Weird Grid on top of MBP screen?

[cambookpro]

Hi,
I just wiped my MBP screen as it had a couple of fingerprints on it, and noticed a weird grid thing on the top of the screen.

It runs from about the top of the screen to two inches down. You can feel it with your fingernail if you run over it.

Here's a picture but it's a bit more prominent in real life:

(Click to enlarge)

It's only noticeable when cleaning it so I'm not worried, just wondered what it was!

Edit: Update from 2015 below.

 

[alphaod]

If you can feel that and it's on the glass, have Apple replace the top lid if your computer is still under warranty. If it is not, then either live with it, replace the glass yourself.

 

[cambookpro]

If you can feel that and it's on the glass, have Apple replace the top lid if your computer is still under warranty. If it is not, then either live with it, replace the glass yourself.

It's still under warranty for a couple of months. Would you get them to replace it? I was wondering if it was normal or not.

 

[Interstella5555]

Hi,
I just wiped my MBP screen as it had a couple of fingerprints on it, and noticed a weird grid thing on the top of the screen.

It runs from about the top of the screen to two inches down. You can feel it with your fingernail if you run over it.

Here's a picture but it's a bit more prominent in real life:

(Click to enlarge)

It's only noticeable when cleaning it so I'm not worried, just wondered what it was!

I'm pretty sure it's part of the display; were you in direct sunlight when you noticed it? If it's bright enough I can see through the display of my new i7 15", which does have a pattern like you're describing over the entire display. My 2006 15" did not have this, but I don't know if it wasn't there or if the display piece was thicker so I just never noticed it.

 

[cambookpro]

I'm pretty sure it's part of the display; were you in direct sunlight when you noticed it? If it's bright enough I can see through the display of my new i7 15", which does have a pattern like you're describing over the entire display. My 2006 15" did not have this, but I don't know if it wasn't there or if the display piece was thicker so I just never noticed it.

I only noticed it when I wiped it with a slightly damp cloth and the grid sort of appeared. My brother and dad both have MBPs from the generation I have so I'll check theirs out tomorrow and report back.

 

[alphaod]

I would get the display lid replaced. I don't have issue on any of my computers and it shouldn't be considered to be "in spec" at all.

 

[cambookpro]

I was wiping my screen today and noticed the grid is still there. My original photo disappeared, but when you rub a slightly damp cloth over the top bit of the display, the water disperses in a grid pattern - each square is maybe 0.5cm wide and tall.

I was just curious if anyone else has ever heard of this occurring? I thought it was just a coating or something that would wear off, but three years down the line and it's still there.

It doesn't impede the use of it at all so I never bothered to get Apple to look at it, I just thought it's really strange. You can definitely feel it - even after wiping the top half with a cloth until no speck of dirt or grime remained, the top bezel still has a kind of lumpy surface to it when you lightly run over it with your fingernail. It's strange, as it's nigh on impossible to see under light, even with the iPhone LED 1cm away.

----------

Here are two photos, one under very harsh lighting (iPhone flash) and one taken a few seconds after wiping a damp cloth over the top bit of the screen.

I just don't know what it is

 

[Miami2244]

The exact same thing noticed on my early 2011 13" mbp whenever I clean my screen with a damp cloth. Still working totally fine though but, indeed, just wondering what it is.