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MBP Retina Scratched Coating
- Thread starter armanijohnny
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Mine developed the coating peel off issue (mid 2012 rmbp 15) and is still under 3 year apple care. Took it in and they replaced it without a problem. Got the newer LP154WT1-SJA2 panel and its even better than the samsung panel I had.
Late 2013 rMBP 15", same issue
I believe one of the main reasons it's on the bezel area is because we try to reach the corners of the screen against the plastic (where specs of dust accumulate). This is crazy, on a $2,500 machine, having such a solution. I'd rather have more glare than random distracting spots permanently.
Too bad I'm past my warranty. Apple should have a recall for this carelessness. I can just imagine Phil Schiller saying, "yes, the screen has a coating that can wear on your $2,500 machine with the instructions we provide you, that is a normal property of the coating," like they did with the color coming off the iPhone 5.
I believe one of the main reasons it's on the bezel area is because we try to reach the corners of the screen against the plastic (where specs of dust accumulate). This is crazy, on a $2,500 machine, having such a solution. I'd rather have more glare than random distracting spots permanently.
Too bad I'm past my warranty. Apple should have a recall for this carelessness. I can just imagine Phil Schiller saying, "yes, the screen has a coating that can wear on your $2,500 machine with the instructions we provide you, that is a normal property of the coating," like they did with the color coming off the iPhone 5.
I also have started to have this issue. I have a Early 2013 rMBP 15". There is also quite a lengthy thread on the official Apple Support forums which is 20 pages long now. I'm still under my Applecare warranty but am waiting to see how this issue is being addressed by Apple. It seems to be a manufacturing issue given the various patterns of coating removal on the screens and given the timeframe that these machines seem to be manufactured. I hope this will be officially acknowledged by Apple.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6068947?tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6068947?tstart=0
Mid 2014 here with a very minor coating problem around the camera area.
PS: Responded to your other thread.
Hi; there is a large community of people experiencing the same problem. Unfortunately Apple has been reluctant so far to provide a solution, to the extent that they actually removed the thread from their own support forums. It seems like there are issues with application process of the AR coating, as has been confirmed by a specialist. It causes the coating to not "stick" equally to the screen. Users have reported that they managed to remove most of the coating with water(!), except on those spots where the coating was applied correctly.
We have set up a FB group to discuss this issue further, simply search for "MacBook Retina STAIN ON DISPLAY / damaged AR coating" for all information regarding permanent stains on your Retina screens. You will find a link to a database we set up aiming at collecting information about the different cases. Once we gathered sufficient data we will decide collectively how to proceed.
In the mean time:
We have set up a FB group to discuss this issue further, simply search for "MacBook Retina STAIN ON DISPLAY / damaged AR coating" for all information regarding permanent stains on your Retina screens. You will find a link to a database we set up aiming at collecting information about the different cases. Once we gathered sufficient data we will decide collectively how to proceed.
In the mean time:
DO NOT use cleaning products!
ONLY use the microfiber cloth that came with your MacBook
if you have permanent stains, there is little you can do for now. It is not covered by Apple warranty, nor by Apple Care, although some people claim they got their screens replaced at no charge (so far I know of 2 cases). Personally I use a screen protector (iVisor) to prevent my keyboard from leaving further imprints on the screen.
What would you recommend I do? try to keep my oily fingers off the screen as much as possible?
Just got a refurbished 13" rMBP mid 2014. I can't go back to MBA 2011 screen. and i don't want this to happen possibly... and get a crappy screen after lucking out getting a good one.
Samsung SSD and beautiful screen. Opting out of AC this time and using American Express for second year of warranty. Noted to not use chemicals, and to not use anything but the apple black cloth.
Used my soft t shirt for a smudge or two earlier but glad i came across this thread
Just got a refurbished 13" rMBP mid 2014. I can't go back to MBA 2011 screen. and i don't want this to happen possibly... and get a crappy screen after lucking out getting a good one.
Samsung SSD and beautiful screen. Opting out of AC this time and using American Express for second year of warranty. Noted to not use chemicals, and to not use anything but the apple black cloth.
Used my soft t shirt for a smudge or two earlier but glad i came across this thread
I agree with what you said except the part about the Apple cloth. Letʻs use reason people. The "reason" this issue is occurring is not because your non-Apple micro fiber cloth is pitting your screen. Thereʻs most likely something wrong with Appleʻs manufacturing process. The cloth that comes with Macs is like the cheapie cloth that came with my Rolex. Iʻd never use it because itʻs a gimmicky thing they include in all boxes to make the buyer "feel" like he/sheʻs getting something special. In this case, micro fiber or not itʻs not made with Apple magic.
Yes, be careful guys and gals, but most micro fiber cloths will do the job. Personally, Iʻd never use the one my Mac came with. It honestly feels cheap and meh. I use some really good aftermarket ones I purchased elsewhere and have not had any issues.
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Just make sure to use a non-abrasive cloth. Yes, microfiber preferably, but it doesnʻt have to be the one that came with your computer.
MBP Retina Scratched Coating
You also want it to be clean, or at least dust free. Dust is little particles of stuff, and sometimes that stuff is rock or something else scratchy. Even hair can be surprisingly abrasive.
One nice thing about the Apple cloth is it shows abrasives very well.
I generally use a little iKlear/KlearScreen (same stuff) on the cloth. It's what I've seen them use in the Apple Store, is widely considered safe for all the screens and a little bit of dampness on the cloth goes a long way towards lubricating any dust particles already on the screen. Dry-wiping can be a bit risky.
You also want it to be clean, or at least dust free. Dust is little particles of stuff, and sometimes that stuff is rock or something else scratchy. Even hair can be surprisingly abrasive.
One nice thing about the Apple cloth is it shows abrasives very well.
I generally use a little iKlear/KlearScreen (same stuff) on the cloth. It's what I've seen them use in the Apple Store, is widely considered safe for all the screens and a little bit of dampness on the cloth goes a long way towards lubricating any dust particles already on the screen. Dry-wiping can be a bit risky.
I'd really hate to have this problem develop 10 months down the road, maybe get it acknowledged and replaced by 
best case scenario and play the panel lottery once again this issue aside.
ugh, don't want to return to non retina screen either.
I guess take a breath and keep calm?
The apple support thread showing the keys removing AG coating is concerning to me.
best case scenario and play the panel lottery once again this issue aside.ugh, don't want to return to non retina screen either.
I guess take a breath and keep calm?
The apple support thread showing the keys removing AG coating is concerning to me.
At this point, there's nothing you can do really. I mean, unless you use your Macbook in a dust-free laboratory with gloves and a mask.
The majority of people handle their $2000-$3000 machine with the utmost care, using nothing but the Apple cloth and water, and they still get it. Some get it after 3 months, others after well over a year, but everyone will get the issue at some point because the material Apple used is prone to it. Look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mchm7jFTZwE (after 2:00, it's really surprising).
I will never buy another rMBP again, until Apple properly addresses this and promises that it won't happen again (like they did with the iPhone 5s, changing the black of the 5 to "space grey"). My next laptop will be a high-end 4K one (it's not just Apple that makes good hardware, ASUS does a great job, too), and probably hackintosh it. For people planning on getting a retina laptop now, I suggest you do this instead of buying a rMBP. Kill the sales of Apple and maybe then they'll finally care about us.
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is this happening or bound to with EVERY rMBP?
8 pages is a lot, same with that Apple Support thread, but I'd imagine it'd be even bigger if everyone is impacted.
surely there must be some early adopter 2012 users (for longevity purposes, not that SKU in particular) who are still doing alright?
8 pages is a lot, same with that Apple Support thread, but I'd imagine it'd be even bigger if everyone is impacted.
surely there must be some early adopter 2012 users (for longevity purposes, not that SKU in particular) who are still doing alright?
Look at post #33 on this very thread. Maybe some are doing fine, but considering the damage is caused not by the user but by the fragility of the material used by Apple, it's likely/has the potential to happen, at least to some extent, to every rMBP (in my opinion).
If you can still return your rMBP, go to Apple, and show them this thread (and the others you probably found online), threaten to return it, and if they want to keep your money, have them write in your file that if it happens to you, they'll change it. It will bring this issue to their attention, show that it's affecting sales and protect you.
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This doesn't necessarily mean that all 2012 rMBP users are affected but that does appear to be a horror story.
Like I said, the problem is the material, not the people. Some people can use a dollar store product for years without a problem (lucky for them), but the vast majority of them break fast.
I think the video in my previous post makes it quite clear how fragile the coating is.
Yeah I mean it's certainly concerning.
I'm just wondering what screen protector I should get if I decide to keep the 13" rMBP, I have a 14 day return policy.
I just don't want to be back on a TN panel with crappy viewing angles and not great resolution
I'm just wondering what screen protector I should get if I decide to keep the 13" rMBP, I have a 14 day return policy.
I just don't want to be back on a TN panel with crappy viewing angles and not great resolution
I feel you. I edited my post while you were replying so you probably missed it, but you can do this:
Hi I had this issue appear almost out of no where on my late 2013 13" rMBP last August. After days of searching for an answer (never found online) I took it to the Apple store. They looked it over, did some checking and wrote me up for service. I have 4 months left on the warranty. I got a call the next morning to come pick it up. They installed a new screen (its lid and all I believe) The problem is the outer glass and substrate are separating. My thinking is I use it in power lid mode a lot and perhaps the added heat got to it but that is just a guess. Bottom line, you can't fix it and Apple will for free if under warranty. Out of warranty, you are looking at a nice piece of change!
Good luck!
I might have already mentioned this, but don't want a screen panel lottery game either.
the panel in my 13" 2014 rMBP refurbished is excellent, and replacing the glass would mean replacing the panel and playing the lottery again
Right, so then get yourself a non-Apple laptop. The ASUS Zenbook has a higher resolution IPS panel than the rMBP, is comparable to the rMBP in terms of build quality and price. I don't know if it has an AR coating as well, but you could look into it (I'm not in the market for a new laptop so I haven't done my research).
Not in the market for anything right now but a 13" MBA replacement running mavericks, and rMBP fits the bill/ works with TB dock I use on random occasions.
Perhaps there's a screen protector people can vouch for, should I choose to go that route.
Perhaps there's a screen protector people can vouch for, should I choose to go that route.