The new iPad Air is a great tablet, and there are a lot of happy users, but I have noticed a few forums that have posts from users saying there are problems with the display.
I won’t go in the specs here (check out wantthisgadget.com for a detailed list of specs of the iPad Air), but the display has been the cause of much discussion.
Some users have noticed a black stripe running down the left hand side of the iPad, away from the edge.
See below for a visual example.
A good way to highlight this is to turn the screen brightness all the way up. This should highlight any irregularities.
Some users, whose screens are of a yellow tinge, are suggesting that the glue used to secure the screens has not cured properly. Whilst this is possibly true given the huge demand for iPad airs (and production lines which would be running non stop), I would be carefully watching my iPad for any changes.
If the color has not changed in a couple of days, return it to Apple for a replacement under warranty.
Given the huge number of sales, I would say the percentage of faulty devices would be quite low, and Apple are willing to replace them under warranty. So i think the inconvenience is at a minimum.
Would love to hear from any readers on their experiences below.
Article sources: MacRumours and Apple forums.
Perhaps I see a very faint grey thin stripe on the left hand side–though maybe also the right! However, they vanish on full screen brightness. There are odd visual effects for everyone looking at a white screen-1floqters, eye tiring, see the opposite color, etc. that an happen.
The other concern I’ve had has been blue web links displayed more as purple–as if one has already clicked on them. It’s noticeably bad on certain sites.
The key, I believe, is to not obsess over it, but if it is glaring and continuing distraction take it or send it back.
Great column and photo, by the way!
Mine show a faint grayish stripe, close to the edge and much thinner. There’ say thinner, fainter one on the right. However, on full brightness, they basically vanish.
Some oddities will happen staring at any white field–the eye compensates and sees other colors; there can be complementary color effects, too.
The photo, though, suggests something deeper, although I suppose CCDs can also have odd effects.
Mine has a different issue–blue web links look purplish–much like they’ve been clicked on already (visits links).
The key is to NOT obsess over these things–unless it is glaring and interferes with the pleasure of using the iPad.
Great column and photo, by the way! Thanks for posting it! It should reassure many that their problem is not major or one at all!
Meant to add that floaters in the eye can also wreak havoc–not the black stripe kind, but a speckled grey when looking at white screens. Distance from screen and changes in brightness level can overcome it.
Of course ,the other thing is to not spend a lot of time looking at a white screen!
By the way, my obsess comment was directed more at myself rather than others–I know full well that screen defects can be real and annoying!
Couldn’t agree more, Robby. The more you look at it you worse it looks and the more problems you start ‘seeing’ 🙂
Just noticed today my iPad Air has definite gray bands throughout the screen. Now I’m quite annoyed. Just past 30 days of ownership, too!
Chris, gray bands can be a visual contrast effect. As I’ve explored this, I find MacBook Airs, even the original iPad have the book spine, the grayish hues, and even gray splotches–and I never noticed me before I looked for them on a white screen!
Now, possibly what you are seeing are artifacts created within your eyes! Eyes and brain do various things–e.g., connecting dots into lines when there are no lines (there’s a rich history of the observations of Mars where skilled observers literally connected the dots and saw CANALS!
If you make note of where a splotch or “band” is, then look up and down quickly, or left and right, the floaters and other detritus in your eyes will move around or away–or the contrast effects will change, and the splotches will go to different places, too!
The other test is to rotate the screen–if the bands are in the screen, they should rotate with the screen –if not, then it’s likely one of the things I’ve mentioned and not the screen at all.
In any event, the key is to ignore it, get on with one’s fun, and see if after a week or two, it still bothers you. If so, do an Apple Care return. Apple’s fantastic at trying to make things right for customers. Good luck!
———–
Oh, and my apologies to everyone for that string of initial comments, don’t know what happened with my posting?