MacBook Pro owners report a backlight problem. the defect is in the flex cable

New year, new problems: some users report problems in their MacBooks Pro and iFixit states that the defects are not easily solved due to a decision of doubtful design of Apple.

More specifically, the problems reported appear on the screens of some models of MacBook Pro Retina, especially those equipped with touch bars. When the computer cover is open, the backlighting of the panels is uneven, which creates an effect similar to that of a row of stage lights on the underside of the screen.

And the appearance of this defect is totally absent. , according to some users who have reported the problem, is only the harbinger of a complete failure of the backlight when the lid is opened beyond a certain angle. In this case, the screen returns to normal, turning off the machine and closing its lid for a while. the weather. The video below shows the problem:

Such events have already been recorded in the Apple Support Forums and in the petition. Louis Rossman, a "repair guru" Apple, has already collected nearly 3,000 signatures.

Anyone who spoke, however, was iFixit – the company discovered the cause of the problem, which is due to a lack of Apple design. The problem lies mainly in the cable flex that connects the MacBook Pro panels to their controllers on the logic board: ribbon cables are leaning over the board and are secured by two covers moved by the springs; therefore, each opening or closing of the MacBook Pro cover causes minimal component wear. Over time, the wear will accumulate and cause some internal connections to break – usually, as iFixit points out, the backlight connection is the first thing to do.

Panel connection cables to the MacBook Pro logic board

problem begins now: in a world where the creation of thinner peripherals is not an obsession Apple could have used normal cables more resistant than ribbon-type cables that would wrap the card and cause much less wear. But that's not the main problem: replacing the ribbon cable would cost about $ 6, according to iFixit … if it was not soldered to the MacBook Pro screen.

What does it mean? Instead of paying $ 6 for the interchange of cables, the user must pay $ 600 for the exchange of the whole of the His computer screen.

The solution, for the moment, is expect Apple to comment on #flexgate (as quoted) and create a commercial program, as it did for D & P Other recent problems. For now, the affected users will have to (at least temporarily) get used to the problem on their computers for at least a thousand dollars – and will continue to press for Apple to take action.

via MacRumors