Does the PWM backlight of the 2017 MacBook Pro 15" models bother you?

[Jodiuh]

Notebook check seems to have found a very high flicker below 80% on the 555 Radeon model, but it's possible the 560 Radeon model's using a different panel.

I currently have the 13" and am quite happy, but curious if anyone's noticed this in their 2017 15" MBP's.

thanks!!

 

[Closingracer]

Just put it around 40% and doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Jodiuh]

Just put it around 40% and doesn't bother me at all.

Thanks!

 

[Patcell]

Notebook check seems to have found a very high flicker below 80% on the 555 Radeon model, but it's possible the 560 Radeon model's using a different panel.

I currently have the 13" and am quite happy, but curious if anyone's noticed this in their 2017 15" MBP's.

thanks!!

I read that notebookcheck article also... I was surprised because I hadn't noticed anything. I have the RP 560 model, but I seriously doubt choice of GPU has anything to do with the panel you get. That's a lottery all to itself.

 

[Jodiuh]

I read that notebookcheck article also... I was surprised because I hadn't noticed anything. I have the RP 560 model, but I seriously doubt choice of GPU has anything to do with the panel you get. That's a lottery all to itself.

It's an INCREDIBLY high rate of PWM, so I'd probably be ok with it, but not willing to risk it. I grabbed the 13" 2017 MBP base model for $1100 and am 97% satisfied with it.

 

[Patcell]

It's an INCREDIBLY high rate of PWM, so I'd probably be ok with it, but not willing to risk it. I grabbed the 13" 2017 MBP base model for $1100 and am 97% satisfied with it.

Did Notebookcheck's review of the 13" note a better PWM? I didn't read that article...

 

[Jodiuh]

Did Notebookcheck's review of the 13" note a better PWM? I didn't read that article...

They said absolutely no PWM, so that's what I ended up with. I would have preferred the 15 for the extra screen space, quad core chip, double the ram, and a better GPU. But I'm not willing to play games with my eyes as I'm already struggling with eye pain even in a room with nothing but incandescent bulbs.

 

[FutureDancer]

I have both the 13inch non touchbar and the 15inch touchbar. 15inch PWM really hurts my eyes. 13inch without PWM is beautiful, no issues

 

[deliriumxy]

What are you guys talking about?

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-2017-2-8-GHz-555-Laptop-Review.230096.0.html

"We have been using a more sensitive measuring device since the beginning of this year, which can detect higher frequencies. There are brightness fluctuations at 119 kHz when the brightness drops to 80% and lower. We also repeated the measurement for the 2016 model and got similar results. However, the frequency is very high, so even sensitive users should not have problems."



so... this article says there is no noticeable flickering...

 

[Jodiuh]

What are you guys talking about?

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-2017-2-8-GHz-555-Laptop-Review.230096.0.html

"We have been using a more sensitive measuring device since the beginning of this year, which can detect higher frequencies. There are brightness fluctuations at 119 kHz when the brightness drops to 80% and lower. We also repeated the measurement for the 2016 model and got similar results. However, the frequency is very high, so even sensitive users should not have problems."



so... this article says there is no noticeable flickering...

"...sensitive users should not have problems..."

120's a nightmare, 240's a bad dream, 119,000's probably not a problem, but I just wanted to get an idea if anyone's had a problem, hence the poll.

That said, I did keep the 13" because I only have one set of eyes and I'm not willing to take any risk.

 

[FutureDancer]

I had problems

 

[Jodiuh]

I had problems

Sorry.

Glad I skipped it tho.

 

[Lawney]

I'm having problems with my new 2018/15". I upgraded from a 2015/15" with which I had no problems.

 

[CRoebuck]

I'm having problems with my new 2018/15". I upgraded from a 2015/15" with which I had no problems.

I find the 2018's (I've tried 6 or 7 split across 13" and 15") almost unusable. I'm not sure if it's PWM or dither but find it difficult to focus and get sore eyes within 15 mins use, sometimes faster. No issues on the 2017 13" that I've got hold of (other than a stuck cursor key)

 

[Ploki]

Oddly, I didn't enjoy the screen on the returned i9 that much. It had better colors and contrast than the old 2012, but it seemed worse, and backlight seemed uneven.
the 13" seems fine tho.

 

[knight117]

I find the 2018's (I've tried 6 or 7 split across 13" and 15") almost unusable. I'm not sure if it's PWM or dither but find it difficult to focus and get sore eyes within 15 mins use, sometimes faster. No issues on the 2017 13" that I've got hold of (other than a stuck cursor key)

How's macbook pro 2017 15"?