[M2 MBA] Shadows on the screen

[Populus]

I’ve recently been using a M2 MacBook Air, but I found on its screen several shadows, located approximately on the middle of the screen.

This shadows are mostly visible when you’re scrolling a webpage or text on a white background. And this didn’t happen on the M1 MacBook Air or previous notebooks.

It is interesting that, when you gently press the screen on those areas, like when you wipe the screen, the shadows mostly disappear, but after 15-20 minutes the slowly reappear, which points me in the direction of an uneven glued LCD screen.

Has anyone else noticed this? This isn’t the “IPS unevenness” that has several open threads. This are shadows on white background only visible when you scroll text and follow the text lines with your eyes.

Thank you.

 

[Zest28]

If you mean those "smudges" on white background, the M2 MBA that I have doesn't have it.

 

[Populus]

If you mean those "smudges" on white background, the M2 MBA that I have doesn't have it.

Good to hear.

So, when you scroll up or down text on fullscreen with a white background, you don’t notice smudges or local shadows on the panel?

Then I guess I’ll get a new one, or even better, wait for the M3 hopping the screen will be free from this defects.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[papbot]

Good to hear.

So, when you scroll up or down text on fullscreen with a white background, you don’t notice smudges or local shadows on the panel?

Then I guess I’ll get a new one, or even better, wait for the M3 hopping the screen will be free from this defects.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I noticed that today when scrolling in Safari with a white background. Depending on the angle of the screen it’s more or less visible. I just got my M2 yesterday so I don’t think you’ll have a different experience if you replace it. Unless there were just specific runs of those with the issue. I ordered mine which was shipped to the store where I picked it up so it was probably one that was newer than those in the store’s stock. You might try working with the night shift setting which could possibly cause such an issue. The M1 and M2 iPads had a smearing issue in Safari while scrolling that was made worse by night shift, True Tone, and dark mode. It was fixed in 16.2.

 

[Populus]

I noticed that today when scrolling in Safari with a white background. Depending on the angle of the screen it’s more or less visible. I just got my M2 yesterday so I don’t think you’ll have a different experience if you replace it. Unless there were just specific runs of those with the issue. I ordered mine which was shipped to the store where I picked it up so it was probably one that was newer than those in the store’s stock. You might try working with the night shift setting which could possibly cause such an issue. The M1 and M2 iPads had a smearing issue in Safari while scrolling that was made worse by night shift, True Tone, and dark mode. It was fixed in 16.2.

No, what I’m talking about cannot be fixed on an update, it is purely a hardware issue. Just like I said, it is like if the LCD display had bubbles beneath when glued onto the top case, or it was unevenly expanded inside the screen. English is not my first language so I cannot explain it better, but the shadows make me think those areas are not 100% parallel to the top case. When you gently wipe the screen (and press the LCD to be 100% parallel to the top case) the shadows disappear momentarily.

I just hope they improve the Quality Control of the screens for the M3, if they are still LCD. If they go OLED, that’s a nope for my eyes (PWM), so I guess I’ll get a new Mac Mini in that case.

 

[1BadManVan]

No, what I’m talking about cannot be fixed on an update, it is purely a hardware issue. Just like I said, it is like if the LCD display had bubbles beneath when glued onto the top case, or it was unevenly expanded inside the screen. English is not my first language so I cannot explain it better, but the shadows make me think those areas are not 100% parallel to the top case. When you gently wipe the screen (and press the LCD to be 100% parallel to the top case) the shadows disappear momentarily.

I just hope they improve the Quality Control of the screens for the M3, if they are still LCD. If they go OLED, that’s a nope for my eyes (PWM), so I guess I’ll get a new Mac Mini in that case.

If you have an Apple Store where you live, get it fixed or replaced. M3 is still several months away

 

[papbot]

No, what I’m talking about cannot be fixed on an update, it is purely a hardware issue. Just like I said, it is like if the LCD display had bubbles beneath when glued onto the top case, or it was unevenly expanded inside the screen. English is not my first language so I cannot explain it better, but the shadows make me think those areas are not 100% parallel to the top case. When you gently wipe the screen (and press the LCD to be 100% parallel to the top case) the shadows disappear momentarily.

I just hope they improve the Quality Control of the screens for the M3, if they are still LCD. If they go OLED, that’s a nope for my eyes (PWM), so I guess I’ll get a new Mac Mini in that case.

Ok I don’t see any bubbles but a very faint shadow on a white background while scrolling which I also see on my M2 iPad Pro. That I believe is normal. But the smearing issue I mentioned before was also thought by a couple people to be a hardware issue. One even insisted it had to be a hardware defect, until 16.2 and we told him the hardware “defect” was fixed.

 

[Populus]

Ok I don’t see any bubbles but a very faint shadow on a white background while scrolling which I also see on my M2 iPad Pro. That I believe is normal. But the smearing issue I mentioned before was also thought by a couple people to be a hardware issue. One even insisted it had to be a hardware defect, until 16.2 and we told him the hardware “defect” was fixed.

I currently have a new M2 iPad Pro and, fortunately, mine doesn’t have that issue.
I will update the M2 MacBook Air to the latest macOS 13.1 version because I really don’t lose anything, but my logic tells me it is hardware.

Thanks anyway, I will report back if 13.1 solves it, although that’s physically on the LCD material.

 

[CPx]

My M1 Macbook Air has those shadows/dark patches. Kind of annoying but I didn't feel like playing the exchange lottery. I guess it depends on where/how bad they are, and how much you are planning on using the screen versus an external display.

 

[discofuel]

I recently discovered this on my 16" M1 MBP. Like columns in the middle of the screen. They move as you press the back of the casing behind the screen.

I took it into the Apple Store and they said they would need to replace the screen. I can't be without my laptop for a week at the moment so will take it in next year at some point.

 

[papbot]

I do see a horizontal shadow on my M2 MacBook Air when scrolling in any app, but mostly in Safari because of the larger window. It's most noticeable with a white background but I’ve just installed the Noir app and even when the dark mode is enabled the shadow can be seen through the middle of the window. It's faint but if I look I can see it as I scroll. I’ve applied some pressure both to the front and rear of the screen but that doesn’t cause any change as some of the other posts have mentioned. The MBA replaced a 2013 MacBook Pro and I don’t remember noticing this on it. It could have been present and I didn’t notice because I primarily use my iPad Pro. But the MBP was on Big Sur while the MBA is on the current release of Ventura.

I have noticed that I see the shadow when scrolling by using the trackpad, using the arrow keys I’ve found is too jerky in Safari to be able to see this.

 

[Populus]

I do see a horizontal shadow on my M2 MacBook Air when scrolling in any app, but mostly in Safari because of the larger window. It's most noticeable with a white background but I’ve just installed the Noir app and even when the dark mode is enabled the shadow can be seen through the middle of the window. It's faint but if I look I can see it as I scroll. I’ve applied some pressure both to the front and rear of the screen but that doesn’t cause any change as some of the other posts have mentioned. The MBA replaced a 2013 MacBook Pro and I don’t remember noticing this on it. It could have been present and I didn’t notice because I primarily use my iPad Pro. But the MBP was on Big Sur while the MBA is on the current release of Ventura.

I have noticed that I see the shadow when scrolling by using the trackpad, using the arrow keys I’ve found is too jerky in Safari to be able to see this.

Yes, I see I’m not the only one, and maybe it’s in most of the M2 MBA with different degrees.

The problem is that Apple is still selling a lot of M2 MBAs and people don’t care about this quality issues… that aren’t tolerable on a 1.600€ laptop.

Thanks for sharing your experience, and please don’t press too much the screen because that’s not good either.

 

[papbot]

I only pressed very gently front and back to see if something altered which I would then attribute to a hardware defect and would attempt to replace. I posted on Apple’s beta forums to see if anyone else sees this but there are very few yet with this version so no responses yet. If someone does I will assume it’s software related as the issue with the M1 and M2 iPad Pros was, as it seems both M1 and M2 MBA exhibits this from reading the posts above. Not likely that there would be both M1 and M2 hardware defects.

 

[Populus]

I only pressed very gently front and back to see if something altered which I would then attribute to a hardware defect and would attempt to replace. I posted on Apple’s beta forums to see if anyone else sees this but there are very few yet with this version so no responses yet. If someone does I will assume it’s software related as the issue with the M1 and M2 iPad Pros was, as it seems both M1 and M2 MBA exhibits this from reading the posts above. Not likely that there would be both M1 and M2 hardware defects.

Mind you, mine is still on Monterey and has that defect. I’m pretty sure it is hardware related, but I’ll report back once I’m on Ventura.

 

[papbot]

Mind you, mine is still on Monterey and has that defect. I’m pretty sure it is hardware related, but I’ll report back once I’m on Ventura.

I’m on the current release of Ventura and it’s there for me. Maybe someone on the beta release will chime in.

 

[papbot]

Has anyone pursued this any further? I got my MBA last week and debating whether to contact Apple Support in case this is a hardware issue but I’m wondering if anyone else has done this or perhaps replaced theirs with another?

 

[papbot]

I switched to a non-white solid color desktop wallpaper to see what effect this would have. That made the shadow or cloud as my wife calls it a bit easier to see. In the image below the pointer is about in the center of the shadow. I believe I am going to pursue this with Apple. But I’d like to read what others are seeing.

 

[Sowelu]

I've seen this on an M2 Air - definitely a hardware defect (perhaps due to the application of the display coating that they use). I would swap it for a new Air.

 

[papbot]

I've seen this on an M2 Air - definitely a hardware defect (perhaps due to the application of the display coating that they use). I would swap it for a new Air.

Thanks. I’m planning to visit an Apple Store tomorrow.

 

[Populus]

I've seen this on an M2 Air - definitely a hardware defect (perhaps due to the application of the display coating that they use). I would swap it for a new Air.

Yep, definitely a hardware issue.
That's what I've been trying to say all the thread.

Thanks. I’m planning to visit an Apple Store tomorrow.

Good! Keep us updated about the process, and my best wishes to you!
Unfortunately, Apple doesn't like to admit this low quality screen issues. They expect people to pay 1.600€ for a laptop and be content with a screen with shadows and uneven brightness.

 

[papbot]

I got it exchanged with no problem. I had the solid color wallpaper set and the Apple rep could see it. She made the exchange immediately. However they didn’t have the exact same configuration available so I went from 8Gb ram and 8 GPU to 8 and 10. It’s only a little more so I am ok with it. The whole process took about 15 minutes. Now to get this new one out and set up. And check the screen!!

 

[Populus]

I got it exchanged with no problem. I had the solid color wallpaper set and the Apple rep could see it. She made the exchange immediately. However they didn’t have the exact same configuration available so I went from 8Gb ram and 8 GPU to 8 and 10. It’s only a little more so I am ok with it. The whole process took about 15 minutes. Now to get this new one out and set up. And check the screen!!

Good luck with that new screen.

Please observe it carefully so that others can have hope that good units exist.

 

[papbot]

Good luck with that new screen.

Please observe it carefully so that others can have hope that good units exist.

The screen is perfect. Even though it should not have been an issue in the first place getting it looked at and replaced took only 15 minutes. I just walked in when the store opened, no appointment, told the guy checking people in that I wanted to make either a return or an exchange, he motioned someone over and 15 minutes later I was walking out with a new computer. I did have to wake the old one to show her the screen but as soon as I pointed it out she called for a new one from the back. So I do have to hand it to Apple for being this efficient. The only problem was she wiped the old one so quickly I didn’t have time to remember that I needed to transfer from it to the new one. I had figured I’d be doing that at home, so I wound up setting this up from scratch.

 

[Populus]

The screen is perfect. Even though it should not have been an issue in the first place getting it looked at and replaced took only 15 minutes. I just walked in when the store opened, no appointment, told the guy checking people in that I wanted to make either a return or an exchange, he motioned someone over and 15 minutes later I was walking out with a new computer. I did have to wake the old one to show her the screen but as soon as I pointed it out she called for a new one from the back. So I do have to hand it to Apple for being this efficient. The only problem was she wiped the old one so quickly I didn’t have time to remember that I needed to transfer from it to the new one. I had figured I’d be doing that at home, so I wound up setting this up from scratch.

Wow, I’m glad prefect units exist! Thank you very much. Please, if you observe later the same issue, bump this thread.

Enjoy!

 

[colinw123]

I just got an m2 air today and saw the grey shadow across the screen while scrolling a white background in safari, I wondered what I was seeing at first and then realised it appears as you scroll.
also my mag charger cable that came with it only worked for 5 mins now doesn't work at all, so had to use a usb c cable to charge it up. should not have these quality issues at the price they charge.

back it goes.