9C90 is the ONLY display reported for new MBA! Anyone have 9C9A, 9C8F, or different?

[Scottsdale]

I have seen several threads where people have reported their display model for their new MacBook Air. With every display model I have read, the 9C90 has been reported. This is the display known as having the worst record with the prior rev B MBAs as far as being affected with gray lines on the displays. There were two other display models in the prior rev B MBAs, 9C9A, 9C8F. Unfortunately, BOTH of those have much better records for not having lines.

I had a 1.86 GHz SSD rev B MBA with a 9C9A which did NOT have any lines in it whatsoever. 9C9A was considered by many to be the good display which was used mostly in the high end 1.86 GHz MBA; while the 9C90 was most often used in the low end 1.6 GHz MBA. MANY people have reported 9C8F displays with NO LINES in them within the last few months before the new MBA was introduced.

I wonder why there are none of the "good" displays used in the new MBAs? Perhaps there are but we just don't have any reported yet.

Would you please take two minutes and report your display model number here, and also list whether your display has gray lines running horizontally across the display. The lines are usually noticeable on white backgrounds or light grayish colored backgrounds.

To determine your new MBA's display model id, please go to the Apple Logo > System Preferences > Displays > Color > Open Profile > Scroll to line 13 and highlight it > the identification information will appear.

Will display like this, "00009C90." Just report the last four characters.

Report the line status in this manner:
NO LINES! = AWESOME! This is what we all want.
Slightly affected = Has mild gray lines only visible on light backgrounds randomly.
Severely affected = Has darker gray lines obvious often with most light to moderate colored backgrounds.


Please use the following as a template to report your MBA's information/Copy and Paste and edit to display your information:

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD or 1.86/HDD
Display ID: 9C90, 9C9A, 9C8F, OTHER (last four characters)
Line Status: No Lines!, Slightly Affected, Severely Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Apple.com, Reseller (name)


ALSO, Please only BOLD your Information submission. This will allow us all to quickly identify each MBA with the model and level of lines.

I will go first...


MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Slightly Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store

[Giancarlo]

Model: 2.13/SSD
Display : 9C90
Line Status: Slightly Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store Toronto


Second unit. First replaced. Same display.

[Scottsdale]

Also, I have had two others which were already returned. Both were purchased at the Apple Store.

The first one had the worst lines I have ever seen. If the background color wasn't dark, gray lines were visible all across the page.

The second MBA had very very faint lines. Perhaps affecting the display less than the MBA I got on my fourth try... attempt number three was a DOA MBA.

I have been extremely disappointed that Apple hasn't awarded us MBA loyalists with a better display this go around. This is my third MBA purchase. I bought an original MBA the month it was first released. I bought a rev B MBA two months after the rev B MBA was introduced (was stolen). This is the third MBA I have paid Apple a ton of money for, and I expect to get a display without lines.

[justit]

I'll chime in and concur with Scottsdale, 9C90 Rev C spotted in Apple Store with lines.

[ayeying]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: None
Place Purchased: Online Apple Store

[Scottsdale]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: None
Place Purchased: Online Apple Store

CONGRATULATIONS!!! One of only a couple! Most people don't know what they're looking for, so good when someone that knows can identify they don't have them on their MBA.

I am so convinced this is a power issue. There are varying degrees on these MBAs, even within the same model of display. This has to be correctable somehow.

[Balthezor]

I'll chime in.

2.13/SSD: 9C90 -slight

1.86/HDD: 9C90 -slight, but worse than the 2.13

Both of these were the demos. Going to another Apple store to check.

[Veinticinco]

Can only report what I've just seen in my local Apple Store from their new shop floor MBA....

2.13/SSD model
9C90 display
Moderately affected by lines (to the level I'd return if I had that unit)

It's some kind of pathetic joke that of all the 3 display models used in the rev.B, for the rev.C they seem to have chosen to fix on the one model that was by far the worst of them all!!! The words 'epic' and 'fail' spring to mind.

[Scottsdale]

I'll chime in.

2.13/SSD: 9C90 -slight

1.86/HDD: 9C90 -slight, but worse than the 2.13

Both of these were the demos. Going to another Apple store to check.

Please list the store name and location so we don't have multiple of the same store.

There is a new store opening in Scottsdale, Arizona today at 6pm. My son and I are going for the grand opening. Will check and report those back.

So far, it looks like Apple is only using the 9C90 which SUCKS! If I see anything different anywhere else, I plan to buy one their to try it.

I am so curious to see what Amazon and Best Buy have. It seems Apple is probably sending them the good ones to limit returns, as the majority of the recent good rev B MBA displays were from Amazon with the display that normally looks great. I just hope Apple put that display in some new MBAs somewhere, and I can find one???

[Scottsdale]

I have a GREAT IDEA... in my own mind. Since these lines are not seen by all, let's track the MBAs at Apple Stores and get multiple opinions of the same exact MBAs. This will ensure that someone can go into a store and know that an MBA supposedly has it and can look for it if they don't know what to look at.

So please please use the format I listed. When posting a store's MBAs and the lines please do the following...

ONE. In the subject use the store name.
TWO. List how many MBAs are in the store.
THREE. List the specs for each model.
FOUR. List the display model identification
FIVE. List the level of problems using a NO LINES, Slight, Extreme (and use a 10 point system also... 1 being the worst lines, 10 being no lines). This will allow others to identify the problematic MBAs and could be a great way for us to compare/share.

[MacLover4491]

what a waste of time and money. Just dont buy the macbook air if it has so much problems. Apple will correct it if no one buys.

[kent912]

The MBA Model 2.13/SSD just became available on amazon and I just placed an order with next day shipping. I will report back on Monday when it comes in.



I am so curious to see what Amazon and Best Buy have. It seems Apple is probably sending them the good ones to limit returns, as the majority of the recent good rev B MBA displays were from Amazon with the display that normally looks great. I just hope Apple put that display in some new MBAs somewhere, and I can find one???

[Veinticinco]

The MBA Model 2.13/SSD just became available on amazon and I just placed an order with next day shipping. I will report back on Monday when it comes in.
Sorry but I don't buy this ridiculous theory of Scottsdale's that Amazon-purchased MBAs don't have the lines because Apple give them good ones to limit returns.

It's true that Amazon-sourced rev.B's fared better but that was because their inventory was full of old stock early rev.Bs with the old but perfect 9C8F displays. Doesn't apply to the new rev.Cs as we know that they're all using the same crappy 9C90s.

[yzingher]

Hi guys,

A quick report:

1. London Apple Store on Regents Street
2. 2.13Ghz model, System Preferences says the screen is a 9C90
3. I can't see any lines whatsoever

I'm usually quite easy going with these sort of things so it might escape my attention... but I really can't see any lines! Is there a particular way I need to view the screen?

[Balthezor]

I'll chime in.

2.13/SSD: 9C90 -slight

1.86/HDD: 9C90 -slight, but worse than the 2.13

Both of these were the demos. Going to another Apple store to check.

Sorry guys, this is in Lancaster, PA.

[Veinticinco]

Hi guys,

A quick report:

1. London Apple Store on Regents Street
2. 2.13Ghz model, System Preferences says the screen is a 9C90
3. I can't see any lines whatsoever

I'm usually quite easy going with these sort of things so it might escape my attention... but I really can't see any lines! Is there a particular way I need to view the screen?
Oh dear, scratch that.....contradicts my earlier report a few posts above of almost certainly the same machine. Definitely lines present.

Can only report what I've just seen in my local Apple Store from their new shop floor MBA....

2.13/SSD model
9C90 display
Moderately affected by lines (to the level I'd return if I had that unit)

It's some kind of pathetic joke that of all the 3 display models used in the rev.B, for the rev.C they seem to have chosen to fix on the one model that was by far the worst of them all!!! The words 'epic' and 'fail' spring to mind.

Good job for you there's a couple of decent opticians in the area ;) :D

[jrichie]

MBA Model: 1.86/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: no lines
Place Purchased: Refurb from Apple

Couldn't be happier!!!

[matt8804]

MBA Model: 1.60/HDD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Place Purchased: FNAC Torino Italy

[skoone]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Charlotte NC/Southpark


MBA Model: 1.86/HDD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Slightly Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Charlotte NC/Southpark

I didn't buy one because the store was packed out with people -- Plus, no one was available to sell me one, so I simply walked out!

[moadl81]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Very slightly affected
Place Purchased: Apple Online Store Germany

I`m quite happy with it.

[Scottsdale]

The MBA Model 2.13/SSD just became available on amazon and I just placed an order with next day shipping. I will report back on Monday when it comes in.

I cannot wait to hear back from you. People got really lucky there before the update with the best display. Let's hope Apple still cares about sending some good displays. I will return my Air to Apple and buy from Amazon if it means the 9C8F Display or even the one I had before 9C9A (which I had that was perfect in my rev B).

Good luck. Let me know as soon as you get it on Monday. Thanks...

[Scottsdale]

Sorry but I don't buy this ridiculous theory of Scottsdale's that Amazon-purchased MBAs don't have the lines because Apple give them good ones to limit returns.

It's true that Amazon-sourced rev.B's fared better but that was because their inventory was full of old stock early rev.Bs with the old but perfect 9C8F displays. Doesn't apply to the new rev.Cs as we know that they're all using the same crappy 9C90s.

Well Veinticinco, I saw a rev B MBA with a 1.86 GHz CPU and 9C8F display three days ago which a client's employee bought from Amazon. The manufacture date was April 2009! I read about another one here on MR that the buyer stated a 17/19th week of 2009 and same 9C8F display (was some date like that). So, I have a little bit of method in supporting the theory WHICH IS NOT MY THEORY (but I believe could be a possibility).

I do believe that Amazon could have warned Apple for so many returns of the problematic displays. What I also have to believe though is that the vast majority of people who do not understand the lines are there will NEVER see them. So, I don't know how many of us here are ruining the experience for others who would otherwise never know it. I have 20/20 vision, and I see some lines instantly on bad machines from normal viewing distance... but with my new MBA I cannot see them from normal distance, nor on the normal white background that is usually the instant way to spot. Weird!!! This display I have on the fourth MBA I got is really weird! It's beautiful... better than my rev B that was stolen, BUT it has lines which ruins it in my mind... even though I have to look and has to be a grayish/brownish colored extremely light background (again not white which most of the time is the easy way to find).

[Regaj]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Fair Oaks, Virginia

Scottsdale, I can fairly guarantee you that Apple hasn't struck some strange deal with Amazon, or any other reseller, to get the "good" displays.

It also seems highly likely at this point that 9c90 is the only display currently in manufacture for the MBA.

Me, I'm loving this new machine. It's a quite extraordinary form factor and the display on mine is terrific.

[gnfcoota]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Chadstone, Australia

Returning unit, will try another

[taphil]

MBA Model: Both 1.86 and 2.13
Display ID: Both 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Apple Store, Pittsburgh, PA

I did not notice these lines on the previous Rev B MBAs on display. The lines are both vertical and horizontal, and it makes light colored objects and backgrounds appear to have a grid. Very nasty looking.

[macinsomniac]

MBA Model: 1.86/HDD (display unit)
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Very slightly affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store Michigan Ave. Chicago

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD (display unit)
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Very slightly affected (slightly more than 1.86)
Place Purchased: Apple Store Michigan Ave. Chicago

Once I finally managed to get my turn on these Airs (there were only two MacBook Airs on display in the entire store - I think that a large reason for this is there were still lots of unibody MacBooks on display alongside the new 13" MacBook Pros.

I was specifically looking for the lines, which is the only reason that I noticed them at all. I had to look really near to the screen. Other than actually seeing the lines, it seemed to cause a slight flickering / movement. My general impression when using them from a natural distance was that the displays were of higher-than-average quality. Perhaps the issue is more pronounced on other displays in which I have not seen first-hand. I consider myself a perfectionist and slightly OCD, for measurement's sake, and my career is in graphic design. I am used to closely analyzing aesthetics.

[gnfcoota]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Chadstone, Australia

Returning unit, will try another

Replacement unit
MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Chadstone, Australia

Same result!, and it was a new shipment into the store.

I am now unsure whether to try another or give a MBP 13 a trial for a few days and see if the weight is bearable or not.

This is very disappointing for an otherwise excellent machine.

[Scottsdale]

So, the coolest Apple Store in Arizona, by a long shot, opened today in Scottsdale (my favorite place and closest store to me, YAH).

FOUR NEW MBAS ON DISPLAY!!!

Manager had taken over one for photos of people in store... so I couldn't check that one.

EAST SIDE OF TABLE = missing the info from that one!

SOUTHEAST CORNER of TABLE
MBA Model: 1.86/HDD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Location: Scottsdale Quarter Apple Store

SOUTH MIDDLE UNIT on SOUTH SIDE of TABLE
MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Slightly Affected
Location: Scottsdale Quarter Apple Store

SOUTHWEST CORNER of TABLE
MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Slightly Affected
Location: Scottsdale Quarter Apple Store


Looking like the first batch of ALL MACBOOK AIRS are ALL 9C90. I am not giving up hope, but I do agree a third-party-reseller is unlikely to have also. Maybe we just need to wait out some time???


COME ON APPLE!!! Frustrating!

[Scarlet Fever]

Can those with 'severely affected' units please post pics? I'm curious as to what these lines look like. I googled it, but even on photos of screens with 'lines', I couldn't see them.

[Maven1975]

9C90 here too. However, I do not have the line issue like I did with my Rev. B.

[gman901]

Model: 2.13 w/128 SSD
Display: 9C90
Purchased: Sugarland, TX
Status: No Lines

This is the best display I have seen on any Macbook I have owned.:D

[AdamLikesMusic]

So, the coolest Apple Store in Arizona, by a long shot, opened today in Scottsdale (my favorite place and closest store to me, YAH).

Definitely. I work right next to another one, but the new Scottsdale store is a beauty. (Sorry for going off-topic!)

[Scottsdale]

You have to see the lines in person. It's nearly impossible to show the lines via a low resolution camera photo. The nature of the lines are to annoy an not completely ruin the image. They usually don't appear completely obvious so you have to know or spot the grainy resolution which is really the lines.

[aussie.damo]

Replacement unit
MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Chadstone, Australia

Same result!, and it was a new shipment into the store.

I am now unsure whether to try another or give a MBP 13 a trial for a few days and see if the weight is bearable or not.

This is very disappointing for an otherwise excellent machine.

That is indeed disappointing. I went through this with the Rev Bs at the Chadstone store, never found one that I could live with, ended up getting a refund. Have been using my Rev A in the hope that either the Rev B would improve, or that the Rev C would fix the problem. I'd really like to transition to using the MBA full time, and the spec of the machine now means I can do that.

The screen on the Rev A is unmatched in my experience. I have two of them in my house, they are both flawless. I would lay down the $$ tomorrow if I could get a Rev C with guaranteed good screen, but I don't want to play Apple lotto.

Damo

[Scottsdale]

Definitely. I work right next to another one, but the new Scottsdale store is a beauty. (Sorry for going off-topic!)

I was shocked to see FOUR MBAs on display and how big it is. Really there should have been a Scottsdale Store for at least a couple of years. Since the Apple Store is my favorite place to be, I really welcome a real Apple Store close by. But my bank account will get more stress.

[eVolcre]

I'm at the Apple store Pasadena. The display is 00009C90 but I'm not sure how to look for the lines.

I'm in love with the Air and pissed that they didn't give it a good upgrade. Kinda leery of buying it right now but its such a beautiful machine.

I have it right next to the Junior MBP and the screens are no comparison. The MBP is literally like a mirror. I have a glossy display right now in my Gen1 MBP but this is insane. All the 3 MBPs have so much reflection than mine. I have my machine open and next to them with the same screen and same background.

If someone posts here on how to look for the lines I'll give it a shot (i'm sure instructions can be found but I'm at the store and walking around. WIll check back in a few minutes.)

eV

[eVolcre]

You have got to be *&^%ting me. This is horrible! I just found them without even needing instructions. I can see them from 2 feet away. Didn't even need to load a special background, its visible with the MR forums on the screen.


Now I see why everyone's so upset. There is no way in heck this is acceptable and no way would i be able to live with it. It would bother me every second I looked at the screen. Even if I knew nothing about the lines issue, I would have seen them. They're very very visible and from 2 feet, not 2 inches! :(

Sorry MBA users - Apple's been shafting you guys for a while now.

I bounced over to the 13" MBP with the same page in the background to make sure I wasn't imagining this. Nope - no 'lines' on this. The display is so frigging reflective though compared to the MBA. :(

eV

[gnfcoota]

Replacement unit
MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Chadstone, Australia

Same result!, and it was a new shipment into the store.

I am now unsure whether to try another or give a MBP 13 a trial for a few days and see if the weight is bearable or not.

This is very disappointing for an otherwise excellent machine.

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Chadstone, Australia

Well I went back for the third time with a MBA and I was third time lucky!

It shouldn't be this hard.

[Scottsdale]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines
Place Purchased: Apple Store, Chadstone, Australia

Well I went back for the third time with a MBA and I was third time lucky!

It shouldn't be this hard.

Congrats.

I couldn't find my lines for a few hours today when it had been running half the day. I turned it off, and when I rebooted a few hours later, I found them again. It's weird though because it has to be a light grayish/brownish color (not white)!

I am so convinced there is something minor affecting this.

[Houdini7]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: None
Place Purchased: Online Apple Store

[Prenvo]

I was shocked to see FOUR MBAs on display and how big it is. Really there should have been a Scottsdale Store for at least a couple of years. Since the Apple Store is my favorite place to be, I really welcome a real Apple Store close by. But my bank account will get more stress.

Heh - if you like four, you'd love the SIX in Regent Street :p

[Scottsdale]

Heh - if you like four, you'd love the SIX in Regent Street :p

Well, since I live in Scottsdale, Arizona... and the new Scottsdale Quarter Apple Store is a five minute drive from my home and office... I think it's far more likely I will look at the four MBAs at the Scottsdale Quarter Apple Store than the SIX at your "bloody" Regent's Street Apple Store... bloody cool though, mate! Sorta like my cars faster than your car... or for Apple fans my MBP is a 17" and you have a pitiful 13" (well at least it has FireWire too)... or MBA fans, my MBA has MORE lines than your MBA... ugh, or something like that! You report them all in this thread as 9C90???

I will be driving by our Biltmore Apple Store for a conference Monday morning; I plan to stop in and check out the one there too - I guess it's possible with the new MBA they added a second on display??? I am damn near doubtful that we will see anything other than the 9C90 in the first batch at least.

The new Scottsdale Quarter Apple Store is actually quite nice. It has 25' tall ceilings, and it's huge compared to the other four stores in the metropolitan area. At the other four stores, there are currently ONE MBA EACH on display. So it really was quite shocking to see four of my favorites! They must have 24 MacBook Pros on display along with maybe 12 iMacs (that's all a guess as I sorta counted the tables in my head from memory - could be way off). I took my son with me to the Grand Opening, so we each got a free t-shirt. Was too bad they gave us each ADULT XL! There were probably 10% kids, so I was surprised when they didn't have any kids shirts??? I guess it's free, and now I have TWO :apple: Scottsdale Quarter t-shirts (black). Pretty cool to me. My first Apple shirt... and it's the area I am from.

It was fairly warm, 100 F. The people stretched completely around the building, which was far larger than the Apple Store itself. So, everyone on the West side of the building got an Apple Umbrella. They were giving out 1,000 t-shirts, and it seemed like there must have been 600 plus in line. The problem was it was very chaotic, so we checked out the MBAs and left, disappointed.

[bened]

Congrats.

I couldn't find my lines for a few hours today when it had been running half the day. I turned it off, and when I rebooted a few hours later, I found them again. It's weird though because it has to be a light grayish/brownish color (not white)!

I am so convinced there is something minor affecting this.

Scottsdale,

I remember that either on this forum or on the apple-forum someone had the same experience. He came up with the theory that a warm display might alleviate the line issue. It seemed reasonable to me at that time as I regard the line issue as a coating or glue issue. As the lines are parallel and as I have found on several screens that usually the lines are uneven in appearance (in some areas they are very visible, in others barely noticeable) it seems to be a pattern created by mechanically applying the coating or glue and with glue/coating applied in an uneven matter. Warming up might alleviate the appearance of the lines.

I am not a technical expert but that explanation still seems reasonable to me. Too much glue/coating might explain as well why you don't see the regular square-pattern that I have seen on every other LCD for years when getting very very close to the screen. It would explain as well from a business point of view why Apple is not going to address the problem as that would mean changing the displays of most Revision B MBA - quite costly. This is not a justification, just a search for an explanation. Why didn't Apple changed the display with Revision C? I am just guessing but maybe they have a very long-term supply contract that can't be changed. Just a guess.

My experiences with the lines are the following: Since november and Revision B I have seen close to 20 MBA displays in Japan and Taiwan. All of them - with one exception - had the lines, more or less noticeable, all of them were 9C90 or 9C9A, there was no difference between the 1.6 or 1.86 models. I would not dare to argue that 9C9A is less affected than 9C90. There was one exception in Taiwan where the screen was 9C8F and had no lines at all. It was a wonderful display except for very uneven lightning. I have seen Revision A MBA which were all flawless.

I exchanged my initial MBA once in november and then gave it back. In march I bought another MBA, it had very visible lines. They repaired the MBA due to other issues and changed the display, now the lines are less visible but they are still there. Annoying on white or light background, especially bad as I use the MBA mostly for writing. Very very distracting if you want to do serious work with pictures. I keep the MBA as the small form factor is perfect for my work. I see it as a trade-off although I am highly disappointed by Apple. All MBPs I had before had much better screens. I don't let Apple touch the screen again as I am worried that they would install an even worth display.

My experience is that the lines are less and - depending on surrounding lights - not visible if you use the MBA in normal working distance. But under some darker working conditions I see them directly even in normal working distance. But even if you don't see them in a noticeable way they tend to diminish contrast and sharpness in my experience. The whole screen just don't look right, someone had described it as a pattern like recycled paper with highly uneven structure.

Regards bened

[Joe23]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Slightly Affected
Place Purchased: Apple.com (UK Store)

I also appear to have a slight bright spot in the middle of the screen, which is only really noticeable when the screen brightness is on the lowest setting.

I'm not sure if I should go through the whole returns process with Apple (nearest store is at least an hour away) with no guarantee of getting a better screen - but at the same time I don't want to be left with an inferior screen on a supposedly premium product.

[Scottsdale]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Slightly Affected
Place Purchased: Apple.com (UK Store)

I also appear to have a slight bright spot in the middle of the screen, which is only really noticeable when the screen brightness is on the lowest setting.

I'm not sure if I should go through the whole returns process with Apple (nearest store is at least an hour away) with no guarantee of getting a better screen - but at the same time I don't want to be left with an inferior screen on a supposedly premium product.

If you definitely want the MBA, be careful returning it. I returned a second new MBA last week which had the faintest lines possible yet still visible from only a few inches. I wish I would have kept that MBA. I am on number four, and it has the weirdest lines I have seen yet. Not on white but on very light grayish/brownish colors like the boxes around the white text box when submitting a post here.

There has not been a single report of any display other than the 9C90, and that is bad news considering this is considered the display with the worst lines on the rev B MBAs.

Disappointing for certain. I love my new MBA. It doesn't affect normal viewing right now... but it changes throughout the day often. I fear that it could do anything actually. I don't trust how unstable the lines are, but truthfully it's only within a few inches that they can be seen, and they're not on white which is crazy! Normally white is the easiest way to find the lines. So, this is a different issue than the normal...???

[Scottsdale]

Scottsdale,

I remember that either on this forum or on the apple-forum someone had the same experience. He came up with the theory that a warm display might alleviate the line issue. It seemed reasonable to me at that time as I regard the line issue as a coating or glue issue. As the lines are parallel and as I have found on several screens that usually the lines are uneven in appearance (in some areas they are very visible, in others barely noticeable) it seems to be a pattern created by mechanically applying the coating or glue and with glue/coating applied in an uneven matter. Warming up might alleviate the appearance of the lines.

I am not a technical expert but that explanation still seems reasonable to me. Too much glue/coating might explain as well why you don't see the regular square-pattern that I have seen on every other LCD for years when getting very very close to the screen. It would explain as well from a business point of view why Apple is not going to address the problem as that would mean changing the displays of most Revision B MBA - quite costly. This is not a justification, just a search for an explanation. Why didn't Apple changed the display with Revision C? I am just guessing but maybe they have a very long-term supply contract that can't be changed. Just a guess.

My experiences with the lines are the following: Since november and Revision B I have seen close to 20 MBA displays in Japan and Taiwan. All of them - with one exception - had the lines, more or less noticeable, all of them were 9C90 or 9C9A, there was no difference between the 1.6 or 1.86 models. I would not dare to argue that 9C9A is less affected than 9C90. There was one exception in Taiwan where the screen was 9C8F and had no lines at all. It was a wonderful display except for very uneven lightning. I have seen Revision A MBA which were all flawless.

I exchanged my initial MBA once in november and then gave it back. In march I bought another MBA, it had very visible lines. They repaired the MBA due to other issues and changed the display, now the lines are less visible but they are still there. Annoying on white or light background, especially bad as I use the MBA mostly for writing. Very very distracting if you want to do serious work with pictures. I keep the MBA as the small form factor is perfect for my work. I see it as a trade-off although I am highly disappointed by Apple. All MBPs I had before had much better screens. I don't let Apple touch the screen again as I am worried that they would install an even worth display.

My experience is that the lines are less and - depending on surrounding lights - not visible if you use the MBA in normal working distance. But under some darker working conditions I see them directly even in normal working distance. But even if you don't see them in a noticeable way they tend to diminish contrast and sharpness in my experience. The whole screen just don't look right, someone had described it as a pattern like recycled paper with highly uneven structure.

Regards bened

I need to find a broken hinge with a display being replaced to buy a display cheaper for testing. Perhaps we could try to take off the top layer??? Does it come off? Does anyone know this? If I could find one for a few hundred bucks I guess I may do it. If anyone sees one on Craig's List or eBay, send me a PM with a link PLEASE.

[kent912]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines that I can see
Place Purchased: Amazon.com

I have spent the past 10 minutes looking at the screen but I can not see any horizontal lines at all. I am using MR site as the background. How long are the lines that you guys have been seeing? Maybe I am just not looking at the right place.

[Veinticinco]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines that I can see
Place Purchased: Amazon.com

I have spent the past 10 minutes looking at the screen but I can not see any horizontal lines at all. I am using MR site as the background. How long are the lines that you guys have been seeing? Maybe I am just not looking at the right place.
Think of a laid-paper, linen, or papyrus-look texture - continuous faint lines in a stave-like arrangement (as in musical score - grouped 5 or 6 together) and this pattern repeated all the way down the screen, left to right, often at a slight angle to the horizontal.

[Jezak]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: no lines, no problems
Place Purchased: Amazon.com


I cannot find any traces of lines at all.

[uberamd]

MBA Model: 1.6GHz Rev A
Lines: None
Display Model: 9C73
Place: Apple Online Store, refurb 2 months ago

[Veinticinco]

MBA Model: 1.6GHz Rev A
Lines: None
Display Model: 9C73
Place: Apple Online Store, refurb 2 months ago

You bast*rd, I just caught "9C73" and thought, hold on they are using an alternative model after all and better it has no lines!!!!

And then I saw the spec :(

[h1d]

Heh, don't think we ever heard of rev A with lines. And for those people who cannot see the lines, don't try... Be happy and go on with the good MBA... life should be better than looking for something you don't even notice. (And optionally get embarassed by the faintest of lines if you did after an hour of gazing...)

[macinsomniac]

Received my MBA in the mail today:

MBA Model: 2.13 SSD
Lines: None
Display Model: 9C90
Place: Apple Online Store
______________________

[Scottsdale]

I agree with two posts above. Don't try to find the lines, because slightly affected models cannot be seen by 95% of people or those who don't know about the issue. On a seriously affected display, anyone can spot.

Once you see them one time it will bug the crap out of you. It's just like dead pixels annoy once spotted. Except this affects the whole display.

It's really not fun. I wish Apple would just fix it already. I would love for the issue to just be over with a firmware updated which some have suggested.

[steve31]

Got my MBA 2.13 today.:D 9c90 display but NO lines that I can see.:)

[flpatriot]

Bit late here...

Best Buy @ West Acres
Fargo, North Dakota

MBA Model: 1.6GHz/Rev B
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: not affected

I'll report again once they have a revC unit on display.

[storm76]

Model: MBA rev.C 2.13
Screen 9c90
Can't fine any lines at any distance.
Purchased at Fresno FAshion Fair Mall California

[tsubikiddo]

MBA Model: 1.6/HDD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines
Place Purchased: Apple Store Online, Australia
phew~:p

[h1d]

Model : rev C 2.13 SSD
Display : 9C90 (as expected)
Line : faint but there, if I look close on grey/light blue, but less on white and I think the lines are a bit diagonal by about 10 degrees going upwards toward left.
Purchased : Online Apple store in Japan (Said, it was shipped from Shanghai China)

[h1d]

(sorry, somehow got duped, please delete if anyone can)

[mrjohn]

Went to buy one today... Not exactly too many in Bangkok, Thailand, but they opened two of them for me... and both have lines:

MBA Model: 2.13GHz/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Place (Attempted) Purchased: Reseller iStudio (Thailand)

MBA Model: 2.13GHz/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected
Place (Attempted) Purchased: Reseller: iStudio (Thailand)

[King t.]

My MBA rev:C 2,13GHz display is also crap, i don't have any lines, but the colors look so bad and it
s kinda yellowish compared to my MBA rev:A SSD model :mad:

I kinda feel like ever since Apple droped the prices on the MBA's, they also went totally down on it's quality :(

+ my MBA rev:C 2,13ghz already went hot! and i was only using safari and disk utility and it went up to 80+ degrees :(

[h1d]

My MBA rev:C 2,13GHz display is also crap, i don't have any lines, but the colors look so bad and it
s kinda yellowish compared to my MBA rev:A SSD model :mad:

I kinda feel like ever since Apple droped the prices on the MBA's, they also went totally down on it's quality :(

+ my MBA rev:C 2,13ghz already went hot! and i was only using safari and disk utility and it went up to 80+ degrees :(

Color calibrated or stock config and already yellowish? I don't feel yellowish on my 2.13. MBA display has been crap before this price drop. Maybe fix thermal paste if it looks crappily applied or perhaps use CoolBook to throttle a bit of CPU. Mine did go up to 80+ on HD vids though, usually around 50.

[King t.]

i used color profile super_Cal for both MBA rev:A and Rev:C and the REV:C looked yellowish and also by stock color setting + the screen looked way darker then the MBA rev:A when both were set to full brightness :confused:

[tsubikiddo]

My MBA rev:C 2,13GHz display is also crap, i don't have any lines, but the colors look so bad and it
s kinda yellowish compared to my MBA rev:A SSD model :mad:

I kinda feel like ever since Apple droped the prices on the MBA's, they also went totally down on it's quality :(

+ my MBA rev:C 2,13ghz already went hot! and i was only using safari and disk utility and it went up to 80+ degrees :(

stock MBA color profile are kinda yellowish
it was kinda too warm, but it wasn't 'absolutely unacceptable' kind of yellowish
a quick naked-eye calibration would have ease the annoyance by large

[Scottsdale]

stock MBA color profile are kinda yellowish
it was kinda too warm, but it wasn't 'absolutely unacceptable' kind of yellowish
a quick naked-eye calibration would have ease the annoyance by large

But did you go set the gamma setting to 2.2? There are yellow and bluish settings too. You can select bright white, or soft white along with gamma 2.2 and it will remove all those other colors instantly.

Don't consider what you see on a display at an Apple Store without changing all those settings either.

[h1d]

Hmmmm... After I'm putting rev A display onto rev C, I totally understand what this "yellowish" display is all about. I'm not sure it was like this before the swap as I was only concentrating on the lines... But now the rev A with rev C display looks much whiter than this machine. Both tested on a new user with no calibration. Just a single Finder window tells that well. I wish they keep some sort of level of quality on the damn display throughout their lineups... I'm becoming mad.

[King t.]

i think the best quality was with the REV:A's, ever since they got cheaper it seems to me that they put cheap stuff in the MBA's :mad:

ok except for the Nvidia ;)

[h1d]

Maybe im going to retransfer the display... for gods sake. Because, King t. said his rev C is yellowish, and my rev C with rev A display is yellowish, and rev A with rev C display is white... if it doesn't change by swapping it back... then something but the display is wrong as well. (Lines have been "successfully" transferred though)

[h1d]

A quick reroute test says, my rev A display has been yellowish the whole time. I just never realized it was yellowish till I figured rev C's 9C90 is way whiter and more vivid. Now I got rev A with lines (albeit quite faint) and rev C with yellow display... maybe I need to kill someone... :(

[wacso]

MBA Model:2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines!
Place Purchased: Apple Store mall of america, minnesota

no lines on display models and no lines on the 2 airs that i bought....one had to go back for another unrelated issue.

i am a graphic artist so if there were lines i would be able to see them.

(also: i adjust color settings on my displays. there's no "right" or "wrong" settings for color. my personal opinion is the default setting is too cool (blue) and a bit washed out.)

[bbotte]

9C9A for my Rev B 1.86GHZ 128SSD (No line issue)

[McGilli]

9C9A for my Rev B 1.86GHZ 128SSD (No line issue)

Dude you are 8 months late with your reply - this thread is for REV C - not B :)

Anyways 9C9A is the best screen out there IMO (i have one too!)

[bbotte]

Dude you are 8 months late with your reply - this thread is for REV C - not B :)

Anyways 9C9A is the best screen out there IMO (i have one too!)

I was just echoing the OP 1st post.

[coolbreeze]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD (refurb)
Display ID: 9C8F
Line Status: None - perfect display!
Place Purchased: Online Apple Store (refurb)

So, do I have one of the rare, coveted "9C8F" screens? It's absolutely gorgeous.

[stoconnell]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD (refurb)
Display ID: 9C8F
Line Status: None - perfect display!
Place Purchased: Online Apple Store (refurb)

So, do I have one of the rare, coveted "9CAF" screens? It's absolutely gorgeous.

This is fairly interesting discovery. Kind of makes one wonder if the reason it went into the refurb market was a bad screen and it was replaced with a 9C8F model either knowingly or luck of the draw. Enjoy it.

[coolbreeze]

This is fairly interesting discovery. Kind of makes one wonder if the reason it went into the refurb market was a bad screen and it was replaced with a 9C8F model either knowingly or luck of the draw. Enjoy it.
So this is a good thing, I suppose? Thought I was just lucky. Maybe I'm very lucky? Whatever the case, I LOVE it.

[mhnajjar]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD (refurb)
Display ID: 9C8F
Line Status: None - perfect display!
Place Purchased: Online Apple Store (refurb)

So, do I have one of the rare, coveted "9CAF" screens? It's absolutely gorgeous.

Welcome to the 9C8F club :cool:

[mrgossett]

I hope it's true that the refurbs may not have the line issue. I have one ordered (1.86 SSD).

[muronero]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: slightly affected, but very acceptable. (i rarely notice them)
Place Purchased: Apple shop (hong kong)

MBA Model: 1.86/HD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: affected but kinda ok (not bad afterall), mt gf didn't notice them (so i didn't say anything.. once you start seeing them it can be annoying, at least for me)
Place Purchased: Apple shop (hong kong)

[Scottsdale]

Too bad that this didn't happen sooner. I wonder why/how it ended up in a refurb 2.13??? Wonder if Apple replaced a returned unit's display with a better display? Would be nice to learn of others???

[Veinticinco]

Too bad that this didn't happen sooner. I wonder why/how it ended up in a refurb 2.13??? Wonder if Apple replaced a returned unit's display with a better display? Would be nice to learn of others???
Not by accident I think.

A couple more confirmations of the refurb rev.Cs having the 9C8F display would be most welcome. Even if I've decided to skip the rev.C myself.

[laff]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Very, very Slightly Affected.
Place Purchased: Apple.com (USA)

I had a Rev A, it was a brighter screen - I think better over all. I purchased a Rev C about 5 weeks ago and returned it due to the lines more noticeable. I am getting a little dark shadowing in the left bottom corner on the screen. Seems to be the coating on the screen as moving my head to the side makes it disappear.

Overall good, but for $1800....they should be better. I would of purchased a 13" MBP if I never had the MBA Rev A and realize a thin and 1.5lbs does feel different and enjoyable to carry.

I will see how it goes.

[skysoul]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Severely Affected, VERY yellowish
Place Purchased: Apple Reseller, Hong Kong

Quite happy using it, except for all those visible lines and sometimes i feel giddy working on the MBA for too long. hmmm....Dont have that experience with Mac 13' pro...

I will just wait for a couple of months first, than i will send it in for replacement, hopefully by then they have a steady pool of good inventory..
:D

[netdog]

MBA Model: 1.86/SSD
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: No Lines!
Place Purchased: Apple Store (Regent Street, London)

[nman040]

MBA Model: 2.13/SSD - refurbished
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: no lines - absolutely perfect (and I'm extremely OCD with these kinda things. Suppose this is redemption for my washed out 3GS screen)
Place Purchased: Online store - New Zealand

Looks like refurb is the way to go.

MBA is only 6 weeks old. 7 cycles on the batt- unrelated I know I'm just extremely pleased with my purchase :D

[caonimadebi]

I have a 9C8F (on a 1.6/120GB) that is slightly yellowish (i tried supercal but didn't really help) and no lines. I just sent it in for some minor scuffing on the bezel by trackpad button. The genius told me they're replacing the whole display, and now I wonder which screen I'll be getting back...

[mrgossett]

MBA Model: 1.86/SSD - Apple Refurbished
Display ID: 9C90
Line Status: Absolutely no lines- Just got it today and the display looks great- bright and very sharp- much better than my 2007 Blackbook.
Place Purchased: Apple online store

Maybe Apple refurbs have had the line issue fixed? :)