DEFECT SURVEY: 15" LED Santa Rosa MBP

[prome05]

Purchase (and arrival if Online ordered) Date: 6/5/07 (6/11/07)
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels?: No

Other Comments:
Experienced "Darwin errors." Hard drive not always recognized. Will be replaced.

 

[kellah]

Purchase (and arrival if Online ordered) Date: 6/5/07 (arrival: 6/8/07)
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: LG
Manufactured Week: 22
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels?: Yes, one

 

[nateDEEZY]

Purchase Date: 6/05/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: LG
Manufactured Week: 21
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

Sure seems to be a lot of matte displays, and woot! +1 for the 21 weekers ;p

 

[dcv]

My Third MBP:

Purchase (and arrival if Online ordered) Date: 6/22/07 in store
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 23
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels?: No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: Haven't tried yet as this seems overall less yellow than the first two even though it's the same week build and manufacturer
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: n/a

Other Comments:
I don't want to go looking for issues! This is the 3rd machine and I'm very happy with it It has a sticky noisy trackpad button compared to the first two but I can certainly live with that!

 

[vladimir]

Purchase Date: 6/13/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: LG
Manufactured Week: 22 or 23
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels?: No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: No
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: Haven't exchanged yet.

Other Comments:
The screen appears fine at 100% brightness, but at any other brightness level, a "shimmering" is very noticeable. I can find no other issues with this MacBook Pro, and I'm debating on whether to switch for another or not.

 

[Dave Design]

Arrrggghhh!

Purchase (and arrival if Online ordered) Date: 6/??/07
Type of Display: Glossy
Computer Model: 2.2
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 24
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness:No
Dead Pixels?:No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: did not try
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: will know soon!

Other Comments:
I originally ordered a 2.16 mbp with the slower 667 bus. The day it arrived (oh was I happy for three hours...), they announced the newer faster, better in every way 2.2 version with the more efficient display, etc. After a few days of tribulations, I went into the local Apple Store ( I had purchased online) and asked if I could return for a swap to newer machine. Fast forward to returning old one, reordering new one (for $200 less!). New one arrives and I almost immediately notice issues with waking the computer, as in takes forever to wake, tapping keys, cliking buttons to wake, and then on top of that, after I enter the password to log in after sleep, it will take the password, display the screen, and then kick me back into logging in the password again. At which point, I get display. No problems with color of dead pixels or anything. As if that's not enough, often for no reason at all, for example last night trying to find an answer to this problem right here, the screen will go completely black, not just a flickering as has been described, and then will flash (or flicker) on and off black/image/black, etc. Strangely enough, while it is doing that, gently tapping (and I mean very gently!) on the wrist rest areas will sometimes bring the screen back to normal! However, tapping will not cause the problem. It is completely random and intermittment.
I am horribly disappointed at the thought of having to return another one, as I am a graphic artist and getting really tired of reinstalling all the new software, and then having to explain to Adobe why I need a new authorization code, again!
Now I remember why I don't usually buy anything first generation from Apple...

 

[Streitzguy]

Purchase (and arrival if Online ordered) Date: 6/10/07 (6/29/07)
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Built To Order: Yes
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: Yes
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels?: No

 

[Trepex]

Replacement
Purchase Date: 6/23/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.2
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 25
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

Original
Purchase Date: 6/7/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.2
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: ???
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?:YES
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

Note: Severe back-bleeding from the bottom-middle of the screen. This was the reason that I requested a replacement.

 

[Ride9650]

Purchase Date: 6/7/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.2
Screen Manufacturer: not sure
Manufactured Week: 24? i think
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels?: No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: No
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: kinda

Other Comments:
got replacements twice. first one had a ton of consecutive kernel panics, second had loose lcd and display lid was warped. my current one only has the warped lid problem, but its fairly even and a lot better compared to the second one

 

[bernard]

Purchase Date: 6/30/07 in local Apple Store
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 24
Built To Order: No
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

The only issue is the bottom right on the screen is too bright, as if there was a light below. Strange, but not a big distraction.

 

[Alloye]

Purchase Date: 6/27/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: LG
Manufactured Week: 25
Built to Order: No
Bottom 1/3 of Screen Yellow: No
Screen Flickering at 100% Brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: Yes
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: N/A

Other Comments:
This is my second replacement. Finally got a good one!

 

[le sacre]

Purchase Date: 6/11/07 (arrived 6/29)
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4 15"
Screen Manufacturer: samsung
Manufactured Week: 26
Built to Order: yes -- 7200rpm drive
Bottom 1/3 of Screen Yellow: barely
Screen Flickering at 100% Brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: improved.
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: N/A

Other Comments:
i'm happy with the display, though if i look hard i can convince myself that the bottom third is a bit darker.
i have also had some isolated random speaker pops (external speakers), but not frequent. no buzzing.
after porting over my old data and settings, i had a few kernel panics and other dramatic system-wide crashes and my finder and eudora kept crashing, so i did an archive & reinstall of the system. since then, no problems.

 

[valiar]

Purchase Date: 6/15/07 (arrived 6/28)
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 26
Built to Order: yes, 7200rpm drive
Bottom 1/3 of Screen Yellow: No
Screen Flickering at 100% Brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: did not try
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: N/A

Other Comments:
I have seen the display in the Apple store before, but never side by side with my older MBP. The difference is simply amazing - both in terms of brightness, and of, for the lack of better term, pixel quality.
The machine is absolutely perfect - probably the best I have ever got from Apple, come to think of it.

 

[Gandhi]

Purchase Date: 6/12/07 (arrived 6/29)
Type of Display: Glossy
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 26
Built to Order: yes, 7200rpm drive
Bottom 1/3 of Screen Yellow: Yes
Screen Flickering at 100% Brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: No
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: Dunno yet

Other Comments:
Updated all the software, including the drivers for the graphics card. Did not keep the unit long enough to fiddle with it too long. Wanted to get the exchange process started right away. Replacement set to ship week of 7/11. Hopefully it won't have any problems.

 

[amitface]

Original:
Purchase Date: 6/18/07 (arrived 6/26)
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 25
Built to Order: no
Bottom 1/3 of Screen Yellow: Yes
Screen Flickering at 100% Brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: No
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: No

Replacement
Purchase Date: 6/30/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 25
Built to Order: no
Bottom 1/3 of Screen Yellow: Yes
Screen Flickering at 100% Brightness: No
Dead Pixels: Yes

If you experienced issues,
Did calibrating the LCD fix the problem: No

Other Comments:
Apple Genius sent report to Apple Engineers. Will keep in contact with me. If nothing is solved, I'm going back to PC

 

[MACDRIVE]

Other Comments:
Apple Genius sent report to Apple Engineers. Will keep in contact with me. If nothing is solved, I'm going back to PC

I'm thinking that after reading this thread, that maybe you should try to get an MBP with the matte LG screen.

 

[amitface]

I'm thinking that after reading this thread, that maybe you should try to get an MBP with the matte LG screen.

I'd like to, but the guys at the Apple store aren't going to let me open up boxes just to check the screen. That being said, the Genius told me I'm only allowed one computer swap.

 

[seanofford]

I'd like to, but the guys at the Apple store aren't going to let me open up boxes just to check the screen. That being said, the Genius told me I'm only allowed one computer swap.

I've swapped 3 - waiting for my 4th to arrive. You have a right to be sold someting that functions as it should.

 

[drumforfun19]

I like this thread. I think it's great to be proactive in the improvement of a product you use. and by collecting data we're helping improve future versions of this product.

GO TEAMWORK!

...yeah I'm an optimist.

 

[amitface]

I've swapped 3 - waiting for my 4th to arrive. You have a right to be sold someting that functions as it should.

I'm going to the Apple Store on Friday, so I'll see what I can do. I'm kind of tired of dealing with this anyway. I'll get a refund, and hope Apple acknowledges the problem before late August, or else I'll buy something else.

Ok no more hijacking this thread.

 

[dcv]

I'm kind of tired of dealing with this anyway. I'll get a refund, and hope Apple acknowledges the problem before late August, or else I'll buy something else.

I'm feeling the same way... on my 3rd MBP, this one has a better display but it's the battery I'm having problems with and it's already been swapped out for a new one so it's obviously not the battery itself but the MBP hardware or firmware or whatever. I've really had enough of going to and from the Apple Store, not sure it's worth wasting my time and money buying a 4th one. Am really, really disappointed. It's not just been yellow/uneven display issues and dead pixels but also kernel panics and battery problems which basically render a £1,600 notebook machine pretty damn useless.

 

[lauph]

Purchase (and arrival if Online ordered) Date: 24/June/07
Type of Display: Glossy
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 24
Built To Order: Glossy only, nothing else changed
Bottom 1/3 Screen Yellow?: No
Screen Flickering at 100% brightness: No
Dead Pixels?: Yes, 8 of them.yes EIGHT. 12345678-8

If you experienced issues,
Did exchanging the MBP fix the problem: Im in Singapore, and they dont seem to fancy/know of 1 to 1 replacements. So i went ahead with repair.

 

[elZotto]

How to get info...

Thanks for taking he time to gather up all this info

How do we find out the manufacturer of the screen and the week it was made?

Thanks!

 

[amitface]

Thanks for taking he time to gather up all this info

How do we find out the manufacturer of the screen and the week it was made?

Thanks!

Look at the serial number. The numbers after the first 7 show the week.

As for screen, go to System Prefs-> Display-> Color. Open the Color LCD profile and look at line 13. The Model with be either 9C67 (LG) or 9C68 (Samsung)

 

[NDA74]

I followed this thread pretty closely since the new MBPs hit the streets. When they were announced, I knew this was the machine for me.

Original:
Purchase Date: 6/29/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: LG
Manufactured Week: 25
Built to Order: No
Bottom 1/3 of Screen Yellow: No
Screen Flickering at 100% Brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

The original went back because there were horizontal ripples moving through the bottom 1/3 of the screen. It looked like the kind of interference we used to get on over-the-air TV when the vacuum cleaner was running. The bottom third of the display also looked quite grainy. I'd describe it as shimmering. There was also a horrible backlight bleed at the bottom of the screen. The genius looked at it for about 30 seconds and decided it needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, the store was completely out of 15-inch MBPs.

New:
Purchase Date: 07/02/07
Type of Display: Matte
Computer Model: 2.4
Screen Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufactured Week: 26
Built to Order: No
Bottom 1/3 of Screen Yellow: No
Screen Flickering at 100% Brightness: No
Dead Pixels: No

There is one minor issue at the bottom of the screen, a white spot about the size of the head of a pin. It is barely noticeable and likely within spec. It's barely noticeable on light-colored backgrounds, and completely invisible on dark backgrounds. I'm tired of messing around with this, and overall I'm really happy with the machine. At extreme angles, there is a consistent yellow tint across the screen. The MBP a big upgrade from my 1.5-GhZ 15-inch PowerBook in every way. The higher resolution screen is outstanding, and the new machine is so fast.