[massey]

I just got my powerbook g4 and I'm disappointed to find three dead pixels confirmed by an apple specialist. Anyone had experience with this situation and what are my options. I tried to massage it to go away but that doesn't seem to work and an apple rep says that there is a good possibility that it is still under specifications because it has three dead pixels that are not clustered - they are spread out.

This situation sucks because I can't live with a new powerbook that has defects, c'mon dead pixels suck for graphic work just doesn't work. So what should I do....any suggestions would be helpful if you went through the same situation or something similar, thanks in advance....

[schmoe]

Ack! I'm sorry to hear that =/ As a fellow perfectionist, I hate the smallest blemish on new things! I've got my fingers crossed into knots hoping that mine doesn't have any dead pixels, or other defects, when it arrives! I hope you figure something out.

[Longstride]

I had one dead pixel on my Pismo when I got it. I called Apple and they said it was "within spec" which ticked me off after paying so much for my new toy. In the long run though my lcd started developing white sploches in it and Apple replaced it with a perfect screen. I would think that with 3 dead pixels your are close to being out of spec, but I don't know what the cut-off is. Has anyone experienced other laptops brands and thier policy towards dead pixels?

[Cipher13]

Up to 3 clustered or 5 scattered is within spec. Or maybe thats the cut off. Whatever.

I can understand Apples stance completely, but it still bites.

[massey]

I'm trying to figure out what is the best and fastest thing to do...I am currently thinking about returning it and getting a new one but my credit card is already max out and there seems to be an extended delay with powerbooks, a 15 day wait at the apple store and I'm under the education system so I need that discount which is not available at the apple retail stores...just seems like a bad situation for an anxious mac faithful...

[mike one]

you should buy laptop insurance, then chuck the thing out the window. or better yet, set in on fire @ one infinite loop. call your rep and tell them you broke it.
and hopefully they'll give you a new one.

well just kidding. try the massage technique, i've never done it, but it should be applied from the back of the screen ( i think.)
also if the pixels are "stuck" on one color (green, blue, red, white) this method works. if they are black, this method probably won't work.

good luck.

You might try selling it on eBay. With the delays there are right now, you might just break even. Seriously. I sold a 400 MHz Titanium PowerBook a few weeks after getting it, when they were still hard to get, and MADE $200.

I would give that a try. And though I'll be flamed hard I'm sure, you might want to forget to remove your software from the machine (PS, GoLive, Office). It'll help.

Another thing, even if you don't break even and lose $75-$100, I think it's worth it for another shot at getting a perfect LCD. In 6 months you'll be staring at those goddamned 3 dead pixels thinking "If only I'd 'spent' $100 and sold the sonofabich back then through eBay, I'd have a perfect screen... sob"

Nah, I'd follow mike's advice. Easier and faster. Drop it off a counter.

[Cobra Commander]

I had a couple dead pixels and just "rubbed them out" with a Q-tip!

Originally posted by <???????>:
<STRONG>Nah, I'd follow mike's advice. Easier and faster. Drop it off a counter.</STRONG>

If you are that dishonest!

Just sell it for cash & then collect insurance for a new one..... DON"T DESTROY A GOOD BUT BLEMISHED TIPB!

[massey]

I am looking for honest advice.....

Has anyone been able to rub out dead black pixels shown through a red screen....I use LCDtest shareware to figure it out

[Brit Ben]

Originally posted by massey:
<STRONG>I am looking for honest advice.....

Has anyone been able to rub out dead black pixels shown through a red screen....I use LCDtest shareware to figure it out</STRONG>

No, I haven't. My Ti shipped with one dead pixel in the middle of the screen. It has since developed another two in the same line, but spread across the screen. I guess eventually the whole row will fail. At that point I'll be very happy that either it is under warranty, or I have applecare

Ben.

[opallaser]

I've had a horror story with my pismo screen. About 3months after purchase, it started to get these large white blotches all over the screen. My local apple reseller replaced the lcd and everything seemed fine until recently. The bottom left of the screen has turned red and it doesn't go away. After sleep or at start-up the screen is bright red until about 3 minutes of work when it gradually starts to regain normality. It's being replaced again next week but it's made me wonder about lcd's and in particular the 17inch lcd i have on order. Has anyone had any problems with the apple lcd displays ?

[Rob van dam]

they have problems

[bateman]

mine is fine, no dead pixel. i know i've got chance..

667_512_30

[massey]

i've been reading up in forums about the dead pixel controversy and I understand some people don't care because they don't notice it while others can't live a second having it stare them in the eyes [ graphic designers and detail oriented people have lived their lives focusing on every conceivable detail in every fabricated object that comes into their vision ]

so the question would be...

Does Steve Jobs have a Tibook with a dead pixel?

[jwtseng]

I believe that the massage technique should be done from the front of the screen (duh). Firm but gentle back and forth motion with just a little more pressure than you need to cause the "rippling". Even though the LCDs go through some extent of a "burn in" at the factory, it is still possible that the most recalcitrant dead/frozen pixel will see the light one day after some extended use.

[KellyHogan]

Originally posted by jwtseng:
<STRONG>I believe that the massage technique should be done from the front of the screen (duh). Firm but gentle back and forth motion with just a little more pressure than you need to cause the "rippling". Even though the LCDs go through some extent of a "burn in" at the factory, it is still possible that the most recalcitrant dead/frozen pixel will see the light one day after some extended use.</STRONG>

Massaging definitely works at reactivating the flow of current through the area. I had a dead pixel on my Studio Display that really bothered me so I rubbed it gently in a circular motion with a cloth and it reactivated. Just don't massage too hard or you can cause damage.

[- - e r i k - -]

You can actually have up to 13 dead pixels and stil be within spec as long as they aren't clustered.

I got my TiBook back from repairs last month, and my previously perfect screen now had 6 dead pixels...

I can't live without my TiBook and I've decided not to return it for yet another lenghty repair...

[bugs]

Pixels - that's why I bought mine at a store. A Fry's salesman once told me that their store policy is 'satisfaction guaranteed' (or something like that) and promised that I could return any purchase etc... This was specifically in response to my concern about pixels.

I bought from a different small store that fully supports Macs and I got a small discount too (in return for not using a credit card for the purchase, which costs them money).

Too bad for massey (who started this thread), the graphics worker... There is no way to color match LCDs with other devices, and furthermore you are pretty much stuck with the native resolution since any other format sucks for graphics work. He could have got two tower Macs for the price of his defective laptop.

[massey]

thanks for all the responses,....as of now I am waiting for apple to credit my account back so I could purchase another machine,....got a better deal with an apple authorized reseller even though I bought my previous one through the apple store with an educational discount