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phantomo · Sep 6, 2004, 09:15 PM

Apple has replaced my LCD panel due to uneven illumination back in January (3 months after I got this PB) and now the uneven illumination problem is back and happened on the same area - lower left area of the LCD. Is this an issue with my PB that causes this problem or just pure bad luck with the LCD panels I have? Good thing I've got AppleCare...

Mobile Mod · Sep 6, 2004, 10:06 PM

I have not heard or seen anything like this with the 12" pbs so I think you just have had some bad luck in the LCD arena. Give Apple a call and see what they can do for you. I am sure if you have apple care they'll take care of you right away.

Justin

phantomo · 08:27 PM

Thanks Mobile Mod for your advice. I finally got the chance to take a picture of what it looks like. It looks worse in real life compare to the picture. I will bring it in for repair soon.

http://homepage.mac.com/wisetex/PhotoAlbum8.html

iMacfan · Sep 29, 2004, 12:42 PM

I think I can see what you mean - less bright on the left hand side. It's not that visible, but pictures often do not do it justice.

I'd first say that powerbook screens can have some difference in illumination - usually a little bit at the bottom, but a a significant difference between L and R, over a large area is not normal.

You have to ask yourself if it is worth kicking up a fuss about. You could, and would end up either with a perfect screen or whole new computer eventually (and it would be EVENTUALLY). I did get my 'book repaired because of flaky DVD burning, but it started a chain of events (inculding a logic board replacement), and I'm still waiting for the replacement. I'm sure I'll be happy with the upgraded machine, but it sure is a pain at the moment. And that's if the new one isn't DOA... I'm not pessimistic, really

David

benwhanlee · Sep 29, 2004, 12:53 PM

it's hard to tell from your picture, but...

i would say to send it in again. that way, if they can fix it, they will, and your issue will have been properly recorded for future reference.

for what it's worth, i had the problem and just sent my machine in a couple of weeks ago. got it back really quickly and no problems so far, though it sounds like when people had it return it took about 4-6 weeks for the symptoms to appear again. they do seem to be doing a better job of fixing the uneven illumination problem. replacing all those lcd screens has got to be making a big dent in their margins, so you can bet they'll fix it if possible.

good luck.

sideus · Sep 29, 2004, 10:15 PM

On my 12", the lower left is dimmer than the rest of the screen. This showed up about 2 months after I got the PB. It doesn't bother me and I only notice it when I'm looking for it.

shabbasuraj · Sep 29, 2004, 10:59 PM

my 12" RevC has a bit of uneven illumination on the lower right of the screen also. I believe that this is normal.

There is probably some test that would determine if this is 'within specification'. WHat exactly this value is I do not know.

It really is not that bothersome, I really only notice it in given situations, and in certain types of light, and only when the LCD panel is displaying images that would make it apparent.

I am not sure if Apple would fix this for me, and I am not sure if I would want them to try and fix this for me, given that my PB may come back with more problems. Anyone else with experience with this?

phantomo · 06:21 AM

A follow up to this thread. My PowerBook is in at Apple's repair center now, they ordered another LCD panel. Hopefully it will be fixed finally.

This is what it looks like just before I bring it in. http://tinypic.com/kqc10

At first, the repair guy think it is "normal" and told me all sorts of excuses such as weather, humidity. But since I am using it in air-conditioned office and 2 of my coworkers have the same PowerBook without such problem, their excuses is BS. Good thing I bought AppleCare...

Dr.Michael · Nov 9, 2004, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by phantomo:
Apple has replaced my LCD panel due to uneven illumination back in January (3 months after I got this PB) and now the uneven illumination problem is back and happened on the same area - lower left area of the LCD. Is this an issue with my PB that causes this problem or just pure bad luck with the LCD panels I have? Good thing I've got AppleCare...

I have the same issue. Bright and dark areas at the bottom of my screen. I had this before on a fujitsu notebook and it did not announce any later damage (the fujitsu is now > 3 years).

I can live with this although it could be better of course.

benwhanlee · Nov 9, 2004, 05:06 PM

i had the same issue. at first i figured it didn't bother me that much but it seemed to get worse and worse.

sent mine in the get fixed in august and they replaced the lcd. everything was great for about a month. then the problem came right back.

i sent it in again and this time they replaced the inverter board. i've had it about a week and so far, so good. but it seems that if the problem does come back, it takes about 4 to 6 weeks. it's been written on the apple boards that it seems it's replacing the inverter board that really does the trick, so i'm hopeful. one thing i did do is set my background to a solid white color before sending it in so the problem was that much more noticeable.

personally, i wouldn't hesitate to send it in if anything is wrong. after waiting a few months to send it in the first time, i really ended up regretting waiting to do something about it.