So... about that Macbook screen wash-out

[tekmoe]

I'm planning an Al Macbook purchase soon and don't expect to be bothered by the screen quality. I've been pimping a Presario notebook for the past 3 years. This Macbook will be big step up for me!

Just be sure not to look at a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air screen and you will be fine.

 

[daneoni]

So my sister just received her MacBook Pro (first mac) and i immediately did a full comparison between the MBP/MBA/MB and WOW, the screen on the Pro is ridiculously better...miles better. The whites are white, decent black levels...it looks AMAZING.

The order of goodness as most would expect is as follows MBP>MBA>MB. I am now DEFINATELY returning or selling my macbook. I'll either get the air or suck it up and get a Pro...although i'd rather not since its too big/heavy so its probably gonna be the Air at this point.

 

[No1451]

Got mine in today(finally) and I have to say that while its not what I am used to, its decent. But then a MBP probably would be not quite up to snuff either(my gaming Windows machine is on a 37" Aquos, fantastic colour and picture on it).

Either way, its about what I would expect from a laptop LCD and it did get better after using Jessica's Spyder2 screen calibration(doesn't look as blue anymore) so I am happy. Beats the hell out of my old Dell

 

[tingtongkoenie]

Sorry ..... but euh ...... hmmmm ...... I LOVE THE SCREEN !!!!!
I don't understand the whole fuss.
If Jobs is reading this, they guy must be getting grey hair.
Are people never sattisfied ?
What on earth is wrong with my beautiful screen ?
Next to my beautiful new macbook, I have my fathers old desktop with IBM screen.
You wanne see that screen ?

 

[tekmoe]

Sorry ..... but euh ...... hmmmm ...... I LOVE THE SCREEN !!!!!
I don't understand the whole fuss.
If Jobs is reading this, they guy must be getting grey hair.
Are people never sattisfied ?
What on earth is wrong with my beautiful screen ?
Next to my beautiful new macbook, I have my fathers old desktop with IBM screen.
You wanne see that screen ?

One man's junk is another man's treasure...

 

[sirozha]

I wonder if this is a wide-spread paranoia. I just now found this thread, and there's no way I would be reading all thirteen pages of posts. I own both a Macbook Air (1st generation) and just bought an Aluminum Macbook (Late 2008) 2.4 GHz with 4 GB of RAM. The display on the Macbook has the following numbers:

Manufacturer: 00000610
Model: 00009C89
Serial Number: 00000000
Mafufacture Date: C3B1A800

I compared the Macbook's screen to the Macbook Air's screen a few days ago (before I found this thread), and my opinion is that the display on the Aluminum Macbook is way better than the one on the Macbook Air. Granted, I did not check the blacks, and neither did I run any tests. Because I did not think there was any problem with the aluminum Macbook's display, my first impression was that it is superior to the Macbook Air's (1st generation) one.

So, my advice to those who have bought their aluminum Macbooks is to calm down. Maybe go to the local Apple store and run screen calibration on both Macbook Air and aluminum Macbook with the same settings. My opinion is that you guys are being irrational. As for the Macbook Pro's display, I don't have one, but my co-worker does (previous generation), and I will compare my Macbook's display to his tomorrow. When he looked at my Macbook the other day, all he said was "Wow, I wish I could sell my Macbook Pro and buy a Macbook like yours."

 

[bidwalj]

I wonder if this is a wide-spread paranoia. I just now found this thread, and there's no way I would be reading all thirteen pages of posts. I own both a Macbook Air (1st generation) and just bought an Aluminum Macbook (Late 2008) 2.4 GHz with 4 GB of RAM. The display on the Macbook has the following numbers:

Manufacturer: 00000610
Model: 00009C89
Serial Number: 00000000
Mafufacture Date: C3B1A800

I compared the Macbook's screen to the Macbook Air's screen a few days ago (before I found this thread), and my opinion is that the display on the Aluminum Macbook is way better than the one on the Macbook Air. Granted, I did not check the blacks, and neither did I run any tests. Because I did not think there was any problem with the aluminum Macbook's display, my first impression was that it is superior to the Macbook Air's (1st generation) one.

So, my advice to those who have bought their aluminum Macbooks is to calm down. Maybe go to the local Apple store and run screen calibration on both Macbook Air and aluminum Macbook with the same settings. My opinion is that you guys are being irrational. As for the Macbook Pro's display, I don't have one, but my co-worker does (previous generation), and I will compare my Macbook's display to his tomorrow. When he looked at my Macbook the other day, all he said was "Wow, I wish I could sell my Macbook Pro and buy a Macbook like yours."

I was thinking the same way. At the right angle it looks just as good or better. The issue here is the blacks or dark scenes when watching a video at full screen. That issue is legit and the black scenes are not viewable.

 

[Ryffie]

I've read the US return policy and it says 10% restocking fee and when I read the policy for my country it says you only have to pay for the shipping cost. I'm guessing part of the high tax we pay for it cover the costs of people returning stuff, which sucks in a way.

Oh and I stumbled upon this video, think someone posted it before, where they compare the old blackbook and macbook pro with the new macbook aluminum. The trailer for dark knight is playing (which has a lot of dark scenes in it) simultaneously on all three and I can't seem to find any major wash-outs. It's pretty hard to tell on the low quality video though, but it doesn't look like a big deal! I noticed the macbook aluminum is darker with fewer details, maybe it's the gamma? Anyway, if it looks like this when I get it it's good enough for me.

 

[Nykwil]

i think the quality of media plays a big part on what you see on screen...i watched back the future in 720p and it looked great the blacks didnt look too washed out and i was able to see details in dark scenes...playing a dvd rip however gets lackluster results.

So far im happy with the screen.

 

[christiemp]

I'm envious of all these people buying Macbook's for their daughters, and having their Macbook paid for with their "dad's hard earned money" =(. I'm sixteen and it's going to take me another whole year before I can pay for one of these machines (jealous expression).

Oh please. I'm a college freshman and I BOUGHT my first notebook just a few weeks ago. Don't be jealous of spoiled people, it's good to know the value of a dollar. I wouldn't appreciate this computer half as much if "daddy" bought it for me.

 

[KamiNoYadoru]

I was thinking the same way. At the right angle it looks just as good or better. The issue here is the blacks or dark scenes when watching a video at full screen. That issue is legit and the black scenes are not viewable.

...isn't this whole thing about viewing angles?

 

[hogfaninga]

Most people I know thank Stafford Loan money for their Macs.

 

[sammy2066]

Don't ask them to waive the restocking fee. TELL them to waive the restocking fee. If they ask why, you already know the answer. You are not happy with your MacBook because the screen quality SUCKS. Plain and simple.

They said they wouldn't do it .... there's nothing I can do about it.

 

[HoldFastHope]

I took a look at the Apple Store the other day and all the displays looked the same to my eyes, found a 9C89 and 9C8C next to each other and I couldn't tell them apart. None of the screens looked blurry at all, I tested a dark website and dark photo and they both looked alright to me.

I'm thinking that we may have a different component supplier for Aus stock, because nothing I've seen in the stores I've visited displays like those pics posted earlier. Couldn't find any reported issues on the Aus forums either.

I ordered mine earlier today and should receive it any minute now, so thanks to Murphy's Law I'll probably get a bad one I'll post my screen specs and thoughts when I get it.

 

[Nykwil]

just watched the dark knight 720p trailer and honestly, it looked great. Even the dark scenes. colors and details were clear, blacks weren't completely black but that's to be expected but details were clear in dark scenes

 

[Roller]

...isn't this whole thing about viewing angles?

Largely, IMO. But the point is that good LCD panels aren't nearly as susceptible to changes in viewing angle as the ones in the new MB are. In some circumstances, even a slight change in the tilt of your head can make the image look quite different. As I said elsewhere, the sensitivity to viewing angle also makes calibration difficult.

For the work I do - email, Web surfing, word processing, and data entry - the MB is fine, so I'm keeping mine, but I can see where people with different needs might want to return theirs.

 

[JJBagoose]

This thread has taken an interesting turn.

I'm sorry but all you people that have positive things to say about the new MB's screen must immediately leave this thread and take your happy thoughts elsewhere.

I have been previously instructed that this thread is only for people who want to complain about the screen.

 

[NC MacGuy]

This thread has taken an interesting turn.

I'm sorry but all you people that have positive things to say about the new MB's screen must immediately leave this thread and take your happy thoughts elsewhere.

I have been previously instructed that this thread is only for people who want to complain about the screen.

Not all complaining.

It was actually set up as a place to exchange ideas and verify one persons real world MB usage with another and see if there was truly an issue with the display. People put a lot of money into a machine and when first opened and turned on the display looked okay (too blue though..), then after using it to do various tasks realized there were issues. The exchange of calibration profiles helped some keep their machine. The display without tweaking the color profiles was horrid on my MB. You can go back a few pages and see the differences.

Members who come to the thread and say my display is perfect do nothing to help those who were questioning a return. Fact is, the display is okay as nearly all have said for viewing web pages, word processing and any work that doesn't have a preponderance of dark hues. The wash out and indistinguishable dark and blacks when not contrasted with light and colors immediately around it is in reality an issue with my display and obviously others.

Very happy to see some have perfect displays out of the box. I also see that some of the posters of beautiful displays are new switchers or haven't owned many Macs.

 

[kasakka]

Largely, IMO. But the point is that good LCD panels aren't nearly as susceptible to changes in viewing angle as the ones in the new MB are. In some circumstances, even a slight change in the tilt of your head can make the image look quite different. As I said elsewhere, the sensitivity to viewing angle also makes calibration difficult.

For the work I do - email, Web surfing, word processing, and data entry - the MB is fine, so I'm keeping mine, but I can see where people with different needs might want to return theirs.

Indeed. I'm really on the fence whether to buy the Macbook or not because of the screen. So far I've checked out two samples and one seemed slightly better than the other. It's hard to accurately gauge how bad the Macbook would be in actual use since most stores have pretty bright lighting compared to the usual conference room, school class etc. What I do know is that I might get annoyed by having to always adjust the screen.

I truly hope Apple will do something about them. I don't care if they put in a panel with better black levels but just a panel with better viewing angles would be more than enough.

 

[sammy2066]

Indeed. I'm really on the fence whether to buy the Macbook or not because of the screen. So far I've checked out two samples and one seemed slightly better than the other. It's hard to accurately gauge how bad the Macbook would be in actual use since most stores have pretty bright lighting compared to the usual conference room, school class etc. What I do know is that I might get annoyed by having to always adjust the screen.

I truly hope Apple will do something about them. I don't care if they put in a panel with better black levels but just a panel with better viewing angles would be more than enough.

Apple will not change the displays, being the stubborn company it is. Don't buy the MacBook if you have high expectations from the display.

 

[NC MacGuy]

Indeed. I'm really on the fence whether to buy the Macbook or not because of the screen. So far I've checked out two samples and one seemed slightly better than the other. It's hard to accurately gauge how bad the Macbook would be in actual use since most stores have pretty bright lighting compared to the usual conference room, school class etc. What I do know is that I might get annoyed by having to always adjust the screen.

I truly hope Apple will do something about them. I don't care if they put in a panel with better black levels but just a panel with better viewing angles would be more than enough.

The narrow viewing angle exacerbates the black level issues. The previous MB had a not so great display too but without the glass had better viewing angles. This allowed you to still get adequate visuals without searching for the few º's of viewable sweet spot in the new MB's.

 

[sammy2066]

@NC MacGuy

I'm going to be returning my MB today. I can however get a replacement and see if I get my hands on a 9C8C or something better than the one I have. It's not even been a week since I got my Mac, so I have another week to test out the other display. And I can still return it after that.

What do you suggest?

 

[NC MacGuy]

@NC MacGuy

I'm going to be returning my MB today. I can however get a replacement and see if I get my hands on a 9C8C or something better than the one I have. It's not even been a week since I got my Mac, so I have another week to test out the other display. And I can still return it after that.

What do you suggest?

Can't hurt. If it works out, great, if not nothing really lost except arguing over restocking fee which it looks like they'll hit you with.

I'm going to return mine and get a MBP. It's a second machine anyways since I have an Air. I may hold on to the MBP unopened if I can help it and wait to see new Air reviews next week or week after. Then if new Air sounds good, exchange unopened MBP for an Air. If it sucks, keep the MBP.

The Air screen really kicks butt. With the ever decreasing cost of panels these days, I can't for the life of me see why Apple sacrificed the beauty and functionality of the new MB with such a mediocre display. Everything else on mine is as perfect as could be. Very sad.

 

[sammy2066]

Can't hurt. If it works out, great, if not nothing really lost except arguing over restocking fee which it looks like they'll hit you with.

I'm going to return mine and get a MBP. It's a second machine anyways since I have an Air. I may hold on to the MBP unopened if I can help it and wait to see new Air reviews next week or week after. Then if new Air sounds good, exchange unopened MBP for an Air. If it sucks, keep the MBP.

The Air screen really kicks butt. With the ever decreasing cost of panels these days, I can't for the life of me see why Apple sacrificed the beauty and functionality of the new MB with such a mediocre display. Everything else on mine is as perfect as could be. Very sad.

Well, they're charging me a restocking fee (10%) even now. Would it increase if I get a replacement and have to return it?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Well, they're charging me a restocking fee (10%) even now. Would it increase if I get a replacement and have to return it?

Companies cannot charge an increased restocking fee even if you buy, return, buy, return. If you're going to return and pay the 10% restocking fee and walk out with another MB I'd question why.

I would say to them that all you want is a straight exchange. No restocking fee should be applied because it's a straight exchange. If you were going to give the MB and walk out with a MBP, I would also say the fee should be waived. However, if you're going to return the MB for a refund then I would say they are within their right to charge the restocking fee. However, you may be able to tell them you'll take store credit in exchange for waiving the restocking fee. I did that. Now, had they already had the new Airs in stock I would have just told them to give me the Air, I pay the difference and they waive the restocking fee. The goal is to allow Apple to keep their cash as it was already realized and you walk out with the same or better machine.

Going back to your original question though, there is no legal right for a company to increase a restocking fee due to a second return. If there is suddenly some right then I'd like to see that posted in plain english on the receipt.