Persistant dirty patches on MacBook Pro screen

[karan_karia]

Lately I have noticed some small dirty patches on the center of my Macbook pro screen. At first I thought they were actually just dirt, and that I'd wipe it off sometime.

Then when I tried wiping it I realized its not dirt. I used those alcohol wipes or whatever is used for cleaning lap top screens.

The screen on the outside is completely clean.

But it still looks exactly like dirty patches. Like someone touched the screen with dirty fingers from the inside!

How is this possible? Is it some sort of pixel degradation. I did a dead pixel test. There isnt any dead pixels. But these patches arent exactly pixels.

To give you an example of what it looks like... it looks like the "spray paint tool" in MS Paint. With a really low opacity. But enough to be noticeable and very very annoying.

[macosnoob]

Do the patches match the size/shape/position of keys?

[clubagreenie]

I have this on a (non mac) laptop with non glass screen. Looks kind of like a shadow, except i have lines of it. Had the screen replaced and was ok for a while and returned, in different pattern. Later was told it could be from excess pressure on the reverse of the screen when in a bag or items placed ontop.

Seems logical given my semi-cavalier handling methods.

[karan_karia]

Nope it’s not the keys leaving marks. I use a RadTech Screensaver to protect the screen...

Its like the pixels in some areas have sort of lost some of their color or brightness.

Exactly like I mentioned. It looks like a spray paint tool on MS paint, but only that, it’s been sprayed in a few locations on my screen at low opacity.

It’s not too much of an issue. But i didn’t expect this to happen to a $4k lap top screen. Especially Apple!

[JDV]

It does sound like a physical problem with the LCD layers of the display. Your machine is almost certainly still under warranty; I'd certainly recommend seeing about having it replaced. It is highly unlikely that is is a software issue, and also unlikely to fix itself spontaneously. LCD displays use several very thin layers for the display; it is likely that there is some sort of compression or other stress affecting them.

Joe VanZandt

[ThreeDee]

You could try using Screen Cleaner Pro. (April Fools...)

[Anti]

Quote: Originally Posted by karan_karia Nope it’s not the keys leaving marks. I use a RadTech Screensaver to protect the screen... Its like the pixels in some areas have sort of lost some of their color or brightness. Exactly like I mentioned. It looks like a spray paint tool on MS paint, but only that, it’s been sprayed in a few locations on my screen at low opacity. It’s not too much of an issue. But i didn’t expect this to happen to a $4k lap top screen. Especially Apple!

My MacBook Pro is having the same exact problem. Guess the Apple Discussions forums wern't lying when they suspected the display quality.

If you take it in to AppleCare, tell me what happens. I'd like to know so I can tell what to expect when I go in ^_^. I hear Apple can be a bit on hte bad side with LCD issues.

[chicorasia]

Quote: Lately I have noticed some small dirty patches on the center of my Macbook pro screen.

Sounds more like LCD leaks than dead pixels.

There are several defects which are intrinsecal to the manufacturing proccess of LCD screens - manufacturers claim that they cannot deliver 100% defect-free LCD screens without an increase in price.

However, if there are too many defects or if they are too close together (less than 1"), manufacturers will replace the LCD screen. I really think you should contact Apple, since your macbook is still in warranty - well, I'd contact them even if it wasn't anymore.

[karan_karia]

thanks for your all your help and advice...

I called apple tech support and asked them about the screen. they said to bring it in, and if it seems like a manufacturing defect, they'll replace it.

(I should have gone for the matte screen. I think this issue is common amongst the glossy screens, not sure though.... its some sort of condensation behind the pannel, or some defect in the panel itself...)

[chicorasia]

Good luck!

Let us know how it turns out...

[osxpounder]

Yes, please let us know what happens. I'm just now noticing that my MBP isn't evenly illuminated [though I don't think it's a defect, but rather a design choice they made to save battery life or weight or something -- you can't help but notice that its display is not even compared to a PowerBook].

[r2builder]

I had this exact same problem. Sent it to Applecare and they replaced the screen without question.

[kel101]

Quote: Originally Posted by r2builder Sent it to Applecare

Ive always wondered if you send it your computer to apple, if they look at what you have on your comp, or is that illegal lol

[JDV]

It is a dubious ethical issue, but some states are now considering making computer technicians among those who are required to report any suspected cases of illegal pornography or abuse, as teachers and medical personnel currently are. This would only be possible if either the law MANDATED that they search for it, or if it were common practice to take a stroll through user's files. I've always thought that highly unethical. But the times, they say, are a'changin'!!

Joe VanZandt

[mattscarf]

Quote: Originally Posted by karan_karia thanks for your all your help and advice... I called apple tech support and asked them about the screen. they said to bring it in, and if it seems like a manufacturing defect, they'll replace it. (I should have gone for the matte screen. I think this issue is common amongst the glossy screens, not sure though.... its some sort of condensation behind the pannel, or some defect in the panel itself...)

I have this problem on a matte screen as well. Hope I can get it replaced!

[jo-ho]

I had the same problem on a 15" MacBook Pro. The screen was replaced by Apple but after a few months a had the same problem. After a year I got a complete new MacBook Pro from my employer and guess what: Also on this one the dark pathes appered. I think it's a problem with the Apple logo on the other side. After a while the pathes will form a circle exactly around the place of the logo. I heared rumours that this is a known issue by Apple and that it's the glue they use for the logo.

But it can also be the imprint of the logo if you transport your mac horizontal with some weight on top (i.e. books). The top of the MacBook Pro is very flexible, with a bit of pressure you can touch the screen from behind. (After a few days I also hade a scratch on my screen from the sharp edge below the spacebar.) It's a shame that the construction is so weak for an expensive laptop like this. The cheaper MacBook is much more robust.

[Las_Vegas]

Hmm... I've had my Macbook Pro for well over a year and don't have any of these problems… Of course, I would never consider stacking anything heavy on top of my Mac.

[hartmurmur]

I've had the dirty/dim patches on my first. Apple replaced the screen. Now about 6 months later I have the same issue. It was fine for the first few months.

Of course I'm out of warranty now.

[berns88]

well the problem is quite simple, you used an alcoholic cleaner to wipe the screen. LCD screens are made of plastic, and almost every type of alcohol degrades the plastic and burns it. that's why it seems like it's has dirt from the inside. I used pure alcohol and a cotton ball to clean the screen and i noticed what seemed like a tiiiiiny hair and when i tried to clean it, wouldn't come off.. then I start to research about it and I found out that alcohol is the worst thing you can use to clean your screen. Just use a either a mixture of water and a bit of vinegar, or just buy an eye-glass cleanser to clean the screen up. I'm very disappointed in my stupidity, since my macbook pro is only 3 weeks old

[kel101]

DONT USE ALCOHOL TO CLEAN SCREEN!!!

All you should use is a microfiber cloth and some distilled water....