot see the lines on my MBA (just realized they are there but really very very faint almost un-noticeable , but as soon as I select Automatically hide and show the Dock the lines appear and they disappear when I un-check the option !!

But if I don't have an external monitor the lines are always present as usual!!


I can do this every time

Very interesting indeed....did you tell the Senior Apple guy that ?

[omaragra]

Not really because I realised it only after emailing him, also I don't want to make the case very complicated !!

[omaragra]

I'm sitting at the Apple Genius Bar and the good lady agreed with me regarding the lines and said I should send it back, but I told her it's no point because I will again get a bad piece.

Everyone is clueless, no call from Apple so far !

[LeonX]

You guys won't believe this !!

THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN AN EXTERNAL MONITOR IS CONNECTED

So here is my setup, I have an external monitor plugged in to my MBA and all my icons are on the external monitor so my MBA desktop is empty NO ICONS, the desktop has the purple Mac wallpaper and I cannot see the lines on my MBA (just realized they are there but really very very faint almost un-noticeable , but as soon as I select Automatically hide and show the Dock the lines appear and they disappear when I un-check the option !!

But if I don't have an external monitor the lines are always present as usual!!


I can do this every time

What does that mean - that the graphic card produces the problem? Or is it maybe an interference with some circuits on the board? If you are right that means at least that neither the lcd nor the coating would be the culprits.
Can anybody reproduce that observation?

Interesting thing: Here in Germany they have delivery to every reseller postponed again. Originally they were supposed to get the actual products today... Either your guys over there suck up the whole stock because of all the 3rd and 4th replacements or Apple is holding them back. (some people who ordered in the Apple Online Store got their MBAs).

[omaragra]

What does that mean - that the graphic card produces the problem? Or is it maybe an interference with some circuits on the board? If you are right that means at least that neither the lcd nor the coating would be the culprits.
Can anybody reproduce that observation?


I don't know what exactly is causing this problem. I am sending mine back for a second replacement and this time they have assured me that they will look into it and send me a perfect one !!

[HLdan]

I don't know what exactly is causing this problem. I am sending mine back for a second replacement and this time they have assured me that they will look into it and send me a perfect one !!

I hope for your sake that really happens however I hate to burst your bubble but don't expect Apple to make sure that you get a "perfect" one. Even if they open up the box and inspect it they most likely will not notice the lines and say it's within spec and send it right to you. I've been in retail too long, people say the things the customer wants to hear.

[omaragra]

I hope for your sake that really happens however I hate to burst your bubble but don't expect Apple to make sure that you get a "perfect" one. Even if they open up the box and inspect it they most likely will not notice the lines and say it's within spec and send it right to you. I've been in retail too long, people say the things the customer wants to hear.

Lets hope !! Things are fine this time around, the apple customer services guy took my case ID and applied it to the replacement request. He also said that this time some other team will be dispatching it

[iwant2believe88]

So I just received my air Rev A from the amazon sale and I can see the lines on my screen. The screen doesn't seem as crisp as it did viewing it in the store and I looked at the exact model computer I have from a best buy. I got this from amazon and so my question is who do I talk with about this. Will Apple replace it? If I return to amazon I have to eat a restock fee. Or will they replace it because it's defective. Anyone else have this happen on a Rev A?

[lincolnchee]

I have the 4 fingers swipe and the gray lines appear horizontally throughout the screen.
My week no. is 45. Can this problem be resolved using Software ?

My Stats:

Manufacturer - 00000610
Model - 9C9A
Serial No. - 000000 all the way

[Ironic]

So I just received my air Rev A from the amazon sale and I can see the lines on my screen. The screen doesn't seem as crisp as it did viewing it in the store and I looked at the exact model computer I have from a best buy. I got this from amazon and so my question is who do I talk with about this. Will Apple replace it? If I return to amazon I have to eat a restock fee. Or will they replace it because it's defective. Anyone else have this happen on a Rev A?
I wish I could see the line everyone is talking about i keep looking

[tommi80]

Hi,

I got my new MBA (the late2008 one) on Friday. I have these gray horizontal lines, as they are described here, too. Maybe I could live with the lines, but what I noticed is, that it is very exhausting for my eyes. I even got and I am still getting headache when reading something on the new MBA.
When I use my old MBP after the MBA, it feels much much better.

After realizing this situation, I googled a little bit and found the following thread:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8503580&tstart=0

Do you think the headache comes from the grey lines across the screen? Or is it the LED backlight technology, or both?
Are all LED backlight Screens flickering when showing the image with the line-patterns posted a few pages before? (my MBA screen flickers, my external screen and the MBP screen, both not LED, doesn't).

thx,
Tom.

[HLdan]

Hi,

I got my new MBA (the late2008 one) on Friday. I have these gray horizontal lines, as they are described here, too. Maybe I could live with the lines, but what I noticed is, that it is very exhausting for my eyes. I even got and I am still getting headache when reading something on the new MBA.
When I use my old MBP after the MBA, it feels much much better.

After realizing this situation, I googled a little bit and found the following thread:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8503580&tstart=0

Do you think the headache comes from the grey lines across the screen? Or is it the LED backlight technology, or both?
Are all LED backlight Screens flickering when showing the image with the line-patterns posted a few pages before? (my MBA screen flickers, my external screen and the MBP screen, both not LED, doesn't).

thx,
Tom.

IMO, I think the headaches are coming from being psychosomatic which is due from excessively following this forum. No jokes.

[zer0tails]

Hi,

I got my new MBA (the late2008 one) on Friday. I have these gray horizontal lines, as they are described here, too. Maybe I could live with the lines, but what I noticed is, that it is very exhausting for my eyes. I even got and I am still getting headache when reading something on the new MBA.
When I use my old MBP after the MBA, it feels much much better.

After realizing this situation, I googled a little bit and found the following thread:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8503580&tstart=0

Do you think the headache comes from the grey lines across the screen? Or is it the LED backlight technology, or both?
Are all LED backlight Screens flickering when showing the image with the line-patterns posted a few pages before? (my MBA screen flickers, my external screen and the MBP screen, both not LED, doesn't).

thx,
Tom.

you guys need to take pictures and show US what these grey lines look like.

[StefanR.]

IMO, I think the headaches are coming from being psychosomatic which is due from excessively following this forum. No jokes.

and you? looks like that you have the same problem, at least it sounds like...

[HLdan]

and you? looks like that you have the same problem, at least it sounds like...

Since you felt the need to defend something you weren't a part of I will answer your question. I do frequent the MR forums however unlike many people I don't allow the negative comments here to influence my buying decisions. This forum is very helpful and I spend time helping people here as well but I was actually trying to help the person I was replying to, to understand that psychologically we will allow things to become much bigger than they are because we read about it all the time.

So for example, the horizontal line issue that many forum members are talking about isn't NEARLY as big as people are making it out to be. It only takes one person to complain about it and the snowball effect arises, all of a sudden the horizontal lines are so prominent that we can't even see what's on our screens anymore. That's what happens when we allow our brain to absorb the same thing over and over.

The lines on the MBA screen are extremely faint and you have to squint to see them and they generally appear against a very light background. 99% of the time you wouldn't even know they are there.

Just in case you are interested as to why I know this, I just took delivery of the new RevB MBA and yes, mine has the horizontal lines but other than that the screen is beautiful, in fact it looks better than the new Macbook Pro screen. Do the lines bother me? Do I get eye strain and headaches from them? No. I would if I allowed this forum to make me think the lines are worst than they really are.
Apple should indeed address this. IMO it's the GPU's drivers that need updating.

[aristobrat]

I'm returning mine today and coordinated with the Apple Store and Executive Relations to have it sent back to Apple HQ for investigation. Engineering is already looking into the issue, but hopefully this will help resolve the issue for everyone else out there.

For now, it's back to the good old reliable Thinkpad with Win XP for me.
kanpachi, any feedback from Apple engineering yet?

[StefanR.]

Since you felt the need to defend something you weren't a part of I will answer your question. I do frequent the MR forums however unlike many people I don't allow the negative comments here to influence my buying decisions. This forum is very helpful and I spend time helping people here as well but I was actually trying to help the person I was replying to, to understand that psychologically we will allow things to become much bigger than they are because we read about it all the time.

So for example, the horizontal line issue that many forum members are talking about isn't NEARLY as big as people are making it out to be. It only takes one person to complain about it and the snowball effect arises, all of a sudden the horizontal lines are so prominent that we can't even see what's on our screens anymore. That's what happens when we allow our brain to absorb the same thing over and over.

The lines on the MBA screen are extremely faint and you have to squint to see them and they generally appear against a very light background. 99% of the time you wouldn't even know they are there.

Just in case you are interested as to why I know this, I just took delivery of the new RevB MBA and yes, mine has the horizontal lines but other than that the screen is beautiful, in fact it looks better than the new Macbook Pro screen. Do the lines bother me? Do I get eye strain and headaches from them? No. I would if I allowed this forum to make me think the lines are worst than they really are.
Apple should indeed address this. IMO it's the GPU's drivers that need updating.

not part of it? if you would have read careful this thread, you would have seen that I am part of it. people come to forums when something does not work...I think so...., there is no reason (at least for me) to visit a technical mac forum if things work well. I use mac since years, at work and at home, all worked fine until I got my new MBA. I had no lines at all, but! my eyes started to burn and hurt after aprox. 1-2h, something I never experienced before. so the next way was to see if other people had the same problem, since the eye burn went immediately away when switching to my MBP or just playing around for some time with one of my children´s MB.

so I dont thing that we need a troll who makes jokes about people who experience some problems with their hardware.

[HLdan]

not part of it? if you would have read careful this thread, you would have seen that I am part of it. people come to forums when something does not work...I think so...., there is no reason (at least for me) to visit a technical mac forum if things work well. I use mac since years, at work and at home, all worked fine until I got my new MBA. I had no lines at all, but! my eyes started to burn and hurt after aprox. 1-2h, something I never experienced before. so the next way was to see if other people had the same problem, since the eye burn went immediately away when switching to my MBP or just playing around for some time with one of my children´s MB.

so I dont thing that we need a troll who makes jokes about people who experience some problems with their hardware.


Look guy, you need to calm down. Firstly I am no troll and your snide remarks are getting a bit tired now. I think I just mentioned that I am also the new owner of the new Macbook Air and I experience the horizontal lines as well and I think I said earlier that Apple DOES need to address this issue, but apparently you didn't read that huh??? When I said you weren't apart of it, I was talking only in regards to my direct reply to an earlier poster since I was only speaking to him and not you or anyone else on the forum.
I made no jokes, nor did I intend to make any jokes towards anyone here, I was merely stating a fact that the snowball effect happens here a lot and things get blown out of proportion which causes people to see a lot more than what's really there.

I am truly sorry, FOR YOU, that you only see MR as a place to come to complain about problems. You are obviously new to MR so maybe you should take a look around, there a quite a few posts created by happy customers boasting about their new Macbook Air's, Pro's and Macbooks. You seem to have a chip on your shoulder, why don't you knock it off?

[kanpachi]

kanpachi, any feedback from Apple engineering yet?

Nope, no word from them yet unfortunately. But I don't really expect to hear back from them anyways - pretty sure they were just blowing smoke up my ass and telling me what I wanted to hear. But if I do hear back (99.9% chance I won't), I'll let you guys know.

[StefanR.]

Look guy, you need to calm down. Firstly I am no troll and your snide remarks are getting a bit tired now. I think I just mentioned that I am also the new owner of the new Macbook Air and I experience the horizontal lines as well and I think I said earlier that Apple DOES need to address this issue, but apparently you didn't read that huh??? When I said you weren't apart of it, I was talking only in regards to my direct reply to an earlier poster since I was only speaking to him and not you or anyone else on the forum.
I made no jokes, nor did I intend to make any jokes towards anyone here, I was merely stating a fact that the snowball effect happens here a lot and things get blown out of proportion which causes people to see a lot more than what's really there.

I am truly sorry, FOR YOU, that you only see MR as a place to come to complain about problems. You are obviously new to MR so maybe you should take a look around, there a quite a few posts created by happy customers boasting about their new Macbook Air's, Pro's and Macbooks. You seem to have a chip on your shoulder, why don't you knock it off?

funny, I am very calm, if I need help maybe I will ask you. :D your the one who is blaming people, just read your posts again. bye bye

[bigrasmusdk]

JUST RECEIVED 3 YES THIRD REPLACEMENT MBA 2.0 IT STILL HAS HORIZONTAL LINES!

And no It's not me being picky, I have compared with 1gen MBA, A low-end Dell Laptop and my iMac all of them have no lines.

I am VERY unhappy.

[aristobrat]

Nope, no word from them yet unfortunately. But I don't really expect to hear back from them anyways - pretty sure they were just blowing smoke up my ass and telling me what I wanted to hear. But if I do hear back (99.9% chance I won't), I'll let you guys know.
Thanks

JUST RECEIVED 3 YES THIRD REPLACEMENT MBA 2.0 IT STILL HAS HORIZONTAL LINES!
If they decide to make a manufacturing change to address this issue, it's going to take months, no days/weeks. Based on how they handled the screen issue with the 15" PowerBook, they may choose not to address this in manufacturing at all.