Class-Action Suit Against Apple

by Matt, matt@smalldog.com (written by Matt@smalldog.com)

Two customers filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple for falsely claiming that their MacBook and MacBook Pro displays can display millions of colors. According to the filing (PDF can be downloaded here: http://images.appleinsider.com/apple_macbook_lawsuit.pdf, “Within weeks of when Apple first began to sell MacBooks, purchasers started complaining that the display was substandard. Many purchasers observed that the display was ‘grainy.’ Others complained that the display was ‘sparkly.’” The filing goes on to say that the displays use a “software technique referred to as ‘dithering,’ which causes nearby pixels on the display to use slightly varying shades or colors that trick the human eye into perceiving the desired color even though it is not truly that color.” The filing goes on to detail comments made on the web regarding dissatisfaction over the quality of the laptop displays, as well as other allegations.

Rather than linger on the details of this lawsuit, I’d like to say how much better the display on my MacBook (black, Core 2 Duo 2.0) looks than my iBook G4 (1.33 14”). At first, I was put off by the glossy screen for its “reflectiveness,” but soon grew to love the greater contrast, deeper blacks, whiter whites, and crisp text. I am by no means a professional photographer or graphic designer, so don’t have that perspective or ability to say anything truly intelligent about color accuracy. I placed the MacBook next to my 23” old-style Cinema Display at work, both monitors showing the same image, and I’d say the MacBook’s display looks better.

If you’re a graphic designer, photographer, or someone who’s disatisfied with your Intel laptop’s display, I want to hear about it! Send your story to matt@smalldog.com