Keep it or buy another brand ?

[Six0Four]

So i made a thread the other day about this issue after picking up my first MBP 2020 256GB. I couldn't help notice this light leaking from a few spots around the outer edge of the screen. In between the screen and the rubber gasket. It is seen in a very dark room, with a black background and a high brightness. The only reason I had an all black screen on at high brightness was because I was looking for dead pixels when I bought it. I can't see it when I watch video or when I'm browsing or any other times.

Now today i am on my third one. The first one i kept to compare. The second one got exchanged. All 3 had this issue. The one i just got had it going all the way down the right side. The first one (that i still have) has it the very least and i've attached photos. All 3 were bought from Bestbuy btw.

So, what should i do, keep it or try another brand ? From what i've been reading this is extremely common even going back to 2016 models. To be honest it's not even the light that bothers me it's worrying that dust will find it's way inside the unit and maybe show up on my display somehow.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I doubt dust is going to get in there just because there's a bit of light leakage. The LCD assembly is otherwise fused shut.

 

[Six0Four]

I doubt dust is going to get in there just because there's a bit of light leakage. The LCD assembly is otherwise fused shut.

Oh ok. Maybe they are using clear adhesive that's why the light is shining through. Tough call.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Oh ok. Maybe they are using clear adhesive that's why the light is shining through. Tough call.

The displays are fused to the glass on any MacBook Pro with a retina display. Doesn't mean you might not get a bit of light leakage. I certainly do on a few of my MacBook Pros with retina.


If it's excessive, then I'd return it. If you've returned a bunch, I'd call customer relations at Apple. Unfortunately, they'll probably just tell you that it's within spec. But even if they don't, the best they'll offer is a replacement for a like model or your money back. I might investigate whether this issue is present on the MacBook Air and/or the 16" MacBook Pro. If it isn't, then maybe upgrade/downgrade? If you're considering switching to another brand, then macOS likely wasn't what made you go with Apple to begin with, in which case, I'd definitely give thought to switching brands. There are plenty of decent PC options out there. There are a lot of crappy PC options out there too. But the good ones are certainly worth consideration.

EDIT: I should say that if you are successful with customer relations...like...three to six months from now when the rumored 13" ARM based MacBook Pro comes out, then you can try to see if they'll let you upgrade. This takes a lot phone calls. I've done this a couple of times successfully (once when dealing with a Late 2006 MacBook that had thermal issues and was in and out of the Genius Bar, and another time when dealing with a first generation iPad Air that had issues). I must've spoken to like 6 different Apple people each. It's a battle. But if you're sick of it, all of your units have the problem, and their engineers don't deem that issue to be within spec, you might be able to use that to move to the new model and/or get a full refund. If they let you move to a new model, it'll be to the same model that corresponds to the one you have; you'd have to pay the difference to upgrade to a higher tier of machine.

 

[Six0Four]

The displays are fused to the glass on any MacBook Pro with a retina display. Doesn't mean you might not get a bit of light leakage. I certainly do on a few of my MacBook Pros with retina.


If it's excessive, then I'd return it. If you've returned a bunch, I'd call customer relations at Apple. Unfortunately, they'll probably just tell you that it's within spec. But even if they don't, the best they'll offer is a replacement for a like model or your money back. I might investigate whether this issue is present on the MacBook Air and/or the 16" MacBook Pro. If it isn't, then maybe upgrade/downgrade? If you're considering switching to another brand, then macOS likely wasn't what made you go with Apple to begin with, in which case, I'd definitely give thought to switching brands. There are plenty of decent PC options out there. There are a lot of crappy PC options out there too. But the good ones are certainly worth consideration.

EDIT: I should say that if you are successful with customer relations...like...three to six months from now when the rumored 13" ARM based MacBook Pro comes out, then you can try to see if they'll let you upgrade. This takes a lot phone calls. I've done this a couple of times successfully (once when dealing with a Late 2006 MacBook that had thermal issues and was in and out of the Genius Bar, and another time when dealing with a first generation iPad Air that had issues). I must've spoken to like 6 different Apple people each. It's a battle. But if you're sick of it, all of your units have the problem, and their engineers don't deem that issue to be within spec, you might be able to use that to move to the new model and/or get a full refund. If they let you move to a new model, it'll be to the same model that corresponds to the one you have; you'd have to pay the difference to upgrade to a higher tier of machine.

Hey thanks for the advice. I do really like MacOS because i use an iPhone and they work so well together. I'm pretty set on having a Pro version instead of the Air. Unfortunately the 16" (I've read this model suffers from this issue as well) is a bit out of my price range and 13.3" is the perfect size for me due to it being portable and me being able to easily use it as a desktop by connecting it to my monitor.

Since my basic Warranty is with Apple for 1 year i will still be covered when the new models (maybe even the 14") come out next year and maybe i can raise the issue with Apple then. It's just hard to show them the issue in person since it has to be in a dark room etc to notice. I guess i could provide photos.

Any way i appreciate your input, hopefully a few more people will chime in and tell me what they think.

 

[Ultra3]

I have also gone through 2 MacBook Pro models both brought through the Apple online store. The problems I had can be found in the thread I made. Apple is currently sending me third unit but I have lost confidence in their products already. Between everything that I have read here and my own experience I found myself in your position and I bought a Windows laptop instead. It arrived, works perfectly and I am happy. I will be returning my MacBook.

 

[Six0Four]

I have also gone through 2 MacBook Pro models both brought through the Apple online store. The problems I had can be found in the thread I made. Apple is currently sending me third unit but I have lost confidence in their products already. Between everything that I have read here and my own experience I found myself in your position and I bought a Windows laptop instead. It arrived, works perfectly and I am happy. I will be returning my MacBook.

Hey buddy. Ya i checked out your thread and multiple others. You made a good choice. I'm done with Macbooks (and iPads) due to terrible quality control. Just picked up an HP x360 Spectre 2020 for $1470 USD. i7, 16GB, 512 SSD, 4k 15" Display.

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