MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo Production Stopped: An Update, 2006-12-12 - Your reactions

[linathael]

Following our previous news, leading to numerous reports sent to us by users waiting for their MBP, we have collected additional information from our sources; and we think to have tracked most of the story down.
The main problem is linked to a quality issue with "Matte" LCD panels. It would affect both 15" and 17" models, and a large part of the production lot 9C62 (17") and 9C56 (15") of LCD panel are defective even if it does not involve all panels.
Currently, large distributors are advising Apple resellers to promote glossy LCD panel-based MBP, as it is already the case on the Apple Store. Only glossy-based display notebook can be shipped on time for Christmas.
There is also a problem concerning a BTO : 120GB HD 7200 rpm; current stock is running low and Apple is waiting for additional supply.
Most users having either a matte LCD display-based MBP or chosen the 120GB BTO have probably received an email from Apple informing them about a delay for shipping their order (at least one week). The priority orders are shipping, so manufacturing of MBP is running again, but the current stock of matte display will be insufficient to ensure production of all purchased MBP with this feature for Christmas time.

[translation by Linathael]

[marc]

Well, just as an exception to the rule: I ordered a 15" MBP with "matte" display last week and it was delivered yesterday. No delay, immediately dispatched within 24 hours. I haven't had time to get it yet so I can only hope it is fine.

I'll keep you updated.

[linathael]

Well, just as an exception to the rule: I ordered a 15" MBP with "matte" display last week and it was delivered yesterday. No delay, immediately dispatched within 24 hours. I haven't had time to get it yet so I can only hope it is fine.

I'll keep you updated.

quickly check the homogeneity of the brightness, backlighting, then rendering when increasing and decreasing brightness.

[cheerful]

Such a coincidence, I was just mentioning a couple of days ago that the coffee stained-liked mark on my TiPB G4 is spreading ... To make matters worse, it is smack right in the middle spreading outwards.

I sure hope those new mbps don't get such issues. sorry i can't provide photos as i don't have a good enough camera to take a clean shot of the stain; tried a few times but it doesn't seem to show the stain like it should.

[marc]

quickly check the homogeneity of the brightness, backlighting, then rendering when increasing and decreasing brightness.

Thanks for the hint. I now have that baby in my hands and it looks OK to me. The lowest right corner (perhaps 2 mm from the edge) seems to be a bit darker depending on the viewing angle but not really obviously so. No dead pixels that I can see. Brightness and contrast compares well to my Samsung Syncmaster 710T that I use with my other Mac. The Samsung is a bit brigher, but colours look better from extreme angles on the MacBook.

BTW: This is the smaller 15" MBP with 128MB VRAM, serial no. starts with W8647 so if the old numbering scheme is still valid it was produced in mid-November.

[bandrew]

In the article you say that the issues about the display (grainy, uneven, etc) are in the MacBook Pro, matte version.
But what about the glossy one?
Are their display perfect or not? Because if they are ok it's explained why Apple store is promoting them.
I ordered a 2,16 MBP CTO 15" last week and I'm very afraid of these issues...
Reading many threads about these issues I've read anything about it but it's not clear if the glossy MBP are ok.
Thank you for your precious work.



P.S. sorry for my english...

This post has been edited by bandrew: Dec 12 2006, 09:42 PM

[linathael]

thanks Marc for this update
that's good that you do not notice any problem

In the article you say that the issues about the display (grainy, uneven, etc) are in the MacBook Pro, matte version.
But what about the glossy one?
Are their display perfect or not?
Reading many threads about these issues I've read anything about it but it's not clear if the glossy MBP are ok.
Thank you for your precious work.

P.S. sorry for my english...

we have published this information because sources close enough to that buisness told us about it.
we are now following this story and collecting all reports we can get about this issue
same sources did not indicate any quality control issue concerning glossy display MBP

[bandrew]

I asked that because many people said (also in the macbidouille forum...) that the glossy have the same problem but it's a little less visible because of the glossy surface. But the issues are exactly the same because the displays are the same.

Thank you, AndreA.

[linathael]

I asked that because many people said (also in the macbidouille forum...) that the glossy have the same problem but it's a little less visible because of the glossy surface. But the issues are exactly the same because the displays are the same.

Thank you, AndreA.

between what members can say, and information we can receive, there is a difference
on one side it is a report from a user, on the other side many reports from different sources aware of Apple notebook manufacturing.
not meaning that a report froma member is not reliable, simply we know that there was an issue with matte LCD panel; and apparently no similar problems with the glossy version.
I will ask confirmation that the glossy and the matte version have the same panel.

[vocaro]

There is also a problem concerning a BTO : 120GB HD 7200 rpm; current stock is running low and Apple is waiting for additional supply.

Wait, hold up. 7200RPM 120GB hard drive? Apple has never offered such a drive in any portable, not even as a BTO option.

If I'm wrong, please let me know, because I've been waiting to buy a MacBook Pro with that kind of drive for a long time now.

[Cri-cri]

There is also a problem concerning a BTO : 120GB HD 7200 rpm; current stock is running low and Apple is waiting for additional supply.

Wait, hold up. 7200RPM 120GB hard drive? Apple has never offered such a drive in any portable, not even as a BTO option.

If I'm wrong, please let me know, because I've been waiting to buy a MacBook Pro with that kind of drive for a long time now.

Yep, you're right. Our mistake, sorry
There was a confusion between the 100 Gb / 7200 RPM and the 120 Gb / 5400 RPM

Thanks for the correction

[cheerful]

i thought they updated their BTO options ... ha. just assumed since i kinda love that option. however, i would probably go for cap. over performance for notebooks. they have a limit to how much performance one can push. apart from saving batt life (usually it tends to for the 7200 vs 4200, in some instances, the 5400 may do a better job as compared to the 4200), there's also the fact that since it is a portable, i'll be moving her about, hence a slower rpm would assure me that the chances of a corrupted HD from a crash is less likely to happen. there's a reason why those 3600 rpm (is it 3600? i can't exactly recall, but i'm sure it is in the range of 3xxx rpm) HDs are so reliable. my pb3400c, 2GB is still chugging away even after constant use. i've only recently retired that powerbook because of lack of space. haha.