Apple devices pride themselves with the glorious Retina display, which is the company's fancy term for a display with high-pixel density. However, since 2012, some users have reported that "stains" started appearing on the screen of their devices.
The defect, which involves the screen's anti-reflective coating coming off, is dubbed "Staingate." Based on users' reports, it is a prevalent problem with the 2012-2014 MacBook and MacBook Pro units. And although it is hard to trace who reportedthe issue first, the post that brought much attention to it was the one by Brady Mott, a member of Apple's online community.
"I don't know how it happened, but somehow my Retina display got some weird clear-ish stain damage that is very noticeable on a black background," wrote the MacBook Pro owner. "I have tried to clean it with water and a micro fiber cloth like usual, but I think this is not something on top of the screen as much as it is something [that] has eaten away a part of the screen... I need help!"
Since the thread began in April 2014, roughly 1,200 responses spread across more than 80 pages have been posted. Most of the responses were from other owners who were experiencing the same problems.
Apple deemed the problem as a cosmetic one and thus not covered by warranty.
"When I went to iStore in my country (Lima, Perú), they told me it was a cosmetic problem but when I learned that the problem is global, I returned to the store to complain but I [was] told my warranty had expired," explained Fernando Dávila Voysest, another Apple community member. "I paid US $ 2,000 for beautiful Macbook but my visor is damaged."
However, with a multitude of reports piling up in its backyard and an angry mob filing a petition on Change.org, the Cupertino company could not maintain its stance the issue is a cosmetic one.
As early as Oct. 16, registered MacBook Pro users received an email from Apple notifying them that the company will replace the affected Retina screens within three years from the original date of purchase or one year from Oct. 16, 2015 for those purchased more than three years ago. MacBook/MacBook Pro owner Marina L. Blandino was willing to share the email she got.
