Black stain suddenly appeared on Retina Display

[toneLA2]

Hi MR folks,

I came home tonight to find something I am 100% sure wasn't there before. Trust me, I inspected the screen like it was the end of the world when I got it.

It's quite faint, especially through the camera lens, but there is some sort of a stain developing on my Retina screen. I thought it was a fingerprint at first (even though I don't ever touch the display) so I wiped it down - alas, it's still there.

It's roughly the size of a dime, right in the middle of the display on the right.

I know I'm probably gonna answer my own question - this isn't 'normal' and should be looked at by a Genius Bar associate. But quite frankly, I'm about fed up with their sub-par screens. I went through multiple exchanges due to papyrus bottom half, pretty-in-pink upper corner and black line out of the box. I've escalated each issue at the time with Apple CS. They promised me a full refund if I were to ask for one outside of the 14-day if I am not fully satisfied.

Obviously, I'm not satisfied at this point - it's a bit too expensive for my liking, especially since I bought the computer for its screen, not its black keyboard, and it feels like they fall short to deliver. (Or it requires a lottery I am certainly not fool enough to contemplate anymore.)

What I'd like to know, in fact, is what might this thing be? Has anyone encountered anything like this before?

A pic is attached!

Thanks for your help!

 

[gcrr]

Dead pixels, maybe? Does it show on a screen shot?

 

[simonsi]

Honestly, genuinely - I can't see anything. Thats the difficulty of getting these screen assessed over the web....local decision needed.

 

[gcrr]

I can't see anything either but it sounds like dead pixels that are spreading.

 

[Chatran]

Turn off the screen. Look at that spot at around 5 degree from the side of the panel. Is it still there?

 

[toneLA2]

Turn off the screen. Look at that spot at around 5 degree from the side of the panel. Is it still there?

No? It's only when the panel is lit. I agree it's hard to see - the camera, due to the backlighting does the white balance and fades it out. More visible with the naked eye.

I heard about 'muras'. Could this be it?

----------

I found a photo in this thread that represents exactly the same thing I have on my screen except it's not brighter, it's darker.

https://discussions.apple.com/message/21552086#21552086

 

[maflynn]

Sorry but I'm not seeing anything either

If you think its an issue, take into an apple store and have a genius check it out.

 

[grandM]

return

return it asap

 

[rockstarjoe]

Does it look like smoke a little? Like faint fingerprints inside the display? If so it could be display corruption... happened on my wife's iMac. The problem will keep getting worse so get it checked out asap.

 

[heisenberg123]

I dont see it either but I would bring it to apple if there is something wrong

 

[alphaod]

I don't see anything.

 

[toneLA2]

Here - I changed the white balance so you can see exactly what I see. The camera didn't help.

I have an appointment at 3 today.

 

[rex450se]

How did the appointment go?

Victor

 

[toneLA2]

How did the appointment go?

Victor

The appointment went well - they looked at it and instantly said 'mura'. The guy went in and checked what display I had on it and said 'yep, Samsung, makes sense.'
They told me that obviously I could get a refund or another machine. I chose the exchange. Thing is, the display I now have (LG) shows some sort of light bleed on the left with greenish vertical lines - as if the backlighting was hitting certain pixel rows and not some others. I realized it when I set up the wallpaper. (the one with the forest and hills that's rather dark on that side of the display)

I'm trying to determine whether or not I want to live with that or simply call it a day.

I find that really unfortunate that there is so little consistency between panels. I'm no engineer and I understand this is an intricate manufacturing process, that no 2 panels are the same. Nonetheless, the disparity between displays ranging from pink tones, to yellow bottoms, to muddy corners, dark stains and weird backlighting is alarming. I am questioning whether this is worth over $2K or not.

I don't fault Apple vs. another brand. I know nothing of what the PC competition (if we can call it that) is able to achieve in term of high-density displays. But as a paying customer, I'm not really impressed anymore.

 

[maflynn]

Good luck, and hopefully the LG display is working better, though it doesn't appear to be the case.