Well, I'm trying again. I ordered a 15" 2.8 GHz MBP, and things are going a lot better than they did last summer: no warps, dents, scratches, or dead pixels (or crooked F-keys). The new unibody design and trackpad are incredible 
However, I am getting little annoyed by the backlight bleed. I had noticed it first thing on black when I was running pixel check, the expected vertical "spotlight" effect coming up from the bottom, as well as a couple columns just right of the center that reach a little over halfway up the screen (makes it look kind of like a slightly wavy piece of paper or black curtain), but thought it was faint enough that it wouldn't bother me... until I started using my MBP a lot, mostly in my dark room. There is clear backlight bleeding, present on all brightness levels but only really bothersome on the top 4-5 levels on dark colors (even during movies).
I talked to Steven (the representative who helped us order) about this, asking if this is considered a defect or if anything can be done, and sent him some pics I took of it, then he called me back saying that the technician he forwarded them to said that was perfectly normal. However, when I questioned further about the fact that it's uneven on the different halves he acted like I was just talking about the difference from top to bottom, and I had to remind him that I'm more concerned about the inconsistencies from left to right. The pictures probably just weren't good enough for them to see what I was referring to
Anyway, he said the next step if I want to pursue this is to get it into the hands of an Apple technician to check it over (I'm guessing this is just because of all my previous problems getting a defect-free unit?). Which means either driving 3 hours each way to get to the closest Apple store, or mailing the unit in to be checked over. Since the mailing it in routine is what I tried last time I had a display problem with a MBP I was trying to purchase, only to have them deny there was any problem at all, I'm wary of that option and would rather do it in person if I do it at all. It'll suck to make the trip, but at least I'll know the answer within a day instead of a couple weeks, and I can talk directly to the person looking at it and show them the area of concern.
So I took some better pictures, using a tripod to avoid motion blur, and I really need help deciding if this is acceptable and I should just deal with it, or make the trip. Actually, these shots make it look a tiny bit better than it is in real life, but should give you an idea of what I'm seeing:
Again, not really extreme, just noticeable when I'm editing dark pictures and watching movies, which is why I'm having trouble deciding if it's worth bothering. Here's some shots from a show I was watching, to demonstrate the bleed-through during dark scenes and transitions:
Also, I'd really appreciate hearing about any experiences people have had getting something done about their backlight bleeding.... Did the technicians see the problem or act like you were imagining things? Were they willing to go into a dark corner or room to look? (Mine shows up just barely in light, but is much worse in dim or dark rooms.) Did you just get display replacements, or a complete exchange? Was the new one any better? I suppose it's kind of unlikely that someone here has direct experience with the Apple store in Des Moines, Iowa, they can tell me about?
When I talked to him about this a couple weeks ago, Steven said that I have a full month from the date I received it to do something if I want to, which leaves me with just about 5 days left to get up to Des Moines if I'm going. Please let me know what you think!
However, I am getting little annoyed by the backlight bleed. I had noticed it first thing on black when I was running pixel check, the expected vertical "spotlight" effect coming up from the bottom, as well as a couple columns just right of the center that reach a little over halfway up the screen (makes it look kind of like a slightly wavy piece of paper or black curtain), but thought it was faint enough that it wouldn't bother me... until I started using my MBP a lot, mostly in my dark room. There is clear backlight bleeding, present on all brightness levels but only really bothersome on the top 4-5 levels on dark colors (even during movies
). I talked to Steven (the representative who helped us order) about this, asking if this is considered a defect or if anything can be done, and sent him some pics I took of it, then he called me back saying that the technician he forwarded them to said that was perfectly normal. However, when I questioned further about the fact that it's uneven on the different halves he acted like I was just talking about the difference from top to bottom, and I had to remind him that I'm more concerned about the inconsistencies from left to right. The pictures probably just weren't good enough for them to see what I was referring to
Anyway, he said the next step if I want to pursue this is to get it into the hands of an Apple technician to check it over (I'm guessing this is just because of all my previous problems getting a defect-free unit?). Which means either driving 3 hours each way to get to the closest Apple store, or mailing the unit in to be checked over. Since the mailing it in routine is what I tried last time I had a display problem with a MBP I was trying to purchase, only to have them deny there was any problem at all, I'm wary of that option and would rather do it in person if I do it at all. It'll suck to make the trip, but at least I'll know the answer within a day instead of a couple weeks, and I can talk directly to the person looking at it and show them the area of concern.
So I took some better pictures, using a tripod to avoid motion blur, and I really need help deciding if this is acceptable and I should just deal with it, or make the trip. Actually, these shots make it look a tiny bit better than it is in real life, but should give you an idea of what I'm seeing:
Again, not really extreme, just noticeable when I'm editing dark pictures and watching movies, which is why I'm having trouble deciding if it's worth bothering. Here's some shots from a show I was watching, to demonstrate the bleed-through during dark scenes and transitions:
Also, I'd really appreciate hearing about any experiences people have had getting something done about their backlight bleeding.... Did the technicians see the problem or act like you were imagining things? Were they willing to go into a dark corner or room to look? (Mine shows up just barely in light, but is much worse in dim or dark rooms.) Did you just get display replacements, or a complete exchange? Was the new one any better? I suppose it's kind of unlikely that someone here has direct experience with the Apple store in Des Moines, Iowa, they can tell me about?
When I talked to him about this a couple weeks ago, Steven said that I have a full month from the date I received it to do something if I want to, which leaves me with just about 5 days left to get up to Des Moines if I'm going. Please let me know what you think!
is incapable of selling notebooks with decent lcd's. It seems that if you get a good one, consider yourself lucky. I've been through four different lcd's on my MBP while under warranty. Finally the last one has been ok...although recently some bright pencil tip size spots have been showing up on the left side...not worth worrying about anymore at this point.
