An Appletell reader has drawn our attention to a graphics problem that seems to have been plaguing some MacBook and MacBook Pro owners at least since the beginning of the year. According to the conversation in this thread (and a few others, apparently), some MacBooks are having trouble drawing high-contrast, text-heavy pages, resulting in the ripple effect you see above.
The thread is filled with possible solutions (from switching monitor resolutions to replacing the graphics card), none of which seem to work for everyone. Of course, it being an Apple thread, there’s also a hefty helping of that sweet, sweet hyperbole:
I have this issue since 10.5.1, no change in 10.5.4. It’s groce, it is contraproductive and I am starting to get really angry about this. This is a farce, Apple, and you know it. I demand immediate correction!
APC ran a slightly more useful take on the situation back in April, offering some details on what’s causing the issue:
The problems occur across both Macbooks — with Intel’s GMA3100 graphics chipset — and MacBook Pros, with the NVIDIA 8600M GT chipset.
There are two distinct issues: one is graphics corruption with lines of text repeating themselves and graphics scrolling incompletely. It occurs when scrolling documents or web pages, and is most pronounced in Apple Webkit-based applications such as Safari and Mail. Users have noticed that it mostly happens when scrolling via the trackpad, rather than the arrow keys.
The other problem is flickering in any area of the screen where there is animation or screen refresh, and it is particularly pronounced when watching videos — especially Flash or Quicktime videos in a web browser.
Still, here we are four months on, and the problems remain. If you’ve experienced this issue, be sure to sound off in the Apple forum to add your voice to the count, and visit an Apple Genius at your local Apple Store to see if you can get some answers.
Via [Apple forum and [APC]
It seems that the 10.5.5 update has fixed this problem! Hurray! It only took Apple about 9 months…. The funny thing is. They didn't even add that to the list. Well, they said graphics improvements. This must have been that. I'm sure they don't want to admit that there was a problem that lasted 9 months.
I bought the new MacBook Pro a week ago – the new unibody version – with 10.5.5. The problem is still there. Very sad. Top model laptop can't be used for internetbrowsing or mail.
That is sad. I remember my frustration with this issue. You should completely go on a rampage on them. I'll back you up 100%.
So there's nothing that can be done about it?
Splashing out 1500 quid for a computer, i thought it would at least bloody work properly.
10.5.5 fixed it. Now it's back in 10.5.6. Same problems. I have a Macbook Pro. 17". 2.4ghz Intel Core 2 Duo.
GeForce 8600M GT:
Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0×0407
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3175
Having the same problem here with a brand new unibody MacBook 13" (the 2.0ghz models with a GeForce 9400m)
It's fine when I reboot, then after awhile, I start seeing these lines when scrolling in Safari… in Finder, if I scroll, I see a weird white rectangle that flickers…very hard to explain…
The ripples/lines problem ONLY happens if the MB is not plugged in… if the AC cable is plugged in, I don't have the problem… I thought it might've been because of the dimmer brightness when its unplugged but apparently not…
Whatever it is, it's extremely annoying… I have an appointment at the Genius Bar tomorrow, hopefully I will be able to reproduce the problem….
If you could post on here how that goes that would be really useful – as then ill do the same. cheers.
The NVIDIA update that Apple released to fix other issues SEEMS to have fixed it for me. Heard that they withdrew the update/fix because it didn't fix the issue it was ment to fix … Havent had ripples/glitches after that update. will post HERE if i get them back.
More on the NVIDIA update:
It was published here (see link) – but its gone:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/NVIDIA_Graphics_Update_2009
This was the releasenotes:
"This update improves cursor movement when using the Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter with the Mini DisplayPort enabled MacBook Air, MacBook and MacBook Pro.
It also improves playback of HD video running on systems with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT or GeForce 9600M graphics."
But – again – it might be coincidental that i havent seen the ripples after the update, so i will post here if they return.
Same issue here. I never had the problem, until the latest update 10.5.6
It happens i Mail and Safari.
Everything was fine before.
It's back … bummer.
I just discovered this issue with my MacBook Pro 15" (4,1) 2.4 Ghz with nVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT (256 MB VRAM), running OS 10.5.6. Same "white box flicker" and lines of text merging, making it hard to read webpages. This is occurring in Safari (Beta 4), iTunes 8.1, Bean 1.3.3. Got an appointment in "geniusland" for tomorrow … downtown Chicago Apple Store. Let's hope they don't ignore this blatant malfunction.
I had this problem with my MacBook Pro 15" running 10.5.6 and took it to the genius bar, where they could not replicate the problem on their machines. It was brand new, and they recommended I swap it out, which I did via the re-seller I had bought it from. Now my new machine has the same problem, making me think it's not an isolated thing.
Does anybody know if the MacBook Pro Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 just released for the 17" model will solve the problem on the 15" as well?
Hello all. This is my first post and apologize it is such a negative comment however; I am so frustrated I hope you will all understand.
I consider my Mac Book Pro a $2000 piece of junk. I have had nothing but problems since purchasing it in 2008, including the most ever present and maddening problem we are discussing in this forum… the flickering screen issue. Other problems… overheating, poor battery performance instigating replacement, sound doesn't work and yet produces squealing feedback, had to replace cord due to fraying, and the key caps easily displace causing the little rubber piece under the key cap to tear resulting in necessity of entire keyboard replacement. I have had many laptops and desktops as have most of us and this is by far the worst laptop experience I have ever had.
I have to admit (giving credit where credit is due) my IMac works beautifully. But, as for a laptop, I'll take my workhorse IBM any day.