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Macbook Air 2012 - LG vs Samsung LCD
- Thread starter laff2
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I thought this was the very issue people are talking about? That God made Apple cheap out on the panel and buy it from street vendor in spite of charging big bucks for the device?
And I have ordered an MBA 13" as well. I will not go looking for what panel it is when I get it. I will see how it looks and if i am happy with it.
If not, then I will check out the panel and if it happens to be some Shangri-la or some other street vendor who supplied the panel then it goes right back to Apple for a refund. Not paying 2k for a machine where its *main component* (the display) that humans use to interact with the machine has been compromised for cheapness or some "supply chain management" trickery.
Sometimes I get the feeling that this whole "Supply chain management" business though critical to its business has been elevated to a totally another level at Apple. Efficient manufacture and distribution of the manufactured products is essential but not at the cost of quality. I thought Apple didn't stand for that.
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When I had both versions, I couldn't really tell the difference. It was maybe a slight color boost on the sammy but nothing huge. It's good to see that after the new ML color profile, and, now this discovery from a tremendous individual on macrumors, the LG screen on the 2012 Air is superior now on all fronts. All fronts.
That last "All fronts" just confirms that it is on no fronts, which I've seen with my own eyes
. So happy that I got the Samsung display.That last "All fronts" just confirms that it is on no fronts, which I've seen with my own eyes
The way I see it with both my eyes in the store and the MBA I own. Samsung display doesn't need calibration or tweaking to look rich in colors.
LG on the other hand does. But once you calibrate the LG you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. Apple should do a better job of supplying a default profile for the LG's. Problem solved and this thread would not exist.
But have fun with your Samsung Panel.
I have now had 4 different LG (Sheng Rui) displays, two from Amazon, one repair replacement from Apple, and one full MBA replacement from Apple.
The colors are fine with calibration, but the whites are not, they have an ivory/yellowish look. When compared at the Apple Store with the models on display it is quite obvious, and a terminal command check showed they were Samsungs.
Geniuses tell me my display is "within spec" to which I say "if it is than the spec is bad."
Still waiting for Corporate Customer Care to followup and send me another replacement. I had to go back again to a store to have a Genius document to them that my MBA looked yellow compared to the floor models.
I consider this to be product misrepresentation. What they show on the floor is one thing, what you get is another.
She isn't sure she can even find a way to assure I get a good display. I don't really know if it needs to be a Samsung, this just could be a bad lot of LG's.
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The ivory/yellow look of the whites cannot be changed with calibration. Believe me I've tried. Colors can, and look great.
The colors are fine with calibration, but the whites are not, they have an ivory/yellowish look. When compared at the Apple Store with the models on display it is quite obvious, and a terminal command check showed they were Samsungs.
Geniuses tell me my display is "within spec" to which I say "if it is than the spec is bad."
Still waiting for Corporate Customer Care to followup and send me another replacement. I had to go back again to a store to have a Genius document to them that my MBA looked yellow compared to the floor models.
I consider this to be product misrepresentation. What they show on the floor is one thing, what you get is another.
She isn't sure she can even find a way to assure I get a good display. I don't really know if it needs to be a Samsung, this just could be a bad lot of LG's.
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The ivory/yellow look of the whites cannot be changed with calibration. Believe me I've tried. Colors can, and look great.
I know what you are saying when you mean ivory/white look. Since I have not had the Samsungs, I am guessing that they must be really cool blue white?
I will check with my iMac today which btw has perfect color rendition.
Same issue in Hong Kong Apple Store
I have the 2011 MBA 13" i7 with Samsung Panel (LTH133BT01A03), always worked flawless and looks amazing. Just bought the 2012 MBA i5 13" and it came with the LG panel. Wasn't aware of the issue but it looked really washed out and less crisp when put side by side with my old MBA after unboxing. Looked into the issue, found this page, thankfully. Profiles helped a little, but not much. The best test is to look at the Apple website, side by side. On Samsung, it looks amazing, crisp White, deep Black etc. On LG, all quite yellowish, less contrast, even with fixed profiles.
Went back to Apple store today, and checked all their display models. Funny enough, 7 or so of the Models were Samsung and two were AU optronics, NONE of them LG...go figure. When I showed the difference to the store employees, they had to admit it was rather obvious (my old MBA being just or almost as good as the new Samsungs, whereas the LG new one was totally off and poor to look at).
Returned it, got a new one at the store, opened in store, another LG-dud, so I left with a refund and will be back in a week or so when they hopefully have a new batch (fingers crossed). Some say it doesn't matter and I guess depending on the type of user you are, it could be true.
However, as a designer, I can notice very well and actually care a lot. On top of that, this one was destined for my girlfriend (non-designer) and even she could totally see and appreciate the difference. Now she is waiting for her birthday gift to return to her
Apple: figure it out, this is substandard by any stretch of the imagination!
PS Anybody know if online orders can be returned just as easily?
I have the 2011 MBA 13" i7 with Samsung Panel (LTH133BT01A03), always worked flawless and looks amazing. Just bought the 2012 MBA i5 13" and it came with the LG panel. Wasn't aware of the issue but it looked really washed out and less crisp when put side by side with my old MBA after unboxing. Looked into the issue, found this page, thankfully. Profiles helped a little, but not much. The best test is to look at the Apple website, side by side. On Samsung, it looks amazing, crisp White, deep Black etc. On LG, all quite yellowish, less contrast, even with fixed profiles.
Went back to Apple store today, and checked all their display models. Funny enough, 7 or so of the Models were Samsung and two were AU optronics, NONE of them LG...go figure. When I showed the difference to the store employees, they had to admit it was rather obvious (my old MBA being just or almost as good as the new Samsungs, whereas the LG new one was totally off and poor to look at).
Returned it, got a new one at the store, opened in store, another LG-dud, so I left with a refund and will be back in a week or so when they hopefully have a new batch (fingers crossed). Some say it doesn't matter and I guess depending on the type of user you are, it could be true.
However, as a designer, I can notice very well and actually care a lot. On top of that, this one was destined for my girlfriend (non-designer) and even she could totally see and appreciate the difference. Now she is waiting for her birthday gift to return to her
Apple: figure it out, this is substandard by any stretch of the imagination!
PS Anybody know if online orders can be returned just as easily?
alrite, so yeah it seems like i have the samsung lcd for my mba 13" 2012 i5/8gb/256
LSN133BT01A02
i owned a dell xps 1530 which i bought in the first quarter of 2008. so far i would say the screen quality are about the same, though my dell had a higher resolution at about 16XX by 10XX (i dont remember the last 2 numbers ^_^)
LSN133BT01A02
i owned a dell xps 1530 which i bought in the first quarter of 2008. so far i would say the screen quality are about the same, though my dell had a higher resolution at about 16XX by 10XX (i dont remember the last 2 numbers ^_^)
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EDIT: I meant to post this in the other review thread. Oh well, it's cross-posted now there, too.
This thread was awesome - my first macbook air was an LG display and I had to replace it due to a faulty key. I was issued a replacement and it had a Samsung screen, and I was able to put them side by side before I returned the LG display Air.
The colors were more true on the LG display, and the shadow/gradient problem described by the OP was spot on.
Also, it seems as if the Samsung display has a 'yellowish' tint that I'm trying to correct with a color profile, but I can't seem to find many around (all the uploaded profiles are mainly for the LG). At the same time, the LG has a higher 'max brightness'. I put both side by side, tuned up the brightness to max, and the LG was definitely brighter - I turned off the lights to double-check.
In any case, I don't really mind anymore. They're both alright. If I had my pick, I wish my replacement came with an LG display instead of Samsung. Hope that helps a bit.
This thread was awesome - my first macbook air was an LG display and I had to replace it due to a faulty key. I was issued a replacement and it had a Samsung screen, and I was able to put them side by side before I returned the LG display Air.
The colors were more true on the LG display, and the shadow/gradient problem described by the OP was spot on.
Also, it seems as if the Samsung display has a 'yellowish' tint that I'm trying to correct with a color profile, but I can't seem to find many around (all the uploaded profiles are mainly for the LG). At the same time, the LG has a higher 'max brightness'. I put both side by side, tuned up the brightness to max, and the LG was definitely brighter - I turned off the lights to double-check.
In any case, I don't really mind anymore. They're both alright. If I had my pick, I wish my replacement came with an LG display instead of Samsung. Hope that helps a bit.
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Just curious. Is it possible, 2011 version Samsung is much better than 2012's one? Is this because of Samsung-Apple case?
I have the 2011 MBA 13" i7 with Samsung Panel (LTH133BT01A03), always worked flawless and looks amazing. Just bought the 2012 MBA i5 13" and it came with the LG panel. Wasn't aware of the issue but it looked really washed out and less crisp when put side by side with my old MBA after unboxing. Looked into the issue, found this page, thankfully. Profiles helped a little, but not much. The best test is to look at the Apple website, side by side. On Samsung, it looks amazing, crisp White, deep Black etc. On LG, all quite yellowish, less contrast, even with fixed profiles.
Went back to Apple store today, and checked all their display models. Funny enough, 7 or so of the Models were Samsung and two were AU optronics, NONE of them LG...go figure. When I showed the difference to the store employees, they had to admit it was rather obvious (my old MBA being just or almost as good as the new Samsungs, whereas the LG new one was totally off and poor to look at).
Returned it, got a new one at the store, opened in store, another LG-dud, so I left with a refund and will be back in a week or so when they hopefully have a new batch (fingers crossed). Some say it doesn't matter and I guess depending on the type of user you are, it could be true.
However, as a designer, I can notice very well and actually care a lot. On top of that, this one was destined for my girlfriend (non-designer) and even she could totally see and appreciate the difference. Now she is waiting for her birthday gift to return to her
Apple: figure it out, this is substandard by any stretch of the imagination!
PS Anybody know if online orders can be returned just as easily?
The replacement I got still had whites that look ivory/yellow, but worse had a little rattling sound inside like a small screw came loose. So I had Amazon replace it again.
This one's monitor is LSN133BT01A02, apparently a Samsung.
Still has a yellow tint to it. Otherwise looks great and no rattling screw, so I'm done. This is my laptop.
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As I just posted I finally got a Samsung and it too has the yellow/ivory tint to the whites, so it doesn't seem to be a manufacturer thing.
Oh well.
This one's monitor is LSN133BT01A02, apparently a Samsung.
Still has a yellow tint to it. Otherwise looks great and no rattling screw, so I'm done. This is my laptop.
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As I just posted I finally got a Samsung and it too has the yellow/ivory tint to the whites, so it doesn't seem to be a manufacturer thing.
Oh well.
Third Air from Amazon now... One 13 and two 11's. All LG's. Maybe all Amazon sell is LG's? Or at least, maybe all Apple ships third party retailer is LG?
What gets me is there is no way to guarantee to get a Samsung display, or is there? Anyone had any luck?
I just don't know if I can stand the yellowish washed out colors.
What gets me is there is no way to guarantee to get a Samsung display, or is there? Anyone had any luck?
I just don't know if I can stand the yellowish washed out colors.
My last replacement from Amazon is a Samsung. Still yellow whites.
All of them have had beautiful colors when calibrated, LG's and Samsung.
Calibration has no impact on the whites though.
All of them have had beautiful colors when calibrated, LG's and Samsung.
Calibration has no impact on the whites though.
Funny, I just got my replacement with a Samsung Panel and after calibration I can't tell the difference between LG and Samsung.
The text is sharper on the Samsung though, when placed side by side and viewing the same web page. I tried viewing the Apple webpage with gray text.
Not denying your claim, but all things the equal, technically, how could the text be any sharper? They are the same resolution screen. Just curious. Can you post pictures?
Right? Yes I will once I get home and put both of them side by side. Will have to use a SLR on a tripod to really capture that.
I dont like the default profiles in either of them. Too washed out. So have it with a slight cool bluish tint. Easy on the eyes and brings out the beveled edges of the UI even better.
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Is it possible to post your profile?
[Edit] - I ended up calibrating again, I don't think I really did it right the first time. I assume the object is to match the Apple symbol to the background as much as possible so it blends very well?
Everything is MUCH better. Colors pop more and there is an amazing difference between the default profile and this one I just went through making. The only problem is, the screen still has a yellowish tint, something that adjusting the tint to a more cool blue doesn't really help. I have read that maybe this is an issue that affects even the Samsung? At any rate - I'm much happier than before, which proves these things definitely need calibrated more so than the rMBP, which I find is spot on.
[Edit] - I ended up calibrating again, I don't think I really did it right the first time. I assume the object is to match the Apple symbol to the background as much as possible so it blends very well?
Everything is MUCH better. Colors pop more and there is an amazing difference between the default profile and this one I just went through making. The only problem is, the screen still has a yellowish tint, something that adjusting the tint to a more cool blue doesn't really help. I have read that maybe this is an issue that affects even the Samsung? At any rate - I'm much happier than before, which proves these things definitely need calibrated more so than the rMBP, which I find is spot on.
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Yes. But by default my first setting the right hand side slider is way off even though the background and the apple color match.
So I drag the right slider to the exact middle and there is this bluish tint on the apple. Ignore it.(Others might disagree, but i like the slight blue tint) Then adjust the left slider so the apple blends with the BG.
From next step on the apple and the BG will match in color.
Adjust the native white point and gamma to your liking and name it with a NEW name.
Keep playing with it till you are satisfied. If you are into photography or video then you must set your preferences aside and get just right it
I have a folder full of Nikon Profiles that have great variations. I got it from my iMac.
What I love about this profile is that I am seeing a lot of UI elements that are subtle and get unnoticed with the default profile.
Open system preferences and see if you are able to notice the alternating bands for each row of settings clearly.
I have that one too.
Initially it looked very washed out, and I could only see up to 250 on this test:
http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/white.php#whitetest.png
Then I installed the profile from this site and the colors popped, and I can now see up to 253 on the prior test.
http://osxdaily.com/2011/10/30/how-...lay-in-a-macbook-air-and-make-it-look-better/