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Actually, if you're looking at it with a MBP, as I am, the grain is still visible..
After going through much trouble trying to figure out what the problem may be, I think I'd at least know if an image isn't going to help much.

The image he posted is stimulated, though.
 
The horizontal line issue was quite well publicised. Cnet even ran an article all about it. If Apple were to take an action for the current lot of displays something like that would have to happen again. Considering Apple has been selling these displays since January such a recall is going to cost them billions, so I am sure they will just quietly stifle anyone who tried to publicise it.

What did Apple do about the notebooks that were plagued with this problem? Did they replace the panels?

The image he posted is stimulated, though.

I posted the image, and what I meant by the post you quoted was that even while on a MBP with the noisy-screen problem, the difference between the two simulated images are still visible.
 
Of course, seeing what you mean with a screen shot isn't going to be perfect, but looking at those images the MBP has a kind of grainyness and dirty-white look that I noticed when comparing the MBP in the shop with a MB, and was part of the reason I chose a glossy screen, because I figured that was the difference.

I'm still not convinced that isn't the reason, but we'll see I guess when my 17" ships.
 
With the issue you're mentioning with the horizontal line, did Apple replace the panels on those who previously bought the systems or did they just sell new notebooks with the newer panels?
They replaced the panels for people who sent it in.

The horizontal line issue was quite well publicised. Cnet even ran an article all about it. If Apple were to take an action for the current lot of displays something like that would have to happen again. Considering Apple has been selling these displays since January such a recall is going to cost them billions, so I am sure they will just quietly stifle anyone who tried to publicise it.
Maybe, maybe not (regarding the stifle). The horizontal line issue took a few months to gain enough steam before C-Net covered it. If this turns out to be an issue with the magnitude of the horizontal line issue, maybe Apple will be more proactive about it and address it quicker, esp. if the fix is a software one.
 
My screens not grainy. I can see the difference between the MBP screen shot and the Powerbook g4 screen shot. I have a matte 2.16 GHZ mbp.
 
I wouldn't describe it as "grainy" but there is a slight "sparkle" to the screen on my matte Core2 MacBook Pro. I'm 99% certain this is the anti-reflective coating, and it's been there on three 17" Powerbook screens, a 20" iMac G5 screen, and numerous $3000+ LCD HDTVs I've owned too.
 
My screens not grainy. I can see the difference between the MBP screen shot and the Powerbook g4 screen shot. I have a matte 2.16 GHZ mbp.

Could you tell me your serial number?

I wouldn't describe it as "grainy" but there is a slight "sparkle" to the screen on my matte Core2 MacBook Pro. I'm 99% certain this is the anti-reflective coating, and it's been there on three 17" Powerbook screens, a 20" iMac G5 screen, and numerous $3000+ LCD HDTVs I've owned too.

I've never owned a HDTV but on the ones that I have seen, there isn't much grain, or sparkle. Now, the panels on the MacBook and the MacBook Pro are obviously different due to the sizes, but the finishing is the same. Why is it that the display on the MacBooks are crystal clear but the MBP display has this 'sparkle' on it. I've yet to see this in Powerbooks or iMacs. If you happen to be close to an Apple store or a place where you can see both the MB and the MBP next to each other, you'll see what I mean.
 
I've never owned a HDTV but on the ones that I have seen, there isn't much grain, or sparkle. Now, the panels on the MacBook and the MacBook Pro are obviously different due to the sizes, but the finishing is the same. Why is it that the display on the MacBooks are crystal clear but the MBP display has this 'sparkle' on it. I've yet to see this in Powerbooks or iMacs. If you happen to be close to an Apple store or a place where you can see both the MB and the MBP next to each other, you'll see what I mean.
I've got a MacBook here too, but the screen on that is awful in comparison. (not grain, just the screen quality)

I don't even notice the "grain" now unless I'm actually looking for it. It seems cheaper LCDs don't have this, but most of the "better" ones I've owned do. I'm sure it's just a better anti-reflective coating, as screens that look like this tend to do a lot better in bright light.
 
Could you tell me your serial number?


Actually, I can't really tell if mine is or not. The powerbook screen shot looks quite smooth compared to the MBP. If mine was grainy, should both screen shots look similar?

Is there a sure fire way to figure out if it is grainy or not?
 
Could you tell me your serial number?


Actually, I can't really tell if mine is or not. The powerbook screen shot looks quite smooth compared to the MBP. If mine was grainy, should both screen shots look similar?

Is there a sure fire way to figure out if it is grainy or not?

That's easy. Simply open your browser to this forums for instance.

Look at the colours on this page, they are all constant colours (ie: no patterns, no gradients, no nothing, just a pure single white background, light blue frames etc).

Look closely at these colours. If your screen has grain, you will see that these colours are not rendered "cleanly" (ie: the whites will have tiny little specs where it is less white, and more white)

They replaced the panels for people who sent it in.


Maybe, maybe not (regarding the stifle). The horizontal line issue took a few months to gain enough steam before C-Net covered it. If this turns out to be an issue with the magnitude of the horizontal line issue, maybe Apple will be more proactive about it and address it quicker, esp. if the fix is a software one.

I am not sure if the issue is really due to software, it genuinely looks like it is due to the matt finishing that they use on these LCDs.

Of course I am hoping there will be a software fix though. Even more hoping that someone on these forums will manage to get a fix where they swop the panel to a PVA/MVA/IPS panel instead of the TN ones they used.

I avoid TN panels like the plague when I shop for CHEAP PCs. I really can't bear working with these on extended periods.
 
Could you tell me your serial number?


Actually, I can't really tell if mine is or not. The powerbook screen shot looks quite smooth compared to the MBP. If mine was grainy, should both screen shots look similar?

Is there a sure fire way to figure out if it is grainy or not?

The pic is a simulated image of how the two different notebooks would display things on it's screen. If your screen was grainy, you'd still see a difference between the pictures; the image isn't a test to see if your screen has this problem. As for figuring it out, load up a solid color on your screen and look to see if there's any 'sparklies' on it. The brighter the color, the more easily you can see it.

I am not sure if the issue is really due to software, it genuinely looks like it is due to the matt finishing that they use on these LCDs.

Of course I am hoping there will be a software fix though. Even more hoping that someone on these forums will manage to get a fix where they swop the panel to a PVA/MVA/IPS panel instead of the TN ones they used.

I avoid TN panels like the plague when I shop for CHEAP PCs. I really can't bear working with these on extended periods.

The issue with the sparklies/grain/noise is evident in BOTH the matte and glossy finishes. What many people are saying is it is due to the anti-glare coating they placed on this, but what I'm curious is if it's due to the anti-glare coating, why is this problem not seen in the MacBooks but is seen in the MacBook Pros with the x1600s in them.
 
The issue with the sparklies/grain/noise is evident in BOTH the matte and glossy finishes. What many people are saying is it is due to the anti-glare coating they placed on this, but what I'm curious is if it's due to the anti-glare coating, why is this problem not seen in the MacBooks but is seen in the MacBook Pros with the x1600s in them.

When I use the DVI connector to drive an external monitor nothing happens. Besides if you move your head really close to the display and observe the noise, you will find that it shimmers when you move your head.

My bet is definitely on the display itself.

Whatever the cause I will really hope to see these go away, the uneven backlighting is ok actually. The noisy and the "shimmer" really causes massive eye strain (or neck aches) if you sit down in front of the MBP for an hour or so. Not good.
 
i know, why dont you ask those guys that transplanted their screens with a higher res. one. See if they have the grainyness. That would determine whether or not its the GPU or the screen. As for me, I didnt notice it until now. lol you people and your macs always trying to find an issue.
 
i know, why dont you ask those guys that transplanted their screens with a higher res. one. See if they have the grainyness. That would determine whether or not its the GPU or the screen. As for me, I didnt notice it until now. lol you people and your macs always trying to find an issue.

If not for us you wouldn't have noticed!
 
Hm, well I saw the noise as soon as I got my MBP, but my fiance convinced me I was seeing things. I still see it now, but only if I really look for it.

Thats so weird...Exactly the same thing with mine! My girlfriend told me I was going nuts and should leave MR for a while. But I know its there..however its not that big of a deal. I love my MBP.

WOW I didn't even see this thread. I have the same problem too :(

Core Duo right? Is it really visible or do you have to sort of look for the grain?
 
Core Duo right? Is it really visible or do you have to sort of look for the grain?

Well, if you're looking at a solid color, you'll definitely see that it's not a uniform color. If you were looking at a solid red background, you'd see the red, as well as little sparklies. IMO, it takes away from the sharpness of the display. Makes my $2600 investment feel like a piece of crap. I should've just gone with a 20 dollar dell.
 
That explains. Watching DVDs sold by Universal on this machine = extremely poor viewing quality.

Your screens are definitely defective - I have no "graininess," and watching DVDs on my MBP are sharp and crystal clear!

Take them back for replacements. If the images are as poor as you say, the Apple rep is wrong if he/she says they're "normal" - sometimes you just get a "company man" who won't side with the consumer on a repair/replacement issue ....

:eek:

iBorg
 
Well, if you're looking at a solid color, you'll definitely see that it's not a uniform color. If you were looking at a solid red background, you'd see the red, as well as little sparklies. IMO, it takes away from the sharpness of the display. Makes my $2600 investment feel like a piece of crap. I should've just gone with a 20 dollar dell.

Im still evaluating my purchase...I dont know if the grainy display is that big of an issue for me...I have to look really close to see it. Why dont you just return yours? I dont mean to be ****** about it, its a serious question. If you cant live with it you should return it. Me personally I dont know what to do if I decide upon returning it, I really dont want a Macbook and I have to have a portable.
 
The grain problem is clear as day if you compare on old PowerBook or new MacBook display next to a MacBook Pro display. If you cannot see it then all I can say is ignorance is bliss for you! :)

Or ..... perhaps you're wrong in assuming that all MBPs have this issue!

I'm a very demanding consumer on screen quality, and this is a flawless screen, better/brighter than my son's MacBook, or my Acer screen. No "graininess," no "dark spots," no "uneven lighting," nothing.

I'm not refuting claims of those with screen problems, just claims that all MBP screens have them.

:)

iBorg

The horizontal line issue was quite well publicised. Cnet even ran an article all about it. If Apple were to take an action for the current lot of displays something like that would have to happen again. Considering Apple has been selling these displays since January such a recall is going to cost them billions, so I am sure they will just quietly stifle anyone who tried to publicise it.

The "horizontal line" problem with the last-gen AluBooks was truly universal - a "blessing in disguise" for me, since it was the deal-breaker that kept me from updating at that time (I thought I'd want to have the last of the PPC notebooks, not realizing how much faster/better the intel version would be!) It seemed to be a result of Apple going with a cheaper screen - what was the final solution? (I read about people getting screens replaced, only to find the same cheap screen with the same problem.)

:confused:

iBorg
 
Or ..... perhaps you're wrong in assuming that all MBPs have this issue!

I'm a very demanding consumer on screen quality, and this is a flawless screen, better/brighter than my son's MacBook, or my Acer screen. No "graininess," no "dark spots," no "uneven lighting," nothing.

I'm not refuting claims of those with screen problems, just claims that all MBP screens have them.

:)

iBorg

This sounds really weird to me, its not that I dont believe you its just that even my pb12 that I had prior to this MBP had some graininess. Do you really not see any graininess whatsoever on your display? None? Or is it just bearable? I dont know what to think or do, if its a defect I want to return it...if its the way of the MBP screen Ill live with it, its not killing me. I was in the Apple Store here in Gothenburg yesterday and they still have the Yonahs on display and they were also "grainy". This is really messing with my head...keep it or return it....hmm.
 
Im still evaluating my purchase...I dont know if the grainy display is that big of an issue for me...I have to look really close to see it. Why dont you just return yours? I dont mean to be ****** about it, its a serious question. If you cant live with it you should return it. Me personally I dont know what to do if I decide upon returning it, I really dont want a Macbook and I have to have a portable.

I refuse to pay the restocking fee and I'm not sure if that 14 day policy for returns is valid for my BTO MBP. I can live with it, but I shouldn't have to.
 
Referring to the Notebook Forums thread in the original post: I skimmed through that and the last few posts have stated that a BIOS update from the notebook manufacturer/vendor has fixed the problem. Their reported problem was graininess resulting from the video card, and so it's not actually a problem with the screens used in the notebooks.

Instead of returning the MBPs, shouldn't users with graininess take it up with Apple instead? :confused:
 
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