Apple Extended its MacBook Pro Anti-Reflective Coating Repair Program

[MacRumors]

If you purchased a 12-inch MacBook or MacBook Pro with Retina display and have experienced issues with the anti-reflective coating wearing off or delaminating, Apple may repair the notebook free of charge.

Apple will replace Retina displays on eligible models purchased as far back as June 2012 until October 16, 2017, or within three years of the original date of purchase, whichever is longer. The program was extended to provide affected customers with a longer window of time to get their notebook serviced.

The program has not been publicly announced, but Apple confirmed to MacRumors that repairs continue to be handled internally through AppleCare. Apple does not plan to announce the program publicly at this time, unlike its iPhone 6s battery replacement program and over a dozen others listed on its website.

We recommend affected customers schedule a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store or contact Apple support by phone, online chat, or email. Click on "get help" on this page, and then select Mac > Mac notebooks > Hardware Issues > Display Issue and support options should be presented to you.

Apple's support website will ask for your Mac's serial number, which can be found by clicking on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and clicking on About This Mac in the dropdown menu.

Affected customers can also visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider to determine if their notebook is eligible for coverage. If you have already incurred out-of-warranty costs related to this issue, you may be eligible for a refund, which can be initiated by contacting Apple support directly.

MacRumors revealed the repair program's existence in October 2015 following over two years of online complaints from thousands of customers within our discussion forums, on the Apple Support Communities, and elsewhere.

A website called Staingate contains a gallery of MacBook Pro models with seemingly damaged anti-reflective coating, revealing that the blemishes can extend across the entire screen in extreme cases. Meanwhile, a Facebook group related to the issue has nearly 9,000 members and continues to see regular activity.

Article Link: Apple Extended its MacBook Pro Anti-Reflective Coating Repair Program

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Very nice of them.

 

[macduke]

I hope the anti-reflective coating comes off on my mid-2012 rMBP before October! Why? Because my display has started to become a little wobbly at the hinge, so a display replacement would fix that, lol. I'd try to fix it myself, but I'm afraid I'd make the problem worse or break something else. I used to build PCs when I was in high school, and I took apart the mid-2008 MBP I gave to my grandpa to fix something, but these newer MacBook Pros freak me out since the parts are so small and precise. Does anyone know if it's pretty cheap/fast to have someone at the Genius bar tighten it up? Or does it need to be shipped out?

 

[soupcan]

Cool. I have a heck of a lot of those smears all over the border of my screen of my GT750M-equipped 15" rMBP (which wasn't eligible for a replacement before).

 

[keysofanxiety]

Does anyone know if it's pretty cheap/fast to have someone at the Genius bar tighten it up?

Yeah they'd normally sort that out free of charge, even if you're out of warranty.

 

[CrystalPepsi]

My late '13 is on screen number three. It's such a bizarre problem.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Apple's QA Department did a terrible job here.
Even if it's a free replacement, it already caused trouble and aggravation to the enduser.
Not a good experience.

 

[MrX8503]

What's causing the delamination? I haven't experienced this yet. Any steps to avoid it?

 

[nviz22]

I had that issue on my MBP.

 

[ineel]

Any one know if Apple will still replace the screen if my stain spots are only on the outside perimeter of the display over the black part of the screen? I have one on the top left and another one at the bottom middle of the display but nothing on the display proper. I live an hour and a half from the nearest apple store so i just wanted to make sure. Thanks!

 

[Brookzy]

This is the first I've heard of the 12" MacBook either having the problem or being covered in a repair programme.

 

[coolfactor]

What an unfortunate choice of name — Staingate.

What is the source of the stain, eh laptop owners? Hmmm? Hmmm???

It's not a stain, but loss of the anti-reflective coating.

 

[fyun89]

I really wish they'd continue doing stuff like this. I'm pretty sure the parts only cost few bucks or less.
Def makes my 2700 machine worth the money with services like this.

 

[gugy]

Go back to matte screens. Man, the glass reflection is pretty annoying. I have two ACD's on my bright room and they are gorgeous. I was working on a TB display on a bright rooms and I have to move the monitor all the time to avoid reflections. The MBP is the same. While I get the look of the glass is nicer, the matte screen is wayyyyy more functional.

 

[PackFan]

Hmmm... I might have an issue with this on my 2012 MacBook Pro. Guess I'll let them have a look.

 

[keysofanxiety]

What an unfortunate choice of name — Staingate.

What is the source of the stain, eh laptop owners? Hmmm? Hmmm???

It's not a stain, but loss of the anti-reflective coating.

I dunno, "Anti-reflective Coating-Gate" doesn't quite roll off the tongue.

 

[Danindub]

Too little too late. Sold my 13" pro last year. At a significant loss, due to this "damage"...

Apple Support quoted me €800 for repair when issue occurred...

 

[Markoth]

I dunno, "Anti-reflective Coating-Gate" doesn't quite roll off the tongue.

Coating-gate. Sounds like nightingale.

 

[BoltmanLives]

Never had that happen, I don't buy apl anymore: correlation?
Speaking of high end displays I here 5K IMac displays have severe image burn for minutes after too.

Is this why they punted to LG?

Whats up with $800-$4100 price range at Apl? Makes up most of the major flaw postings here.

 

[Schranke]

Ohh boy! I remember when people said we were cleaning our screen wrong

 

[BoltmanLives]

What's causing the delamination? I haven't experienced this yet. Any steps to avoid it?

Being from the optical industry (in the past) , all you can do is you is always use the correct AR cleaner and cleaning cloth (microfiber) , or its a shoddy application process that will eventually fail and nothing you can do...so try the AR cleaner/microfiber solution first. Hope it is not a shoddy application process.

Not all AR applications are created equal...see $15 online AR eyeglasses from China

 

[Nunyabinez]

Never had that happen, I don't buy apl anymore: correlation?
Speaking of high end displays I her 5K IMac displays have severe image burn for minutes after too.

Is this why they punted to LG?

Not being rude, but then why do you come here? Genuinely curious.

I am always fascinated when people denounce something (like a religion), and then can't seem to actually "leave" it. Or they become antagonistic.

 

[ScooterComputer]

Ohh boy! I remember when people said we were cleaning our screen wrong

I remember those people! I wonder where they're all at now… sure seemed like they came out of the woodwork to spit their 2¢ of wrong opinion then, I'm certain they'll do "the right thing" now and come forward and apologize and acknowledge their jackassery. Positive they will. Surely.

 

[diggy33]

I've sent in 23 machines from my company to have the screens replaced because of this.

 

[NinjaKid]

This is my screen a few months ago apple said its not covered now they say they want to see it, Hope they fix it.