Light Bleed - NEW MacBook Pro 17-inch Unibody Antiglare

[freethinker]

Is it possible to NOT turn this topic into a debate once again about glossy vs matte when it's not necessary?

Good point! Thank You.

Let's rather focus on the possible issues with these new displays for unibody generation of MBP's in general.


Thank You.

 

[PDE]

I'm a little obsessive with displays in that I WANT brightness uniformity, good contrast, accurate colours and reasonable viewing angles. I've been through way too many macbook pros with poor displays. I had several LG 15" displays and they all displayed the characteristics of your display. My current Samsung, however, is much better but of course not comparable to an IPS or PVA desktop display.

With no disrespect, I simply don't believe that any of the current MBP displays are void of backlight bleed. The TN display technology is cheap and generally poor and these displays reflect that. Apple has chosen to make the screens brighter and brighter, but seem to have totally ignored quality in the process. It's nice to be able to crank up the brightness, especially given the glass front, but uniformity and accurace is, IMO, much more important.

Anyway, I think anybody who gets a display like the one above should return it and ask for a replacement. Not because I believe they'll get one that is necessarily better, but because it sends a message to Apple that we, as customers, are not prepared to pay a premium for a so-called 'pro' laptop and then receive a crappy display that doesn't belong on even an entry laptop.


A question I keep asking, but that nobody has been able to answer for me yet, is: why is it that I frequently see better displays in PC laptops while Apple seems to have incredible difficulty putting good ones in their laptops? It just doesn't make sense.

 

[derek1984]

Good point! Thank You.

Let's rather focus on the possible issues with these new displays for unibody generation of MBP's in general.


Thank You.

If you get a replacement matte MBP and it still doesn't look good, are you going to consider getting the glossy instead? Let us know how you make out.

 

[andiwm2003]

Yes I simply want TO WARN rather present owners than potential buyers.

We've got 14-days of purchase for our peace of mind.....

well, let me think. i have seen this kind of post here on macrumors at least once before and on two other forums twice. and it's usually a 14 year old who gets his first laptop and switches off the light.

this is absolute normal behaviour of every LCD screen i have seen so far. I don't know how the poster "kastenbrust" can have a screen with "absolutely no light bleeding" but well, seems some are lucky

 

[SolRayz]

Normal! Puuuuuleeeez...These Asian manufacturers of our LCD's are truly an embarrassment. Meanwhile continues its dealings with them, side steps strict quality controls, and invariably sells us notebooks that far from meets the expectation of quality considering the price point. This has been going on for years. Truly sad apple.

 

[DHagan4755]

well, let me think. i have seen this kind of post here on macrumors at least once before and on two other forums twice. and it's usually a 14 year old who gets his first laptop and switches off the light.

this is absolute normal behaviour of every LCD screen i have seen so far. I don't know how the poster "kastenbrust" can have a screen with "absolutely no light bleeding" but well, seems some are lucky

I think it would be especially helpful (and perhaps put an end to this debate) if someone with the same photography skills as the OP would get photos of their 9C99 glossy display in the dark with a black picture filling the screen.

 

[Sesshi]

Whats the point? Who looks at a blank screen? And who positions there screen to be three feet away from the overhead light? That photo should be taken with both screens on at full brightness. AND if you look at that photo, the glossy is positioned in a way that has more if the overhead light in the screen. The matte only has it in a small corner.

All of the photos I have seen that bash the glossy have been taken in a way that creates more of an issue then what the average user ever sees in real life. I'm sure I could borrow my friends matte and take a series of photos that makes the matte totally unreadable.

I must be a very unaverage user in that case as I find myself constantly having to move my glossy Macbooks - and the 15" UB before it - around, as well as my head, to get an acceptable view almost anywhere I happened to be where there was a light behind or above me. I've found the displays practically unusable in back-facing daylight in comparison to my Sony's.

I do fully appreciate that it may not be such an issue when sitting in a window-facing seat (all the better for showing off the Apple logo, and perhaps the personalised touches on the lid) in the pretentious coffee shop of your choice, but I do actually move around quite a lot.

I suppose from a comparison perspective, it's funny - but predictable - to see posts (occasionally from the same person) bashing those who complain about issues like this, yet proclaim Apples better for those working with images due to the quality of the display hardware.

My matte UB's haven't arrived yet, but I hope they're better than the representation by the OP.

To the OP: How close is that photo to what you're actually seeing? i.e. how much of it is highlighted by effect of camera exposure?

 

[derek1984]

I think it would be especially helpful (and perhaps put an end to this debate) if someone with the same photography skills as the OP would get photos of their 9C99 glossy display in the dark with a black picture filling the screen.

+1 Yes, I would like to see that as well. I would guess that there still is going to be light bleed with the glossy as well. The question is; how much compared to the matte.

 

[freethinker]

If you get a replacement matte MBP and it still doesn't look good, are you going to consider getting the glossy instead? Let us know how you make out.

My Build-To-Order Unibody MBP 17" Antiglare replacement is on the way now.

So I STILL WANT and PAID for ANTIGLARE option.

But if a replacement unit still doesn't look good - they will try and try so on till they manage to produce, quality control and deliver an appropriate quality product they declare to be a flagship of PRO line.

I'll definitely let you know how it goes.

Thank You for all you replies.

 

[Sesshi]

Perhaps the title can be modified to be less fanboy-baiting and we can all post our impressions as and when we get them here. I hope you get a better replacement - although given my Apple experiences, I somehow doubt it.

 

[derek1984]

My previous laptop was a Dell Inspiron 6000 I got 3 years ago. That had a matte screen. If I was just at a plain old black screen, there was definitely light bleed similar to the pictures that are posted in this thread. I guess it could just be a characteristic of matte screens. It's the only negative of a matte screen that I can think of right now though.

 

[freethinker]

......

My matte UB's haven't arrived yet, but I hope they're better than the representation by the OP.

To the OP: How close is that photo to what you're actually seeing? i.e. how much of it is highlighted by effect of camera exposure?

I have not applied any adjustments to these photographs and I've tried to receive pictures of what and how I seeing it.

I use tripod and manual settings of the camera and you all will be able to check here EXIF metadata of these photos processed and saved for WEB in Adobe Lightroom.

 

[kastenbrust]

You're also deluding yourself if you think you have no light bleed....

My 17" 9c99 glossy has NO LIGHTBLEED VISIBLE. I spent half an hour staring at it in the dark, black screen, full brightness, looked from all different angles, took pictures with different cameras.

None.

Same here. My 15" had a lot of light bleed, but the my 9C99 glossy 17" is fine. I'd definitely be taking that back to the Apple store if I were the thread starter.

Haha bet you feel stupid now.
Anyway its interesting how the Glossy doesn't have any lightbleed but the matte does, seems the matte people are paying more for a lower quality screen?

 

[Sesshi]

No - it could just be that the lightbleed is considerably less noticeable due to the screen coating on glass, as with many glossy screens - which has the effect of evening out the black levels. Lipstick on the pig, as it were.

 

[PDE]

Yes, dark red lipstick on a pink pig! The LCDs are exactly the same and so is the bleed. I bet you that in dark room with no reflective lighting, the bleed would be visible too.

The other thing is that some people are just not accustomed to seeing nuances in color and light -- that doesn't meant the problems don't exist. If you don't notice it, good for you!

 

[stepheneleven]

Your Matte screen is fine

Sorry but my Matte screen is perfect, the OP obviously has a defective unit, happens all the time with electronics, there will be glossy screens that have light bleed as well. I repeat, my antiglare screen has absolutely no light bleed. Just because one does and a couple of glossy owners report that theirs are fine, doesnt mean there is a problem with the matte line of MBPs. Especially when some of those glossy posts come from people that have made a mission out of making matte owners regret their purchase so that they can make themselves feel better because they have to look at their faces on the mirror-screened MBP all day long. Dont worry matte owners there is nothing wrong with your MBP, and if there is, just go to the apple store and have them replace it with another matte unit that doesnt have a bleed problem. Dont let people with nothing better to do scare you or make you second guess your purchase.

 

[ajohnson253]

uhggg light bleeeeed

 

[StillNoMac]

Please Apple Listen

having read that thread i concluded i must add my view:

yes of course this issue might get on the nerves of sombody by the time, but all this fact is telling is that this issue still is not delt satisfyingly by APPLE (and most of all other manufacturers), and still this issue still is very important for many customers: thus one shouldn't complain about the x.th start of a threat on this topic but complain about manufactureres that stubbornly prefer to educate the customer rather than to produce what customers prefer in favour of a quick deal.

What i don't understand and never found an answer to:

a) ad "light-bleeding"-issue:
IBM offered wonderful IPS-based panels (called "FlexView-Panel") in their Thinkpads years ago (e.g.: R50), which were dropped when LENOVO took the helm. They exhibited perfect black and no light-bleeding at all, had superb viewing angles and excellent colours. I never saw notebook-panels of that quality ever since. Why doesn't APPLE offer such an IPS-panel , given their claim to be the outfitter of the real professionals? The price-tag of their laptops is high enough (and some would probably even pay an extra fee to finally get a good screen) and technically speaking LEDs are bright enough to counter the extra light IPS-panels require...

b) ad "antireflective"-issue:
why doesn't APPLE simply feature their glasses with the same antireflective coating as used for years for CRT-MOnitors and spectacles ? Wouldn't require to reconstruct the display at all and would turn it into the PERFECT solution (btw: SONY and DELL do so already for the glossy screes of selected models)

From my point of view this issue is still the dealbreaker when it comes to finally buy a MacBook, although i really love everything else of that wounderful product.

So i keep wainting and waiting and...

 

[Kronie]

a)Why doesn't APPLE offer such an IPS-panel , given their claim to be the outfitter of the real professionals? The price-tag of their laptops is high enough (and some would probably even pay an extra fee to finally get a good screen) and technically speaking LEDs are bright enough to counter the extra light IPS-panels require...

Because Apple knows that the "pros" don't really do color sensitive work on laptop screens. They want you to buy there 30" LED monitor.....at a price, of course.

b) ad "antireflective"-issue:
why doesn't APPLE simply feature their glasses with the same anti reflective coating as used for years for CRT-MOnitors and spectacles ? Wouldn't require to reconstruct the display at all and would turn it into the PERFECT solution (btw: SONY and DELL do so already for the glossy screes of selected models)

Because any coating comes off too easily. I also don't know any laptop manufacturer that uses an anti reflective coating. Can you link to a specific model?

 

[freethinker]

updates

Since I am on my 3rd unibody MBP 17-inch with antiglare screen option (UK specification, all three had the same display model: 9CAC) (already 2nd replacement) , I honestly do not think that swapping it out with another will actually resolve the issue.

I noticed when laptop is cold - the light bleed issue less obvious but still screen too far from the perfection and still there is lack of color accuracy and pinkish/reddish tint at a certain angles that causes the the colors to be saturated towards a more of a purplish look + constant slight flickering effect that actually tires out the eyes

on top of this all I've got DEAD PIXELS on my 2nd replacement unit's screen (3rd MacBook Pro 17-inch antiglare unit I had so far)

I don't want to exchange for another unit with the same problems anymore but at the same time I need 17-inch MacBook Pro for my projects and just before buying unibody MBP17" - got rid of my previous generation of MBP17" with PERFECT LED ANTIGLARE/MATTE DISPLAY

P.S. I have updated link to my PicasaWebAlbum + uploaded new photos for all three units I had so far (original + 1st and 2nd replacement) + uploaded MacBookPro17_DisplayTest_Black_1920x1200_300dpi.jpg file I use to test display quality (you all are welcome to download this file in its full resolution using Picasa "Download" menu above image preview).

http://picasaweb.google.com/freelancer.by/MyUnibodyMacBookPro17Inch?authkey=Gv1sRgCNnWzdax-cGeggE#

I've left some comments in similar thread on Apple Discussions forum: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1923032&tstart=0

 

[Gloor]

Since I am on my 3rd unibody MBP 17-inch with antiglare screen option (2nd replacement) , I honestly do not think that swapping it out with another will actually resolve the issue.

I noticed when laptop is cold - the light bleed issue less obvious but still screen too far from the perfection and still there is lack of color accuracy and pinkish/reddish tint at a certain angles that causes the the colors to be saturated towards a more of a purplish look + constant slight flickering effect that actually tires out the eyes

on top of this all I've got DEAD PIXELS on my 2nd replacement unit's screen (3rd MacBook Pro 17-inch antiglare unit I had so far)

I don't want to exchange for another unit with the same problems anymore but at the same time I need 17-inch MacBook Pro for my projects and just before buying unibody MBP17" - got rid of my previous generation of MBP17" with PERFECT LED ANTIGLARE/MATTE DISPLAY

P.S. I have updated link to my PicasaWebAlbum + uploaded new photos for all three units I had so far (original + 1st and 2nd replacement) + uploaded MacBookPro17_DisplayTest_Black_1920x1200_300dpi.jpg file I use to test display quality (you all are welcome to download this file in its full resolution using Picasa "Download" menu above image preview).

http://picasaweb.google.com/freelancer.by/MyUnibodyMacBookPro17Inch?authkey=Gv1sRgCNnWzdax-cGeggE#

I've left some comments in similar thread on Apple Discussions forum: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1923032&tstart=0

I'm on the same boat. I received my 3rd unit today after returning the previous 2 for light bleed and this unit seemed absolutely fine. When I got it this afternoon I turned it on and noticed that there is almost zero light bleed. I was really pleased and thought : "cool, im keeping this one" but then I put the laptop through stress test (doing my usual stuff) and I noticed that when my GPU goes to around 70-80 Celsius, I get this terrible light bleed (looks like two giant teeth) and it does indeed is cause by heat as when I touch those teeth they are warmer than the rest of the screen even on the same level. Those patches are just warmer which does confirm the theory that it could be bad build quality. I don't wanna swap for another one as it is likely to be the same but I will call apple tomorrow and I'll ask to talk to a technician or something to see if he could give me some more info on what to do. Lets hope they do have some decent solution
Btw. my first 2 screens were 9CAC but this last one is 9CAD

 

[freethinker]

I'm on the same boat. I received my 3rd unit today after returning the previous 2 for light bleed and this unit seemed absolutely fine. When I got it this afternoon I turned it on and noticed that there is almost zero light bleed. I was really pleased and thought : "cool, im keeping this one" but then I put the laptop through stress test (doing my usual stuff) and I noticed that when my GPU goes to around 70-80 Celsius, I get this terrible light bleed (looks like two giant teeth) and it does indeed is cause by heat as when I touch those teeth they are warmer than the rest of the screen even on the same level. Those patches are just warmer which does confirm the theory that it could be bad build quality. I don't wanna swap for another one as it is likely to be the same but I will call apple tomorrow and I'll ask to talk to a technician or something to see if he could give me some more info on what to do. Lets hope they do have some decent solution
Btw. my first 2 screens were 9CAC but this last one is 9CAD

please check this thread as well:
Macbook Pro 17 Anti-Glare LCD Problem
there will be some feedbacks another owners and some ideas about possible reasons of a such issues:

The cause of the problem is actually the hot air released from the vent at the back. It heats up the LCD and makes it goes crazy!

Try to leave it super cold, then boot up and test it again. U will have a perfect screen!

This is 100% Apple design defect!

Please let us know once you have tested it cold first and after it became quite hot....

I think we all have to consolidate our efforts and try to leave our feedbacks/complains in order to get an official acknowledgment and clarification with reference to this issue

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gloor]

please check this thread as well:
Macbook Pro 17 Anti-Glare LCD Problem
there will be some feedbacks another owners and some ideas about possible reasons of a such issues:


Please let us know once you have tested it cold first and after it became quite hot....

I think we all have to consolidate our efforts and try to leave our feedbacks/complains in order to get an official acknowledgment and clarification with reference to this issue

Thanks in advance!

Oh yeah, I read that one before too.
Anyway, I think I will have the same result as when I use the laptop just for text and surf and the temp goes down the light bleed also goes down but I will try it tomorrow from super cold to confirm.

 

[freethinker]

if you can look on the images from MacBook Pro 17" Unibody - Disasembling - First Look you can clearly see the internals of MacBook Pro 17" Unibody as well as positioning of the heat sink with the fans which covers the two NVidia chipsets and the processor.

and then if you compare the pattern of light bleed of your laptop or on photographs of the screens each of mine unibody MBP17" - our guessing just prove one of the possible reason .....

 

[Jottle]

Yeah. the darker areas appearing on the screen when the gpu is stressed is definitely caused by hot air being blown by the fans onto the lcd. This happens on my 15'' mbp as well, and the dark areas are only where the fans are. Design defect maybe, but it's only temporary. Gotta live with it No way apple is going to change the entire way the cooling system works on the laptop!