looks like they all have some flicker to a degree, it's the type of technology, so i hear. Keep us posted.
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Late 08 Macbook Pro screen flickering
- Thread starter smokedog
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looks like they all have some flicker to a degree, it's the type of technology, so i hear. Keep us posted.
Got the new one Tuesday. Same screen (85) and no flicker problem. The hinge also seems sturdier on this one. I don't love the screen, but its used mostly with an external 24inch anyway. Just ordered a Dell Mini 9 (to be hacked with OSX...) for travel.
I should also note that they did remove the DVI adapter from my order and shipped me one that is "stock".
I should also note that they did remove the DVI adapter from my order and shipped me one that is "stock".
I've got a 00009C98 model with the same screen flashing problem.
Really annoying. First they replaced my logic board but this didn't help. Only for the other problem I had.
The strange thing is that I don't see anybody with this model of screen.
I'm soon going back to my local store. But I HATE IT when I can't use my laptop for a week or two.
You should think a laptop for this price would work properly.
Has anybody else some news about this?
Gr
Really annoying. First they replaced my logic board but this didn't help. Only for the other problem I had.
The strange thing is that I don't see anybody with this model of screen.
I'm soon going back to my local store. But I HATE IT when I can't use my laptop for a week or two.
You should think a laptop for this price would work properly.
Has anybody else some news about this?
Gr
i think they all have this problem at varying levels. Some people notice it while others don't but I believe they all have this issue to some extent. Don't know if it will ever be fixed.
Yea my previous 15" unibody mbp all had the flickering/pulsating backlighting issues to some degree before I sold it off a few months back.
I'm going to wait until the next update to the mbp and wait and read about issues first before buying.
I really want a 17" but I hear the same problems plague it. Maybe the 10.5.7 or Snow Leopard will fix the issue.
I'm going to wait until the next update to the mbp and wait and read about issues first before buying.
I really want a 17" but I hear the same problems plague it. Maybe the 10.5.7 or Snow Leopard will fix the issue.
I'm not convinced they all have the issue, although I'll grant that the vast majority of them seem to. Of the five unibody MBPs I went through (before just giving up), four of them definitely had it. On two of the four, though, it was subtle enough that my wife claimed she couldn't see it at all, while I was able to see it clearly as well as predict when it would happen again (hard drive access). Some of these had the problem just on one of the graphics chipsets, while some did it no matter what the graphics setting was. One of them even did it on brightness settings all the way up to about 75% (whereas the others wouldn't flicker until around 1-3 bars).
On the other hand, if the fifth one had it then even I was unable to tell, and my eyes are extremely sensitive to any kind of changes in light or other screen defects. (I can overlook just about anything else, but I can spot a screen imperfection from a mile away.) Sadly, that fifth one with its near-perfect screen had a host of other issues and had to go back as well.
This problem was documented by sites such as The Mac Observer and MacFixit as early as December 2008 and probably earlier. Supposedly can be fixed with firmware, which makes sense, but Apple is apparently in no hurry to do that. I agree with you: it will never be fixed. Just have to wait and see if the next revision has the problem, too.
It's a shame that with every new revision of the Pro notebook line there comes at least one major new problem that affects a large subset of the models produced. It's almost as if Apple's quality control is inversely proportional to retail price.
I know, sad really, because I really like this computer except this one flaw mine has (or most have). Hopefully the next generation mac doesn't have this problem.
nope, didn't help. Still flickers at low brightness level. Tried this with the 9600gt.
It must mean its a hardware related issue.
Man I really really want a 17" mbp but I'll wait at least to June. If nothing in June I'll just wait until the next revision is out.
Waiting game...
This is a major bummer for me as I posted recently in another thread on same subject. I was so ready to buy 1st mac I've ever owned and macbook pro 15" would be perfect for my needs. Now I hear about all these issues with screen flickering. I'm going to have to sit on sidelines and see how / when Apple and/or Nvidia gets this resolved.
I simply will not deal w/ these kinds of issues and all the hassle of getting fixes made, returns, etc. Done that w/ too many other products over the years and won't go down that road as a result. My advice, Mr Jobs & Apple Inc, get your act together and get things like this fixed. There's a trail 6 months long of these screen flicker issues and Apple still is producing new units (another thread on forum has someone purchasing one as recently as May 14th w/ the flicker problem) that have this issue? That's even more concerning to me than the issue itself, sounds like Apple doesn't care about their quality, or their reputation...?
Hopefully this all gets resolved, those that have issue get their mbp's fixed, and folks like me can proceed to make their new purchases soon. I'll keep monitoring this and other forums for latest news... I'm really looking forward to getting my new MBP.
This is a major bummer for me as I posted recently in another thread on same subject. I was so ready to buy 1st mac I've ever owned and macbook pro 15" would be perfect for my needs. Now I hear about all these issues with screen flickering. I'm going to have to sit on sidelines and see how / when Apple and/or Nvidia gets this resolved.
I simply will not deal w/ these kinds of issues and all the hassle of getting fixes made, returns, etc. Done that w/ too many other products over the years and won't go down that road as a result. My advice, Mr Jobs & Apple Inc, get your act together and get things like this fixed. There's a trail 6 months long of these screen flicker issues and Apple still is producing new units (another thread on forum has someone purchasing one as recently as May 14th w/ the flicker problem) that have this issue? That's even more concerning to me than the issue itself, sounds like Apple doesn't care about their quality, or their reputation...?
Hopefully this all gets resolved, those that have issue get their mbp's fixed, and folks like me can proceed to make their new purchases soon. I'll keep monitoring this and other forums for latest news... I'm really looking forward to getting my new MBP.
there are 2 issues in regards to flicker:
1) mild strobing/pulsating slight dimming in and out very quickly more noticeable at low brightness levels and solid white/grey backgrounds
2) the one where the screen 'blinks/flashes' for a split second on and off very quickly.
Mine is number 1. I've had number 2 on occasion but very rare and that doesn't bother me.
1) mild strobing/pulsating slight dimming in and out very quickly more noticeable at low brightness levels and solid white/grey backgrounds
2) the one where the screen 'blinks/flashes' for a split second on and off very quickly.
Mine is number 1. I've had number 2 on occasion but very rare and that doesn't bother me.
I used to get the "screen on and off for a split second" on the 9400 very rarely, maybe once a week.
Now I get it about 10x a day.
What the heck is going on here.. I wonder if it was 10.5.7 related.
Now I get it about 10x a day.
What the heck is going on here.. I wonder if it was 10.5.7 related.
wow, I got the 9C84 model Macbook PRO, used 1 month old and usually use the 1st lowest screen brightness and up to the 8 at times on the Normal card with no issues or flickering. But, I have seen a Pro with flickering at the Fashion Valley Apple Store in San Diego and thought it was just a f'd up one due to people opening and closing n stuff. After reading this WHOLE thread I see that this seems to be an issue. Hope I don't get it anytime soon! Good luck getting it fixed solved for you guys/gals that do have the problem.
I'm not sure what to do with my MBP to be honest.
The screen 'pulses' at the low settings, which is obviously uncomfortable, but will the Geniuses recognise the problem, take my word for it, or even see it?
Can anybody advise on the best way to recreate the problem?
The screen 'pulses' at the low settings, which is obviously uncomfortable, but will the Geniuses recognise the problem, take my word for it, or even see it?
Can anybody advise on the best way to recreate the problem?
i have a 3 month old mbp that was having the flicker issue. not as extreme as other people here, but i do notice the brightness level changing ever so slightly here and there (i'm assuming this is what you guys consider the flicker). anyways, someone posted a way to reset the screen earlier so i thought i'd give it a try (ctrl + shift + eject button). since then, it seems that the flicker has gone away! been testing different brightness levels using the 9400m and 9600gt and all seems to be well. for those who still have the flicker problem, give it a try and see how it goes.
fyi i've tried two umbps (9c84 and 9c85) and both had the flicker issue.
fyi i've tried two umbps (9c84 and 9c85) and both had the flicker issue.
Thank you! Never actually new about that, but testing now after the reset it all seems to be okay
Thank you! Never actually new about that, but testing now after the reset it all seems to be okay
great to hear it's working for you too! i was messing around for a good couple of hours on both the onboard and discrete and things are working fine. even if the flicker comes back, i think this method is great as a temporary fix (hopefully permanent) until apple addresses it with an actual hardware fix or software update.
I get it every few minutes, only on the 9400, and only the top 1/3 of the screen flashes black.
I just purchased my 2.4 Macbook Pro off craigslist a few days ago, and noticed the flicker. Every few minutes the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the screen would flicker to black. I decided to put the macbook in front of a mirror and use the webcam to record the screen. I let it sit there for about 10 minutes, and recorded three instances. I figure knowing my luck it wouldn't do it at the Genius Bar. So went into the store today, and no flicker as I am explaining it all. I bring up the movies, and just as it does it in the movie, it does it in real life. The guy behind the counter said "Now that is not right." So it is off to the Depot and he said he was suggesting a replacement of the logic board (that would be the 2nd time on the macbook) and a screen replacement. Though he did say it was up to the Depot to replace what they saw fit.
If they do decide to replace it in the end of it all, what are the chances of getting a 2.66 instead of a 2.53? I bought the Pro for the separate video card, and the 2.53 doesn't have it.
If they do decide to replace it in the end of it all, what are the chances of getting a 2.66 instead of a 2.53? I bought the Pro for the separate video card, and the 2.53 doesn't have it.