What if my new Powerbook 15" have The Lines?

Crusty · Nov 16, 2005

To make a long story short, I recently decided to take the plunge and switch from PC to Mac. I decided on a 15" Powerbook for it's mobility figuring I could hook it up to my old monitor and keyboard when used stationary at home.

I ordered it online from the Apple Store with the only option being the 100Gb 7200RPM harddrive and it shipped on the 12 november. Being in europe I suppose I'll have to wait a few weeks for it to arrive. In the meantime I read up on Macs since I'm almost completely new to them personally only to discover a forum thread on this very board where people report they're having problems with the new high resolution screen on the 15".

What should I do?

Should I wait and hope for the best (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA)?
Should I call Apple and try to cancel the order?
- If I cancel, should I try to get reimbursed and forget this ever happened?
- Or should I try to arrange a swap to another model?

I'm not in any real hurry, but I don't want to have to return it and wait for a replacement unit which also might have problems. If the replacement takes as much time as this one it could take months before this is sorted out (or I give up).

I wouldn't want to switch to another model either. The 17" is too big and the 12" has a clearly inferior screen (on paper) as well as not being as feature rich as the 15"/17".

Help me please, what should I do?

Deepdale · Nov 16, 2005

While there is a lengthy thread on the issue of the lines on the screens of the new 15" PB's, not every purchaser has experienced that problem. In fact, some posters have generously praised their screens. Before getting ahead of a problem that may not affect you, wait until it arrives and then check it carefully.

Melkor · Nov 16, 2005

I'm waiting and hoping for the best. If it's less than perfect, ill just return it and get my money back

Crusty · Nov 16, 2005

Yeah, I know I shouldn't get upset about something that might not occur.

This wouldn't be such a big deal to me if there was a way to fix the problem and the turnaround time on the fix wasn't so long but right now that's not the case.

Deepdale · Nov 16, 2005

Crusty said:
This wouldn't be such a big deal to me if there was a way to fix the problem and the turnaround time on the fix wasn't so long but right now that's not the case.

The time frame for resolving issues like this can be a real problem, but your status as a satisfied customer should be the end goal of a company like Apple. I hope you catch a good break when your computer arrives.

QCassidy352 · Nov 16, 2005

I recently ordered a 15" without doing my research (I didn't know about the line issue!!

) and now I'm absolutely kicking myself because as of this morning it's shipping and I can't cancel!!

This problem seems to be so wide-spread that the odds of getting a perfect screen are slim-to-none...

gavinsan · Nov 16, 2005

i'm a little worried too... i'm gonna buy in a fnac store (i'm waiting for the new models... they only have the old rev ones... "i love portugal" cof) and i don't know if they return the powerbook if it has the lines or deadpixel etc....

we don't have *apple stores here

(well, just one, ant its a 5 to 6 hour travel... so...)

i'm desperate

* (oops)

Crusty · Nov 16, 2005

There's no Apple Store near where I live either.

I've decided not to cancel my order. I'll just have to decide when the day comes what to do if the screen has the artifacts.

I'm going to have to decide what to do with the 2Gb of memory I recieved today for the 15". I won't be able to return it if this process takes too long and it won't fit the 12" which would be my last resort.

tobio · Nov 16, 2005

Problems like this only appear widespread, as people with problem displays shout louder than people with perfect ones. Wait until yours arrive, the chances are that your laptops will be from a later batch and be absolutely perfect.

Of course if they aren't perfect on delivery get straight to the store and demand it fixed (if the store is near you) or get on the phone to the customer service number (their hold music is pretty good) and demand it be fixed replaced or refunded.

zooey74 · Nov 16, 2005

tobio said:
Problems like this only appear widespread, as people with problem displays shout louder than people with perfect ones.

But I think this one appears widespread b/c it is widespread. There has been, to my knowledge, no confirmation or proof of people buying the new revision 15" PBs and not having the lines. But there has been much evidence of displays with the lines. I have an Apple Store right up the road from me and the lines are on both the 15" display models, but not on the 17 or 12s.

I'm in the same boast as the OP, I decided to take the plunge on my first mac but after hearing about all of the problems I'm uncertain of what to do.

Crusty · Nov 16, 2005

I'm not too terribly picky and won't be using it for graphics work (not professionally anyway) so the lines might not affect me while I'm developing, surfing and reading email on it.

However, as someone posted in the lines thread, I do expect quality in a professional grade computer costing $2800. Yes it costs that much over here.

generik · Nov 17, 2005

It is really subjective, but in the course of being a MR forumer, I also discovered...

a corner of my screen is darker
when I watch dvds my screen flickers occasionally for no reason
and yes, if I am being anal about it and really look closely I can see the lines.

Personally I don't care now, I will probably just take the loss and sell it on eBay in a few weeks in time for MWSF. You might have different needs and should reassess your purchase accordingly.

generik · Nov 17, 2005

Crusty said:
I'm not too terribly picky and won't be using it for graphics work (not professionally anyway) so the lines might not affect me while I'm developing, surfing and reading email on it.

However, as someone posted in the lines thread, I do expect quality in a professional grade computer costing $2800. Yes it costs that much over here.

Australian dollars?

Crusty · Nov 17, 2005

generik said:
Australian dollars?

No, that's in US dollars. Just shy of €2400 for you europeans.

To add insult to injury we're also taxed the most in all the world(Gooo Sweden!). Income is taxed somewhere between 30-50% and sales are taxed 25%.

But I'm not bitter. Really.

generik · Nov 17, 2005

25% sales tax?!

Wow, that's insane!@!!@! I rather fly to US and do my shopping there!

gammamonk · Nov 17, 2005

Crusty said:
No, that's in US dollars. Just shy of 2400 for you europeans.

To add insult to injury we're also taxed the most in all the world(Gooo Sweden!). Income is taxed somewhere between 30-50% and sales are taxed 25%.

But I'm not bitter. Really.

Yeah, but you have free University.

Will Cheyney · Nov 17, 2005

If it's anything less than perfect, return it. Apple will send out a new one and contact you within 5 days of receipt to arrange collection of the old one.
- I liked having two G5's in my room

mikeSkull · Nov 17, 2005

I've just had my powerbok colllected today (it had the lines).
I had to send the old one back before they will ship the new one.

So now I wait to see if the new one 'has lines' too

Will Cheyney · Nov 17, 2005

See, I insisted that I kept hold of the other machine whilst I waited for delivery of the new one. I told them that I needed a computer to run my business!

Temujin · Nov 17, 2005

Hei och velkommen hit

I have the 15" PB. Personally I can't see the lines, so I can't tell you if mine is affected by this issue or not. It seems perfect to me though. I've tried going really close to the screen, and then yes I can see lines, as I can on every other LCD I look at.

So don't worry to much, wait and see. Might be perfect like mine

Temujin · Nov 17, 2005

Crusty said:
No, that's in US dollars. Just shy of €2400 for you europeans.

To add insult to injury we're also taxed the most in all the world(Gooo Sweden!). Income is taxed somewhere between 30-50% and sales are taxed 25%.

But I'm not bitter. Really.

Actually Denmark have higher taxes. The lowest is 43%

and highest about 65%

. We also have a sales tax at 25%.

mizzi · Nov 17, 2005

i'm in the exact same boat...ordered, already shipped, and hoping for the best.

sigh...

generik · Nov 17, 2005

Good luck guys..

On the upside even if it bothers you, MacIntels will probably be a few months away now, so you can always sell the junker and get the real gold

mizzi · Nov 17, 2005

haha thanks.

gavinsan · Nov 17, 2005

i just hope the people that work in the store where i will buy my powerbook (FNAC) "can see" the lines (in case it has it)... i'm gonna use it a lot for design, the minor difference in color affects my work...

What if my new Powerbook 15" have The Lines?

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