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Small chip in MacBook Pro display

P

PatrickNSF

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 24, 2011
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461
I've noticed a very small chip in my MacBook Pro retina display. It's about 6 months old, so still under warranty. Is this the type of thing handled under AppleCare? Or has anyone had any success repairing or minimizing small scratches/chips?

It's right in the middle of the screen and mostly noticeable on white spaces (e.g., editing documents).
 
PatrickNSF said:
. Is this the type of thing handled under AppleCare?
Click to expand...
Not generally because AC does not cover accidental damage. Being 6 months old, you may have a difficult time convincing Apple that it was always there, i.e., you didn't do it.
 
Took the laptop into the Apple store this morning and they're replacing the screen under warranty. They didn't even hesitate to offer – I was pretty impressed.
 
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PatrickNSF said:
Took the laptop into the Apple store this morning and they're replacing the screen under warranty. They didn't even hesitate to offer – I was pretty impressed.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I got one too just a few days after receiving my rMBP. I read that these "popping pixels" leave craters in the glass that you can feel and that a few people have had the same issues. As I hardly notice the pit and everything else about the machine is tip-top I haven't wanted to take it in for repair. Glad to know that they might replace the display if I do decide to though.
 
PatrickNSF said:
Took the laptop into the Apple store this morning and they're replacing the screen under warranty. They didn't even hesitate to offer – I was pretty impressed.
Click to expand...

How big was the chip in the screen and did it affect the actual display. I have one too and its about 3 months old and they would've charged me $470 for a new screen.
 
The chip was the size of a couple of toothpick-sized points. It was small, but noticeable on solid, light-colored areas (e.g., the white space of TextEdit, the grey area of a window). I could feel it with my fingernail.

All I did was go in with my receipt, told them I'd never noticed it before and didn't know when or how it happened. Told them I hadn't experienced anything like this on any of our past laptops. But let them know (very politely) that since most of my work involves test editing, and it was right in the middle of the screen, it was driving me crazy. And I was concerned that the chip would get bigger if left un-repaired.

They didn't hesitate to replace the screen under warranty. They quoted me up to a week turnaround, but it was available the next day – yesterday. I really expected it to be much more of a hassle, but it couldn't have been easier. And it convinced me that I need to buy AppleCare before my warranty expires, which I've never done before.
 
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"All I did was go in with my receipt, told them I'd never noticed it before and didn't know when or how it happened. Told them I hadn't experienced anything like this on any of our past laptops. But let them know (very politely) that since most of my work involves test editing, and it was right in the middle of the screen, it was driving me crazy. And I was concerned that the chip would get bigger if left un-repaired."

Odd you didn't notice it before if it's driving you crazy.

A chip in the middle of the screen.
 
This is frustrating. Went to the Genius Bar before because I noticed a small crack in the top left of my screen from a computer that I bought only 1 month ago and the Genius told me I should hope that the screen breaks in some other fashion so that they would replace the screen. He wasn't helpful at all.
 
stringerhye said:
This is frustrating. Went to the Genius Bar before because I noticed a small crack in the top left of my screen from a computer that I bought only 1 month ago and the Genius told me I should hope that the screen breaks in some other fashion so that they would replace the screen. He wasn't helpful at all.
Click to expand...

Bummer. Maybe pick up accident insurance and file a claim after a month or two.
 
HowEver said:
Odd you didn't notice it before if it's driving you crazy.
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Why is that odd? It's quite possible it only chipped last week when I first noticed it. I specifically told them I didn't know how or when it happened.
 
PatrickNSF said:
The chip was the size of a couple of toothpick-sized points. It was small, but noticeable on solid, light-colored areas (e.g., the white space of TextEdit, the grey area of a window). I could feel it with my fingernail.

All I did was go in with my receipt, told them I'd never noticed it before and didn't know when or how it happened. Told them I hadn't experienced anything like this on any of our past laptops. But let them know (very politely) that since most of my work involves test editing, and it was right in the middle of the screen, it was driving me crazy. And I was concerned that the chip would get bigger if left un-repaired.

They didn't hesitate to replace the screen under warranty. They quoted me up to a week turnaround, but it was available the next day – yesterday. I really expected it to be much more of a hassle, but it couldn't have been easier. And it convinced me that I need to buy AppleCare before my warranty expires, which I've never done before.
Click to expand...

I walked in and the 'Genius" looked at it and said that she "hoped" that something would happen so that I didn't have to pay for a replacement. I wasn't trying to spend $470 on a new screen on top of the cost of the computer. I wish I had your luck.
 
PatrickNSF said:
Took the laptop into the Apple store this morning and they're replacing the screen under warranty. They didn't even hesitate to offer – I was pretty impressed.
Click to expand...

Apple's support is amazing. I have been lucky and only had to contact them twice but both times that were excellent. I'm currently watching one of my friends battle Dell's support on a notebook issue.

You never truly appreciate Apple's support until you see how badly others are.

Every time I see one of those "Alienware Horror Story" posts, I find the whole thing fascinating. With literally ten years of posts from people who have had terrible service from Dell, I'm amazed people still buy them!

Apple isn't perfect but I have found their support to be excellent!

-P
 
HI All,

I too have this same problem on my 2013 MBPr 13". Several tiny chips on the screen that look like dead pixels and are very annoying.

Had the screen replaced as had several chips and they seemed to be multiplying. Apple did this under AppleCare for free without even hesitating.

Now 2 months later on the new screen I have the same thing. :(

After the first one I've been even more careful than usual, kept it clean, made sure there is no sand or dust or anything on the keyboard but still its happened.

Very disappointed and would love to know whats happening.
 
PatrickNSF said:
The chip was the size of a couple of toothpick-sized points. It was small, but noticeable on solid, light-colored areas (e.g., the white space of TextEdit, the grey area of a window). I could feel it with my fingernail.

All I did was go in with my receipt, told them I'd never noticed it before and didn't know when or how it happened. Told them I hadn't experienced anything like this on any of our past laptops. But let them know (very politely) that since most of my work involves test editing, and it was right in the middle of the screen, it was driving me crazy. And I was concerned that the chip would get bigger if left un-repaired.

They didn't hesitate to replace the screen under warranty. They quoted me up to a week turnaround, but it was available the next day – yesterday. I really expected it to be much more of a hassle, but it couldn't have been easier. And it convinced me that I need to buy AppleCare before my warranty expires, which I've never done before.
Click to expand...
Mine has the same thing! I've had my macbook about 2 years and I legitimately just noticed it. Its very small at the bottom left hand side. My Mac is my baby and has NEVER been dropped or fallen or had anything hit the screen. In fact most of the time it stays inside its case on my bedside table...how?
 
had this happen on my MacBook pro 2015, 2016, 2017 models. Small chip, looks like a dead pixel in almost the centre of the screen. Irritating.
 
Is it worth buying an iMac with a scratch like this
1588862037562.png
1588862120945.png
1588862178740.png
Are thouse with marks at the top of the pictures reflection or on the screen?Is it a no no not to buy one with a chip like this one evan at a decent Price?
 
I think I would contact the seller about that shape near the top of the screen. I think it is just a shadow from the location, but it would be good to ask for a different picture, turning the screen, or changing room lighting to show that is not part of the screen.
BUT, your pictures clearly show 7 (or more) thin vertical lines, approximately an inch apart. THOSE may indicate an actual problem with the LCD panel, and (to me) more concerning than a chip in the glass, outside of the active image area. In the end, the chip doesn't affect the use of the iMac, but, those vertical lines may indicate either a failing LCD panel, or could even be a fault in the graphics card.
"decent price"? I would not pay more than $350. You may be able to find a replacement display assembly for less than $500. But, I would look elsewhere for an iMac that doesn't need money before you even have bought it.
 
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DeltaMac said:
I think I would contact the seller about that shape near the top of the screen. I think it is just a shadow from the location, but it would be good to ask for a different picture, turning the screen, or changing room lighting to show that is not part of the screen.
BUT, your pictures clearly show 7 (or more) thin vertical lines, approximately an inch apart. THOSE may indicate an actual problem with the LCD panel, and (to me) more concerning than a chip in the glass, outside of the active image area. In the end, the chip doesn't affect the use of the iMac, but, those vertical lines may indicate either a failing LCD panel or could even be a fault in the graphics card.
"decent price"? I would not pay more than $350. You may be able to find a replacement display assembly for less than $500. But, I would look elsewhere for an iMac that doesn't need money before you even have bought it.
Click to expand...
Thanks after that I think I will leave it, there is no guarantee with it. But if there is a chip like the one in the pictures that would be no problem. He has it up for 700. I don,t understand how people get chips on them in the first place,s not as if you move them around :oops:This is what the seller said to me
Sorry, the white thing is a reflection and the chip doesn’t affect at all on display. It has literally it more than 2/3 small scratches which aren’t visible from more than 6cm.
 
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Right, the small ding near the glass edge doesn't affect the screen video, and (as the glass cover extends to the edge of the display), it would only take a pretty minor hit on the edge to pop off a small divot like that. The plate glass cover, being non-tempered glass, doesn't need much of an accidental "tap" for that to happen.
Again, I would be more concerned with the multiple, vertical lines on the display itself. THOSE are not scratches, but an indication of a display problem.
Good on ya to pass it up, I think. :cool:
 
DeltaMac said:
Right, the small ding near the glass edge doesn't affect the screen video, and (as the glass cover extends to the edge of the display), it would only take a pretty minor hit on the edge to pop off a small divot like that. The plate glass cover, being non-tempered glass, doesn't need much of an accidental "tap" for that to happen.
Again, I would be more concerned with the multiple, vertical lines on the display itself. THOSE are not scratches, but an indication of a display problem.
Good on ya to pass it up, I think. :cool:
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It seems it is not on there anymore anyway. I will properly have to pay more money for one with some sort of guarantee unless the private seller says it is good. I am not in any hurry anyway as my Mac Mini 2012 is working fine it is just the base modal with a Samsung Evo 860 and 16gb of ram. But my idea was to get an iMac where I can use it with my Apple Thunderbolt display. I want to get one with graphics, not the intel one.
It is a shame the 5k modals don,t work with my Thunderbolt display. :oops: if they did I would get one of them.
 
I have just noticed the smallest of chip in my macbook also, I am sure it ran out of warranty a few weeks ago :(
 
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