Good Apple store experience, and 17" MBP

[johndoe588]

Bought my 2.53 15" MBP in Feb at the Christiana Mall Apple store in DE. I've had some issues, not major but they added up. I wasn't able to get back for a swap out till after the 14 days, but it was less than 30. Made it there last night. I was a little worried rolling the Apple dice, as I had no flickering on my 9c85 screen and the colors were good, but thought I'd chance it for a 3 month newer machine (mine was mid Nov). They happily traded mine for a new one, a 2.66 one at that. The manager I was working with and the techs who transfered my stuff over were all wonderful. Friendly and knew what they were talking about. Couldn't have asked for more helpful folks.

What not to do while you're waiting....don't play with a 17" for a half hour. Just don't. I stuck with a 15" for traveling and ease on my older, bad eyes, but it really is not that much bigger. I've read here the many threads about dimmer screens on the 17 but I really couldn't tell much of a difference in the store. Plenty bright and the colors were great. I could probably get used to the resolution if I had to.

Now that I've played with the new (mid Feb!) 15" for a day I can say it performs well. Battery door is still just a little loose but it sits level. The screen hinge is no tighter. It runs just a bit warmer. The screen is a 9C84, no dead pixels, much less backlight bleed, but, guess what, flicker. Win some, lose some.

John B.

 

[genmic]

Is there anyone with a 9c84 panel that doesn't flicker? I would kill for a 9c85, because all the 9c84's I've had, while beautiful, have this annoying flicker problem.

 

[ryannazaretian]

Is there anyone with a 9c84 panel that doesn't flicker? I would kill for a 9c85, because all the 9c84's I've had, while beautiful, have this annoying flicker problem.

I have a 9C84 without any flickering. How does it flicker?

 

[7even]

Is there anyone with a 9c84 panel that doesn't flicker? I would kill for a 9c85, because all the 9c84's I've had, while beautiful, have this annoying flicker problem.

My current 84 doesn't flicker (My first 84 did, though.)

 

[genmic]

My current 84 doesn't flicker (My first 84 did, though.)

So there is hope! Does anybody have any information from Apple about the problem? I just recently sent them my current system configuration, because they told me they haven't even heard of this problem. I find that hard to believe.

I am leery about trying for yet another replacement. Is there any hope for a software fix? That is what a Genius told me, that this was only a software issue. Of course I'm not sure I entirely believe that.

 

[johndoe588]

Never heard of the problem, eh? Oh, I'll bet they have.....

Strangely enough mine is intermittent. It's not doing it now. Go figure. Colors on this 84 seem good. At it's lowest brightness setting it's dimmer than the 85, and highest setting isn't nearly as bright. Not that it needs to be, that one was REALLY bright. Screen hinge turns out to be looser that the first one, and that was my main complaint. They've been so nice but I'm afraid I'll wear out my welcome if I go back.

John B.

 

[xpovos]

Is there anyone with a 9c84 panel that doesn't flicker? I would kill for a 9c85, because all the 9c84's I've had, while beautiful, have this annoying flicker problem.

Before I downgraded to a 2.4 MacBook, I had several of the 15" models, all with 9C85 screens except one. The 9C84 was the only one that DIDN'T flicker! The flickering issue affects both screens.

And as for Apple never having heard of the flickering issue, of course that's a load. Go to a Genius Bar with ANY issue that hasn't been previously published on Apple's support web site, the Genius has "never heard of it".

 

[genmic]

Before I downgraded to a 2.4 MacBook, I had several of the 15" models, all with 9C85 screens except one. The 9C84 was the only one that DIDN'T flicker! The flickering issue affects both screens.

And as for Apple never having heard of the flickering issue, of course that's a load. Go to a Genius Bar with ANY issue that hasn't been previously published on Apple's support web site, the Genius has "never heard of it".

Thanks for the information. I thought I read in a previous thread that only people with 9c84's were having this problem, but I guess that's incorrect.

Talked to Apple today, and the product specialist said this was now being classified as an "emerging issue." Which probably means it will be acknowledged 2 years from now. The person I talked to wants me to reinstall a combo update, and do an SMC reset (which of course I have already done.)

I'm not incredibly optimistic but I do have a slight bit of hope that this issue will just go away so I can keep this computer and put this behind me.

 

[betterdays]

Before I downgraded to a 2.4 MacBook, I had several of the 15" models, all with 9C85 screens except one.

Xpovos, maybe you can help me solve a dilemma : all three 15" MBP I've ordered and returned had 9C84 panels... I find they have a weird cold, slightly magenta tint, and the reds (like you see on cinema5D.com) are quite muted, not saturated enough. Warm images look horrible on it. Other colors seem OK but clearly there's no benefit with a glossy screen when it comes to colors.

Do you still have the machine equipped with a 9C85 ? could you compare reds on both screens with their default profiles and tell me whether or not I should continue hoping for a 9C85 ? this one I have now had only 1 battery cycle (wow!!) and came with 4GB instead of 2GB ram, so I'm tempted to keep it. But I would still prefer a good screen with proper reds if possible.

Thanks a lot in advance