Some Retina MacBook Pro Users Experiencing Display 'Ghosting'

Earlier this week, The Next Web noted that some early purchasers of the Retina MacBook Pro have been experiencing "ghosting" on their machines' displays, with remnants of previously-displayed screen contents remaining visible for some time afterward.

Some readers on the ASC forum have reported the image retention issue with as little as 20 minutes worth of use. However it’s well worth noting that the problem isn’t happening to everyone, and image retention isn’t uncommon on IPS panels such as the one used in the new Pro.

Apple has reportedly been replacing machines affected by the issue, but tight supplies of the Retina MacBook Pro could result in waits for the replacement units.

retina macbook pro display ghosting
Ghosting on Retina MacBook Pro display (Source: Mac Performance Guide)

DisplayMate's Ray Soneira notes on his news page that such behavior is not restricted to IPS panels such as those used in the new Retina MacBook Pro, suggesting that the issue is likely an early production problem that Apple has perhaps already ironed out.

It used to be much more common, but now it's unusual to see it in a display. The cause varies: an electrostatic build up, a chemical impurity build up, a thermal imbalance, or an electronic levels issue within the panel. Depending on the cause it can be better to leave the display on with a dark uniform image, on with a bright uniform image, or turn the display off all together.

Apple continues to cite shipping estimates of 3-4 weeks for new Retina MacBook Pro orders amid high demand, and the company is apparently delaying some early custom-configured orders from business customers by up to a month from their original estimates.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

Object-X Avatar
170 months ago
That could be a problem if it ghosted the porn site you were looking at for too long.
Score: 69 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CplBadboy Avatar
170 months ago
Its because they are holding it the wrong way.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hakone Avatar
170 months ago
"You mean the retina display is so accurate that you can see ghosts?"

-Derp
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Agent OrangeZ Avatar
170 months ago
I still LOL at the people on the iPad forum who have gone through 8 - 10 iPads because their display isn't perfect. Now it will be rMBP.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jasoco Avatar
170 months ago
Well. Looks like the first generation curse still exists.

I'm still considering one though. I just have to try it in person before I make a decision. This wouldn't affect my decision as it'll be sorted out in time.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eidorian Avatar
170 months ago
Well. Looks like the first generation curse still exists.

I'm still considering one though. I just have to try it in person before I make a decision. This wouldn't affect my decision as it'll be sorted out in time.
Time to wait for refurbished models! Coming sooner than expected! :D
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)