Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
... That was sarcasm (his post). Anyway, just return it-you've been harping on it for days. You'll never be happy until you get one without the dust, so do it or return it for good. I learned my lesson a while back and whenever I order an Apple product I order two and return whichever is the problem. That's worked for me twice now- just bought two iPad 2s refurbed and one had dust under the screen I could see when using it- so, that's the one I returned. Print out a return label, slap it on the box, send it out, be done with it and everything is good. Give that a shot next time- you may still get two lemons, but your odds will be doubly as good to receive an acceptable unit.

You're not wrong. I will probably return it at some stage bit for now if I am not able to see them dust while using. ( I'll try to bring it out door on a sunny day, if that shows them dust it's going back of not it's staying.)
Fair enough?
 
You're not wrong. I will probably return it at some stage bit for now if I am not able to see them dust while using. ( I'll try to bring it out door on a sunny day, if that shows them dust it's going back of not it's staying.)
Fair enough?

If you're going to do that, I'd do it today. It's better to be within your 14 day return period and ask for an exchange because if you bought it online (maybe in the store too) they will send you a brand new replacement instead of a refurb. Also, within the 14 day period they never give you a hard time - you call them, say you want an exchange because it's defective and they send you a return label and a new replacement. After the 14 days ( in my experience) they will send it to a technician to verify your problem and if he doesn't see it, they ship the same one back to you - and if he does see it, you'll get a refurb.
 
If you're going to do that, I'd do it today. It's better to be within your 14 day return period and ask for an exchange because if you bought it online (maybe in the store too) they will send you a brand new replacement instead of a refurb. Also, within the 14 day period they never give you a hard time - you call them, say you want an exchange because it's defective and they send you a return label and a new replacement. After the 14 days ( in my experience) they will send it to a technician to verify your problem and if he doesn't see it, they ship the same one back to you - and if he does see it, you'll get a refurb.

Thing is I don't really sees them when I'm using. May be I will in a bright sunny day.
 
Whenever an outside object is used to look for imperfections is right over the top and just a bit nutty:D
 
I just noticed a spec of dust under the screen... I don't know how it got there. It's very noticeable and irritating :(
 
I just noticed a spec of dust under the screen... I don't know how it got there. It's very noticeable and irritating :(

Same here in the upper left corner,it's a spec of black dust,and it's noticeable while in use and very irritating,I wonder if Apple will let me exchange it,I hate this because the screen is a perfect bright white and then I have to see that in my screen ugh!
 
I've had the new iPad since launch day back in March and up until this point, I thought my screen was flawless. Just last night, the lighting hit the screen just right and I saw a tiny spec of dust beneath the glass that I'd never noticed before. I've been perfectly content with my iPad for 3 months and finding a tiny speck of dust under the screen now isn't going to change the matter. So for heaven's sake, stop obsessing and start using!
 
I've had the new iPad since launch day back in March and up until this point, I thought my screen was flawless. Just last night, the lighting hit the screen just right and I saw a tiny spec of dust beneath the glass that I'd never noticed before. I've been perfectly content with my iPad for 3 months and finding a tiny speck of dust under the screen now isn't going to change the matter. So for heaven's sake, stop obsessing and start using!

Give this man a medal. I wholly agree :D
 
This problem got me thinking. I remember a few years ago HP laptops using the Infinity screen suffered from this same problem. At first the screen was OK and after while small pieces of dust would get trapped behing the glass. It had to do with the glue that was used and dust would get in and cause a similar problem.

You know I hate to say it but this is where a screen protector might help keeping dust out.
 
Each of the four iPads in my house have a small amount of dust in the display. Most phones do too. Nothing mass produced is perfect. I don't mind since I bought mine to use. I don't obsess on inspecting them.
 
This problem got me thinking. I remember a few years ago HP laptops using the Infinity screen suffered from this same problem. At first the screen was OK and after while small pieces of dust would get trapped behing the glass. It had to do with the glue that was used and dust would get in and cause a similar problem.

You know I hate to say it but this is where a screen protector might help keeping dust out.

The dust comes in through the headphone ports, charge port, and speaker holes. I'm not sure how a screen protector will prevent that.

I have made a habit of using charge port/headphone jack covers on both my iPhone and iPad, and it makes me feel good mentally that I'm doing something about it, but really I don't think it really helps other than to keep the ports from becoming clogged up with pocket lint and dust.
 
Just picked up an iPad3 yesterday, at the store the 1st one had a huge dandruff looking dust spec under the glass, exchanged immediately. Now I noticed the replacement has a dead pixel :/

Gotta love apple's QC.
 
Just picked up an iPad3 yesterday, at the store the 1st one had a huge dandruff looking dust spec under the glass, exchanged immediately. Now I noticed the replacement has a dead pixel :/

Gotta love apple's QC.

Not that the QC isn't an issue, but just go and exchange it again. It's starting to seem like some people are forgetting just how liberal Apple's exchange and return policy is. If only other manufacturers could be like this.
 
I smell a troll...

Return it! I've lost count of the number of times I've been using my iPad with my LED flashlight trained dead centre on the screen, and the dust irritates me!

It's embarrassing, too. Sometimes I show colleagues or clients the iPad, and when they view the material with their own LED torches, they always say "Damn, that's a dusty panel". I tell them the dust is under the glass of their torch, but they know.

They know.

This seriously made me lol.
 
I thought I would regale my experiences with dust and the new iPad in case it is helpful to the OP.
____________________________________
I bought mine the day it released, and as soon as I got it I noticed a single speck of dust under the screen. It was in the middle/lower half of the screen and a bit irritating but I just didn't feel right about returning over that so I ignored it.

Then, last week I was installing a screen protector and I noticed that there were actually 2 dead pixels I had never noticed on the screen! With these pixels and the dust I felt justified in returning the iPad.

I scheduled and Apt with the store and told my story to the employee. He was understanding and had no issues with swapping it out. He went to the back and returned with a nondescript brown box with a solitary iPad in it. I assumed it was likely a refurb since it was not a retail box.

He said he wanted to make sure I was 100% satisfied (nice customer service) before I left, so while I was still there I checked it for dead pixels and didn't see any. However, I felt uncomfortable standing there making the guy wait while I further inspected the unit so I said it looked good and took it home.

Immediately after walking out I noticed that there were some scuffs on the back of the unit. Some colored marks that did rub off, but some very small scuffs that did not. I was annoyed but assumed it was a refurb and again, just decided to ignore it.


The next day however, I took a light to the screen to check for dust. I spotted a speck, and then another, and another, and another...and so on. There was a TON of dust under the screen all over the place on this replacement unit. I took a painting app and started circling the dust spots. After I hit 17 I stopped circling and went to the Apple store after work.


The 2nd time was not nearly as smooth. I did not have an apt so I had to wait a bit, and I had to explain and display the issue to 3 different employees before they huddled around for a resolution.

Again they said they would replace it, and after a lengthy process of trying to get a record of my replacement from the day before they brought out a brand new iPad in a retail box. They cut open the plastic and gave me the new unit.

Again, I inspected for dead pixels (none) and this time I looked it all over. The back looked fine since it was new and I did not see any dust under the screen when checking all over with my flashlight. It took a few trips and some waiting but in the end I was very satisfied.
____________________________________

Now, how my experience pertains to your particular problem:

I too wondered if it was possible to get a device with 0 dust under the glass. And while I'm sure it's possible (as mine either has none or too little to be noticeable in a quick inspection) I would imagine it is very rare.

However, I would say that a small amount of dust, if inconspicuous enough for the owner to ignore, is probably acceptable. However, there is a limit and from what you've described as your quantity I would say you've hit it.

I wish I had brought my device in within the return policy window because if they had they had a problem with swapping it, I could have just said I wanted to return it and then bought a new one. I felt worried that since my device was 3 months old I might have issues returning over small niggles. If you are still within that window I would highly recommend swapping it out for a better unit.

If you decide to go have it checked out I would recommend to circle all the dust as well with a painting app. It helps show them quickly the magnitude of the issue, as well as aids them when they inspect them to verify there is dust underneath.


Again, it comes down to what you, the buyer, feel is acceptable. If you don't feel your unit is acceptable than you should return it until you are happy - it's your money. Good luck no matter what you do!
 
I thought I would regale my experiences with dust and the new iPad in case it is helpful to the OP.
____________________________________
I bought mine the day it released, and as soon as I got it I noticed a single speck of dust under the screen. It was in the middle/lower half of the screen and a bit irritating but I just didn't feel right about returning over that so I ignored it.

Then, last week I was installing a screen protector and I noticed that there were actually 2 dead pixels I had never noticed on the screen! With these pixels and the dust I felt justified in returning the iPad.

I scheduled and Apt with the store and told my story to the employee. He was understanding and had no issues with swapping it out. He went to the back and returned with a nondescript brown box with a solitary iPad in it. I assumed it was likely a refurb since it was not a retail box.

He said he wanted to make sure I was 100% satisfied (nice customer service) before I left, so while I was still there I checked it for dead pixels and didn't see any. However, I felt uncomfortable standing there making the guy wait while I further inspected the unit so I said it looked good and took it home.

Immediately after walking out I noticed that there were some scuffs on the back of the unit. Some colored marks that did rub off, but some very small scuffs that did not. I was annoyed but assumed it was a refurb and again, just decided to ignore it.


The next day however, I took a light to the screen to check for dust. I spotted a speck, and then another, and another, and another...and so on. There was a TON of dust under the screen all over the place on this replacement unit. I took a painting app and started circling the dust spots. After I hit 17 I stopped circling and went to the Apple store after work.


The 2nd time was not nearly as smooth. I did not have an apt so I had to wait a bit, and I had to explain and display the issue to 3 different employees before they huddled around for a resolution.

Again they said they would replace it, and after a lengthy process of trying to get a record of my replacement from the day before they brought out a brand new iPad in a retail box. They cut open the plastic and gave me the new unit.

Again, I inspected for dead pixels (none) and this time I looked it all over. The back looked fine since it was new and I did not see any dust under the screen when checking all over with my flashlight. It took a few trips and some waiting but in the end I was very satisfied.
____________________________________

Now, how my experience pertains to your particular problem:

I too wondered if it was possible to get a device with 0 dust under the glass. And while I'm sure it's possible (as mine either has none or too little to be noticeable in a quick inspection) I would imagine it is very rare.

However, I would say that a small amount of dust, if inconspicuous enough for the owner to ignore, is probably acceptable. However, there is a limit and from what you've described as your quantity I would say you've hit it.

I wish I had brought my device in within the return policy window because if they had they had a problem with swapping it, I could have just said I wanted to return it and then bought a new one. I felt worried that since my device was 3 months old I might have issues returning over small niggles. If you are still within that window I would highly recommend swapping it out for a better unit.

If you decide to go have it checked out I would recommend to circle all the dust as well with a painting app. It helps show them quickly the magnitude of the issue, as well as aids them when they inspect them to verify there is dust underneath.


Again, it comes down to what you, the buyer, feel is acceptable. If you don't feel your unit is acceptable than you should return it until you are happy - it's your money. Good luck no matter what you do!

I end up replacing it. And got a DK serial replacement. I actually went throu 2 until I'm happy with this current one.

First one has a small dent on the bottom of the iPad where th edge is.
Second one has a nice dead pixel right in the middle, cosmetic seems perfect.
Third one screen is great no problems, however there is a very small cosmetic problem. There is a 1mm mark that show discoloration on the aluminum. In most angle it's a bit lighter in color it's not as shinny silver as the rest of the body.

With something this small I WILL live with it.

Anyway I just want to say this is based on my experience. For any iPad replacement that comes out of a brown box, you risk of having one with imperfect cosmetic body. It could be scratches , dents, marks, chips. Areas are 4G card, edges of the aluminum, front where the bezel meet with the aluminum.

I'm not sayi g they are all like that but I'm comfortable to say 95% of those refurbished replacement.

For ones in brand new box I have more faith that the cosmetic being better, but of course I've seen minimum case with white box that has cosmetic problem. More or so display problems.

Apple thanks for teaching me how to deal with things like this in life.
 
I end up replacing it. And got a DK serial replacement. I actually went throu 2 until I'm happy with this current one.

First one has a small dent on the bottom of the iPad where th edge is.
Second one has a nice dead pixel right in the middle, cosmetic seems perfect.
Third one screen is great no problems, however there is a very small cosmetic problem. There is a 1mm mark that show discoloration on the aluminum. In most angle it's a bit lighter in color it's not as shinny silver as the rest of the body.

With something this small I WILL live with it.

Anyway I just want to say this is based on my experience. For any iPad replacement that comes out of a brown box, you risk of having one with imperfect cosmetic body. It could be scratches , dents, marks, chips. Areas are 4G card, edges of the aluminum, front where the bezel meet with the aluminum.

I'm not sayi g they are all like that but I'm comfortable to say 95% of those refurbished replacement.

For ones in brand new box I have more faith that the cosmetic being better, but of course I've seen minimum case with white box that has cosmetic problem. More or so display problems.

Apple thanks for teaching me how to deal with things like this in life.

iPad refurbs have a new back shell so your argument about refurbs having cosmetic damage is redundant. Plus, if refurbs are all DK serial numbered and it is printed on the back of every iPad, how can they be backs from retail bought models? Do you reckon they sand off the old serial number and add the new DK one? No, i hardly think so...
Refurbs can be perfect, and in my experience and that of my work colleagues and friends and family, I have never seen a cosmetically damaged refurb, any more likely than that of a retail bought iPad. The chances are equal of having some kind of defect due to the manufacturing process...sometimes things slip through the quality net given the high volume. I would guess that the refurb department is pretty busy too in comparison to the production line.
 
This issue is really on Foxconn. Their assembly line requirements and how fast they put those devices together is outright brutal. And I know firsthand how difficult it is to keep dust particles away from the screen when i'm trying to put a screen protector on.
 
iPad refurbs have a new back shell so your argument about refurbs having cosmetic damage is redundant. Plus, if refurbs are all DK serial numbered and it is printed on the back of every iPad, how can they be backs from retail bought models? Do you reckon they sand off the old serial number and add the new DK one? No, i hardly think so...
Refurbs can be perfect, and in my experience and that of my work colleagues and friends and family, I have never seen a cosmetically damaged refurb, any more likely than that of a retail bought iPad. The chances are equal of having some kind of defect due to the manufacturing process...sometimes things slip through the quality net given the high volume. I would guess that the refurb department is pretty busy too in comparison to the production line.

i suppose you're right. May be is the fact that i have gone through alot more replacements rather than brand new ones. i will be happy with the one i have now.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.