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2013 Macbook Pro 13" Retina Display Models A018 vs A020 Which do you Have?
- Thread starter Burnsey
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Agree with this.
Went to the Apple store this week, they had about 15 13" rMBP displayed. I compared the A018 models directly to the A020 models using the default color profile. My findings, based on the 4 side-by-side comparisons I could make because of the physical locations of the Macbooks:
- The A018 model is a bit brighter (maxed out brightness of course), but there are variations from unit to unit.
- A018 looks a little bit more contrasty and color saturated but I think that's because the gamma with the default color profile is slightly higher on the A020 panel.
- A018 white looks a very little bit more blue and so the A020 ever so slightly more yellow.
Note that the differences are so small that:
- They would probably go unnoticed by the vast majority of the crowd, even if you pointed it out to them.
- It would be impossible to notice if the Macbooks weren't located directly next to each other.
- The unit-to-unit variations for a A018 or A020 model might well be larger than the average differences between a A018 and A020 model.
Both are just great screens, I wouldn't mind either of them.
By the way: all the 4GB/128GB base models had a A020 screen and the 8GB/512GB models had a A018 screen. Not sure about the intermediate 8Gb/256GB models. Just an observation, I suspect any model can have any screen really, but perhaps the probability of a A020 is higher on the low and and of a A018 on the high end. Perhaps.
By the way: all the 4GB/128GB base models had a A020 screen and the 8GB/512GB models had a A018 screen. Not sure about the intermediate 8Gb/256GB models. Just an observation, I suspect any model can have any screen really, but perhaps the probability of a A020 is higher on the low and and of a A018 on the high end. Perhaps.
My max-out Haswell 13" rMBP came with the 018 screen, so perhaps you are right!
A020 and its perfect. Doesn't matter if it has an issue after the wnty as I will need to sell it and get the 16GB as the 8GB is not cutting it for my VMs etc.
Finally decided to try to the IR testing. After 10 minutes of the Checkers b&w pattern , no IR at all! I think A018 screens are Samsung since my screen white color looks very similar to my former 2012 15" rMBP with a Samsung screen (slightly yellowish).
I also tested my daughter's late 2012 13" rMBP (A014 panel) and did not showed IR neither.
I also tested my daughter's late 2012 13" rMBP (A014 panel) and did not showed IR neither.
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A020 is Fantastic
I am on my third rMBP 13". The first one was stunning (A020 panel). I had to exchange it because of a bright white spot when viewed head-on. The replacement screen (A018) was awful. Much narrower "sweet spot", needed 75-80% to look decently bright, and just looked dull. I had to try my luck for an exchange at Best Buy. They thought I was nuts, but eventually allowed an exchange. My third screen (A020) is fantastic once more. It has that "wow" factor, and looks great at 45-50% brightness. Whiter whites, better viewing angle. My guess is that it is an LG, but I am not too concerned about IR. If it occurs, I have AppleCare, and by then I hope they have sorted out their display issues. Last year I eventually gave up on the 15" rMBP because of display and build quality issues. One awesome display and four dull, dingy yellow, poor viewing angle screens. I finally have a great laptop, but the obstacles and wild variance in screen quality has made buying my first MacBook Pro an unnecessary chore.
I am on my third rMBP 13". The first one was stunning (A020 panel). I had to exchange it because of a bright white spot when viewed head-on. The replacement screen (A018) was awful. Much narrower "sweet spot", needed 75-80% to look decently bright, and just looked dull. I had to try my luck for an exchange at Best Buy. They thought I was nuts, but eventually allowed an exchange. My third screen (A020) is fantastic once more. It has that "wow" factor, and looks great at 45-50% brightness. Whiter whites, better viewing angle. My guess is that it is an LG, but I am not too concerned about IR. If it occurs, I have AppleCare, and by then I hope they have sorted out their display issues. Last year I eventually gave up on the 15" rMBP because of display and build quality issues. One awesome display and four dull, dingy yellow, poor viewing angle screens. I finally have a great laptop, but the obstacles and wild variance in screen quality has made buying my first MacBook Pro an unnecessary chore.
Refurb 2.6 GHz i5 / 16gb / 512 GB SSD here with an A020 display. No IR as well got it almost exactly two weeks ago.
It does make sense that A020s would come in newer builds though so its eniterely possible. I noticed my refurb gave a February build date.
got it almost exactly two weeks ago.It does make sense that A020s would come in newer builds though so its eniterely possible. I noticed my refurb gave a February build date.
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On my fourth replacement, last screen showed IR checker boarding even after short periods of 1 -3 minutes, its model was A018. Went back to the Apple Store today for a replacement because I was within 14 days and the replacement screen is A020. So far colours seem more uniform, and no sign of IR so I'm pleased!
Heres what my 2 week old A020 looks like. Its completely blown or non functioning. I say its the panel and not the video card cause i can view my desktop if I run it through HDMI. Bought from Amazon and in the process of returning it. Just received my A018 2 days ago. The A018 is so much better, better colors and better contrast. Thank god the a020 died. The A20 was a January 2013 panel and the A018 is a 2012 panel. Check out the burn in on the A020.
2.4mhz/256/8
2.4mhz/256/8
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It is curious that there is not a clear winner between A018 and A020 panels.... For me the A018 has been fantastic so far, passing flawesly the IR tests, but for others IR is immediate...
I haven't did any test other than just noticing a difference when using it. I checked out a display model at Bestbuy and it had the A018 with the same build date as mine and it is crystal clear. I love my new panel and there is a noticiable difference.
A020 2.4/8/256 here. Screen is beautiful, better than my 2008 MBP 15". Computer is about 2 months old.
I am so glad I found this thread. Basically I had the A020 screen when I received the laptop. The apple forums seems to be teeming with display issues on newer machines (starting from 2012 or so as far as I can gather).
Example of thread containing this issue:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4034848?start=8790&tstart=0
As for the winner, I believe it is because people don't usually have two of the same product just lying around to compare them, so the problem is not immediately visible.
My story is that I had ordered a 2.8/16/512 13"MBpro (late 2013). Initially the screen was OK (as far as I could tell at that time), however after a week or so it started developing a yellow spot in the lower left corner. My girlfriend has a similarly spec'ed MBpro and I could tell immediately that something was wrong. I double checked and my screen was indeed an A020 one and hers was an A018 one. I sent it to Apple to get the screen replaced, but again they fitted an A020 one. The yellow spot had disappeared but the whole screen now had a yellow to greenish tint on it - (see attached pictures). I then spoke to another Apple representative who this time arranged a collect and deliver so that I don't have to travel 60 miles to the nearest Apple Store. The laptop is now in "repairs" for the second time and I got a call this morning from somebody (one of the technicians working on it) to confirm that I was indeed "unlucky" the second time around. He also confirmed there are indeed two manufacturers (Samsung and LG) for the two screen models, although he was not allowed to say which is which.
It is my opinion that it is pure luck on which model of the laptop gets which screen. If this time around it is still not an A018 or at least a non-yellow (and less bright) screen A020, I will probably have to sell my Mac as it is very annoying to spend this much time without a laptop and always replacing screens until "luck" finds me.
Please find attached below pictures comparing the A020 screen (after they replaced the first faulty one) on my Mac with the A018 on my girlfriends one (again I note they were almost bought in the same time) - First three pictures are on same brightness levels, no display dimming and same factory calibration (and I same "same" very lightly). Fourth picture is comparing my mac (bottom) with an iMac (top) and an Air (middle) in the Apple store.
http://imgur.com/a/gVbZp
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Well, first time hear an Apple tech confirming that A18 & A20 are actually from different manufacturers! My A18 is still perfect, crossing my fingers !
A018 on my refurb 2013 rMBP. It's gorgeous.
Not going to worry about the IR too much, if it gets any. I will probably get Applecare from LA computer for ~170 or whatever it costs.
If it gets bad within the next 3 years, I'll get a new screen.
This machine is amazing.
Not going to worry about the IR too much, if it gets any. I will probably get Applecare from LA computer for ~170 or whatever it costs.
If it gets bad within the next 3 years, I'll get a new screen.
This machine is amazing.
Well, first time hear an Apple tech confirming that A18 & A20 are actually from different manufacturers! My A18 is still perfect, crossing my fingers !
I really do hope I get an A18 this time! If not the apple rep I was speaking with said he will replace the whole machine. If then it is still showing the very annoying yellow hue I am going to start a blog with me taking my mac everywhere and each day posting a different pic ocmparing its screen with different equipment (screens) showing the "yelow"ness until I either sell it or September when I start new work.
What annoys me the most is that every rep (technician) or otherwise said it is impossible to order a specific model. I mean, in order words Apple don't want to implement that as everyone in repair shops will start ordering the A18. Having said that, I did see some happy customers with the A20. Really have no ideea what is going on. I work in engineering and first thing they teach you almost is the 6Sigma process so really cannot see another explanation to this widespread issue other than :
1. Apple Ordered a lot of faulty screens and don't want to make it public - now they need to get rid of them
2. They do not follow 6Sigma quality process in manufacturing
3. The adhesive they use is at fault, case which again leads to poor manufacture techniques ....