[oturn]

Full screen text on my new 12" PowerBook G4 looks different from the top of the screen to the bottom. With the display angled "normally" towards my viewing position, the text at the top of the screen is darker and more readable, but it begins to fade further down, becoming lighter and slightly less pleasant to read. The text does even out somewhat when the display is pushed back, but the angle begins to get unnatural. However, even with the display pushed back, there is a slight difference from the top to the bottom.

I wouldn't call this fading affect dramatic, but it is readily apparent once you see it for the first time! It isn't that obvious when looking at a non-text screen, but it is very obvious with full screen text.

I don't recall noticing this on my Rev. B PowerBook. I know the viewing angle is always critical with some flat panel displays, but I don't ever recall NOT being able to find the "sweet spot".

Can you 12" Rev. C'ers please check this on out your system and comment? I'm 6 days in with this unit, and need to know if this is a common issue.

[chabig]

Mine seems pretty uniform all over.

Chris

[StiZeven]

This has been discussed in various current posts.

The problem is that Apple (as well as many other PC Companies) aren't using the best 12" LCD out there. Also keep in mind that Apple uses more than one vendor for their LCDs (much like their HDs) and some are better than others so you'll never know which you'll get.

For example, way back when I ordered a 12" PowerBook and it came with a so-so screen (like the one you are describing) and the loud clackity Toshiba HD. Since the PowerBook had various issues, I decided to send it back to Apple. They issued me an RMA and they shipped me a new one on the same day. I took the chance to see if I'd get a better one. Sure enough, the screen on the replacement was by FAR better (viewing angle, color, even font sharpness) compared to the other and I also got the SILENT Fujitsu HD instead of the loud Toshiba.

Needless to say I was VERY happy. But was it a conscious decision on Apple's end to make sure the screen was better since it was a replacement? No. I just happened to have gotten another 12" PowerBook at random with another vendor's HD and LCD. Since I had them side by side, I was able to see the obvious difference in quality.

[NYCFarmboy]

Originally posted by oturn:
Full screen text on my new 12" PowerBook G4 looks different from the top of the screen to the bottom. With the display angled "normally" towards my viewing position, the text at the top of the screen is darker and more readable, but it begins to fade further down, becoming lighter and slightly less pleasant to read. The text does even out somewhat when the display is pushed back, but the angle begins to get unnatural. However, even with the display pushed back, there is a slight difference from the top to the bottom.

I wouldn't call this fading affect dramatic, but it is readily apparent once you see it for the first time! It isn't that obvious when looking at a non-text screen, but it is very obvious with full screen text.

I don't recall noticing this on my Rev. B PowerBook. I know the viewing angle is always critical with some flat panel displays, but I don't ever recall NOT being able to find the "sweet spot".

Can you 12" Rev. C'ers please check this on out your system and comment? I'm 6 days in with this unit, and need to know if this is a common issue.

exact same issue.

Didn't realize the type thing today until I was traveling with my powerbook and doing my yahoo email. virtually unreadable unless you set the screen way back...particularly at the bottom of the screen.

read my posts in other threads as well...its a real bummer.