How common are dead/stuck pixels in MacBook Pros?

[Cairns]

Not so lucky...

I bought a 2.4 GHz Penryn stock configuration plus 250GB Harddisk when they came out at the AppleStore (online) in Germany. It had a dead pixel (yes, I tried everything to make sure it wasn´t only a stuck one!). I called AppleStore support and they offered to exchange it via express delivery (from China, where else...). I swapped the MBP, started it - and had another dead pixel. I called again, another swap plus a free bag for the hazzle. I started the third MBP which had - a dead Pixel again. Apple first refused to do another exchange and offered me a full refund. I insisted on another swap because I need the MBP for presentations and finally the fourth MBP came along. It has no dead Pixels (Apple support representatives told me on the phone, they have had customers with two dead-Pixel-MBPs in a row, but I were first with a third one).
Unfortunately this has the yellowish screen issue, so I had to place another call to AppleStore support. Another exchange refusal and refund offer. This time a supervisor had to permit the exchange. I am still waiting for a flawless display.

From my point of view it looks like some very bad luck or very big quality issues.

 

[Petey07]

I think I am having the same problem, I didn't notice it until i was typing in a blog and i finally look closely and it was either dead or stuck. I just got this laptop about 24hours ago, and I am really not happy because i have to reinstall everything.

 

[teknikal90]

I bought a 2.4 GHz Penryn stock configuration plus 250GB Harddisk when they came out at the AppleStore (online) in Germany. It had a dead pixel (yes, I tried everything to make sure it wasn´t only a stuck one!). I called AppleStore support and they offered to exchange it via express delivery (from China, where else...). I swapped the MBP, started it - and had another dead pixel. I called again, another swap plus a free bag for the hazzle. I started the third MBP which had - a dead Pixel again. Apple first refused to do another exchange and offered me a full refund. I insisted on another swap because I need the MBP for presentations and finally the fourth MBP came along. It has no dead Pixels (Apple support representatives told me on the phone, they have had customers with two dead-Pixel-MBPs in a row, but I were first with a third one).
Unfortunately this has the yellowish screen issue, so I had to place another call to AppleStore support. Another exchange refusal and refund offer. This time a supervisor had to permit the exchange. I am still waiting for a flawless display.

From my point of view it looks like some very bad luck or very big quality issues.

owned.

 

[EMAGDNIM]

My current MBP does not have any dead or stuck pixels. That being said I did have to exchange it twice because the first two had either dead or stuck pixel (with a hint of yellowing)...

 

[queshy]

I bought a 2.4 GHz Penryn stock configuration plus 250GB Harddisk when they came out at the AppleStore (online) in Germany. It had a dead pixel (yes, I tried everything to make sure it wasn´t only a stuck one!). I called AppleStore support and they offered to exchange it via express delivery (from China, where else...). I swapped the MBP, started it - and had another dead pixel. I called again, another swap plus a free bag for the hazzle. I started the third MBP which had - a dead Pixel again. Apple first refused to do another exchange and offered me a full refund. I insisted on another swap because I need the MBP for presentations and finally the fourth MBP came along. It has no dead Pixels (Apple support representatives told me on the phone, they have had customers with two dead-Pixel-MBPs in a row, but I were first with a third one).
Unfortunately this has the yellowish screen issue, so I had to place another call to AppleStore support. Another exchange refusal and refund offer. This time a supervisor had to permit the exchange. I am still waiting for a flawless display.

From my point of view it looks like some very bad luck or very big quality issues.

I sympathize w/ you. Fortunately, when I bought a MBP, the first one was good right away - no dead pixels and no apparent yellowing.

However, I've been through iMac and MacBook hell!!!! So I know you you feel. Good luck.

 

[paola105]

My MBP didn't have any dead/stuck pixels when I bought it, but it had some other display problems. I had 2 screen replacements, and both had stuck/dead pixels. My current one has a stuck red pixel at the top. Very annoying.

 

[crobbins]

I know this is very rare so I wouldn't worry too much, but when I bought my first MacBook Pro (and first Mac) in August of 2006 the screen did not work. Everything was scrambled and horrid. When I took it back to the store the next day for an exchange, I opened the machine and less than a day later it had a cluster of dead pixels. I was pretty pissed at that point. The third one finally worked though. It was great and kept it for a year and a half or so. My current MacBook Pro (purchased less than a week ago) works great with no dead pixels either!

 

[rockthecasbah]

I just got mine a couple of days ago and have no flaws at all, no messed up pixels or vertical stripes

 

[Outsiderdude26]

Both the Powerbook I had and my current MBP came without dead pixels.

My iPhone on the other hand was a different story... after three exchanges finally no dead pixels.

 

[ilifecomputer]

None so far...

I just picked up a MBP today and opened up the first one to find that it had a dead (non-lit) pixel towards the center of the screen. I went back and luckily the employee who helped me was sympathetic and let me exchange for another. This one seems fine (fingers crossed). My MB before this had none on the first try and I definitely agree that it is becoming more and more rare.

 

[gusious]

I have one in the upper right corner....I Hate It!

 

[wrldwzrd89]

The MBP I have now has no dead/stuck pixels. It DOES have an odd banding issue on the extreme bottom (the screen's much brighter there than it is anywhere else), but since it's only noticeable when the computer is booting, I'm not too concerned about it.

 

[revs]

I have terrible luck with Apple Screens.

I have had the following Apple products recently:

iBook
MacBook Pro
iPhone
Cinema Display

All had dead pixels (yes even my iPhone!).

My MBP had a dodgy iSight camera, so they had to replace the whole top half of the laptop - so luckily I got a new screen with no dead pixels.

They say Apple use superior screens, but I do not believe this from my experience. I find that of the hundereds of cheap PC's ive used, none have had dead pixels. I guess I'm unlucky.

When I get a new MBP in August I think i'll return it if there are any dead pixels on the basis that i've put up with all this bacd luck, and its time i had a perfect screen!!

 

[serdaryilmaztr]

i had 3 macbook pro never got any dead pixels at all

 

[rising j]

What's the best way to check for dead pixels?? Pull up a completely white screen and look for black dots?? TIA

 

[McBeats]

this is my first laptop ever, first computer with an LCD screen...

ive had it for a lil over a year now.

i lug this baby around everywhere i go, used it for countless number of DJ gigs, even dropped it 4 times, once on concrete...

still dont have a deadpixel.

this is just my experience.

 

[mobi]

What's the best way to check for dead pixels?? Pull up a completely white screen and look for black dots?? TIA

Use a free pixel checking program.

 

[jjahshik32]

None in my mbp.

I have an lcd tester that checks each color in full mode and I check extensively and very anal and its perfect! =D

LCD Test 1.1 works like a charm also checks for gradients.

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/23237

 

[Fabiano]

I have a MBP 2.4 Penryn 15.4", got a dead pixel, on the top near isight cam, but it only shows of when the screen is completely black, in normal usage it never botter me. So Im not really concerned.

 

[e12a]

scratch my previous post about never seeing dead pixels. Customer brought a 3 week old MBP in with one dead pixel. Unfortunately we couldn't do anything for him (besides him returning and getting hit with a restocking fee) and i suggested he try the Apple Store, but i'm not sure if his luck would be any better.

 

[iSpoody 1243]

lol i had a few stuck pixels on my acd but they went after i used jscreenfix on it for 20 mins

even stuck pixels are easy to remove

 

[spaceballl]

My current MBP has a pretty flawless monitor (except when the vertical bands decide to show up), bt my old MB had two stuck pixels.

 

[rican]

i've only experienced dead pixels w/ my Macbook Pro once, just take it to Apple and they will send it in and fix it, never again has it happend :}

 

[ArkabaS]

i've only experienced dead pixels w/ my Macbook Pro once, just take it to Apple and they will send it in and fix it, never again has it happend :}

I went through 3 Penryn MBP's around the time of it's launch (March/April). The first one was custom configured (2.4 GHz, 7200rmp) and it was shipped directly from China. It had a bad graphics card. I exchanged for another equally configured one. The second MBP had a working graphics card but 3-4 dead (and apparently bleeding) pixels close to the center of the screen (http://picasaweb.google.com/ArkabaS). After arguing with the Genius Bar people, who claimed not to see any dead pixels, I refunded the laptop and bought a 2.5 GHz stock MBP at Apple retail. This third MBP has been perfect so far, no dead pixels, no LED yellowing, no problems whatsoever besides the outrageous cost.

So in short, according to my experience, you have a 1/3 chance of getting dead pixels with the current generation MBP.

 

[alphaod]

I found a stuck pixel today; I poked my finger at it and it is now back to normal