MacBook Pro Display Component Shortages Strangling Supply?

[MacRumors]

According to AppleInsider, a supply shortage of the LED-backlit displays powering Apple's latest MacBook Pros are the cause of continuing shipping delays. In addition, the site reports that third party retailers have seen virtually non-existent stock of the units.

Some high-volume Apple dealers tell AppleInsider that thousand of units have remained on backorder since early June, while others claim they've yet to receive a single shipment of the new notebooks. In speaking to these dealers, Apple representatives have reportedly identified the new 15-inch LED backlit display panels as the root of the problem.

Apple has not specified whether quality-assurance related yield issues are to blame, or rather it is simply a case of production not being fully ramped up for a relatively new technology.

Currently, Apple's U.S. Online Store cites a 7-10 day ship time for 15" base configurations.

Article Link

[MindBrain]

OHH Boo Hoo spoiled brats have to wait 7 - 10 days for their shipment. Bunch of cry babys.

[AlBDamned]

The repair/quality issue has to be a factor somewhere here. If an abnormal number of people are sending back two, three or four machines (which judging by the number of threads on the issue there are a lot of cases) then it's going to play havoc with the availability, not to mention the screens may have an inherent problem which has to be fixed (like the XBOX 360's billion dollar problem).

[PDE]

Originally Posted by AlBDamned

The repair/quality issue has to be a factor somewhere here. If an abnormal number of people are sending back two, three or four machines (which judging by the number of threads on the issue there are a lot of cases) then it's going to play havoc with the availability, not to mention the screens may have an inherent problem which has to be fixed (like the XBOX 360's billion dollar problem).

very true. I've had three already....fourth coming on Friday! Yippeeee, Apple quality is a joke.

[DsurioN]

I doubt this has much to do with apple but rather the quality and quantity of components shipped from their suppliers. There must be some design flaw in this relatively new LCD screen technology that they haven't corrected yet.

[AlBDamned]

Originally Posted by DsurioN

I doubt this has much to do with apple but rather the quality and quantity of components shipped from their suppliers. There must be some design flaw in this relatively new LCD screen technology that they haven't corrected yet.

To clarify, it doesn't have anything to do with Apple's manufacturing because Apple doesn't actually manufacture any hardware. What it does have to with Apple is Apple's component quality testing and the decision to include such new technology in this model, effectively making the SR MPB with LED screen a Rev A product.

Looking at it that way and Apple's recent history of Rev A products, the current problems are to be expected, if not entirely acceptable.

[Rocketman]

To me, the major takeaway of this story is that Steve Jobs is still at the bleeding edge of several technologies within the construct of Apple.

Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it "gets you". For the most part, overall, it is a case of "barely" UPOD by Steevie and a short list of apologies.

He may be close to the vest and also on the edge of the presapice, but he is winning and rarely gets screwed.

Rocketman

I wonder how long these screen suppliers will be "preferential"

[DaveTheGrey]

I ordered a MBP (2,2 GHz with 160 GB @ 5400rpm) on June 8th at the biggest apple dealer in germany (cancom) and I still don't got it yet.

Cancom confirmed that they will reciever theire first shipment of 8 (how lousy) MBPs from apple today (7.19) and that I'm on the 8th position on the waiting list.
So if I'm lucky I get it tomorrow...
Cancom also told me that apple stoped shipping because of flaws they found in the mbp, didn't told me if it was for the heat or the display or anything else though.

The waiting continues

dave

[phonic pol]

I've had my top spec 2.4 15" for a couple of weeks now. Pleased to say the screen is perfect, not a dead pixel in sight. It's also better than my 23" alu display when first turned on. The alu display has to warm up for a while before it's at it's most vibrant. I use the macbook pro with second display most of the time and hadn't noticed the change in vibrancy/brightness on my 23" until comparing it to the new 15" LED display.

The 2.4 MBP is also quite a bit faster than my G5 dual 2GHz with 2.5GB ram and 256mb graphics! Overall The new MBP's are very, very impressive!!

[k2k koos]

i wonder if the upcoming iMac revision will utilize LED panels too, and then suffer the same fate....

[Fourno]

damn why does this have to happen when i order my MacBook Pro

[dernhelm]

Originally Posted by Fourno

damn why does this have to happen when i order my MacBook Pro

Look at this way, it is better not to get it yet, then to get defective product and need to return it.

I'd rather wait, if it meant that the product I received the first time wasn't defective.

Of course, you could be waiting and receive defective product anyway...

[PDE]

Originally Posted by dernhelm

Of course, you could be waiting and receive defective product anyway...

THAT is the problem. Waiting is absolutely no guarantee that the laptop will not be defective. Look at Apple's last revision of the MBP - they were still using displays manufactured in early 2006 on notebooks sold in spring 2007. This despite the massive complaints about grain, viewing angles and illumination distribution. With some things Apple seems to care while with others it just ignores the problems.

If Apple wants to be taken seriously, I think it needs to become more response and much more transparent. If there is a problem, Apple should acknowledge, investigate and address the issues for those who have the problem quickly. As it is, it may or may not address the issues, but it almost never acknowledges them first or ever. Customers should not have to worry if their machine's defects will be fixed by Apple. Acknowledging issues quickly would go a long way in calming customers who have just made a significant investment in a defective machine.

[weckart]

Originally Posted by k2k koos

i wonder if the upcoming iMac revision will utilize LED panels too, and then suffer the same fate....

No chance. The only LED panels available (and not even that if this thread is anything to go by) are 15.4". I asked whether the 17" MBP is likely to be available with LED backlighting anytime soon and got a No rather than an I Don't Know as an answer.

[DrMoray]

This is too bad. I was really looking forward to a 17" with the new panels. My 17" MBP is just bright enough at the highest setting in certain bright lighting.

[Stu-Duncan]

I bought a 2.2 MBP from a 3rd party reseller (John Lewis) in the UK. They had 3 in stock, all 2.2 and matte screen, which was lucky as that's what I wanted.

It's the best screen I've ever seen on a Mac laptop. It's not just the brightness, it's the edge to edge consistency which I've never seen in Powerbooks or iBooks. Knocks the spots off my previous MBP Core (1) Duo. And the battery lasts around 1.5 hours longer.

And the bad news? I can't fry an egg on the bottom, which I could on the old one.

[techmonkey]

Originally Posted by Stu-Duncan

. And the battery lasts around 1.5 hours longer.

How much time do you get on your old one versus new one? Ive been getting around 3-3.5 hours. Depending on what I am doing. iStat Pro shows my temps being between 50 - 60 C on average.

[MBP15C2D4GBLED]

... and the LED display is insurmountable. I only notice a yellow tint if I look off angle. Direct on viewing the display is perfect. I expect no more from a modern TFT.

On wakeup or boot while cold, display is ready to go, immediately... no VFL stabilization time.

I couldn't ask for a better display. I'm sure LED-backlit displays will improve, but the one on this unit isn't dissappointing me.

[avn]

I ordered my MBP on July 16th and have just had my "ship by" date pushed from July 30th to August 14th. I called apple who told me that it will ship by my ship date. I don't think he was happy with me when I told him that I didn't believe him since my last ship date changed...

I am considering canceling my order and waiting until 10.5 comes out before buying.

[ktegtm]

Originally Posted by avn

I ordered my MBP on July 16th and have just had my "ship by" date pushed from July 30th to August 14th. I called apple who told me that it will ship by my ship date. I don't think he was happy with me when I told him that I didn't believe him since my last ship date changed...

I'm in similar boat, but ordered through academic department channels in late June, and now hear that expected ship-date is August 15. Until I read this thread, all I had heard was 'glass shortage.'

I guess I am most curious as to why Apple still advertises a 7-10 day shipping period if you build one on the web-site.

Frustrating since I needed my new laptop, so my old G4 could be used for video by one of the 4 students working for me this summer. At this rate, they will be back in school by the time I get it.

[avn]

Originally Posted by ktegtm

I'm in similar boat, but ordered through academic department channels in late June, and now hear that expected ship-date is August 15. Until I read this thread, all I had heard was 'glass shortage.'

I guess I am most curious as to why Apple still advertises a 7-10 day shipping period if you build one on the web-site.

Frustrating since I needed my new laptop, so my old G4 could be used for video by one of the 4 students working for me this summer. At this rate, they will be back in school by the time I get it.

Actually, mine too was ordered through an academic reseller. I ordered mine at a time that I thought I would have enough time to figure out the OS before school starts, but it looks like I will not have that chance.

I had mentioned to the apple rep. my irritation with the 7-10 day shipping estimation on the website, even though it is clearly taking much longer. He didn't seem to be bothered by that.

I am making the switch to apple after a long history with linux and windows, and am really reconsidering my decision after my experience with Apple.

[avn]

Originally Posted by avn

Actually, mine too was ordered through an academic reseller. I ordered mine at a time that I thought I would have enough time to figure out the OS before school starts, but it looks like I will not have that chance.

I had mentioned to the apple rep. my irritation with the 7-10 day shipping estimation on the website, even though it is clearly taking much longer. He didn't seem to be bothered by that.

I am making the switch to apple after a long history with linux and windows, and am really reconsidering my decision after my experience with Apple.

Finally received mine. I just did the $9.95 upgrade for ilife8.

[Macmaniac]

My sister was able to pick one up at a store no problem. I would check with Apple Stores first if you want one.

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by Macmaniac

My sister was able to pick one up at a store no problem. I would check with Apple Stores first if you want one.

Nice to see that Apple fully supports their channel partners.

</sarcasm>

Originally Posted by DsurioN

I doubt this has much to do with apple but rather the quality and quantity of components shipped from their suppliers.

No - since Apple chose the suppliers it is Apple's problem.

If your new Apple arrived with a bad disk - would you be happy if all Apple did was to give you Fujitsu's toll-free service number? If you have a bad backlight, would you be happy if Apple gave you Samsung's service desk number? If the memory is bad, would Micron's email address be enough?

If Apple didn't do the QA work on the components - it's Apple's fault.

[uNext]

I knew it
New led displays=new problems.
People where dying for the amazing new led panels to come out
and now those amazing led panels are here and people are still havin led issues.
Apple quality dropped while their market share gained. Sad that when a company share/market increases their product quality decreases.