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It is definitely made by LG. As to whether it is the same, well we need someone with an LG macbook pro from the previous gen to run the switchresX application and post their findings.
DDC block report generated by SwitchResX version 3.8.7 for display
Color LCD


-----------------------------------------------------
------------------- RAW DATA ------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
-----------------------------------------------------
0 | 00 FF FF FF FF FF FF 00 06 10 84 9C 00 00 00 00
1 | 00 12 01 03 80 21 15 78 0A 50 C5 98 58 52 8E 27
2 | 25 50 54 00 00 00 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01
3 | 01 01 01 01 01 01 AB 22 A0 A0 50 84 1A 30 30 20
4 | 36 00 4B CF 10 00 00 18 00 00 00 01 00 06 10 30
5 | 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0A 20 00 00 00 FE 00 4C
6 | 50 31 35 34 57 50 33 2D 54 4C 41 31 00 00 00 FE
7 | 00 43 6F 6C 6F 72 20 4C 43 44 0A 20 20 20 00 92

-----------------------------------------------------
< 00FFFFFF FFFFFF00 0610849C 00000000 00120103 80211578 0A50C598 58528E27 25505400 00000101 01010101 01010101 01010101 0101AB22 A0A05084 1A303020 36004BCF 10000018 00000001 00061030 00000000 00000000 0A200000 00FE004C 50313534 5750332D 544C4131 000000FE 00436F6C 6F72204C 43440A20 20200092 >

-----------------------------------------------------
Valid EDID block: checksum passed

-----------------------------------------------------
------------------- MAIN EDID BLOCK -----------------
-----------------------------------------------------

EDID Version........1.3
Manufacturer........APP
Product Code........33948 (849C) (9C84)
Serial Number.......00000000

Manufactured........Week 0 of year 2008
Max H Size..........33 cm
Max V Size..........21 cm
Gamma...............2.20

Display Supported Features:
---------------------------


Display type:
-------------
RGB 4:4:4 & YCrCb 4:4:4 Color Encoding Formats
Display is non continuous frequency
Default color space is not sRGB standard
Preferred timing mode includes Native Pixel Format


Input signal & sync:
--------------------
Digital Input
Color Bit Depth is undefined
Digital Interface is not defined


Color info:
-----------
Red x = 0.595 Green x = 0.320 Blue x = 0.155 White x = 0.313
Red y = 0.345 Green y = 0.555 Blue y = 0.145 White y = 0.329

Established Timings:
--------------------

Manufacturer Reserved Timings:
------------------------------

Standard Timing Identification:
-------------------------------

Monitor Description blocks:
---------------------------
Descriptor #0 is Timing definition:
Mode = 1440 x 900 @ 59.901Hz
Pixel Clock............. 88.75 MHz Non-Interlaced

Horizontal Vertical
Active.................. 1440 pixels 900 lines
Front Porch............. 48 pixels 3 lines
Sync Width.............. 32 pixels 6 lines
Back Porch.............. 80 pixels 17 lines
Blanking................ 160 pixels 26 lines
Total................... 1600 pixels 926 lines
Scan Rate............... 55.469 kHz 59.901 Hz

Image Size.............. 331 mm 207 mm
Border.................. 0 pixels 0 lines

Sync: Digital separate with
* Negative vertical polarity
* Negative horizontal polarity

Descriptor #1 is Manufacturer specific data (not interpreted here)

Descriptor #2 is ASCII data:
LP154WP3-TLA1

Descriptor #3 is ASCII data:
Color LCD
 
They could be using the same LCD panels with an improved backlight to increase the color gamut. In fact, it appears that based upon the display model numbers that the 13" MacBook Pro is using the same panel as what Apple started shipping in late March for the previous generation Aluminum MacBook (i.e. the LTN133AT09 was used in MacBooks as early as late March and this same model is still being used in the new 13" MacBook Pro). Thus, the only thing that may have changed is the LED backlight in both the 13" and 15" models.
 
They could be using the same LCD panels with an improved backlight to increase the color gamut. In fact, it appears that based upon the display model numbers that the 13" MacBook Pro is using the same panel as what Apple started shipping in late March for the previous generation Aluminum MacBook (i.e. the LTN133AT09 was used in MacBooks as early as late March and this same model is still being used in the new 13" MacBook Pro). Thus, the only thing that may have changed is the LED backlight in both the 13" and 15" models.

Please excuse my LED ignorance, but just how significant a difference is the backlighting change in the new 15" vs the first gen 15" uMBP?
 
Please excuse my LED ignorance, but just how significant a difference is the backlighting change in the new 15" vs the first gen 15" uMBP?
Without a direct, side-by-side comparison that would be a difficult question to answer. Probably only you could make that determination after extended testing with both models in your possession. Pictures alone are not likely to be good enough to settle this issue since you won't know whether the color calibration has been done equally on both units.

There are some good discussions over on the following link:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4311761#post4311761

This link doesn't discuss the new MacBook Pros, but it does provide some information on different LCD panel and backlight types (including pictures comparing various displays).
 
I'm going to change my position about the new 15" mbp screen. I think that something is different in that the colors do pop more. I don't think that's in my head. Reds are more red, yellow is more vibrant, etc. If you don't need the sd card slot and think that the new battery is a joke, I would get the old gen unibody. I think that they might be using a new backlight, which is fine by me. So I'm now on the record as saying that Apple did not like to us 15" macbook pro users.

The 13" macbook pro is an absolutely great value, but when I picked up both units today side by side, I realized that the 15" did not weigh perceptibly more. So I took home the 15" unit. That way I might be able to justify in my head getting a macbook air down the line since they are going to be very cheap.
 
Ok,

Seems like then that they improved the screen on the 15" MBP's aswell. I have to say I'm more than little dissapointed with my timing. Damn.
 
I would like to comment that we need to get some more feedback before we decide that the new display is has a wider color gamut, yes it is a newer LG Philips panel model number, LP154WP4-TLA1 vs LP154WP3-TLA1. According to the LG info I can find there wasn't any specified difference between LP154WP2-TLA1 > LP154WP3-TLA1. So there could be refreshments, but I think the new panel is similar series. Would like to say, personally I could see no color difference between the April 2009 15" uMBP and April 2009 17"uMBP as far as color gamut goes, I thought that would be a decider for me between 15 and 17 as I have high expectations for lcds, but it just wasn't there. My Dell M4400/Ubuntu 9.10 has a 15" RGB LED, now that's a laptop with a wide color gamut:).
 
It's not too late to return it.

In your position I would get the latest model for all the benefits that it has. :)

i've almost decided not to return it... but do you think it's worth the trouble in order to upgrade from my 3-week-old 2.93 GHz, 320 GB to a new 3.06 GHz, 500GB?
 
might be updated, but it's still a mediocre 1440x900.

that needs to be at least 1680x1050 like any other respectable "pro" laptop
 
I'm going to change my position about the new 15" mbp screen. I think that something is different in that the colors do pop more. I don't think that's in my head. Reds are more red, yellow is more vibrant, etc. If you don't need the sd card slot and think that the new battery is a joke, I would get the old gen unibody. I think that they might be using a new backlight, which is fine by me. So I'm now on the record as saying that Apple did not like to us 15" macbook pro users.

The 13" macbook pro is an absolutely great value, but when I picked up both units today side by side, I realized that the 15" did not weigh perceptibly more. So I took home the 15" unit. That way I might be able to justify in my head getting a macbook air down the line since they are going to be very cheap.

I have one and that thing is a brick if you travel.
 
I just recieved the newer macbook, and put it side by side with my late 2008 model. Yes, the color is more vivid. It is a noticable difference.
 
I just recieved the newer macbook, and put it side by side with my late 2008 model. Yes, the color is more vivid. It is a noticable difference.
Could you output screen type between the two using SwitchResX, please.
 
I just recieved the newer macbook, and put it side by side with my late 2008 model. Yes, the color is more vivid. It is a noticable difference.

Yes, please describe more. Are you talking about the 15" unibody 1 gen vs 15" unibody 2 gen? I think that the screen is probably more vibrant as well. Esp noticeable when watching video on hulu. I think it might not just be the maker of the LCD or the glass or a calibration thing. I think the colors are inherently more vibrant.
 
but i don't want the unremovable battery and the SD card slot..
ugh! i hate myself

Fair enough, but the new battery appears to be far superior to the old. Also if you have Applecare what's the problem about it being non-removable by the user?

Personally I don't understand the fuss about card slots. I'm happy to use USB and card readers.
 
Fair enough, but the new battery appears to be far superior to the old. Also if you have Applecare what's the problem about it being non-removable by the user?

Personally I don't understand the fuss about card slots. I'm happy to use USB and card readers.
The fuss is that before, it was possible to use all sorts of adapters in the ExpressCard slot. A multi-card reader can be found for less than $20 for ExpressCard 34, whereas now users are stuck with just an SD card reader. When the prices come down on flash memory, I might buy myself an ExpressCard SSD or perhaps a multi-card reader for my digital camera, which can't be neatly tucked inside the laptop with the new models.
 
Fair enough, but the new battery appears to be far superior to the old. Also if you have Applecare what's the problem about it being non-removable by the user?

Personally I don't understand the fuss about card slots. I'm happy to use USB and card readers.

Isn't it additional 2 hours compared to the old gen battery?
Anyway... I've just realised that custom configured machines cannot be returned or exchanged. I adore my 2.5 week-old 15" and there's nothing wrong with it. I'm a little upset because I could have bought the new 15" 3.06GHz, 500GB with a supposedly better screen for less money if I waited until Monday. All I can do now is subtly ask for store credit on the off chance that I'm not the only one in this. Otherwise, I will just look forward to the future updates and then someday give this to my mother.
 
Isn't it additional 2 hours compared to the old gen battery?
Anyway... I've just realised that custom configured machines cannot be returned or exchanged.

Yes, I think it's a claimed 7 hours as opposed to a claimed 5.

Apple may be sympathetic if you have a polite word with them. It's a bit tough losing out by just two weeks. I've definitely heard of them accommodating people in your position.

Failing that, are you sure that you can't return it, perhaps subject to a 10% re-stocking fee?
 
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