Would you return this 13" rMBP?

[SE43]

Hello, new to the forum.

So relatively new Mac user and picked up a 2014 rMBP off eBay as a starting point, was lowest spec available. Really liked it but needed more space and power. Plus wanted Applecare with education discount.

Anyway, specced up and ordered the 2015 i5 2.9/16gb/256gb rMBP on the Apple Store. Once it arrived I noticed the yellow tinge to all of the screen. Got out the 2014 rMBP and that was absolutely fine, perfect whites and not a single bit of nasty yellowing to the screen. Waiting on the replacement in which I hope it much better. I forgot to get the model of the yellowed 2015 before I sent it back for replacement but here is the one from my 2014 rMBP: A018 (unsure if this is classed as a good one for 2014?)

Hopefully the new one will be one of the good screens, as I really want it to look like my 2014 rMBP as the screen on that is perfect. Having to send it back all the time would be a giant nuisance. Plus waiting ages for it to come across the world with it being a 'special order'.

Quick edit: This is a good video with both the 2014 and 2015 together and the 2015 (On left) appears much warmer and yellowish than the 2014 on the right. In the comments I was having a conversation with someone having the same problem as me (and pointing it out to the guy on the video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pDSZ_y-5v8

 

[Toltepeceno]

I would not have been happy at all with the one on the left either. I have tried apps that turn the screen slightly yellow in the evening supposedly easier to look at and I can't stand them. Nice one on the right. I don't know anyone can say ocd in the same sentence with exchanging that one.

And you lucked out with the 2nd replacement?

direct comparison since the other screenshots are on the other page and you have to flip between them:
Image
Left A020, Right A018. YMM-very much-V

screen lottery, 2015 edition. sigh..

at least I'm done with my search, knock on wood.

 

[diesel]

Hi all



Here is my rMBP with A029 panel :



[url=http://img15.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_797533IMG4525.jpg]Image[/URL]



[url=http://img15.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_840658IMG4527.jpg]Image[/URL]



The backlight is bleeding on the top of the screen, as you can see (the picture accentuate the issue), and the white is a bit red on the left side, and more green on the right side.



I think I'll send it back to get a refund, and order another one .

Wow sorry to see that, it looks terrible. Send it back and get another.

 

[thekev]

.... Looking at your first rMBP it looked more accurate stock then your new one. You're iPhone looks very blue.

You can "calibrate" all you like, but unless you're using instrumentation it's going to be off. Brightness and Contrast (Black Level and White Level) can be calibrated by eye. But grayscale, and color really needs to be done with an instrument+software.

More often then not when someone sees a screen calibrated to sRGB they think it looks warm, till you get used to it. Then you're able to see how horrible most screens are, and how people prefer that "vivid" looks.

Calibrating your display (anything for that matter) requires you putting it to a standard, whatever that standard is. You're personal preference is not really a "standard", and is technically wrong. With that said it is your computer and you set it how ever you wish. But don't say something is defective when you really have no way of knowing unless you purchase a colorimeter or spectrophotometer,

You get a bit closer, but it's not all due to eye vs instrument. Colorsync writes terrible profiles, and Apple should have removed its calibration too a long time ago. It's absolutely terrible, so your sight is a minor part of that. On the other end even if the colorimeter and software were perfect, they're still somewhat limited in what they can do to adjust output. The point is you will get better results that way, but they won't necessarily be perfect, and eyeballed results are bad due to software limitations more than your eyes.

Hi all

Here is my rMBP with A029 panel :



The backlight is bleeding on the top of the screen, as you can see (the picture accentuate the issue), and the white is a bit red on the left side, and more green on the right side.

I think I'll send it back to get a refund, and order another one .

They all have a little backlight bleed, but I still think you should send it back if you aren't happy.

 

[diesel]

Hello, new to the forum.

So relatively new Mac user and picked up a 2014 rMBP off eBay as a starting point, was lowest spec available. Really liked it but needed more space and power. Plus wanted Applecare with education discount.

Anyway, specced up and ordered the 2015 i5 2.9/16gb/256gb rMBP on the Apple Store. Once it arrived I noticed the yellow tinge to all of the screen. Got out the 2014 rMBP and that was absolutely fine, perfect whites and not a single bit of nasty yellowing to the screen. Waiting on the replacement in which I hope it much better. I forgot to get the model of the yellowed 2015 before I sent it back for replacement but here is the one from my 2014 rMBP: A018 (unsure if this is classed as a good one for 2014?)

Hopefully the new one will be one of the good screens, as I really want it to look like my 2014 rMBP as the screen on that is perfect. Having to send it back all the time would be a giant nuisance. Plus waiting ages for it to come across the world with it being a 'special order'.

Quick edit: This is a good video with both the 2014 and 2015 together and the 2015 (On left) appears much warmer and yellowish than the 2014 on the right. In the comments I was having a convosation with someone having the same problem as me (and pointing it out to the guy on the video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pDSZ_y-5v8

Yes one in left looks a little warmer but it might be that the one on the right is a bit too cool so I wouldn't call the one on the left necessarily yellow. Hard to tell.

 

[SE43]

I would not have been happy at all with the one on the left either. I have tried apps that turn the screen slightly yellow in the evening supposedly easier to look at and I can't stand them. Nice one on the right. I don't know anyone can say ocd in the same sentence with exchanging that one.

My 2015 was exactly like the left one on the video I linked, not nice to look at. Especially when my 2014 is perfect.

 

[thadoggfather]

I would not have been happy at all with the one on the left either. I have tried apps that turn the screen slightly yellow in the evening supposedly easier to look at and I can't stand them. Nice one on the right. I don't know anyone can say ocd in the same sentence with exchanging that one.

True, i am nitpicky as well though. But I agree with you, the left was WAYYYY off

 

[SE43]

True, i am nitpicky as well though. But I agree with you, the left was WAYYYY off

I am nitpicky when I am paying this much money, you are paying premium prices, I want premium products. Those screens are extremely sub-par.

 

[TrijiconAMR]

I ended up returning my fourth unit. Panel was A029 and the right side screen was significantly darker than the left side (complete reverse of what I experienced with my third unit lol). In addition the left command key made an annoying "crunch" sound whenever pressed. Not a happy camper. How can 's QA be this bad?

First unit - Flawless screen (returned for creaking)
Second unit - Yellow tint at the bottom of the screen
Third unit - Left side of screen darker than right + slight yellowish tint on left side
Fourth unit - Right side of screen darker than left + faulty left command key

PS - Notebookcheck just published their review of the 2015 RMBP and they had screen uniformity issues as well.

The maximum brightness of the panel is roughly identical to our last review with 342 cd/m² – which means the MacBook is on a level with the rivals from Asus (UX303LN: 339 cd/m²) and Dell (XPS 13: 372 cd/m²). That the brightness distribution is not completely even but slightly decreases from the right to the left side, is hardly visible with the eye. Even the typical worst-case scenario – a black picture with the maximum brightness in a dark room – is no problem for the panel and you get a very uniform result. We could not determine annoying PWM flickering.

 

[thadoggfather]

I ended up returning my fourth unit. Panel was A029 and the right side screen was significantly darker than the left side (complete reverse of what I experienced with my third unit lol). In addition the left command key made an annoying "crunch" sound whenever pressed. Not a happy camper. How can 's QA be this bad?

First unit - Flawless screen (returned for creaking)
Second unit - Yellow tint at the bottom of the screen
Third unit - Left side of screen darker than right + slight yellowish tint on left side
Fourth unit - Right side of screen darker than left + faulty left command key

PS - Notebookcheck just published their review of the 2015 RMBP and they had screen uniformity issues as well.



Image

What are you going to do at this point? Keep playing the swap game?

Interesting the review unit had issues too and wasn't a cherry picked one, but maybe notebookcheck being a smaller website, they just ordered one from retail.

 

[TrijiconAMR]

What are you going to do at this point? Keep playing the swap game?

Interesting the review unit had issues too and wasn't a cherry picked one, but maybe notebookcheck being a smaller website, they just ordered one from retail.

I believe they are sent review copies and don't actually get to keep them. I am probably going to try my hand one more time before calling it quits. I was originally planning on getting the Dell XPS 13 QHD however it is plagued with a auto dimming brightness problem (that's why I went for the RMBP).

 

[thadoggfather]

I believe they are sent review copies and don't actually get to keep them. I am probably going to try my hand one more time before calling it quits. I was originally planning on getting the Dell XPS 13 QHD however it is plagued with a auto dimming brightness problem (that's why I went for the RMBP).

Dang that sucks. I've been there before.

Luckily I did one swap and I'm satisfied with the results. Counting my blessings.

I empathize with you. Sad when you're such a fan you're willing to waste time/money/gas/energy exerted on being frustrated to persist even beyond rationality. Not for you, but for and their inability to meet needs. I went on a psychotic exchange for iPad3, and vouched pretty much never again after a countless amount of trips. iP6 I did too many and was just about ready to give up, 6+ nailed it the first time and kept it while trying to get one on contract since I have an upgrade and that one had a crappy screen so back it went and upgrade still handy

Keep us posted! To me, the saddest part is overlooking how much $ this is costing them. The part itself doesn't cost much, and considering its the one thing we scrutinize and stare at EVERY time we use it, and the marketing that is catered towards its excellence, you'd think they'd get it together at least a little bit. Refurbishing these returns and selling them at a discount can't be best practice.

 

[TrijiconAMR]

Dang that sucks. I've been there before.

Luckily I did one swap and I'm satisfied with the results. Counting my blessings.

I empathize with you. Sad when you're such a fan you're willing to waste time/money/gas/energy exerted on being frustrated to persist even beyond rationality. Not for you, but for and their inability to meet needs.

Keep us posted!

Yeah, I certainly am disappointed, being it is my first experience with Apple and all. Hopefully the next unit will be free of any issues. I just want a uniform screen, is that too much to ask for lol?

 

[thadoggfather]

Yeah, I certainly am disappointed, being it is my first experience with Apple and all. Hopefully the next unit will be free of any issues. I just want a uniform screen, is that too much to ask for lol?

as silly as it may be, maybe buying two of the same product at a time might eliminate some hassle? And if you nail it first time, return the unopened one no harm? Just thinking out loud for you.

I didn't quite do that, but I did order another 13" rMBP on my credit card same day I sent my other one back for a return. Also, later the next day, the $1149 refurb 2.6/8/256 model vanished and I haven't seen it re-surface yet (not to say it won't, though)

 

[TrijiconAMR]

as silly as it may be, maybe buying two of the same product at a time might eliminate some hassle? And if you nail it first time, return the unopened one no harm? Just thinking out loud for you.

I didn't quite do that, but I did order another 13" rMBP on my credit card same day I sent my other one back for a return. Also, later the next day, the $1149 refurb 2.6/8/256 model vanished and I haven't seen it re-surface yet (not to say it won't, though)

I thought about doing that at one point but decided not too. All four units I've had so far are 2015 13" RMBP models btw. Thanks for all the help and advice thus far.

 

[SE43]

I ended up returning my fourth unit. Panel was A029 and the right side screen was significantly darker than the left side (complete reverse of what I experienced with my third unit lol). In addition the left command key made an annoying "crunch" sound whenever pressed. Not a happy camper. How can 's QA be this bad?

First unit - Flawless screen (returned for creaking)
Second unit - Yellow tint at the bottom of the screen
Third unit - Left side of screen darker than right + slight yellowish tint on left side
Fourth unit - Right side of screen darker than left + faulty left command key

PS - Notebookcheck just published their review of the 2015 RMBP and they had screen uniformity issues as well.



Image

I feel your pain. As a first time Mac user too I was always under the impression Apple were extremely good with quality control but it seems not the case. Hoping you and I will get a Macbook we are both happy with.

 

[thadoggfather]

I thought about doing that at one point but decided not too. All four units I've had so far are 2015 13" RMBP models btw. Thanks for all the help and advice thus far.

Yeah that's so rough, 4 units.

Has it been fun explaining each return? Are you becoming known as 'that guy' at your local store?

 

[Harthag]

Well I thought my 4th rMBP 13" (2015) was a keeper...until I put it side by side with my brother's 2014 rMBP 13". Mine is on the right. By itself I thought it looked good, however, next to my brother's it clearly is piss yellow.

*Edit- the photo on the far right is my unit by itself, looks a bit less yellow but still not white. I am returning this unit and am done, good riddance. My original unit was purchased on 3/23, so I should be within return period if I go into Apple on 4/5 when I get back home (so glad they are open Easter).

I shouldn't have sold my old 13" Air. This isn't what I paid a premium for. Going to go with a Lenovo X1C 3rd Gen or T450s, or Dell XPS 13 and calling it a day. My expectations are not as high with them and honestly TrackPoint owns all and makes up for other shortcomings. So disappointed in Apple.

Keep fighting the good fight guys hope you all get the screens you are paying for.

 

[jabbr]

I don't believe anyone who says they have a "perfect" display. You're either blind to this issue or in Apple la la land. The vast majority of these displays have bad white uniformity, they have since launch day 2012. The 2015 unit I had might have been the best I've seen, very acceptable uniformity. Unfortunately, it had a rusty pink tint that could not be calibrated out.

FWIW I think the A02A panel might be the "better" one, as that is what all the display units at the store have. They all had a bit of pink tint too, just not as strong as mine.

As much as I wish Apple had tighter tolerances, I understand that these are mass produced computers and that the majority of consumers will not care. The part I really don't like is the marketing. They claim this is the best notebook display in the world, with blacker blacks and whiter whites. I guess that may be true, but only for a small percentage of units.

Good luck, all. Try to remember that there are more important things to worry about than the LCD of your mass-produced, depreciating prosumer computer.

 

[grator]

Hi jlp2979,

Have you noticed that the left side in greener than the right, which seems to be a bit red ? Or does the picture do this ?

 

[thadoggfather]

Well I thought my 4th rMBP 13" (2015) was a keeper...until I put it side by side with my brother's 2014 rMBP 13". Mine is on the right. By itself I thought it looked good, however, next to my brother's it clearly is piss yellow.

*Edit- the photo on the far right is my unit by itself, looks a bit less yellow but still not white. I am returning this unit and am done, good riddance. My original unit was purchased on 3/23, so I should be within return period if I go into Apple on 4/5 when I get back home (so glad they are open Easter).

I shouldn't have sold my old 13" Air. This isn't what I paid a premium for. Going to go with a Lenovo X1C 3rd Gen or T450s, or Dell XPS 13 and calling it a day. My expectations are not as high with them and honestly TrackPoint owns all and makes up for other shortcomings. So disappointed in Apple.

Keep fighting the good fight guys hope you all get the screens you are paying for.

looks like my comparison/experience too
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20897317/

 

[Harthag]

Hi jlp2979,

Have you noticed that the left side in greener than the right, which seems to be a bit red ? Or does the picture do this ?

In which photo? My unit by itself or the one with both in it? Could just be the photos. The photo of mine by itself is the more accurate representation, the screen isn't as yellow and non-uniform as it appears in the photo with my brother's. But in real life there still is a noticeable difference compared to his and it does have yellow tint.

----------

looks like my comparison/experience too
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20897317/

Yes very much like yours. Am I being too picky with all this? The photo of mine by itself as I just stated is more true to life than the really yellow one in my comparison photo. It's uniform enough for me but still I see yellow.

 

[thadoggfather]

Call me crazy but just used 10% and $50 edu discount to get the 256gb 2015 model for $1400 after tax.

Had to try this force trackpad, potential 4k output possibility (though I won't be able to try that for a while, I have a 1920x1200 monitor currently) down the road, and Yosemite/alleged better battery life, and double IO before my 2014 refurb return policy is up, just to know. Price difference of $178 from refurb 8/256 to the new model. Might be worth it if I can cope with Yosemite only (we'll see)

Comparison between A02A left (2015) and A018 (2014). They're kinda close is my initial impression, the 2015 is warmer and I can't tell if the menu shade changed from Mavericks or not but its at max brightness/default profile/

for educational purposes:

Hmmm i think I prefer A018, its brighter and purer looking side by side but A02a isn't bad, and still nothing like the A020 I had on my previous refurbished 2014. And looks better than the demo A02a that was on display at the store.

using the 2015 by itself it definitely appears to be a nice panel too. I don't think I could go wrong either way.

ran IR checkerboard test for 20 minutes (just to be certain), no faint trail of it AT ALL at least of the three total (2x 2014, 1x2015) none have exhibited IR. its good they nipped that in the bud. Gonna give credit where its due.

Running black magic on my 256 samsung drive (again 3 for 3 getting samsung as the manufacturer) I get roughly double the io of my 2014. Dang, thats badass!

http://i.imgur.com/1iepSPg.jpg zoom to your hearts content, its the full size from what came off my 6+. I'd say thats representative of in a decently well lit room.

 

[Harthag]

thadoggfather, I'd be happy with your A02A screen based on your photo. The photo of mine by itself looks similar to yours. Could by my iPhone taking poorer quality photos, who knows. Still on fence of whether or not I want to return mine tomorrow. It could be that the 2015 units just are all warmer than the 2014 units and that's that.

 

[thadoggfather]

thadoggfather, I'd be happy with your A02A screen based on your photo. The photo of mine by itself looks similar to yours. Could by my iPhone taking poorer quality photos, who knows. Still on fence of whether or not I want to return mine tomorrow. It could be that the 2015 units just are all warmer than the 2014 units and that's that.

Using it right now, it seems like a nice screen.

Running an extended IR test on my refurb 2014 (20 minutes as well, already ran a 10 minute when I got it last week) to see if it exhibits any of it.

My OCD is kicking in, but its fun/interesting (to me) to compare models and pick the one I prefer (weighing cost/specs/screen quality random ratio) since I have two in house at the moment