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I bought a new MacBook yesterday, finally, after many years of owning my trusting iBook G3, within the first 5 minutes of using my new MacBook, I was very displeased with it, the screen is angering me quite a bit mainly because it shows "dots" in quite a few areas, such as in menus and in some pictures. I don't know how to explain it but I took a picture of a menu in Safari, I took a screenshot but the problem didn't show up on my iBook (or parents iMac) at all. I later found out my MacBook is the 9C5B which is supposedly the worst MacBook screen. I'm ready to return the MacBook already

I got a macbook 8/22 and it has this exact same thing going on. In addition, the lower corners are darkened. It looks really weird. Seeing as how I am almost at the end of my 2 weeks I've decided I am not going to put up with it, but rather try and get it replaced.

What did you end up doing with yours? If you tried to get it replaced did they give you any grief over it?
 
I finally got my MacBook replaced by Futureshop after they were very reluctant to do so, saying that it was a "feature" of 10.5, we did comparison between my laptop and floor models and it was obvious that the problem only appeared on mine, after waiting 2 hours they replaced it and the model I got has an LG screen. 31st week of 08, and the quality is much, much better than the Samsung!
 
Why does Apple use so many different LCD manufacturers? Why not just use the one that is clearly the best?

Most companies try to go with two or more different suppliers for the same part so their supply chain doesn't dry up if one supplier goes under, has their factory burn down, etc.
 
hmm, I wonder what screen i have? Would it be foolish to go to Apple store and ask them to open the boxes until I get the perfect one?

After all I'm paying for perfection, why settle for less? Isn't it just economics?

nah
 
9C89 is my screen - is it the bad one?

manufactured date C3B1A800
It's the one people are saying isn't the best out of the two kinds used in the alu macbook. It isn't "bad" though. Honestly I think the difference isn't noticeable and what some of the posters are saying is an example of the placebo effect in action.
 
It's the one people are saying isn't the best out of the two kinds used in the alu macbook. It isn't "bad" though. Honestly I think the difference isn't noticeable and what some of the posters are saying about is an example of the placebo effect in action.

You mean mass hysteria :D
 
I read that some of you who posted in this thread have the 9C5E screen. Would you be able to post your calibrations? I have that screen and after countless attempts with the built-in calibrator and SuperCal, I just can't get it right. Thanks a lot.
 
I bought a new MacBook yesterday, finally, after many years of owning my trusting iBook G3, within the first 5 minutes of using my new MacBook, I was very displeased with it, the screen is angering me quite a bit mainly because it shows "dots" in quite a few areas, such as in menus and in some pictures. I don't know how to explain it but I took a picture of a menu in Safari, I took a screenshot but the problem didn't show up on my iBook (or parents iMac) at all. I later found out my MacBook is the 9C5B which is supposedly the worst MacBook screen. I'm ready to return the MacBook already

This issue is definitely real. I have seen it myself on a MacBook with a 9C5B display. Whether it is the make of display that is at fault or a bad batch I couldn't say for certain.

Another MacBook owner who identified this issue...

http://homepage.mac.com/mlostracco/MacBook/PhotoAlbum174.html

It could possibly be a timing fault in the display which causes the dithering to be more obvious on some than others.
 
Looked at Applestore today - couldn't see big screen difference

I had some macbooks next to each other, one with 9C8C and two 9C89. To my eyes one of the 9C89 was slightly better but it was really hard to see a difference. (And I am somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to the stuff I buy).
I thought the difference would be substantial based on all the issues I have read. However this was barely noticable!

MBP does have a substantially better screen but the lack of heat on the MacBook is a big selling point for me.
 
thanks for the post

I'm a new macbook owner as of early october. Right away, I noted a problem with the screen's clarity. It's such a disappointment to spend this much money and have it not be right (I bought the 2nd level). Upon this post, I realized I have the samsung display. I took it into the store & they replaced the LCD. However, they replaced it with yet another samsung, so the quality is still poor. And in the process, the outside cover was scratched. I pointed out that this was a brand new macbook, not even 3 weeks old, so he offered to replace both the cover and LCD again. Which is great, except I really wish the product was right to start. What happened to quality control? He also said there was no way to specify what brand LCD they are getting. Thanks a lot to the person that posted the info. on how to look up your display info. and just for the record- this is a real problem and a significant one for anyone that does anything in the design field.
 
Is it possible for them to change a Samsung 9C5B screen with a different one? Are the connectors the same as the LG?

I got a refurb Blackbook recently and got the Samsung screen. I didn't like the banding and dots either but otherwise the laptop is perfect and the screen is well-calibrated and very bright (I am coming from a 2004 model 12-inch Powerbook). Brought it to the Genius bar, they are going to replace my LCD. However, they suggested to do it at a later date (as the work would take 10-14 days right now, the store has a lot of repair backlog). If I can only get another Samsung screen, maybe I won't bother.
 
follow up

Just wanted to let you know that the 3rd time can be the charm. I dropped off the notebook 3 times. Each time, having to explain to the tech. the problem. After a bit, everyone of them noticed it too. They replaced the screen twice, but both times it was with another 9C5B Samsung (unless they didn't replace it all and just told me they did). Finally, the 3rd time after a lot of defending and convincing on my part they agreed to do it a 3rd time. I think if the computer is brought in a 3rd time for a repeating problem, they flag it b/c the 3rd time I had a lot of hoops to jump through. At any rate, happily I just picked it up tonight & could tell right away the difference! Sure enough, I checked the info. and it is the 9C5E Chi Me. So much better!!! I'm thrilled. I can't thank the person enough that wrote the info. on how to check the manufacturer,etc. b/c at the Mac Store they were trying to 'hide' that you can even check it. It's like getting a little piece of the inside scoop- so Thank You!
 
I just recieved my 2.4 MB yesterday and it has a 9C8B screen of which was not mentioned in this post at all. My two cents, its the best one Ive seen. VERY even backlighting, good blacks....still crappy vertical viewing angles but thats to be expected, everything else about it is perfect.
 
mine is 9C89.

Actually I got a replacement for defect. I don't remember what the old one was (maybe Philips?) but 9C89 is worse. about bottom 1/3 is brighter than top no matter how you change the viewing angle. (like viewing angle is 0) The old one also had bright bottom but not this much.

I wonder firmware can adjust this.

BTW, I got this one a few days ago at an apple store in LA. From the serial, it was built in the 40th week (2nd week of Oct?). a bit surprised this is made that before and still in store. I expected I could avoid the first lot if exchanged.
 
Its sad that even for the relative premium price for a luxury consumer notebook such as a Macbook, getting a good screen is like playing the lottery. :(

I hope Apple gets enough feedback about this.
 
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