Horizontal Lines in New Powerbooks

[mactim]

It is quite subtle. VisualForces captured it very well on camera: https://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514
From what you say, it sounds like you have it. For me, it was very noticable.

I'm pretty sure I don't have it. I did some measurbations like blown Illustrator graphics to 6400%, also Photoshop CS pictures to crazy zoom ranges and I don't see the "lines". I do see a very fine, but hardly noticeable texture like fabric in the light blue desktop picture, not in other pictures or backgrounds.

 

[Spectrum]

That texture is what this thread is about. Most noticeable on flat mid-tone colours (like the Mac desktop). Much less evident on pictures with lots of detail/contrast. Magnifying things in software has no effect because it is a property of the display.

The above link doesn't work properly. Here it is again:

https://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33933&d=1130818514

I'm pretty sure I don't have it. I did some measurbations like blown Illustrator graphics to 6400%, also Photoshop CS pictures to crazy zoom ranges and I don't see the "lines". I do see a very fine, but hardly noticeable texture like fabric in the light blue desktop picture, not in other pictures or backgrounds.

[Edited for clarity.]

 

[tribe3]

It is quite subtle. VisualForces captured it very well on camera: https://forums.macrumors.com/attachme...3&d=1130818514
From what you say, it sounds like you have it. For me, it was very noticable.

I saw Visual's photo and I believe my case is not as noticeable as his. I could be wrong though, but what really matters to me is that this supposed defect doesn't show in any applications.

You said that the issue was apparently affecting week 40 and 41 of manufacture, and if so it would be good news (as good as one can consider bad news…) because the problem could be limited to a defective “batch” and therefore more likely to get Apple to recognize the error and fix it. But now I read that some folks have week 43 and 44 with the problem…

 

[mactim]

Yes we have now confirmed weeks 40-44 (5 weeks) as having the issue. We just need someone to post with more information regarding their perfect screen (which has been reported).

I saw Visual's photo and I believe my case is not as noticeable as his. I could be wrong though, but what really matters to me is that this supposed defect doesn't show in any applications.

You said that the issue was apparently affecting week 40 and 41 of manufacture, and if so it would be good news (as good as one can consider bad news…) because the problem could be limited to a defective “batch” and therefore more likely to get Apple to recognize the error and fix it. But now I read that some folks have week 43 and 44 with the problem…

 

[DrizztG]

Mine left Shanghai last Thursday and is suppose to get here in the next hours. I hope its not one from those weeks, but i'll get back to you when I get it.

What week was last week???

 

[mactim]

This week is 45. Since we have reports of bad units up to week 44, we don't really have any evidence that this issue has been fixed. I'm not sure I trust any posts claiming perfect screens, as the issue is subtle.

sigh .... looks like I'll have to return my 2GB RAM to Crucial (PB already returned) and wait for Rev A MacTels ... can't be any worse than the 'Rev A Intrepid 2 PowerBooks' (flicker, airport issues and these lines).

Mine left Shanghai last Thursday and is suppose to get here in the next hours. I hope its not one from those weeks, but i'll get back to you when I get it.

What week was last week???

 

[Rewes]

Mine is W8544 and has this issue.

 

[MacAri]

This week is 45. Since we have reports of bad units up to week 44, we don't really have any evidence that this issue has been fixed. I'm not sure I trust any posts claiming perfect screens, as the issue is subtle.

The first five of my serial number: W8545

My week 45 screen is exhibiting the bad horizontal lines as well.

 

[MRU]

The first five of my serial number: W8545

My week 45 screen is exhibiting the bad horizontal lines as well.

Doesn't necesserily mean it was manafactured in week 45 though. Could have been assembled and boxed a couple of weeks ago before you received.

At least at the moment its the closest thing we have to an aknowledgment of the problem, and hopefully Apple will fix all those powerbooks with the problem

 

[MRU]

I'm pretty sure I don't have it. I did some measurbations

I don't see how that would help the problem, but it'd probably put a smile on your face

 

[MacAri]

Doesn't necesserily mean it was manafactured in week 45 though. Could have been assembled and boxed a couple of weeks ago before you received.

Mine was a B.T.O that shipped last Thursday from China and arrived to my delivery address yesterday. Regardless of when it might have been assembled and boxed it appears to be week 45 based on the serial number guidance previously posted.

 

[VisualForces]

The more people I talk to at Apple, the more I feel like there's no fix for this.

 

[MRU]

Mine was a B.T.O that shipped last Thursday from China and arrived to my delivery address yesterday. Regardless of when it might have been assembled and boxed it appears to be week 45 based on the serial number guidance previously posted.

Damn, I was just hoping for some good news

Mine just shipped today with the BTO option, I just hope the screens ok

 

[tribe3]

I don't see how that would help the problem, but it'd probably put a smile on your face

You know, "Equipment Measurbators" are present everywhere. Photo, Audio, Autos, Computers. They are interested solely in equipment for its own sake. They enjoy their toys if they can show that theirs is bigger than yours, but rarely if ever actually use them for the intended purposes.
If I have to look through a magnifying glass to see a defect in a screen that could not be noted otherwise I say I'm "measurbating". Unless of course I work in forensic matters and the pixel per pixel resolution is paramount.

 

[VisualForces]

Here's a decent example:

http://movies.apple.com/trailers/universal/images/slither_200510251200.jpg

Now, that graphic shows obvious lines on my Pbook, but no lines on any other monitor I have (LaCie eletronblue19III, Dell 2005FPW, Apple Cinema, new iBook, previous 17" Pbook). I often create graphics like this for web pages and it would be frustrating to try and figure out if it looks "good" on the Pbook with those lines in it. I'd have to end up cross-checking it on another monitor before I went live with it. That simply isn't an option...especially when this is supposed to be a "pro" laptop. pfft.

 

[MacAri]

Why do you think there is no fix for this?

The more people I talk to at Apple, the more I feel like there's no fix for this.

What leads you to this conclusion? I've been sitting on the fence over whether or not to push for a refund or to wait a bit and then push for one if there doesn't seem to be a fix (hardware fix or otherwise)...

 

[mactim]

Hey, no spec fanatic is going to be interested in a machine with a 167Mhz bus, take my word for it. I'm attracted to Macs only for their usability. I can notice this issue from a *normal* viewing distance. Having a texture superimposed by your LCD screen while editing graphics is a serious problem. Maybe not for those who just email and browse the web.

You know, "Equipment Measurbators" are present everywhere. Photo, Audio, Autos, Computers. They are interested solely in equipment for its own sake. They enjoy their toys if they can show that theirs is bigger than yours, but rarely if ever actually use them for the intended purposes.
If I have to look through a magnifying glass to see a defect in a screen that could not be noted otherwise I say I'm "measurbating". Unless of course I work in forensic matters and the pixel per pixel resolution is paramount.

 

[mactim]

It is almost certainly a hardware issue. I wouldn't count on a fix. Apparently it's too subtle for Apple (and some users) to be concerned with.

What leads you to this conclusion? I've been sitting on the fence over whether or not to push for a refund or to wait a bit and then push for one if there doesn't seem to be a fix (hardware fix or otherwise)...

 

[VisualForces]

What leads you to this conclusion? I've been sitting on the fence over whether or not to push for a refund or to wait a bit and then push for one if there doesn't seem to be a fix (hardware fix or otherwise)...

Word from the engineers is that my display looks "normal" to them and doesn't need repairs. I asked them to get a second opinion...preferably from a graphics person. They're supposed to get back to me by Thursday morning, but they didn't seem to think these lines are a "problem".

Maybe a class action lawsuit would be a problem? heh I'm not the suing type, I just want some action to get Apple producing high quality displays again. Someone somewhere needs to light a fire under them. (figuratively speaking)

 

[mactim]

It would be amusing to see a photo comparison of that jpeg:
iBook versus PowerBook HD.

Here's a decent example:

http://movies.apple.com/trailers/universal/images/slither_200510251200.jpg

Now, that graphic shows obvious lines on my Pbook, but no lines on any other monitor I have (LaCie eletronblue19III, Dell 2005FPW, Apple Cinema, new iBook, previous 17" Pbook). I often create graphics like this for web pages and it would be frustrating to try and figure out if it looks "good" on the Pbook with those lines in it. I'd have to end up cross-checking it on another monitor before I went live with it. That simply isn't an option...especially when this is supposed to be a "pro" laptop. pfft.

 

[tribe3]

Hey, no spec fanatic is going to be interested in a machine with a 167Mhz bus, take my word for it. I'm attracted to Macs only for their usability. I can notice this issue from a *normal* viewing distance. Having a texture superimposed by your LCD screen while editing graphics is a serious problem. Maybe not for those who just email and browse the web.

I wasn't referring to anyone on this thread. You guys really do seem to have a point.
Some here though were happy until they read... I feel sorry for them

 

[MacAri]

I wasn't referring to anyone on this thread. You guys really do seem to have a point.
Some here though were happy until they read... I feel sorry for them

I noticed it right away, particular when you view darker colors. Blacks and shades of black are particulary bad. I think the blue is actually more subtle but you can tell even on the lighter colors as well (though I think you notice it much more once you know how it looks - even subtle differences become magnified).

 

[mactim]

Perhaps since the screen is unable to render 1400x960 accurately; you can claim the specs are misleading?

Word from the engineers is that my display looks "normal" to them and doesn't need repairs. I asked them to get a second opinion...preferably from a graphics person. They're supposed to get back to me by Thursday morning, but they didn't seem to think these lines are a "problem".

Maybe a class action lawsuit would be a problem? heh I'm not the suing type, I just want some action to get Apple producing high quality displays again. Someone somewhere needs to light a fire under them. (figuratively speaking)

 

[MacAri]

External Monitor Doesn't Show Horizontal Lines

I just used the external DVI to VGA adaptor and the horizontal lines do not appear to exist on the external display (a 17" Dell).

 

[Spectrum]

I wasn't referring to anyone on this thread. You guys really do seem to have a point.
Some here though were happy until they read... I feel sorry for them

That'll be me then

Still... it plays MAME brilliantly