Some owners of the new PROLED MacBook Pro are reporting eye strain, headaches and dizziness, and the cause appears to be how the OLED screen is dimmed. Notebookcheck’s lab test of the 14-inch model found pulse-width modulation (PWM) at 240Hz with a 56 per cent flicker amplitude whenever brightness is set to 99 per cent or lower. AppleInsider reports that Genius Bars and retailers are seeing a higher than normal rate of returns.
Notebookcheck says the screen also uses DC dimming, but that does not remove the 240Hz flicker. Its review lists PWM flickering among the cons and warns that sensitive users may still have problems, even though it praises the panel’s colour, efficiency and battery life.
AppleInsider says the same PWM settings are used on modern iPhones, but that the larger screen of a laptop makes the strobing easier to notice. It adds that sensitivity varies with fatigue, diet and how long you look at the screen, and that people with migraines, photosensitive epilepsy or a history of head injury may be affected more.
What it means for buyers
The PROLED MacBook Pro went on sale on 6 November in more than 30 countries, so the first returns window is still open for early buyers. If you are sensitive to flicker, the practical advice is to try the machine in a shop for a longer session before buying and to check the return terms in your country. We will update this article if Apple responds or if a software fix appears. For the launch details, see our earlier coverage.