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rampguy · Nov 14, 2003, 08:38 PM

I bought my 15" Albook pretty much the day it came out, although i didn't get it until early October.

I haven't had a single problem with it, but maybe I don't know what to look for. What exactly do the white spots look like? How strong/prevalent are they on the screen?

Thanks,

Alex

MacsGalor · Nov 14, 2003, 08:45 PM

no new white spot threads use the search

coolmacdude · Nov 15, 2003, 04:29 AM

In before the lock.

terrancew_hod · Nov 16, 2003, 12:22 PM

Me Too.

You kids posting these white spot threads after the mod said not to are really HARD HEADED....

Get 'em Tooki...

Terrance

OwlBoy · Nov 16, 2003, 01:06 PM

See Spot Run!

Keiretsu · Nov 16, 2003, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by terrancew_hod:
Me Too.

You kids posting these white spot threads after the mod said not to are really HARD HEADED....

Get 'em Tooki...

Terrance

Nobody asked you to react to "yet another whitespot thread" :LOL:

Pavlow was right ... some reflexes can be trained ;-)

Montanan · Nov 16, 2003, 04:33 PM

A suggestion for Tooki ...

Instead of a sticky containing a locked admonition about starting new "white spots" threads, how about creating an *open* thread called "The definitive white spots thread" (or something), and making that one a sticky? Then all the other white spots threads could be locked.

Might solve the problem ...

MrForgetable · Nov 16, 2003, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by Montanan:
A suggestion for Tooki ...

Instead of a sticky containing a locked admonition about starting new "white spots" threads, how about creating an *open* thread called "The definitive white spots thread" (or something), and making that one a sticky? Then all the other white spots threads could be locked.

Might solve the problem ...

I agree.

spatterson · Nov 16, 2003, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by Montanan:
A suggestion for Tooki ...

Instead of a sticky containing a locked admonition about starting new "white spots" threads, how about creating an *open* thread called "The definitive white spots thread" (or something), and making that one a sticky? Then all the other white spots threads could be locked.

Might solve the problem ...

Making a �white spots� sticky thread would help immensely!!!

terrancew_hod · Nov 17, 2003, 12:05 AM

Originally posted by Keiretsu:
Nobody asked you to react to "yet another whitespot thread" :LOL:

Pavlow was right ... some reflexes can be trained ;-)

And no one ASKED you to come for me either ...

Run along now; negative reinforcement is such an ugly thing

Terrance

Icekey · 02:53 PM

Oh well, the whole point of these forums is to quickly answer questions and queries, so here's a pic. And yeah, a 1 off general white spot thread would be nice as a reference point

http://icekey.customer.netspace.net..../whitespot.jpg
Edit: NO BIG INLINE IMAGES!!! USE LINKS INSTEAD!!! --tooki

tooki · Nov 20, 2003, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by Montanan:
A suggestion for Tooki ...

Instead of a sticky containing a locked admonition about starting new "white spots" threads, how about creating an *open* thread called "The definitive white spots thread" (or something), and making that one a sticky? Then all the other white spots threads could be locked.

Might solve the problem ...

Done. Use this thread to continue.

And do a search. Please, please, do a search before posting. Ever.

tooki

aapljack · Nov 21, 2003, 12:34 PM

Well, my Powerbook is back from repair. It is waiting at the Airborne station for me. It took exactly 1 week and 1 day for the whole send in, repair, send back process. Not bad. I will post later tonite about how it is running and looking.

-b

bobette · Nov 21, 2003, 03:26 PM

Dammit, exactly 1 month after getting it, my Albook 15 is showing white spots.

I'd rather wait until the situation is cleared on the Apple side and have it repaired then, cuz I don't think they actually know what the hell's the problem.

Grrrr...

BearOso · Nov 22, 2003, 02:42 AM

Thanks for the sticky, tooki.

For those who sent their powerbook in and received a repair without reoccurance, could you please state what they replaced and the part numbers. It appears that some people are getting clamshell replacements while others, myself included, are only getting screen replacements.

For instance, this is my report:

My Powerbook came back last Tuesday, Nov 18th, with a replaced LCD screen only. It had a replacement number of 646-0175. So far there is no evidence of white spots, but there IS pooling from pressing the back of the screen.

aapljack · Nov 22, 2003, 04:22 AM

I got mine back today. Looks like they just replaced the LCD screen. My part number is 646-0175. I also get the pooling where my last major spot was (around the center). No spots at the moment. Maybe when they replace they LCD, they do something to the lid as well where they don't need to replace the whole thing. I'm sure, if it works, it would be more cost effective for Apple.

-b

Keiretsu · Nov 22, 2003, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by aapljack:
I got mine back today. Looks like they just replaced the LCD screen. My part number is 646-0175. I also get the pooling where my last major spot was (around the center). No spots at the moment. Maybe when they replace they LCD, they do something to the lid as well where they don't need to replace the whole thing. I'm sure, if it works, it would be more cost effective for Apple.

-b

I think the replace the whole upper part of the 'book. I have recently seen a "ordered during the keynote" and a "just delivered" side by side. Touching the screen of the newer one, I had the impression it's slightly different, somewaht more stiff (I do not think screen casings "wear out", so I may be a slight modification [ e. g. Rev Aa :LOL: ])

AlbertWu · Nov 25, 2003, 12:50 AM

so what DOES a white spot look like?

just curious.

<- 12" owner

benign · Nov 25, 2003, 06:54 AM

My PB has been back and forth four times
this year and now I have the 'White spots'
on screen - It's enough to drive a man crazy
to suddenly be seeing spots before his eyes.

Has anyone had any trouble with Apple and
sending their PB back in for repair ?

benign · Nov 27, 2003, 06:42 PM

Apple assures me, Ti's don't get spots !

Is this true ?

bobette · Nov 27, 2003, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by benign:
Apple assures me, Ti's don't get spots !

Is this true ?

Not true! Check it out at:

http://www.macfixit.com/staticpages/...31124074841479

A majority of reports of this issue come from owners of the new 15" PowerBook G4, we've received a few individual reports of similar screen problems on older models, such as the 12" PowerBook G4, iBook 800MHz, iBook 600MHz (both 12" and 14"), PowerBook G3 (Pismo), and a few different versions of the PowerBook G4 Titanium (including a number of instances from one reseller). However, one thing that sets these reports apart from the issues with the new 15" PowerBook G4 is that in these reports, the problem took much longer to appear -- after a period of months, or even years. To add to that, reader Steven Joniak reports seeing similar "spots" on IBM, Dell, and Toshiba laptops, and that "the spots show up in about the same areas"; Garth Gillespie reports seeing the same kind of problem on an LCD monitor used for trade shows that got its share of physical abuse; and Jerry Jividen has a similar problem on his 22" Apple Cinema Display. So it appears that this problem is not necessarily isolated to the new 15" PowerBook, but is instead a potential problem with LCD displays in general.

benign · Nov 27, 2003, 07:41 PM

Cheers for the link bobette - your a star :)

Wiskedjak · Nov 27, 2003, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by rampguy:
What does the white spot look like?

bobette · Nov 28, 2003, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by Wiskedjak:

Good one!

Thanks Bening, no sweat!

hippyhop · Nov 28, 2003, 06:57 AM

Hi All,

If I order a 15 inch PB today, will I have white spots?

I ask because I am Very confused by all the forum talk regarding repairs and serial numbers....

Any help would be cool

Thanks

mrtew · Nov 29, 2003, 08:56 AM

I think that my TiBook 1GZ that I got a year ago i November when they first came out has a couple little white spots forming in the middle of the screen. I'm hoping that they are just 'sympathy' white spots that will disappear when all you new 15" owners get yours fixed but I'm starting to wonder if I will have to get my display replaced AGAIN. (the first time was for the hairy vertical lines when you press on the bottom of the computer thing)

vcutag · Nov 29, 2003, 10:49 PM

After almost 6 weeks of waiting, I've finally gotten word that my Financial Aid loan was approved. So as soon as the money is direct deposited to my account, I'm off to the Apple Store in Short Pump (Richmond, VA) to purchase a new 15" AlBook. I've heard that by now, the new ones aren't having the dread white spot issue, but I'm wondering what I should look for in a serial number.

AledDavies · Dec 4, 2003, 12:18 AM

I bought my PowerBook 1Ghz at the beginning of October. The white spots appeared after a couple of days and so at the end of October I sent the machine to Apple to be fixed. It arrived back exactly one week later with a new LCD.

I had no problem with them accepting that there was a problem with the display and I cannot fault the level of service I got from Apple about the problem.

So far (4 weeks and counting) the white spots have not reappeared and the display looks as good as the day it came back from Apple.

drg · Dec 4, 2003, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by benign:
Apple assures me, Ti's don't get spots !

Is this true ?

I bought one of the last Ti's the week before the Al's were announced. The second time I opened it, a hinge broke so I sent it in for repair. IT CAME BACK WITH SPOTS!

Daniel_R · Dec 6, 2003, 03:12 AM

I'm not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but:

Link to Apple Support Knowledge Base on 15" AlPB white spots.

The KB doc doesn't reveal much other than "contact AppleCare", however it could be a worthwhile reference when/if you have to call Apple and get someone who gives you the "what white spot problem?" treatment.

Cheers.

bobette · Dec 6, 2003, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by Daniel_R:
I'm not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but:

Link to Apple Support Knowledge Base on 15" AlPB white spots.

The KB doc doesn't reveal much other than "contact AppleCare", however it could be a worthwhile reference when/if you have to call Apple and get someone who gives you the "what white spot problem?" treatment.

Cheers.

Oooh, new stuff.... So they started reckoning the problem, in writing. Interesting.

I'm getting it fixed in January.

SEkker · Dec 15, 2003, 08:01 PM

Bad news --

I am staring at my 8 month old PB17 (revA), and it has come down with 2 distinct white spots on the screen. Look just like the PB15 Al screen pict, except not so bad.

One is very annoying, as it's in my primary viewing area of the screen (and it why I looked, and saw a second elsewhere).

I'll wait a little while to see how bad it gets before sending it in.

bobette · Dec 15, 2003, 08:07 PM

Reported in the Apple support fora, some Powerbooks had their lcd screens as well as their "Foam Diffuser Assembly" (part # 603-4549) replaced.

I think they're getting there. I'm getting mine fixed in January, definitely.

Zemrec · Dec 18, 2003, 12:24 PM

Knock on wood, but my 1.5 mo old PB 15" 1.25 still looks great, no spots or other display issues.

kman42 · Dec 18, 2003, 01:03 PM

My friend just got his 1 month old PB back from repairing these spots and they charged him! They said hardware isn't covered under warranty! This just sounds like a mistake to me, but I wanted to ask others if Apple charged you as well.

kman

bobette · Dec 18, 2003, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by kman42:
My friend just got his 1 month old PB back from repairing these spots and they charged him! They said hardware isn't covered under warranty! This just sounds like a mistake to me, but I wanted to ask others if Apple charged you as well.

kman

Did he deal with apple or a retailer?

Sounds to me like he's getting hmmphh-ed.

[APi]TheMan · Dec 19, 2003, 01:59 PM

From the few threads I've skimmed it looks like people are getting their displays replaced with Samsung displays?

Did Apple recently change vendors in the new Powerbooks? Which LCD comes stock with the Powerbooks?

THE MAC GOD · Dec 26, 2003, 03:21 AM

Man... "white spots" is a misleading term... it should be "white smears". yikes.

art_director · Dec 27, 2003, 03:57 PM

damn white spots have returned.

bought my 15" al in september. got spots immediately out of the box. took 'em two effing weeks to fix. now they be back.

damn apple.

art_director · Dec 27, 2003, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by art_director:
damn white spots have returned.

bought my 15" al in september. got spots immediately out of the box. took 'em two effing weeks to fix. now they be back.

damn apple.

apple care blows. just spoke with them and they will not even give me an estimate of when i'll get my machine back if i send it in now. baztards.

11011001 · Dec 27, 2003, 09:50 PM

Is there a fix for this yet?

I got my PB back in september and got the screen replaced a month later because of bad white spots. A week later they were back. So, instead of wasting Apple's money by replacing the screen every couple of weeks, I would rather wait until there is a real solution.

Has the problem been resolved yet?

Oh, and Art Director, you should look into getting it fixed at a local authorized apple repair place. This way you can get them to order a screen, you keep your PB until it arrives, and when it does, you take it in to get it swapped. This is what I did, I didn't have for a night... which is a lot better than not having it for a week.

sktrdie · Dec 29, 2003, 09:06 AM

strange...apple is late

sktrdie · Dec 29, 2003, 10:03 AM

why aint my signature pic showing????

Nebrie · Jan 12, 2004, 02:30 AM

it is showing.

ghost_flash · 05:09 PM

I don't know.

badtz · Jan 20, 2004, 04:57 AM

Is there a way to tell the difference between the "white spot" problem Powerbook and the "improved" Powerbook?

Is there a sure way to tell the difference without ever have seen either?

vancenase · Jan 21, 2004, 11:42 AM

is anyone seeing any whitespots on the revB 17"? i have one ...

Dale Sorel · Jan 21, 2004, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by rampguy:
What does the white spot look like?

Uh...it looks like a spot...uh...it's kinda white...uh...is it lunch time yet

bobette · Jan 21, 2004, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by Dale Sorel:
Uh...it looks like a spot...uh...it's kinda white...uh...is it lunch time yet

thetman · Feb 2, 2004, 02:00 PM

hopefully this will get read.

just a thought, but since the problem is with the lcd and not somehing like the logic board (im guessing) wouldnt apple just hafta bill the supplier for the lcd's because it was their part that actually went bad. it seems that apple shouldnt really have suffer the full blow on this. that said does anyone know who made the lcd's in the affected model?