13'' MacBook Screens Quietly Upgraded in April

MacRumors · May 28, 2009, 03:51 PM

Computerworld digs up evidence that the 13" Aluminum MacBook appears to have gotten a quiet screen upgrade as of late April. The blog post references findings by MacRumors forum members fuz10n and hellfire88. Hellfire88 had access to both a Unibody MacBook from November as well as one of the newer ones and posted comparison shots. The two screen model numbers are 9C89 and 9CA5 respectively.

It can be hard to see the differences in the photos, but the user also describes them in day to day use:

Quote:

I personally see a difference in person when I use them both, but others may not. The newer one seems to have much deeper blacks and better contrast. I'm not sure its as good as the screens in the uMBP's but IMHO its definately a "step-up" from the original uMB screens.

Computerworld reports that the new screens are similar to, if not the exact same, as the screens found in the MacBook Air. Retail Apple Stores that have been checked seem to still have the original (worse screen) units on display.

Article Link: 13'' MacBook Screens Quietly Upgraded in April

appleguy123 · May 28, 2009, 03:53 PM

How close are they to the ones used in the airs?

Mykbibby · May 28, 2009, 03:54 PM

Very interesting... what a great find by Computerworld!

zedsdead · May 28, 2009, 03:56 PM

Hopefully they aren't the same as the Air, or there will be a bunch with Grey Lines.

duncanapple · May 28, 2009, 03:56 PM

Queue the early purchasers of the uni-macbook mad at apple for scr@wing them over lol... I'm one of them... Granted we knew what we were buying... but that stings a little...

JayLenochiniMac · May 28, 2009, 03:57 PM

One less excuse to get MBA over the MB.

Brien · May 28, 2009, 03:58 PM

Makes sense if they're rebranding it as a MBP.

talkingfuture · May 28, 2009, 03:59 PM

I love it when little secrets like this get exposed. Nice to see that they do improve parts between revs.

MarkMS · May 28, 2009, 03:59 PM

At least I can now recommend the MacBook and not feel like crap when I see them using that ugly screen. The display from the older White MBs was horrid and even the new uMBs weren't that nice. Here's to nicer displays on all Mac laptops.

dan5.5 · May 28, 2009, 04:05 PM

that's a really good upgrade. The screen was once reason i bought a mbp over the mb

NC MacGuy · May 28, 2009, 04:09 PM

Interesting if true. I returned a MB for the Air and love the screen - line free.

Now if they could only ditch that glass....

Kilamite · May 28, 2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brien

Makes sense if they're rebranding it as a MBP.

Nailed it

TheIrishKro · May 28, 2009, 04:12 PM

well now the only reason i wanted the air instead is gone. that will save me a bunch of money.

windels · May 28, 2009, 04:20 PM

wasn't there a rumour that the macbook would become part of the pro line?

edit: note to myself, read the whole thing first. sorry you guys

striatedglutes · May 28, 2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brien

Makes sense if they're rebranding it as a MBP.

ding ding ding

(dupe, i know

)

swingerofbirch · May 28, 2009, 04:23 PM

I got one in April that still has the "bad" screen but it shipped from Tennessee--not China--so it was probably one that had been sitting in a warehouse for a while. The screens truly are bad, on the three I have gone through (had them replaced for hardware issues) each screen has flickered at low brightness when not plugged in and each goes "negative" when you adjust the vertical viewing angle. I'm glad they are rectifying this because it is silly with such a nice case to stifle an otherwise good computer with a bad screen. Now all it needs is firewire and a second fan to cool the thing off better (and I know, I should just buy a pro please don't tell me, but I like the 13" size).

MacManiac76 · May 28, 2009, 04:24 PM

This is not new news on the forums here at MR. Several members have reported what appeared to be better quality screens on the uMBs. At least this confirms the suspicions and will quiet the naysayers that said it wasn't true. Apple is propably still using the old displays for the updated WhiteBook but it would be nice if they used these newer displays in it too.

me_94501 · 04:40 PM

Hmm. I got my unibody MacBook at the very end of March, and it appears I have 9C8A (not 9CA8, which is what Computerworld identifies as the new screen).

EDIT: Running the Terminal command mentioned in the Computerworld post indicated that 9C8A is a Samsung LTN133AT09 display:

http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

NC MacGuy · May 28, 2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swingerofbirch

I got one in April that still has the "bad" screen but it shipped from Tennessee--not China--so it was probably one that had been sitting in a warehouse for a while. The screens truly are bad, on the three I have gone through (had them replaced for hardware issues) each screen has flickered at low brightness when not plugged in and each goes "negative" when you adjust the vertical viewing angle. I'm glad they are rectifying this because it is silly with such a nice case to stifle an otherwise good computer with a bad screen. Now all it needs is firewire and a second fan to cool the thing off better (and I know, I should just buy a pro please don't tell me, but I like the 13" size).

I thought the MB ran pretty cool for the couple weeks I had it. Couldn't agree more about the display though. Horrid display for an otherwise nice laptop.

Still would like them to remove the glass though.

Eric S. · May 28, 2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncanapple

Queue the early purchasers of the uni-macbook mad at apple for scr@wing them over lol... I'm one of them... Granted we knew what we were buying... but that stings a little...

I've used my unibody MB for almost six months and I have never had an issue with the screen. It seems perfectly fine to me.

NightFox · May 28, 2009, 04:33 PM

Is it possible that Apple use more than one screen supplier at the same time, and use the different numbers to differentiate between the two?

Scottsdale · May 28, 2009, 04:40 PM

So, the big problem with the MacBook Air display is these gray lines. Aparently it is because of limiting power to the display, per what I have read about it. In the MBA section, many users report returning as many as seven MBA rev Bs with gray lines on the display... (that was one user that bought and returned SEVEN of them ALL WITH GRAY LINES).

So, is the uMB plagued with the lines if it is using the same display? Or is the power there to ensure no lines?

I would love to know more, as I may buy a new uMB if it really has the same display as the MBA less the gray lines?

youngjm · May 28, 2009, 04:42 PM

I am new to Mac and purchased my MacBook in Mid April. The model number matches the new screen.

jakit · May 28, 2009, 04:42 PM

Well, I have found that my laptop screen is fading. the sharpness, brightness, everything... I've had it for about 2.5 years, but it is getting dim and hard to see. I remember when I first got it... it was almost as bright as my desktop... but now... not so much...

I don't want to get something that will do the same thing. The led displays are supposed to have a much better life span... and don't need any "warm up time". If they really did put in better displays, then I would need more proof. Plus, I don't know if I can let myself get another white laptop since I know the pad and keys will just look dirty in a few months.

The Samurai · May 28, 2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric S.

I've used my unibody MB for almost six months and I have never had an issue with the screen. It seems perfectly fine to me.

+2

May 28, 2009, 03:53 PM	#2
appleguy123 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2009	How close are they to the ones used in the airs? __________________ Wind.-32bit extension to a 16bit graphicalshell for an 8bit operating system made for a 4bit cpu by a 2bit company that cant stand 1bit of competition

May 28, 2009, 03:54 PM	#3
Mykbibby macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Springs, CA	Very interesting... what a great find by Computerworld! __________________ Mac Soda: Quenching Your Thirst for Everything Apple

May 28, 2009, 03:56 PM	#4
zedsdead macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2007	Hopefully they aren't the same as the Air, or there will be a bunch with Grey Lines. __________________ iMac 27: 2.8 Core i7 Quad, 2TB, 8 gigs of RAM, ATI 4850 Macbook Pro: 2.4 Core2Duo, 128 SSD, 4 gigs of RAM, NVIDIA 9400/9600 iPhone 3G S⃣ ; Apple TV; Final Cut Studio 2.5, Logic, Drobo, EyeTV

May 28, 2009, 03:56 PM	#5
duncanapple macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2008	Queue the early purchasers of the uni-macbook mad at apple for scr@wing them over lol... I'm one of them... Granted we knew what we were buying... but that stings a little... __________________ Aluminum MacBook 2.4ghz; 3GS 16gb iPhone; Canon Rebel XS DSLR, Canon 35mm f/1.4L, 18-55 Kit Lens; Adobe Creative Web Suite Premium

May 28, 2009, 03:57 PM	#6
JayLenochiniMac macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Sanfrakota	One less excuse to get MBA over the MB. __________________ Home iMac 24" 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme 4GB Work iMac 20" 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo 3GB Mobile MacBook 2.0GHz Core Duo 2GB & iPhone 3G S⃣

May 28, 2009, 03:58 PM	#7
Brien macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2008	Makes sense if they're rebranding it as a MBP.

May 28, 2009, 03:59 PM	#8
talkingfuture macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The back of beyond.	I love it when little secrets like this get exposed. Nice to see that they do improve parts between revs. __________________ Futuristical bloggery with a twist.

May 28, 2009, 03:59 PM	#9
MarkMS macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2006	At least I can now recommend the MacBook and not feel like crap when I see them using that ugly screen. The display from the older White MBs was horrid and even the new uMBs weren't that nice. Here's to nicer displays on all Mac laptops.

May 28, 2009, 04:05 PM	#10
dan5.5 macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2008	that's a really good upgrade. The screen was once reason i bought a mbp over the mb

May 28, 2009, 04:09 PM	#11
NC MacGuy macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: YMCA	Interesting if true. I returned a MB for the Air and love the screen - line free. Now if they could only ditch that glass.... __________________ *"I'm Larry David, I happen to enjoy wearing women's panties"*

May 28, 2009, 04:12 PM	#13
TheIrishKro macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2009 Location: Iowa (we grow corn not potatoes)	well now the only reason i wanted the air instead is gone. that will save me a bunch of money.

May 28, 2009, 04:20 PM	#14
windels macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2008	wasn't there a rumour that the macbook would become part of the pro line? edit: note to myself, read the whole thing first. sorry you guys

May 28, 2009, 04:23 PM	#16
swingerofbirch macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Amalgamated States of Central North America	I got one in April that still has the "bad" screen but it shipped from Tennessee--not China--so it was probably one that had been sitting in a warehouse for a while. The screens truly are bad, on the three I have gone through (had them replaced for hardware issues) each screen has flickered at low brightness when not plugged in and each goes "negative" when you adjust the vertical viewing angle. I'm glad they are rectifying this because it is silly with such a nice case to stifle an otherwise good computer with a bad screen. Now all it needs is firewire and a second fan to cool the thing off better (and I know, I should just buy a pro please don't tell me, but I like the 13" size). __________________ Blog of Failure After using a PC all day, coming home to my Mac is like a tall, cold glass of peach iced tea.

May 28, 2009, 04:24 PM	#17
MacManiac76 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arizona	This is not new news on the forums here at MR. Several members have reported what appeared to be better quality screens on the uMBs. At least this confirms the suspicions and will quiet the naysayers that said it wasn't true. Apple is propably still using the old displays for the updated WhiteBook but it would be nice if they used these newer displays in it too. __________________ Penryn MacBook, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 160 GB HDD \| 30 GB iPod 5G

May 28, 2009, 04:28 PM	#18
me_94501 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alameda, CA	Hmm. I got my unibody MacBook at the very end of March, and it appears I have 9C8A (not 9CA8, which is what Computerworld identifies as the new screen). EDIT: Running the Terminal command mentioned in the Computerworld post indicated that 9C8A is a Samsung LTN133AT09 display: http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 __________________ Let's Go A's! Last edited by me_94501 : May 28, 2009 at 04:40 PM.

May 28, 2009, 04:33 PM	#21
NightFox macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK	Is it possible that Apple use more than one screen supplier at the same time, and use the different numbers to differentiate between the two? __________________ Mac Pro 2x2.8GHz :: MacBook Pro 13" 2.53GHz :: MacBook 2GHz :: Mac mini 1.42Ghz :: iPhone 3G S⃣ 32GB To the people who've got iPhones: you just bought one, you didn't invent it!

May 28, 2009, 04:40 PM	#22
Scottsdale macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: E.E.U.U./U.S.A.	Does it have gray lines like the MacBook Air rev B is plagued with? So, the big problem with the MacBook Air display is these gray lines. Aparently it is because of limiting power to the display, per what I have read about it. In the MBA section, many users report returning as many as seven MBA rev Bs with gray lines on the display... (that was one user that bought and returned SEVEN of them ALL WITH GRAY LINES). So, is the uMB plagued with the lines if it is using the same display? Or is the power there to ensure no lines? I would love to know more, as I may buy a new uMB if it really has the same display as the MBA less the gray lines? __________________ "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein

May 28, 2009, 04:42 PM	#23
youngjm macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2009	Purchased MacBook mid April and have new screen I am new to Mac and purchased my MacBook in Mid April. The model number matches the new screen.

May 28, 2009, 04:42 PM	#24
jakit macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2008	Well.... Well, I have found that my laptop screen is fading. the sharpness, brightness, everything... I've had it for about 2.5 years, but it is getting dim and hard to see. I remember when I first got it... it was almost as bright as my desktop... but now... not so much... I don't want to get something that will do the same thing. The led displays are supposed to have a much better life span... and don't need any "warm up time". If they really did put in better displays, then I would need more proof. Plus, I don't know if I can let myself get another white laptop since I know the pad and keys will just look dirty in a few months.

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