[FreeQuark]

After much effort, I am still unable to get a decent geometry on my brand new 17" Studio Display (clear back, ADC connector). No matter what I adjust--pincushion, size, parallelogram, keystone, etc.--I always wind up with curved lines (e.g., menu borders look badly curved) and a black gap in at least one corner. I have never seen a monitor with geometry problems this bad. Any suggestions what I might do? I read somewhere that there might be a utility program to help adjust the geometry? Does such a thing even exist?

[Cipher13]

Same prob with my Graphite ASD.
I'm gonna take it in ASAP and make them fix it.

Cipher13

I also purchased a new 17” ADC Studio Display that has geometry problems. The center of the screen bows upward in the middle. This means that if you are looking at a horizontal line drawn on the screen by any program and compare that line with the line made by the stabilization wire (which is perfectly straight) the drawn line will be 1/8’ higher in the middle of the screen than at the edges. In addition, the distortion is noticeable worse on the left side of the screen. This is especially noticeable when I use the Apple menu. The net result is that whenever I have lines of text on my screen (such as when I type this) they all visibly curve. (Ironically, it looks like a “sad” smile!)

So what was Apples response? After first suggesting that it was either something I can adjust (it wasn’t) then suggesting that it was interference (it wasn’t) I sent it back for repair. They returned it, didn’t make any adjustment, and said that it was within manufacturing specifications! This is the same story I got from the service supervisor.

Here is why I think this is BS:
1) Apple makes a big point of marketing their equipment to graphics arts professionals. To then say that their specs allow for a monitor that can’t display a horizontal line “straight” is insane. (Of this is really true then Apple should put a big disclaimer on their web page for the Studio Display saying that the monitor you buy might not show straight lines!)
2) This topic was covered recently in a long, long, long thread on the Apple Discussion board titled “17” Geometry Problems” so it appears to by a problem with either the design or manufacture of these monitors. (I have never seen a geometry problem like this in over 15 years of serious computer use.)
3) An Apple employee named Keith responded in that thread and suggested test driving before buying. In my case I did “due diligence” before buying this product: I spent a lot of time using a 17” Studio Display at the Apple booth at MacWorld (guess what, each one had perfect geometry) and I read all the reviews I could find, both CNET and MacWeek specifically mentioned the distortion free screen. Also it seems like a strange suggestion for Apple to make since a large portion of their sales are done through their own online store.
4) I also notice a slight variation in color temperature along the left edge of the screen that I suspect is related to the overall problem. Again, Apple advertises this display as capable of displaying “Pantone” colors and charges a premium price so I DON’T THINK IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT AN IMAGE AT LEAST AS GOOD AS THAT DISPLAYED BY MY $150 PC MONITOR!

The really sad thing about this is that I am mega Mac loyal and couldn’t imagine working without my G4, plan on getting a new Powerbook soon, and would like to eventually get a Cinema Display. After the crappy way I feel after this disappointing experience I have to say that I seriously doubt I’d buy another Apple display.

In the end I did find an acceptable fix --- I sold the monitor on ebay!

[Cipher13]

Mine has suddenly got worse. The geometry is really bad, and the contrast and brightness spontaneously change.
Ugh.
I want another one, like this one, and am gonna take it back...
Ugh.
This'll be fun.

Cipher13

[murbot]

I also had the same problems with mine. Upper left and lower left corners had major dips in horizontal lines that were not adjustable at all. I went in to the reseller and looked at a few others on display, and they were all worse!! Sold mine on eBay as well.

I've talked to the buyer a few times since about unrelated Mac stuff, and the screen hasn't come up. I guess some people don't notice the same things, but it sure bothered me. Seems like alot of money to spend to go into a crapshoot, hoping you get a "straight" monitor!