Buyer Beware: Retina MBP Burn-In Extraordinaire

[eeptman]

I'd like to know if there are different screen models/manufacturers that could be the cause of the issue. Anyone mind running this and confirming if you are/are not seeing any sign of burn-in?

ioreg -lw0 | grep IODisplayEDID | sed "/[^<]*</s///" | xxd -p -r | strings -6

Should return two lines to do with the LCD's Model

Thanks!

humm… I only got one line: Color LCD……
Doesn't work properly for rMBP.

 

[Slickdilla]

Just tested it for 1+ hour, no burn in at all.

 

[Asclepio]

every apple's new line products are faulty.

 

[anyonas]

Just tested it for 1+ hour, no burn in at all.

when did you buy/receive yours?
Any problems with the facetime camera?

 

[mgsarch]

I've been using IPS displays for years.

I have never, ever, seen one that did not have fairly severe "burn-in", but it's temporary; lasts a longish time (you can still see it a day later), but goes away over long-term use.

Same for my Retina iPad, a little noticeable on the iPad 2, same on my 26" NEC display which is by far the nicest display I've ever had.

So I am not surprised or worried about it.

Similar experiences here.

 

[Slickdilla]

when did you buy/receive yours?
Any problems with the facetime camera?

received it last thursday from best buy. Have not tested facetime, what is supposedly wrong with that?

 

[anyonas]

received it last thursday from best buy. Have not tested facetime, what is supposedly wrong with that?

I've heard someone complain about stripes over his video when using the camera. Not something widespread I guess.

I've noticed that the complaints about the burn in are not increasing and I'm guessing its a bad batch then...

 

[bogatyr]

They're absolutely not above reproach. But when you consider them next to their competitors you understand why Apple users react like that. Sure, you may not like Apple's attitude, but what are you going to do, use Windows?

Do you think MS isn't actively screwing it's customers? Of course they are.

If you reinstall Windows three times on the same computer in a month, your legit copy of Windows will no longer register over the web. You have to call and spend an hour on the phone while their support monkeys read back long lists of letters and numbers to verify your legitimate copy of Windows.

I bought an upgrade license to Windows 7 and low and behold, if I install this fresh on a computer, I can't freaking register over the web!! I have to call and explain that I already own Windows XP but I can't install Windows XP because Windows XP doesn't support SSD's and won't run on my computer. Then they proceed to read me long lists of letters and numbers all over again.

It's different every time too. Sometimes they can't help me, they tell me I need to buy a full license. Seriously. I purchased a Win 7 upgrade license at $150 for my legit full copy of Win XP (boxed), and they're telling me I need to buy a full version of Win 7!! WTF IS WRONG WITH THEM?? I BOUGHT IT ALL IN THE MICROSOFT STORE FOR ******* SAKE. Finally, after arguing with them and asking for managers they'll pretend they're doing me a HUGE FAVOR and let me register MY TOTALLY LEGIT SOFTWARE.

In closing, if you're just sick of Apple's BS, try Microsoft, you're sure to love them.

While my personal stuff is all Apple currently, I deal with MS all day long at work. We've never spent more than 5 minutes doing a phone activation - ever.

And yeah, if you install more than 3 times in a month you do have to call them. How often do you really need to install Windows though?

 

[radioman10]

Would someone please post the proper way to check for this issue? I've read this thread several times but I'm not seeing a uniform way to check for this.

Thanks!

 

[dazmanuk]

They're absolutely not above reproach. But when you consider them next to their competitors you understand why Apple users react like that. Sure, you may not like Apple's attitude, but what are you going to do, use Windows?

Do you think MS isn't actively screwing it's customers? Of course they are.

If you reinstall Windows three times on the same computer in a month, your legit copy of Windows will no longer register over the web. You have to call and spend an hour on the phone while their support monkeys read back long lists of letters and numbers to verify your legitimate copy of Windows.

I bought an upgrade license to Windows 7 and low and behold, if I install this fresh on a computer, I can't freaking register over the web!! I have to call and explain that I already own Windows XP but I can't install Windows XP because Windows XP doesn't support SSD's and won't run on my computer. Then they proceed to read me long lists of letters and numbers all over again.

It's different every time too. Sometimes they can't help me, they tell me I need to buy a full license. Seriously. I purchased a Win 7 upgrade license at $150 for my legit full copy of Win XP (boxed), and they're telling me I need to buy a full version of Win 7!! WTF IS WRONG WITH THEM?? I BOUGHT IT ALL IN THE MICROSOFT STORE FOR ******* SAKE. Finally, after arguing with them and asking for managers they'll pretend they're doing me a HUGE FAVOR and let me register MY TOTALLY LEGIT SOFTWARE.

In closing, if you're just sick of Apple's BS, try Microsoft, you're sure to love them.

With upgrade licenses and doing a fresh install, there is a registry key which you need to change from "0" to "1" to denote that it has been 'upgraded' and then it will activate over the net.

as for the duration ..an hour phone call? It takes less than 5 minutes to activate over the phone.

 

[eeptman]

Would someone please post the proper way to check for this issue? I've read this thread several times but I'm not seeing a uniform way to check for this.

Thanks!

You can follow instruction from http://macperformanceguide.com/

Or…
1.) Change rMBP's Desktop background to Solid Gray Dark and adjust Brightness to max.
2.) Set Display Sleep time to Never from Energy Saving setting
3.) Open Safari with URL (http://www.google.com) and leave it about 5 mins or more.
4.) After 5 mins, click Cmd-H to hide Safari. Check your screen to see if there is any burn-in-liked image (especially, Google logo, in this case) on it.

 

[eeptman]

Hey, folks

Good news for people who have the same issue.

Just went to Genius bar today and fortunately replaced the rMBP with a new one.
Problem solved completely!! No more burn-in, ghosting images!

Finally, I can see my gorgeous face from this beauty.


LOVE YOU,

 

[radioman10]

You can follow instruction from http://macperformanceguide.com/

Or…
1.) Change rMBP's Desktop background to Solid Gray Dark and adjust Brightness to max.
2.) Set Display Sleep time to Never from Energy Saving setting
3.) Open Safari with URL (http://www.google.com) and leave it about 5 mins or more.
4.) After 5 mins, click Cmd-H to hide Safari. Check your screen to see if there is any burn-in-liked image (especially, Google logo, in this case) on it.

Thanks for your help and step-by-step instructions! I really appreciate it.

I have verified that my rMBP isn't affected. I'm thankful.

Thanks again.

 

[tim100]

Questions

can some explain the long term impact that this image retention can cause?

are people who are testing leaving the image on screen for time in excess of 30 mins?

is this a defect or normal for these types of screens?

is apple replacing the units because its a defect or just to people within their return period?

 

[StuMcBill]

Well I have just got my base model RMBP (my first Mac - if you ignore Hackintosh's), will keep an eye out for this issue!

Stewart

 

[sireShonBohn]

With upgrade licenses and doing a fresh install, there is a registry key which you need to change from "0" to "1" to denote that it has been 'upgraded' and then it will activate over the net.

as for the duration ..an hour phone call? It takes less than 5 minutes to activate over the phone.

Yes, it may take 5 minutes if there are no issues. But I assure you, I have spent an hour going through the support run around as I tried to get my software validated. As for the registry key, that does nothing in this instance. If it actually worked in this instance it would make it possible to purchase any MS OS as an upgrade license. Is that really what they're doing? Somehow I doubt that don't you?

----------

While my personal stuff is all Apple currently, I deal with MS all day long at work. We've never spent more than 5 minutes doing a phone activation - ever.

And yeah, if you install more than 3 times in a month you do have to call them. How often do you really need to install Windows though?

Do I need to explain to you why I did it to earn your approval? I did it and thats that. I'm sure I'm in the minority of customers, but it is an annoyance. Don't you think?

And are you seriously comparing your company's corporate hotline to what the average consumer gets? I too have worked at a company that was on Windows, and yes, they will support you all day everyday and answer every question you have and charge you tens of thousands of dollars for the privilege.

By the way, you seem to have also missed the point, this isn't a regular phone activation, this is a special case. Re-read my post and get back to me with an actual argument that refutes or supports my statements.

 

[alexstrider18]

http://macperformanceguide.com/blog...okPro-Retina-screen-burn-in-ghost-images.html

This has to be the worst case of burn-in since the early days of CRTs... I guess that screen-savers are on their way back, at least for Retina Macs.

not a chance mate ,. i can see the pixels on the screen shot ,. even at full magnification that would be imposable ,.. !!! i think a bit of snake oil is on the way ,.

 

[tim100]

can some explain the long term impact that this image retention can cause?

are people who are testing leaving the image on screen for time in excess of 30 mins?

is this a defect or normal for these types of screens?

is apple replacing the units because its a defect or just to people within their return period?

anyone have any ideas?

 

[aut0maticdan]

can some explain the long term impact that this image retention can cause?

are people who are testing leaving the image on screen for time in excess of 30 mins?

is this a defect or normal for these types of screens?

is apple replacing the units because its a defect or just to people within their return period?

takes about 60 seconds for me. If I leave it for 30 minutes, there is a very light blotch over the affected section of the screen with a clear imprint of what was there before.

 

[tim100]

takes about 60 seconds for me. If I leave it for 30 minutes, there is a very light blotch over the affected section of the screen with a clear imprint of what was there before.

what are you going to do? if you exchange it will the new one have the same problem? i wonder if people who say they don't have a problem are testing it long enough?

 

[MH01]

They're absolutely not above reproach. But when you consider them next to their competitors you understand why Apple users react like that. Sure, you may not like Apple's attitude, but what are you going to do, use Windows?

Do you think MS isn't actively screwing it's customers? Of course they are.

If you reinstall Windows three times on the same computer in a month, your legit copy of Windows will no longer register over the web. You have to call and spend an hour on the phone while their support monkeys read back long lists of letters and numbers to verify your legitimate copy of Windows.

I bought an upgrade license to Windows 7 and low and behold, if I install this fresh on a computer, I can't freaking register over the web!! I have to call and explain that I already own Windows XP but I can't install Windows XP because Windows XP doesn't support SSD's and won't run on my computer. Then they proceed to read me long lists of letters and numbers all over again.

It's different every time too. Sometimes they can't help me, they tell me I need to buy a full license. Seriously. I purchased a Win 7 upgrade license at $150 for my legit full copy of Win XP (boxed), and they're telling me I need to buy a full version of Win 7!! WTF IS WRONG WITH THEM?? I BOUGHT IT ALL IN THE MICROSOFT STORE FOR ******* SAKE. Finally, after arguing with them and asking for managers they'll pretend they're doing me a HUGE FAVOR and let me register MY TOTALLY LEGIT SOFTWARE.

In closing, if you're just sick of Apple's BS, try Microsoft, you're sure to love them.

Actively screwing thier customers lol...... Mate I've had to call and register my copy of windows 7 due to upgrading my system a lot, it look me 5min! Over dramatise much?...

 

[sireShonBohn]

Actively screwing thier customers lol...... Mate I've had to call and register my copy of windows 7 due to upgrading my system a lot, it look me 5min! Over dramatise much?...

No offense intended bud, but I guess you don't know how to read?

 

[MH01]

No offense intended bud, but I guess you don't know how to read?

No, I read just fine. Though I would have felt really bad for the Microsoft support agent when you told them that you cannot install windows xp on a ssd. Are you by chance trying to install it on a newer mac? And it's a driver issue?

 

[tim100]

any more info on topic

 

[brutusfly]

My Cinema Display image retention

My 23" Cinema Display at work has been displaying retained images for years (probably since new and I may not have noticed the first year or more). When moving a white window aside, I can actually read the retained small text of the white window on a dark grey window behind it. The ghost image takes about 5-minutes to fade.
It bothered me a bit at first, but only psychologically. I doubt it's ever effected the quality of my photo editing or video color grading. It's never gotten better or worse and I'd also assume it's just a by-product of the technology. I suppose it would depend on just how high a contrast there is between the dark grey background and the less-dark-grey ghost.
This thread has got me curious about my HP 23" IPS display as well, which I've never bothered to analyze for ghosts. Maybe I'll check it tonight.
Anyway, I'm not going to return my rMBP (still on backorder) if it's an issue I have to go looking for, but I would if it is an issue so severe that it's constantly looking for me.