Would you return this 13" rMBP?

[aodesigns]

So, just received my replacement 2015 rMBP.

Whites are white, nice and bright the display is an A029 and it looks amazing, so much brighter than my 2012 rMBP.

Just one question. Is it normal for downloads to take so long when first setting up the machine?

A 190MB iMovie has so far taken over 10minutes.. nothing to do with my network, currently getting 70+mbps, other downloads are also taking a lot longer than I've ever known such as Adobe CC.

So is that normal? as a sort of settling in phase? I know that brand new machines take some time to index and stuff.

Also, the USB ports are extremely tight, but doesn't bother me.

Overall, very happy with my replacement! i7/16/512 model hooked up to my new P2415Q, which also arrived today.

Feel like it's christmas

 

[grator]

Well, I just received my replacement, with an A029 who is actually pretty good (better than my previous A02A), BUT, something is moving inside ! I can hear and feel something that loud is moving when I shake it gentle from left to right (or right to left), especially when it's hot.
When it's cold, I have to shake it harder, but it's still there.

I'm really pissed off !

 

[objectiveseeker]

Well, I just received my replacement, with an A029 who is actually pretty good (better than my previous A02A), BUT, something is moving inside ! I can hear and feel something that loud is moving when I shake it gentle from left to right (or right to left), especially when it's hot.
When it's cold, I have to shake it harder, but it's still there.

I'm really pissed off !

at least that's something that should be easily identified at the store. Glad to hear theres another good A029 out there.. the things i've seen in the A029 column are slightly better brightness, better viewing angle. In the A02A column I see a little whiter, and slightly better refresh times.

When there is no retention, it is a matter of taste!

Let us know what it was when you figure out what was a'rattlin'

 

[grator]

I called Apple this morning, they send me another replacement..

I hope it will be the good one this time ! They also offered me 100 euros discount for the time I've lost with the 3 returns I made, without I asked anything. Very good customer service, at least !

 

[objectiveseeker]

I called Apple this morning, they send me another replacement..

I hope it will be the good one this time ! They also offered me 100 euros discount for the time I've lost with the 3 returns I made, without I asked anything. Very good customer service, at least !

really makes you wonder just how many refurb units are going to be out there in a few months.. man, usually, you can say "that's a good deal".

Glad you're getting another spin at the wheel of fortune. When they're good.. they're great. I guess that's what keeps us a-comin' back for more!

 

[Clix Pix]

Well, I just received my replacement, with an A029 who is actually pretty good (better than my previous A02A), BUT, something is moving inside ! I can hear and feel something that loud is moving when I shake it gentle from left to right (or right to left), especially when it's hot.
When it's cold, I have to shake it harder, but it's still there.

I'm really pissed off !

Why were you shaking your computer in the first place?

 

[stokyo]

so I legit exchanged my MacBook a 9th time (yes 9 times). was plagued with a bunch of A029 screens with image retention and the A02A screens I got had uneven tint (yellow on left side, yellow at bottom etc.). just opened up my new one at ITS PERFECT. A02A Screen with perfect uniformity and no image retention. I'm so stoked! don't settle for anything less than a perfect screen! Apple extends your return period everytime you exchange your MacBook. it was about a month and a half from my original purchase when I got my latest one. they were super nice with each exchange too just don't tell them how many times you've exchanged it already or they might think you're being too OCD.

 

[ZBoater]

...just don't tell them how many times you've exchanged it already or they might think you're being too OCD.

Gee, I wonder what would ever give them THAT idea?

 

[stokyo]

Gee, I wonder what would ever give them THAT idea?

I'm just giving some advice man. I've seen people post here who get rude customer service after they explain how many times they've exchanged their products. I personally got rude customer service only on my 3rd exchange after telling them I had exchanged it twice already. I stopped telling them that and never had them hassle me since. I'm just glad I finally got a perfect screen. for someone who had to save up a long time for a rmbp I couldn't settle for anything less.

 

[Harthag]

I'm just giving some advice man. I've seen people post here who get rude customer service after they explain how many times they've exchanged their products. I personally got rude customer service only on my 3rd exchange after telling them I had exchanged it twice already. I stopped telling them that and never had them hassle me since. I'm just glad I finally got a perfect screen. for someone who had to save up a long time for a rmbp I couldn't settle for anything less.

Good for you glad you finally got a good one! Really feels great when you finally get the amazing screen you paid for and is worth the hassle of exchanging until you get one. Kudos for not settling for mediocrity.

 

[objectiveseeker]

so I legit exchanged my MacBook a 9th time (yes 9 times). was plagued with a bunch of A029 screens with image retention and the A02A screens I got had uneven tint (yellow on left side, yellow at bottom etc.). just opened up my new one at ITS PERFECT. A02A Screen with perfect uniformity and no image retention. I'm so stoked! don't settle for anything less than a perfect screen! Apple extends your return period everytime you exchange your MacBook. it was about a month and a half from my original purchase when I got my latest one. they were super nice with each exchange too just don't tell them how many times you've exchanged it already or they might think you're being too OCD.

are they not beautiful screens!! I did an advanced calibration (a little cooler, a little richer colors), i would suggest that right away.

You are right tho... the screens are the big selling point. Having one you're personally happy with is the main feature of these long-delayed, not-quite-cooked, broadwell chips that, while they get the job done and are faster to some small extent, weren't really worth the wait for the marginal gains, despite better thermals as its a 14nm chip in the exact same chassis as one designed for 22nm heat output. With the bigger battery they used, i'm not even clear on how much 14nm increased battery life.

Although we may not have any big reason to get skylake now, for at least having gen8 graphics standards, if we are going to buy apple's products and not hold out another half a year then I think its wise to lock in a machine that is great in all other respects and it sounds like that's what you did. (also, if they do change the chassis in the next refresh, i kinda like having the most mature version of the last design than the first of a new one)

So, what was the manufacture date on yours? You can tell by downloading "coconut battery". Mine is 4/13/2015 (A02A)

 

[grator]

Why were you shaking your computer in the first place?

Hm, I didn't have to shake it, but just tilt it

 

[stokyo]

are they not beautiful screens!! I did an advanced calibration (a little cooler, a little richer colors), i would suggest that right away.

You are right tho... the screens are the big selling point. Having one you're personally happy with is the main feature of these long-delayed, not-quite-cooked, broadwell chips that, while they get the job done and are faster to some small extent, weren't really worth the wait for the marginal gains, despite better thermals as its a 14nm chip in the exact same chassis as one designed for 22nm heat output. With the bigger battery they used, i'm not even clear on how much 14nm increased battery life.

Although we may not have any big reason to get skylake now, for at least having gen8 graphics standards, if we are going to buy apple's products and not hold out another half a year then I think its wise to lock in a machine that is great in all other respects and it sounds like that's what you did. (also, if they do change the chassis in the next refresh, i kinda like having the most mature version of the last design than the first of a new one)

So, what was the manufacture date on yours? You can tell by downloading "coconut battery". Mine is 4/13/2015 (A02A)

Just used a serial number checker and it looks like my MacBook was from production week 6 in February. Guess I got lucky to snag one of the earlier ones made because that's probably the same batch the floor models came from. Checked a couple serial numbers of the bad displays I got and they are from more recent production weeks.

 

[objectiveseeker]

Just as a unrelated note, I did activate the "reduce transparency" option in Accessibility options in System Preferences, and it causes animations like expose (w/shift down) to be much smoother. Choosing just "reduce transparency" helps a little but doesn't have the same total speed up effect.

Wish I knew why that was! I mean, what about increasing contrast is helping? Is it less work to composite windows on the video card if something is merely grey? I wonder if that grey is actually shadows and with "increase contrast" it stops outlining things with shadows. That might account for it?

Anyway, it's a thing. And as far as look with that feature on, I think I can get used to it.

----------

Just used a serial number checker and it looks like my MacBook was from production week 6 in February. Guess I got lucky to snag one of the earlier ones made because that's probably the same batch the floor models came from. Checked a couple serial numbers of the bad displays I got and they are from more recent production weeks.

interesting. I had figured that my made-later box represented a new shipment of screens after they went through the A029s they had on hand, alternating.

The world... will never know

 

[grator]

Here we go again !

My fourth (!) one. A02A, and in addition to that, two little dots on the AR coating.

 

[stokyo]

Here we go again !

My fourth (!) one. A02A, and in addition to that, two little dots on the AR coating.

this isn't backlight bleed, it's something known as IPS glow. all retina MacBook pros have it to an extent. be more worried about screen uniformity.

 

[thadoggfather]

Here we go again !

My fourth (!) one. A02A, and in addition to that, two little dots on the AR coating.

 

[grator]

this isn't backlight bleed, it's something known as IPS glow. all retina MacBook pros have it to an extent. be more worried about screen uniformity.

My 3 previous units didn't have this issue, at least not that much. It's so pronouced that it's visible with the light turned on...

 

[fried-gold]

Just got my new BTO 2.9 Ghz rMBP, with the A02A panel. Its a warm panel with a slightly pinky hue to it. The pinkness is a lot more noticeable on the left hand side of the screen. I'm a little frustrated, as I primarily use the laptop for graphic design/photography and need a good screen. In the studio I have an external display, but nothing at home.

Anyway, just looking for some advice. It seems compared to a lot of people out there the colour variation is more minor, and calibration has helped a lot with the pinkness (although it is definitely still noticeable). Still quite annoyed at dropping £1500 and it not being right though... Should I switch and risk a worse panel or stick with it and try and ignore it?

 

[objectiveseeker]

Just got my new BTO 2.9 Ghz rMBP, with the A02A panel. Its a warm panel with a slightly pinky hue to it, which more noticeable on the left hand of the screen. Its a bit frustrating especially as I primarily use the laptop for graphic design/photography. In the studio I have an external display, but nothing at home.

Anyway, just looking for some advice. It seems compared to a lot of people out there the colour variation seems minor, and calibration has helped a lot with the pinkness (although it is definitely still noticeable). Still quite annoyed at dropping £1500 and it not being right though... Should I switch and risk a worse panel or stick with it and try and ignore it?

I can't tell you what to do either way in good faith; I have had good luck with the A02As. Dont let OCD steal the show -- is it something someone else can notice, without you having to tell them? I tested that way a few times myself on the yellow tests -- and I was making it up, more or less. If you dont have image retention (most A02As do not) you already did well. That's the point of must return.

If you really aren't pleased though, you can exchange it without guilt. It's your right. I can say I continue to be very pleased with the one I decided to keep (2.9/16/256/A02A). I've been playing Deus Ex Human Revolution at 1200x800 (first game i've played in a decade) with everything turned up just fine, looks great on the retina panel!

 

[fried-gold]

is it something someone else can notice, without you having to tell them?

I got my girlfriend to have a look earlier, it wasn't a blind test but she can see definitely see the colour variation. Her display is also not quite right, its quite warm and the brightness is not completely even. Her advice – "suck it up and stop being so OCD".

If you dont have image retention (most A02As do not) you already did well. That's the point of must return.

I've tested image retention for around 5 mins and it seems OK. Might just mull it over for the next few days, see if I can get over it. Other than the pinkness pretty stoked with the laptop. We have the same specs, it totally blows my 7yo 15" uMBP away.... Might even download some games!

 

[objectiveseeker]

I've tested image retention for around 5 mins and it seems OK. Might just mull it over for the next few days, see if I can get over it. Other than the pinkness pretty stoked with the laptop. We have the same specs, it totally blows my 7yo 15" uMBP away.... Might even download some games!

since we have the same model i'll mention two things I did of note; one is that I used disk utility to re-partition (non-destructively) the drive into the normal partition and a 30GB "free space" partition to extend the life of the SSD. That way even if I fill it to the brim, it's not really filled up (and those extra cells can be used as spares in the long run). I also bought the "Transcend 330 lite 128GB" storage adapter that custom fits the SD card slot on the 13" 2015 macbook pro for 74$ (less than the price of the upgraded 512GB ssd, relatively), and that fits perfect esp. since I never really use the slot. I have all my music available, but not taking space on the precious SSD. It's kinda silly to have such a fast drive then fill it with data that will never change (and so you've found my OCD issue, lol)

happy computing -os

 

[mayuka]

I got my girlfriend to have a look earlier, it wasn't a blind test but she can see definitely see the colour variation. Her display is also not quite right, its quite warm and the brightness is not completely even. Her advice – "suck it up and stop being so OCD".

Call Apple Support, describe the problem and exchange it. YOU have to be happy with the laptop, not others.

 

[fried-gold]

since we have the same model i'll mention two things I did of note

Thanks for the tips.... JetDrive ordered!

Call Apple Support, describe the problem and exchange it. YOU have to be happy with the laptop, not others.

I know... I guess I'm just trying to weigh up the annoyance of a screen I'm not entirely happy with, however one which at least seems better than most on this thread, against the trouble and disruption of potentially swapping the laptop another 4 (or 9!) times until I get something I'm happier with.

The BTO is they seem to take a good week or two to arrive in the UK, so thats a month at least of hassle and an extra 1.5k blocked out on my card....

For the price you pay it would be nice if the QC was a little higher...

 

[fried-gold]

Ok so after spending some time on my girlfriend's rMBP and then trying to do some design work on mine (why do I like grey so much, I'm not sure I would have noticed otherwise!) I have decided to swap the mac. Unfortunately because of some changes to EU policy there is no way to keep my current and then just send it back when I get the new one. Apple have kindly arranged to send the new one now and arrange collection just before to minimise the disruption. But still this means there will be no chance to see them side by side.... fingers crossed the new one is better!