Horizontal Lines in New Powerbooks

[jer2eydevil88]

I don't have the problem.

I finally got to open my 15" powerbook today and admist the fear that I would have these lines I have carefully scrutinized every image and have seen no lines of any kind.

I showed the notebook to two friends one of whom is a graphic artist and they were not only impressed with the new resolution but found these lines no existant.

My guess is that a select set of LCD panels has this problem and Apple will fix it, I have a BTO 15" powerbook I ordered minutes after they introduced them.

 

[dblissmn]

I hope for the batch theory . . .

Every sample I've seen so far of the 15 inch has them, it turns out. But I hope for a fix; the resolution is too useful. 1440-960 is equivalent to Windows in 1280-800 because of the larger Mac fonts . . . I can't cop out now and replace my TiBook with another 1280 display, so I am just going to sit tight for as long as I can manage (probably up to a month) and hope the problem is addressed. I would really be surprised if it is the panel itself; more likely a graphics chip or driver thing with the refresh rate or just poor shielding.

Talking of which, has anyone tried switching Airport on and off and looking at the lines? Seeing as this is the first Powerbook with motherboard Airport . . . It's a long shot I know but easy to try.

 

[g0gie]

this issue doesnt seem to be effecting ALL powerbook 15'' . I was just at the apple store at valley fair ( San Jose) and 2 15'' pb's there were fine, and i definantly took a GOOD LOOK. seems to be bad batch of LCD's in my opinion

 

[motherduce]

this issue doesnt seem to be effecting ALL powerbook 15'' . I was just at the apple store at valley fair ( San Jose) and 2 15'' pb's there were fine, and i definantly took a GOOD LOOK. seems to be bad batch of LCD's in my opinion

Good to hear. Anyone else have stories of GOOD PB screens?

 

[tribe3]

Screen Pic

How is this apart from the moire and other artifacts?

 

[generik]

How is this apart from the moire and other artifacts?

Looks bad!

 

[foosh]

g0gie, you say you've seen good screens... have you also seen the bad ones? because there seem to be a lot of ppl who simply don't notice the lines and claim they're not there when they actually are. so just checking that you've seen them with lines as well

 

[maverick808]

It might help if someone with a previous revison 15" pbook took a good picture of their screen so that the people with the new models can compare. I'd do it myself but I'm travelling until Wednesday and unfortunately I left my camera at home.

 

[g0gie]

Yea i've seen 2 examples of bad and 2 of good so...

 

[wildcard]

Some people already said it might be a refresh rate problem. I too think this is possible. I was wondering whether someone could install Linux (or just boot a Gentoo/Ubuntu Live CD/DVD) and play around with the refresh rates there (after, of course, setting the display to it's native resolution). Might be worth a try.

I get my new 15" on 11/7 (Monday)-if I see lines on the display, I'll pop in my Ubuntu 5.04 for PowerPC live CD and see what happens.

 

[revisionA]

If we can pretend the Iraq war isnt about oil...

I kept looking at every crt and lcd I could find, comparing them to my new pb, and honestly... I think either software update fixed it, or its so minor it only shows on light blue.

I can live with this. If black is black, why arent the lines showing up?

Is it possible the backgrounds included dont fit the new resolution perfect, or even widescreen perfect...

Come to think of it, my 20,000 dollar used car had a screw hole in the center console, I think I should return it.

$

 

[motherduce]

I kept looking at every crt and lcd I could find, comparing them to my new pb, and honestly... I think either software update fixed it, or its so minor it only shows on light blue.

I can live with this. If black is black, why arent the lines showing up?

Is it possible the backgrounds included dont fit the new resolution perfect, or even widescreen perfect...

Come to think of it, my 20,000 dollar used car had a screw hole in the center console, I think I should return it.

$

I'm hoping to hear more of these stories.

I am a developer, and would go nuts with these horizontal lines. I have delayed my PB purchase for 5 months waiting for updates, and now because of this issue.

My biggest holdup is, if I do order my PB, and it turns out to have a screen I can't work with, will I be able to get a full refund, or will I have to play the exchange/fix waiting game?

 

[MRU]

Yea i've seen 2 examples of bad and 2 of good so...

Glad to hear you've got a good one. Only thing is I'm terrified now about ordering a 15" just in case.

I drove 60 miles (100 Km) today to have a look at the nearest store that stocks apples and the bastards didn't have one, after telling me they did on the phone....

Phoned Apple in Cork, and though friendly and enthusiastic they still couldn't answer me if they have noticed the problem.


Argghhhhhh.... I just sold my powerbook 12" with the intention of buying the 15 and now I'm sat wondering why I bothered....


A question for you g0gie is does the upgraded HD make a lot of noise and vibration. I've noticed people complaining about this too..

 

[g0gie]

The 7200rpm HD is definantly louder than the 5400, but just like the 5400 the noice is only noticable in a dead silent room. IN a room with ambient noise you wont notice either. I dont notice any vibration wioth the HD either, I've heard posts saying that vibration is due to the mounting of hd within the powerbook and the vibration dampeners, but I guess YMMV

 

[MRU]

The 7200rpm HD is definantly louder than the 5400, but just like the 5400 the noice is only noticable in a dead silent room. IN a room with ambient noise you wont notice either. I dont notice any vibration wioth the HD either, I've heard posts saying that vibration is due to the mounting of hd within the powerbook and the vibration dampeners, but I guess YMMV

True I guess. Maybe people expectations are always higher with mac products. Still in two minds about the 15 though...

I'm thinking of getting the 17" now with the 7200 RPM option.

The 15 with the 100 7200 BTO makes the price difference between the two far smaller. And where as I would normally buy applecare at the same time, I might just add this next year.

At least I konw the 17" doesnt have the screen sanline problem - though knowing my luck the backlight will be fecked

 

[Agent Smith]

I just picked up my 15" last night from the Apple Store here in Toronto. I scrutinized the displays of 3 15" models that they had on display (so much so that a few people were giving me funny looks). I saw no horizontal grey lines. I even talked to one of the Apple store guys and showed him the pic posted at the beginning of this thread, asking him if anyone had an issue with the screen. Nada. I brought my new PB home (4th in 4 years BTW; I have a bad habit of dropping them) and tried all the Mac desktop backgrounds, the solid colours AND the black and white photos. Nothing. I have, therefore, taken my sigh of relief...knock on wood (that the screen doesn't go AND I don't drop this one... )

 

[DrizztG]

Glad to hear that some of you seems to have no problems with your screens. I'm getting my 15" PB on Tuesday, my first mac, and if I get that problem I'm not going to be very happy.

 

[revisionA]

I think I only saw them right after reading this post, the next day ... I cant tell anymore.

$

 

[MRU]

Ok, can someone tell me does the new powerbooks have to have their memory paired?

Crucial claim that you can only put in dual configuarations (i.e 2x 512 or 2x1gig)

I wanted to just buy 1 gig and add it to the 512 already installed. Therefore have 1.5 is this possible anyone?

 

[Chrispy]

Ok, can someone tell me does the new powerbooks have to have their memory paired?

Crucial claim that you can only put in dual configuarations (i.e 2x 512 or 2x1gig)

I wanted to just buy 1 gig and add it to the 512 already installed. Therefore have 1.5 is this possible anyone?

I do not believe you have to install them in pairs. They claim you gain some extra speed doing it that way but that is an argument up for debate.

You have a really sweet setup by the way

 

[g0gie]

That said, I'm selling a 1gb stick of orgininal apple memory for hte powerbook. It should match watever memory you have straight from apple. Apple lists the 1gb stick at 300 bux and so I'm looking to get $200 shipped. If you would like it just drop me a PM. a great way to get 1.5gb's or 2gb's depending on what stick you already have and have the stick match the ram you alreayd have stock from apple

 

[MRU]

That said, I'm selling a 1gb stick of orgininal apple memory for hte powerbook. It should match watever memory you have straight from apple. Apple lists the 1gb stick at 300 bux and so I'm looking to get $200 shipped. If you would like it just drop me a PM. a great way to get 1.5gb's or 2gb's depending on what stick you already have and have the stick match the ram you alreayd have stock from apple

Thanks g0gie, but I can get Kingston memory with shipping for 130 Euro (150 Dollars). Its got a lifetime Guarantee. Apple always overcharge for mem.

I just hope 1.5 works now

 

[g0gie]

be CAREFUL with kingston. heard lots of poeple who've had rpoblems with kingston in their new pb's compatability wise. your a LOT better off getting crucial. shoudl be the same price if not a lil cheaper and still ahve the lifetime warrenty + compatability guarantee

 

[VogonPoet]

I run 2 sticks of Kingston ValueRAM (1GB each) in my new 15" PB without any trouble.

be CAREFUL with kingston. heard lots of poeple who've had rpoblems with kingston in their new pb's compatability wise. your a LOT better off getting crucial. shoudl be the same price if not a lil cheaper and still ahve the lifetime warrenty + compatability guarantee

 

[MRU]

be CAREFUL with kingston. heard lots of poeple who've had rpoblems with kingston in their new pb's compatability wise. your a LOT better off getting crucial. shoudl be the same price if not a lil cheaper and still ahve the lifetime warrenty + compatability guarantee

Really!!! OK, I'll cancel it and order from Crucial. Thanks, I thought Kingston had a good reputation.. Maybe thats only in the pc market