2018 MBP Screen failure

[Lettermanian]

I think the answer is self-evident, but just wanted to assure myself. Yesterday the screen on my 2018 MBP (i5 16/512) began to do this whenever I tilted it back and forth. When I have it connected to my 24" monitor the picture is fine on the monitor, but the Mac screen displays the purple and black blocks. I assume the display cable is failing.

I'll take it to our Mac store to see what they say, but I assume such a repair would be costly. I've been wanting to upgrade to M1 (just can't afford or justify M2 models yet), so I will be looking at refurb 16/512 models, probably the Air version, as I am just a hobbyist and only do sporadic heavy editing of photos and videos (i.e. 4k timelapse video rendering of interval shots then editing in iMovie, etc).

My question: are there any known or reported issues of the M1 MB Airs having display issues, since they are using the older design? Is there any real reason to get an M1 MBP over an air for the use I've indicated above? Finally, I will miss my four ports. I do have a budget hub that has worked well but certainly is on the slow side for SD card transfers. Any recommended multi-port hubs/docks that provide faster transfer times? Thanks in advance









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[Lettermanian]

...I've had a chance to do some reading and I see that there have been screen flicker and cracking issues with the Air M1. Can any owners here corroborate such reports, or give me an idea if this is an ongoing issue?

 

[Philip Eihuyar]

...I've had a chance to do some reading and I see that there have been screen flicker and cracking issues with the Air M1. Can any owners here corroborate such reports, or give me an idea if this is an ongoing issue?

I am currently using a 2019 15" intell macbook pro and have no issues .

There are a few suggestions that you might try though.

1. Run Apple diagnostics

2. Reset SMC and or PRAM/NVRAM

3 Drain battery to see if it is a battery related issue.

4. Switch off Graphics Switching.

Here is a site to look at as well: https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/macbook-pro-screen-goes-black/

Also, you could -As I do- go to a local Mac repair shop. They are not as expensive to fix a mac as Apple repair. My only Mac problems were for a 2011 17" MBP and it was the main board/video card replacement. I have since upgraded to a more powerful machine that can deal with the apps that needed more power than my 2011 could handle.

 

[lightandaprayer]

The 2018 MBPs have a slightly longer (+2mm) ribbon cable connecting the display to the computer. Ironically, it is assumed by some that this is Apple's attempt to address the so-called "Flexgate" issues with 2016 and later MBPs. . .

2018 MacBook Pros Try to Solve Flexgate Without Admitting It Exists

Hopefully your problem is not the cable because it is integral to the display; repairing the problem requires replacing the display (around $700 for the part in March 2019).

FYI, I have recently seen brand new M1 MBA base models on sale for $800 with similar discounts for upgraded models. (Amazon).

Regarding your question about M1 MBA display issues, I think that the dearth of replies to your original post is a pretty good answer: Folks on this forum who read your post haven't had similar issues. I haven't heard of any either but I haven't been looking online for them. . .

FWIW, my wife's 2020 MBA is fine and it's her daily user. (We paid $850 for an Apple refurb.) The MBP that it replaced was still going strong after 10+ years of daily use. I recently counseled her that carrying the MBA around with the computer open can be hazardous, a habit she has developed when she is moving around or wants me to take a look at something. But she is careful about not stressing the display hinges/cable when opening/using the MBA.

None of our myriad MBPs and iBooks have suffered from display problems. We've only had one display-related issue since 1995: it was a 2006 24" Intel iMac.

Time will tell how the M1 MBA works out. . . There's always the extended warranty AppleCare+ option if your MBA travels a lot. (Apple refurbs qualify for the extended warranty.) My wife's MBA never goes farther than our backyard, which is probably one reason why her portable Macs have had relatively easy lives. . .

 

[Lettermanian]

...I've had a chance to do some reading and I see that there have been screen flicker and cracking issues with the Air M1. Can any owners here corroborate such reports, or give me an idea if this is an ongoing issue?

I am currently using a 2019 15" intell macbook pro and have no issues .

There are a few suggestions that you might try though.

1. Run Apple diagnostics

2. Reset SMC and or PRAM/NVRAM

3 Drain battery to see if it is a battery related issue.

4. Switch off Graphics Switching.

Here is a site to look at as well: https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/macbook-pro-screen-goes-black/

Also, you could -As I do- go to a local Mac repair shop. They are not as expensive to fix a mac as Apple repair. My only Mac problems were for a 2011 17" MBP and it was the main board/video card replacement. I have since upgraded to a more powerful machine that can deal with the apps that needed more power than my 2011 could handle.

Thank you, I did run diagnostics with no problems detected. I'll be taking it to our Apple store next week to see what they say; the model still qualifies for the keyboard replacement program until next year, so I want to know if this model was included in the display ribbon program as well. Right now everything else functions normally and I am using it with my external monitor. Sometimes the display is fine, but as soon as I tilt it in either direction, the screen displays the blank and purple areas, so I think it's clear the ribbon is at fault. It's not worth repairing to me, since I was planning to replace the computer next year anyway.

 

[Lettermanian]

The 2018 MBPs have a slightly longer (+2mm) ribbon cable connecting the display to the computer. Ironically, it is assumed by some that this is Apple's attempt to address the so-called "Flexgate" issues with 2016 and later MBPs. . .

2018 MacBook Pros Try to Solve Flexgate Without Admitting It Exists

Hopefully your problem is not the cable because it is integral to the display; repairing the problem requires replacing the display (around $700 for the part in March 2019).

FYI, I have recently seen brand new M1 MBA base models on sale for $800 with similar discounts for upgraded models. (Amazon).

Regarding your question about M1 MBA display issues, I think that the dearth of replies to your original post is a pretty good answer: Folks on this forum who read your post haven't had similar issues. I haven't heard of any either but I haven't been looking online for them. . .

FWIW, my wife's 2020 MBA is fine and it's her daily user. (We paid $850 for an Apple refurb.) The MBP that it replaced was still going strong after 10+ years of daily use. I recently counseled her that carrying the MBA around with the computer open can be hazardous, a habit she has developed when she is moving around or wants me to take a look at something. But she is careful about not stressing the display hinges/cable when opening/using the MBA.

None of our myriad MBPs and iBooks have suffered from display problems. We've only had one display-related issue since 1995: it was a 2006 24" Intel iMac.

Time will tell how the M1 MBA works out. . . There's always the extended warranty AppleCare+ option if your MBA travels a lot. (Apple refurbs qualify for the extended warranty.) My wife's MBA never goes farther than our backyard, which is probably one reason why her portable Macs have had relatively easy lives. . .

Thanks for the reply, I'll be taking it to the Apple Store next week to see what my options are. However, since I wrote my post I've thought more about my situation, and I think I am going to get a refurb Mac Mini, as I do all my editing with my external monitor anyway, and then get an iPad for my more mobile uses (watching shows etc), as well as for my son's use (GarageBand music creation and illustration apps). A refurb 16/512 M1 mini is $1189 CDN, vs $1579 for a MBA with the same specs, so even though I'll pay a bit more, I'll get two devices that will suit my needs better going forward than an MBA by itself could do.

 

[lightandaprayer]

Thanks for the reply, I'll be taking it to the Apple Store next week to see what my options are. However, since I wrote my post I've thought more about my situation, and I think I am going to get a refurb Mac Mini, as I do all my editing with my external monitor anyway, and then get an iPad for my more mobile uses (watching shows etc), as well as for my son's use (GarageBand music creation and illustration apps). A refurb 16/512 M1 mini is $1189 CDN, vs $1579 for a MBA with the same specs, so even though I'll pay a bit more, I'll get two devices that will suit my needs better going forward than an MBA by itself could do.

I got a 2012 Mac Mini when I decided that I was done with iMacs (G3, G5 and Intel). I replaced it in 2019 with a 2018 Mini 8/512. I had upgraded the 2012 to 16GB RAM but I figured that I would try out the 2018 with 8GB RAM since it is user upgradeable. I'm still happy using the stock RAM amount.

The Mini has been my fave Mac model out of all the portable, desktop and iMacs I've had since 1995. They are quiet, run cool and very space-efficient. With the advent of Apple Silicon they have become the "headless iMac" many people wished for with the demise of desktop Macs.

I expect that you will be happy with a Mac Mini. If you ever feel the need for a portable (maybe as a backup?) there is always the MBA. I save iPads for enjoying "content." I much prefer the MacOS over iOS for actually getting things done. . . And an MBA can be had for less money than an iPad "Pro."