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How to avoid a LG lemon

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Dr. McKay

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 20, 2010
793
108
Belgium, Europe
I will be ordering a MBA (13"/i7/8Gb/256SSD) from an Apple premium reseller (we don't have Apple stores in Belgium but it's the next best thing).

I don't suppose you can say that you absolutely don't want a model with LG display because apparently, lots of these turn out to be lemons. Can I demand a Samsung model ? Has anyone ever tried ?
 
V

Verix

macrumors regular
Jul 30, 2010
120
2
Dr. McKay said:
I will be ordering a MBA (13"/i7/8Gb/256SSD) from an Apple premium reseller (we don't have Apple stores in Belgium but it's the next best thing).

I don't suppose you can say that you absolutely don't want a model with LG display because apparently, lots of these turn out to be lemons. Can I demand a Samsung model ? Has anyone ever tried ?
Click to expand...

The Samsung just looks more saturated with a tiny orange tint which some people prefer, but there's also many people that prefer the LG (although some say it looks a little 'washed out'). The LG is actually more precise, though.

I'm Belgian too, my laptop should arrive tomorrow. Will have to see if it's an LG or a Samsung, but I'm pretty sure I'm fine with either. Unless you know exactly what you like in a display, the general consumer really wouldn't notice.
If you order online, like me, you should also be able to issue a return as soon as you get it if you're not satisfied (until you have the one you want). It seems a lot of trouble though. Also note that if you get the education bonus gift card, you'll need to return it along with the computer.

I'm not sure you can do the same thing in the shop. I doubt they will, just for that.
Return conditions might be in fine print in your custom order details.
 
M

Mikael

macrumors regular
Aug 4, 2005
158
0
Gothenburg, Sweden
In short: No, you can't.

As an owner of two 13" MBAs, one with LG and one with Samsung, I find it crazy to call the LG a "lemon". It appears a little brighter, while having slightly cooler colors (I guess you could call it less vibrant) and slightly worse contrast. The difference is by no means large. When calibrated, the difference is very small.
 
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paulrbeers

macrumors 68040
Dec 17, 2009
3,962
122
Dr. McKay said:
Where from ?



Maybe not the best choice of words, but many people seem to be dissatisfied with the LG displays...
Click to expand...

It all stems from people who haven't calibrated their screens. I've owned both and actually prefer my CALIBRATED LG.
 
E

ELYEN01

macrumors newbie
Feb 18, 2013
24
3
paulrbeers said:
It all stems from people who haven't calibrated their screens. I've owned both and actually prefer my CALIBRATED LG.
Click to expand...

I have compared both the Samsung and the LG screen at a local Apple store in San Francisco. I have to agree with you that the LG is better once calibrated. Samsung is a little over saturated which is considered not accurate in the photographers' perspective. :)
 
AXs

AXs

macrumors 6502a
Sep 7, 2009
515
2
Dr. McKay said:
I will be ordering a MBA (13"/i7/8Gb/256SSD) from an Apple premium reseller (we don't have Apple stores in Belgium but it's the next best thing).

I don't suppose you can say that you absolutely don't want a model with LG display because apparently, lots of these turn out to be lemons. Can I demand a Samsung model ? Has anyone ever tried ?
Click to expand...


It all depends on your return policy. Mostly it's called a 'lottery' though.

But what some people have done is complained about screen issue - take it to the apple store and put it next to the ones they have on display.

Tell them that there is a clear difference (which there is if display is Samsung - which most of them are).

First you would want to check that the ones they have on show in their shops are Samsung displays.

Good luck.
 
D

DisplacedMic

macrumors 65816
May 1, 2009
1,411
1
Dr. McKay said:
I will be ordering a MBA (13"/i7/8Gb/256SSD) from an Apple premium reseller (we don't have Apple stores in Belgium but it's the next best thing).

I don't suppose you can say that you absolutely don't want a model with LG display because apparently, lots of these turn out to be lemons. Can I demand a Samsung model ? Has anyone ever tried ?
Click to expand...

What, you don't have an option at checkout that says "No Lemon" ???

socialism....:mad:

:p
 
maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
71,662
40,830
I think people too spooked over LG display panels. If every LG display being used is defective, apple wouldn't be using them - pure and simple. Plus there would be a huge class action suit.

I think there may be a higher occurrence of failure with LGs and they had IR issues with the retina displays but hopefully that is behind them now.

My suggestion is to use the laptop and enjoy it. If for what ever reason its not performing to your needs, then exchange it. I'd not worry about what it may or may not do before you even receive it.
 
V

Verix

macrumors regular
Jul 30, 2010
120
2
Dr. McKay said:
About half an hour from where I live, a small village near Kortrijk...
Any reason why you ordered online and didn't buy from a reseller ?
Click to expand...

I have always bought online, so far. I still get warranty at the (Switch) reseller repair center.
It's mostly just convenient.
 
Mr Rabbit

Mr Rabbit

macrumors 6502a
May 13, 2013
638
5
'merica
I concur with others. As someone who has set up dozens of MacBook Airs over the past year or two I'm hard pressed to see any difference between the two displays. Any differences that are found aren't glaring and really just come down to personal preference. Then again they can be calibrated, which I would think would be performed anyway by anyone who's work depended on it anyway, to appear nearly identical.

In the end the whole Samsung/LG display debate is hugely overblown.

Purchase your MacBook Air, start using it, be amazed at how nice it is and don't investigate further to see which display panel is installed...
 
J

jonasdamn

macrumors 6502a
Mar 4, 2013
549
1
Can't understand about that LG vs Samsung displays dogfight threads. I have bought MBA 2013, screen is nice, checked who have made it- LG and to be honest, i dont care if it is LG or Samsung. I can't see any minor differences if there are any, i'm using and enjoying my MBA. So stop worry and try to enjoy your device.
Because that panic about LG displays is spreading so fast and soon everyone will come to apple store and instead asking about MBA features and etc, will ask does it have samsung display?... ;)
 
ZBoater

ZBoater

macrumors G3
Jul 2, 2007
8,497
1,322
Sunny Florida
Dr. McKay said:
I must be misinformed then...
Click to expand...

Either that or you spend too much time reading McRumors threads. :D Honestly, this whole LG vs. Samsung thing has been so overblown and exaggerated it's not even funny. And its not that they are lemons, some people are complaining about color reproduction, etc.

i would recommend buying from an Apple store if you can. That way you can ask they open it and turn it on for you before you buy it. If you look at it and t looks good to you, buy it. If anything "breaks" in the first year, Apple will fix it. And you can buy an Applecare extended warranty.

But whether its Samsung or LG, it really doesn't matter to mere mortals. Super heroes with X-ray vision may be a different story... :rolleyes:
 
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DisplacedMic

macrumors 65816
May 1, 2009
1,411
1
Edgabimbam said:
Can't understand about that LG vs Samsung displays dogfight threads. I have bought MBA 2013, screen is nice, checked who have made it- LG and to be honest, i dont care if it is LG or Samsung. I can't see any minor differences if there are any, i'm using and enjoying my MBA. So stop worry and try to enjoy your device.
Because that panic about LG displays is spreading so fast and soon everyone will come to apple store and instead asking about MBA features and etc, will ask does it have samsung display?... ;)
Click to expand...

you're right of course but i can totally understand it. you are laying own $1000+ on something and you have no control over one of the specifications. yes, there's some population bias going on here but if you see issues, you make the connection.

i think it's fairly understandable that people are nervous about this issue.
 
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vicynic

macrumors member
Aug 25, 2013
37
0
New Jersey
I prefer the LG panel. The colors are more neutral and accurate. The Samsung display appears to sacrifice accuracy for the sake of more color saturation, but it looks less realistic. I'm a sucker for accuracy, whether it be in audio or in video. I lucked out with the LG display. :)

Oh and my screen looks great with no calibration required.
 
M

Mrbobb

macrumors 603
Aug 27, 2012
5,003
206
Maybe not the best choice of words, but many people seem to be dissatisfied with the LG displays...
Click to expand...

We call them OCD.

Anywhoo, you can't "ask" for a Samsung. So unless you are willing to keep returning it until you hit the right one, this item is for OCDs who are always looking for "problems."

I suppose if this really bothers you, look for a used, this would most likely be a 2012 and the seller specifies he has a Samsung.
 
J

jonasdamn

macrumors 6502a
Mar 4, 2013
549
1
DisplacedMic said:
you're right of course but i can totally understand it. you are laying own $1000+ on something and you have no control over one of the specifications. yes, there's some population bias going on here but if you see issues, you make the connection.

i think it's fairly understandable that people are nervous about this issue.
Click to expand...
I can bet that those who bought with LG display, they were happy and didnt worried about it. But when they read that LG display "sucks" then they started to panic.
Placebo effect i would say, something similar to what i have done while i was on xda community. I have made "tweak" that give amazing sound quality and etc. Posted some positive feedbacks from other accounts and a lot of users also said that it really works, however that "tweak" was fake and no improvements i didnt make :)
 
D

Dr. McKay

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 20, 2010
793
108
Belgium, Europe
ZBoater said:
Either that or you spend too much time reading McRumors threads. :D
Click to expand...

You may have a point... :D

Anyway, I'll be ordering my MBA 13/i7/8Gb/256SSD from an Apple premium reseller this weekend (as I've said, no Apple stores (yet) in Belgium). I'll post my findings here ;)
 
I

ItHurtsWhenIP

macrumors 6502
Aug 20, 2013
409
28
'Merica!
How do you tell which brand of screen you have?

I just tried the calibration tool (without the expert box checked) and I ended up keeping everything just how it was after all was said and done..
 
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