M2 MBA backlight bleed issue? How does your monitor look?

[isealbz]

I received the new M2 MBA a few days ago. I am concerned that my unit has an unacceptable amount of backlight bleed. I'm not sure I'd notice it in normal working conditions, but given how much money I spent on the device, I want to be sure that what I am experiencing is normal. I didn't buy the base model, so unfortunately, the exchange process will likely take several weeks.

Here is how my new M2 MBA screen looks (2017 MBP included in some photos for comparison; see the photo descriptions):

https://imgur.com/a/EewWGpQ

Here is a video from various angles (dark room at the beginning, some light toward the end):

The brightness is set to 100% in the photos and the video.

For those who recently received a new M2 MBA, would you mind posting pictures/videos of your screen? I am wondering if what I am experiencing is normal or an anomaly. I'm also worried that if I exchange it, I will end up with a unit that is even worse.

 

[roy61]

Here's my M2 MBA. I don't notice any unevenness on the unit I have.

 

[russell_314]

My first reaction to your post was to say you’re being a little bit obsessive in a dark room with the max bright screen but I think your computer might have an issue. I don’t see with my eyes or as in the photo here much difference between the corners and the center of the screen like your picture looks like. I took this picture with a black screensaver on full brightness. When the screen saver went off I think I’m blind but you’re welcome 😂😂😂

I would talk to Apple because it seems your screen isn’t evenly bright.

 

[krspkbl]

if that was me i’d be sending it back to Apple. thats an unacceptable amount of backlight bleeding. you’re not going to get a “perfect” display but it should be better than what you have now.

My first reaction to your post was to say you’re being a little bit obsessive in a dark room with the max bright screen but I think your computer might have an issue. I don’t see with my eyes or as in the photo here much difference between the corners and the center of the screen like your picture looks like. I took this picture with a black screensaver on full brightness. When the screen saver went off I think I’m blind but you’re welcome 😂😂😂

I would talk to Apple because it seems your screen isn’t evenly bright.

View attachment 2035961

i dont see anything wrong with that. looks good to me and im super picky when it comes to display quality lol. well…i try not to be. not worth the stress! the fact is there is no such thing as a perfect display. they all have “issues” so to speak.

View attachment 2035958

looks mostly fine. the bottom right where your cursor is has a slight “lamp” effect. its dark, light, dark, light. probably not noticeable in normal conditions though.

 

[isealbz]

i dont see anything wrong with that. looks good to me and im super picky when it comes to display quality lol. well…i try not to be. not worth the stress! the fact is there is no such thing as a perfect display. they all have “issues” so to speak.

Are you talking about the images in russell_314's post, or the images in my original post?

 

[krspkbl]

Are you talking about the images in russell_314's post, or the images in my original post?

i have edited my post. sorry replying to people in the wrong order lol. russels looks fine but yours id not be happy with.

 

[VaruLV]

If things look in real life as bad as in pictures, def return it. For that price you paid there should be no such issues.

 

[jdb8167]

I checked mine last night. I have a bit of red bleed along the bottom at full brightness but even a couple of notches down it seems to go away. Other than that it is pretty even across the display.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Coming from a nearly perfect MB Pro 13" 2019 screen, I instantly noticed the uneven backlight.
It's most notorious in the top left corner.

 

[GomerBoy]

Mine looks pretty good!

 

[jackief143]

Guys please see if this has any issue with blacklight bleed. my 14 days has crossed for replacement but have apple care to this , I hope I will get a replacement.

 

[jackief143]

I received the new M2 MBA a few days ago. I am concerned that my unit has an unacceptable amount of backlight bleed. I'm not sure I'd notice it in normal working conditions, but given how much money I spent on the device, I want to be sure that what I am experiencing is normal. I didn't buy the base model, so unfortunately, the exchange process will likely take several weeks.

Here is how my new M2 MBA screen looks (2017 MBP included in some photos for comparison; see the photo descriptions):

https://imgur.com/a/EewWGpQ

Here is a video from various angles (dark room at the beginning, some light toward the end):

The brightness is set to 100% in the photos and the video.

For those who recently received a new M2 MBA, would you mind posting pictures/videos of your screen? I am wondering if what I am experiencing is normal or an anomaly. I'm also worried that if I exchange it, I will end up with a unit that is even worse.

My MacBook Air , not sure if mine in the bottom left corner.

 

[Dealmans]

WOW here we go again, bleed gate, send those suckers back, unexecptable

 

[isealbz]

Thanks to everyone for the input. Long story short, I decided to return the unit to Apple and order the same model a second time. I have an estimated pick-up date of August 23, but hopefully it'll arrive sooner than that. I'm worried that I'll receive another defective unit (or worse). I'll report back here once I receive it. I may need feedback on whether there are any issues with the next unit.

 

[ivaren]

Here’s mine

 

[kfscoll]

Here’s mine

View attachment 2041289

Mine looks similar. It’s a non-issue in real-world use IMO.

 

[ivaren]

Mine looks similar. It’s a non-issue in real-world use IMO.

Possibly true. I’m not fan of it and I plan to do some photo editing down the road. Last MacBook Pro was from early 2011 so I plan to have my air for many years to come. Decided to ask for a exchange. Apple gladly said I could keep my air until the replacement has arrived. Hope my new unit is flawless. Fingers crossed!

 

[Sowelu]

I tend to attribute backlight bleed to the way the panels are assembled/attached to the lid. Since corners are almost always affected the most, you have to think that these are pressure or pinch points. If this is the case, the panels would pass QA when they are manufactured (before MacBook assembly). If these pinches are happening when the panel is assembled, Apple should be rejecting them.

 

[washburn]

Picked up an M2 Air from a local Apple store yesterday, had major backlight bleed in all corners, took it back few hours later and got a replacement now this one has a mushy Haptic Touch feedback click, and not the solid click that I am used to, but the screen was much better with only tiny amount of light bleed

At this point I’m just thinking of returning it and sticking with my M1 longer

 

[isealbz]

I received my replacement today. I'm pretty sure it looks much better. But before I decide to keep it, what do you all think?

https://imgur.com/a/qkXkghK

See my original post to see how the replacement unit compares to the unit that I returned.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If I can't notice it with normal use, I am not going to bother to go looking for a problem.

 

[kfscoll]

They're all going to have some degree of backlight bleed. If you want to keep exchanging screens over an issue that you'll never notice in day-to-day use and hoping you'll find that perfect unicorn...well, have fun with that.

If you really want to get rid of backlight bleed, upgrade to a 14" or 16" MacBook Pro. The backlight LEDs will turn off in regions that are supposed to be black so you'd never be able to see any bleed.

 

[s00perd00per]

I think that’s an acceptable amount of light bleed. It’s rare that you’ll get one that’s perfectly uniform.

 

[isealbz]

I think that’s an acceptable amount of light bleed. It’s rare that you’ll get one that’s perfectly uniform.

Are you talking about the original in the OP, or the replacement that I asked about in comment #20?

 

[s00perd00per]

Are you talking about the original in the OP, or the replacement that I asked about in comment #20?

The replacement. The first one was definitely bad.