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New PowerBooks - Finally

Originally posted by MattG
Well my PB has one of the dreaded white spots on it...I sent it in to Apple on Friday. Hopefully I'll have it back soon. :(
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Tell me about this dreaded white spot. I haven't come across any mention of this phenomenon, but may be suffering from it as well.

I've got a spot about the size of a dime (although not perfectly round) approximately centered horizontally and 1/3 of the way vertically from the top of the screen. The spot is "whiter" than the rest of the screen, but is really only perceivable when comparing whites. It can be very distracting... Is this what you had?

What's a good bit of software to use to display test patterns/colors to examine the screen carefully?
 
Originally posted by milksheikh
Tell me about this dreaded white spot. I haven't come across any mention of this phenomenon, but may be suffering from it as well.

I've got a spot about the size of a dime (although not perfectly round) approximately centered horizontally and 1/3 of the way vertically from the top of the screen. The spot is "whiter" than the rest of the screen, but is really only perceivable when comparing whites. It can be very distracting... Is this what you had?

What's a good bit of software to use to display test patterns/colors to examine the screen carefully?
Click to expand...

Could that possibly be caused by the clear/white Apple logo that lights up on the tops of the Powerbooks?
 
Originally posted by jkeithh
Could that possibly be caused by the clear/white Apple logo that lights up on the tops of the Powerbooks?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, no. The abberation is located above the logo on the screen (as verified by holding the PowerBook up to a bright lamp and noting where the logo is).
 
Originally posted by milksheikh
Tell me about this dreaded white spot. I haven't come across any mention of this phenomenon, but may be suffering from it as well.

I've got a spot about the size of a dime (although not perfectly round) approximately centered horizontally and 1/3 of the way vertically from the top of the screen. The spot is "whiter" than the rest of the screen, but is really only perceivable when comparing whites. It can be very distracting... Is this what you had?

What's a good bit of software to use to display test patterns/colors to examine the screen carefully?
Click to expand...

The white spots are problems with the finish on the Aluminum casing.
 
I have the same white spots. It looks like a cluster of bright white spots, only noticable when the screen is white or light grey. I am not sure how this can be a funciton of the finish of the aluminum casing. I am thinking of sending it in, but I already did this to get the superdirve replaced, so I really would prefer not to have to do it age. But, at least there is a really fast turn around.
 
Originally posted by nickfit
I have the same white spots. It looks like a cluster of bright white spots, only noticable when the screen is white or light grey. I am not sure how this can be a funciton of the finish of the aluminum casing. I am thinking of sending it in, but I already did this to get the superdirve replaced, so I really would prefer not to have to do it age. But, at least there is a really fast turn around.
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I would call Apple and complain. Why put up with something that obviously isn't right.

On the previous topic of what the dreaded white spot problem is, it IS, a case finish issue. What you and the previous post are referring to with the bright spot on the screen is an issue I have not heard of before.
 
Originally posted by Cless
Completely off topic, but MacBandit, you've got to shorten that sig. That's the biggest, most annoying thing ever.
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Done. Actually it was far from the biggest here on MacRumors but since you asked I shortened it back up. Next time a please would be nice though. Politeness goes a long ways to making everyone get along here especially now that we're getting so big.
 
milksheikh's white spots...

I've also got two white spots - one in the same place yours is, and one somewhat down and (stage) left of it. They're faint enough not to be a real problem, though, so I was just going to deal with it.

Question: how can the finish of the aluminum shell be the problem?
 
Re: milksheikh's white spots...

Originally posted by ObviousTroll
I've also got two white spots - one in the same place yours is, and one somewhat down and (stage) left of it. They're faint enough not to be a real problem, though, so I was just going to deal with it.

Question: how can the finish of the aluminum shell be the problem?
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I've seen spots on aluminum bike frames and they are usually from chemical stains in production. Maybe I didn't read the article I saw previously about the spots thoroughly enough and it was the screen. In any case it seems this is pretty wide spread. Apple will definitely be getting some flack for this one. Only good news is for those of us who haven't bought yet that means there will be some refurbished models coming soon.
 
Ah. Okay.

From my point of view, the "white" (really "lighter") spots aren't even as bad as the fingerprints I often get on my display, so I can't see it as a really big deal.

Particularly since if they repair it I could easily get a display with a couple of dead pixels. I think I'd rather have the light spots.
 
gawd darn it all...

it may be that the RAM they gave me is no good afterall... i've crashed hard a handful of times (when using software update and other installer programs) giving me that
- you must reboot by holding down the powerbutton blah blah message in different languages... (first time i've EVER seen that message... scary stuff)

both apple care and I have narrowed it down to possible RAM issues, and will do some more analysis at home... macmall WILL be hearing about this... and then some...

but for now my ethernet connection is gone, can't use most non-proprietary programs, and my settings keep getting reset. sigh.
hope i'm not scaring any of you out there that have placed orders with macmall, but i guess it's just something to keep your eye on...

-jason
ps- this doesn't affect my thoughts on my new powerbook... i still think it rocks! (when it works :))

Originally posted by nickfit
I understand that Macmall would have a $40 fee. It is still a deal. That is, it is still a deal if you don't have to reinstall the chips they they improperly installed. At the very least, I would notify them of the issue. If you call them and tell them what happened, and they then offered something, then that would be a sign of a good company. I certainly don't believe in flying off the handle in response to what in the end was a small issue, but they should be aware of the issue so they at least have the opportunity to try to prevent it from happening to others.
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There's 4 Dead Pixels on my 12"

Well, I ordered my powerbook on the 16th. I recieved it on the 1st of October. I opened the box and there it was, in the middle of the freeking screen.

Called MacMall and they said too bad, so sad. Called Apple and they wanted me to send it in so they could test it.

Finally took it to the Genius Bar in Seattle's U-District and they determined it was 4 dead pixels in a clump. I begged them to fix it. After some convincing they took my powerbook. Now I'll be without one for another 2 weeks. It sucks, but hopefully I'll be dead pixel free.

I'll keep you updated.
 
Re: Bag Reccomendations

Originally posted by TheConvert
My 15 inch AlPB 1.25 is incredible. I'm a Mac User for the rest of my life! I love the screen, OSX, light up keyboard, the size and look of it - I'm hooked. Anyway - I've got 2 questions.

The first is - sometimes when I try to edit my website on the Mac, it ends up putting in weird symbols, like "N"s with the weird accent on the top, and "I"s with accents - why does it do this - and is there anything I can do to fix it?

The 2nd one - I'm a college student and I am looking for a stylish bag for my new laptop. Ideally, I'd like a bag that can hold my laptop, and a few textbooks as well. I'd also LOVE it if the bag had a removable sleeve for just the laptop, so I could just carry that if all I needed was the laptop.

Please respond if you have any suggestions.
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I bought the "Vagrant" from Chrome, but you might like "El Ocho" from Timbuk2 because I believe it holds more though I think, like the vagrant, you have to buy a sleeve for it but they're usually around 15 dollars. My sleeve even has it's own pockets, and it opens on two sides. The vagrant doesn't hold too much but I'm a studio art major so I only need it to hold a sketchbook, a notebook, and my laptop in the main compartment. The small pocket is perfect for my iPod and its headphones and my Canon S400 ELPH. I also put my wacom tablet in it and all my necessary wires and stuff in out-of-the-way pockets. It has plenty of room for pens, pencils, and the like as well....the vagrant is very handy for organization, and it has a mesh pocket on the side to hold my old ass phone. I have a nice new camera, slightly older iPod, and a brand new PowerBook 15" and I still carry a Nokia 5165....what's up with that?
 
Originally posted by MattG
Well my PB has one of the dreaded white spots on it...I sent it in to Apple on Friday. Hopefully I'll have it back soon. :(
Click to expand...

edit: oops...hadn't read this far yet before I replied....

But since I'm here now I too have these white spots and I think they're caused by stress on the screen from picking the powerbook up because I tested this by grabbing the screen when it was open the way I would when it was closed. I pushed a little and sure enough the screen distorted in the white spots where I had pushed in....I don't know if I want to go through the hassle of sending my computer in. I have one stuck pixel that isn't even noticible in any color so this problem could also be remedied but if this is a problem with picking up the laptop what good would it be to send it in. My old Dell CPiD has the same problem yet when you cross the areas in it's screen stuff becomes slightly pixelated instead of just a tad bit brighter. The middle of my screen seems dimmer to me sometimes but I think it's just my eyes playing tricks on me in the dark....at any rate I don't think this problem afflicted my computer when I first got it. What do you think I should do? I think I may give Apple a call and see what they'll do....
 
Re: Ah. Okay.

Originally posted by ObviousTroll
From my point of view, the "white" (really "lighter") spots aren't even as bad as the fingerprints I often get on my display, so I can't see it as a really big deal.

Particularly since if they repair it I could easily get a display with a couple of dead pixels. I think I'd rather have the light spots.
Click to expand...

Yes, indeed -- that's why I haven't yet done anything about it. Wondering if I can hold out for ~ 11 months, then get it replaced. Probably not worth risking dead pixels.

It's like its a fingerprint, but it's ALWAYS there. I don't expect permanent fingerprints on a $2.5k machine.
 
<sigh>
I called and they told me they're replacing my screen, however they're all out of them right now. The replacement screen is on backorder.

DAMN IT!
 
Originally posted by MattG
<sigh>
I called and they told me they're replacing my screen, however they're all out of them right now. The replacement screen is on backorder.

DAMN IT!
Click to expand...

If you had the white spot problem it appears that a lot of people had problems with them recurring after they've been fixed. I'm telling you guys it has to do with pressure on the lid of the screen....just try it, grab the lid of your computer while it's open and press slightly when your hand is where it normally is when you pick it up....if the spots are where the lcd distorts from being pressed that's what's causing the problem...
 
Originally posted by zync
If you had the white spot problem it appears that a lot of people had problems with them recurring after they've been fixed. I'm telling you guys it has to do with pressure on the lid of the screen....just try it, grab the lid of your computer while it's open and press slightly when your hand is where it normally is when you pick it up....if the spots are where the lcd distorts from being pressed that's what's causing the problem...
Click to expand...

If that's the case then it shouldn't be permanent and should fade within an hour or two.
 
Heat issues

Well, I've been having heat issues with my 15" AlPB. I think I've figured it out. I've been running it off the power cord. And when I do that it gets really freakin' hot. And I don't do very much on it. Web surfin', word processing, maybe iTunes. But nothing hard core.

Right now I'm on the battery alone and doing the same thing and it is really cool.

First off, is this normal?

Is there anyway I can adjust the temperature level on the fans so they kick on at a lower temp? Even with it plugged in?

I think I'm going to call AppleCare and see what they can tell me. But any advice from ya'll would be great.
 
Re: Heat issues

Originally posted by TheFallGuy
Well, I've been having heat issues with my 15" AlPB. I think I've figured it out. I've been running it off the power cord. And when I do that it gets really freakin' hot. And I don't do very much on it. Web surfin', word processing, maybe iTunes. But nothing hard core.

Right now I'm on the battery alone and doing the same thing and it is really cool.

First off, is this normal?

Is there anyway I can adjust the temperature level on the fans so they kick on at a lower temp? Even with it plugged in?

I think I'm going to call AppleCare and see what they can tell me. But any advice from ya'll would be great.
Click to expand...

Do you know about speed stepping? When you are on battery power the PowerBook steps the processor back to the minimum needed speed to save power. When you plug your PowerBook in it doesn't speed step it gives all processes maximum speed all the time just like a normal desktop does (not including G5s).

I would still speak to Apple though. The palm rest in my opinion should never get uncomfortably warm.
 
Re: Heat issues

Originally posted by TheFallGuy
Well, I've been having heat issues with my 15" AlPB. I think I've figured it out. I've been running it off the power cord. And when I do that it gets really freakin' hot. And I don't do very much on it. Web surfin', word processing, maybe iTunes. But nothing hard core.
Click to expand...

When my powerbook is running heavy graphics (Diablo II, for example) it gets very hot fairly fast. When I'm not running graphics intensive stuff, it stays cool. Are you running an OpenGL visual effect with iTunes?
 
Never Thought I Would Order One

I remember feeling excitement at what else Jobs would reveal in Paris besides Powerbooks. I could have cared less about them.

When they were released I thought -sweet - but then again did not care to ever think about purchasing one.

That was before I discovered the wonders of educational discount. Now I have on order a 15 inch. I am excited about getting one.

I ordered on October 14 and the sales rep said it will ship on the 4th of November! How is that for lead time? My question is since I will get it a week after Panther is released, do you think it will be pre-installed?
 
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