Image retention on Thunderbolt Display

Discussion in 'Mac Accessories' started by KimHansenDK, Jun 1, 2015.

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  1. KimHansenDK, Jun 1, 2015

    KimHansenDK macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    #1
    Yesterday I was working in Illustrator on my Thunderbolt Display and when I moved the canvas I noticed a faint shadow on the grey background. I then ran the checkerboard retention test, and after only 2 min (!?) it showed retention. I have never heard about image retention on the Thunderbolt Display.

    Is this normal?
     
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  2. jks067, Jun 1, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2015

    jks067 macrumors newbie

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    Location:
    Chattanooga
    #2
    Image persistence in an IPS LED display is normal and the image should dissipate after just a few minutes. If it is taking longer than 5-10 minutes then the panel may be bad. Do a checker board test for about three minutes, then do a full grey screen for 1-2 minutes. Try not to look at the screen for more than a few seconds during this test. After about 1-2 minutes of grey screen take a good look at the display. You should not be able to make out the checkerboard shadowing at this time. If you can make out the shadow then your panel may be defective.

    How long have you had the display? If it's under a year old the repair can be done under Apple Limited Warranty at no cost to you. If the display is over a year old and you don't have AppleCare then you are looking at about $850-$900 to replace the panel.
     
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  3. KimHansenDK, Jun 1, 2015

    KimHansenDK thread starter macrumors 6502

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    Jul 29, 2011
    #3
    The image dissipates after a few minuts. But the checkerboard pattern is visible after only a minut or so. I have had other thunderbolt displays before and these did not suffer from image retention. The screen is under a year old, so maybe I should just take it in. But if this is considered normal behaviour, then I guess they will not exchange/repair it?
     
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  4. jks067, Jun 3, 2015

    jks067 macrumors newbie

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    #4
    You may want to take it in to your closest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider and ask if they can run an Image Persistance Test just to be sure.

    If it fails the test then they will replace your panel free of charge as the panel falls within the Apple Limited Warranty if you have purchased the device less than 1 year ago.
     
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  5. KimHansenDK, Sep 26, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2015

    KimHansenDK thread starter macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    #5
    I got the display exchanged back when I had the problem but now the problem is back. If I have a white background open - lets say a browser window with google - then it shows a feint window on a dark grey background in for example Photoshop when closing the browser window after only a minut or so. It disappears after a few minuts. This is just an example.

    Is this just the way these displays work? I mean, it has now happened on two thunderbolt displays...

    Edit: Is seems like this is not that much of an issue when the display has been on for 10-15 minuts. Could the issue be more apparent when the display has just been turned on?
     
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