dead/ stuck pixel on BRAND NEW ibook

QCassidy352 · Apr 22, 2003

so I've been waiting on new ibooks for a while now. Today they come out, and I go grab up a 14" model. Now, the first real time I've gotten to use it, I notice a dead/ stuck pixel in the middle/ left of the screen. Is it true that apple will do nothing about this because a few dead pixels is "acceptable"? I've heard this, but if it's true, I'm going to be furious. I spent more than I can really afford, and have looked forward to this new computer for a long time. And it has a defect right out of the box, and my understanding is that apple will not even acknowledge this as a defect, and will do nothing to help me. Please, please tell me this isn't true, or tell me that there is some cure for a stuck pixel.

-one sad new ibook owner

p.s. returning it is out of the question since it is from an apple store where they charge a 10% restocking fee on opened computers. Which is in and of itself absurd.

acj · Apr 22, 2003

Sorry

It's not just Apple though. Most manufacturers allow a certain number of dead/stuck pixels and a certain larger number of dead/stuck sub pixels, depending on screen size.

hugemullens · Apr 22, 2003

As much as it stinks your pretty much stuck with it. All manufacturs do this though, i belive apple will allow 8 before they replace ( i could be wrong) and i know for a fact (experiance) viewsonic allows for upto 12 per screen or 4 per square inch.

RBMaraman · Apr 22, 2003

Do a search for stuck pixels and you'll find 100+ threads where people explain how you can massage a dead or stuck pixel and bring it back to life. It's a fairly simple process, and the results are usually very good.

Like I said, do a search, and before you know it your dead/stuck pixel will be glowing with life!

Rower_CPU · Apr 22, 2003

Try rubbing it gently and then rebooting the machine. A little massage will often fix things up.

Grokgod · Apr 22, 2003

pain~

This is one major reason that I dont buy an new laptop.
Apple has a policy and I can understand why due to the manufacturing of lcd's.

There are a lot of them that have stuck pixels, and they cant all go back.

But I refuse to own one.

My Ti is screen perfect.

But i am scared to buy a ALu
unless I can find a method or place to buy where they let you use the computer before you buy it.

And Apple's policy is that you cant open the BOX, let alone boot it unless you buy it!

Buyer Beware!

hugemullens · Apr 22, 2003

Re: pain~

Originally posted by Grokgod

But i am scared to buy a ALu
unless I can find a method or place to buy where they let you use the computer before you buy it.

I bought my 12 inch powerbook from the computer haus in Traverse City and they were super about me seeing the computer before i bought it. Most places will, Circuit City let me see the screen on my sisters Sony before we bought it. Just go to a place, give them 200 bucks for a deposit to show that you are serious before they start opening boxes, and most anyone will let you check before you buy.

janey · Apr 22, 2003

always been afraid to check screen for dead pixels...thankfully i have none on the laptops but on a cinema i once got i got like 10+ dead pixels. apple sent me a replacement though.

.a · Apr 22, 2003

it really works with the massage!
i made these big eyes O O when i saw this stucked pixel on my (also brand new) ibook.
first of all i thought it was a dead one. but the i learned, if there's still a colout coming out of the pixel it is a stocked one.
the massage helped for about 1 month. then it came back. a short massage and it was gone again. "funny" thing is, when i do a massage on this very place, the pixel gets again stucked. massaging it again, it disappears, etc., etc...
.a

herr_neumann · Apr 23, 2003

When my girlfriend bought her iBook 800 combo it had a couple (right in the middle of the screen). So, I called the store where she bought it to make sure they had another one, and then placed it on hold. I then drove down to Palo Alto and informed the person there that I had an iBook on hold to be swapped out. I just acted like that is what I supposed to be doing and they did not think anything of it. Seemed like the guy thought I was told to do it or something (I never said I was, but I never said I wasn't).

So, it is not impossible to get it swapped out. The guy there did not even fire it up and look or anything...

QCassidy352 · Apr 23, 2003

wow, thanks for all the sympathy and advice. Maybe this isn't so bad. I'll definitely try that "massage." And herr, that's pretty clever- and devious!- of you. Nice work!

My pixel does seem to be stuck and not dead, as it is glowing a light green. This gives me lots of new hope! I love my new baby, but this pixel is pretty centrally located, and it would suck to have to live with it. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

MacBandit · Apr 23, 2003

From what I have heard if you complain POLITELY enough they will often replace it even though it is technically not covered.

Restocking fees are a norm and are necessary both. You have to be able to pay the employee to inspect and repackage the products that are returned.

sparkleytone · Apr 23, 2003

yeah, my iBook has a stuck pixel. has had it since i got it. there was nothing i could do. but, it doesnt really matter. i rarely notice it. being that yours is a 14" tho, it may be a bigger spot. :-/

lmalave · Apr 23, 2003

Originally posted by QCassidy352
wow, thanks for all the sympathy and advice. Maybe this isn't so bad. I'll definitely try that "massage." And herr, that's pretty clever- and devious!- of you. Nice work!

My pixel does seem to be stuck and not dead, as it is glowing a light green. This gives me lots of new hope! I love my new baby, but this pixel is pretty centrally located, and it would suck to have to live with it. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Yeah, even without massaging pixels can get unstuck. I bought a Cornea 17" LCD monitor that had a stuck pixel. After a while it just went away. I didn't even notice when it fixed itself, since after a few days I wasn't even noticing the pixel anymore.

QCassidy352 · Apr 23, 2003

THANK YOU

holy ****, I can't believe that worked. 1. Wash hands. 2. Hold back of screen where stuck pixel is. 3. *gently* rub screen with soft cloth that will not scratch screen. 4. Enjoy my beautiful, wonderful, new ibook that has no dead or stuck pixels.

OMG, that was so easy, and so effective. I'm thrilled. Thank you guys so much!!!!!

Grokgod · Apr 23, 2003

wow

Christ, I am impressed!

Moxiemike · Apr 23, 2003

and this whole ridiculous dead pixel bullpoop shows that people don't do research before buying.

if they did... they'd know there is a margin of error.

iJon · Apr 23, 2003

congrats, this goes to show you how great of a mac community we are, we make the world a better place

iJon

applemacdude · Apr 23, 2003

Yayyyyy!

I glad that you solved your problem!! Congrats to Rower_CPU for the tip

QCassidy352 · Apr 23, 2003

Originally posted by Moxiemike
and this whole ridiculous dead pixel bullpoop shows that people don't do research before buying.

if they did... they'd know there is a margin of error.

That's just not true. I knew that some lcds have dead pixels, and for that reason I asked the apple reps in the store to let me see the display before I bought it, which they said they could not do.

And just because there is a margin of error doesn't mean that I have to like it. Dead/ stuck pixels are a *defect.* I understand that it happens and that to eliminate it would send the prices through the roof, but let's not act like dead/ stuck pixels are supposed to be there. Just because a certain number of defects per product is considered "acceptable" doesn't mean I have to be glad the defects are there, or that I can't wish that I gotten one of the many units that had no defect.

But whatever, I don't care now. The point is that it was a stunningly simple problem to fix, and I am very grateful to the people here for their support and advice.

dead/ stuck pixel on BRAND NEW ibook

macrumors G5

macrumors 6502

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 65816

Moderator emeritus

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 603

macrumors regular

macrumors 6502

macrumors G5

macrumors 604

macrumors 68020

macrumors 68000

macrumors G5

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 68020

macrumors 604

macrumors 68040

macrumors G5

Our Staff