Reports of MacBook Air Problems Spread

[Paul Daniel Ash]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WxEsstiEMc]YouTube - MacBook Air 11.6" Problem (Video Card Glitch)[/ame]


An increasing number of new owners of 2010 MacBook Airs are reporting random kernel panics, freezing and display distortion with lines across the screen, and inability to wake from sleep, but no issue has yet been acknowledged by Apple. There are already a couple of discussion threads on Apple's support forums, and one MacBook Air owner posted the YouTube video above showing the issues he's experiencing.

The problem is getting a high profile as some Mac bloggers' Airs are showing similar symptoms. Cult of Mac staff writer David Martin "observed horizontal sparkling bands running up and down the screen," he writes, "but the computer did not freeze," writes David Martin. He also notes that in addition to editor Leander Kahney having two kernel panics on his 13-inch MacBook Air and one on his 11-incher, Martin has experienced one that he "attributed to my attempting to boot with an SD card built on a MacBook Pro." Also, Serenity Caldwell of Macworld is having trouble with her 11-inch MBA, saying that it "randomly cut to a gray screen during Screen Sharing and only a reboot could cure it." She's also seen the screen "turn a variety of colors: gray again, tan, gray-black, and - on Monday - blue." An unnamed Apple Genius who worked with Caldwell reportedly said that "the Air's logic board might possibly be at fault."

The day the new models were announced, Apple released MacBook Air (Late 2010) Software Update 1.0, which fixed a problem where system became unresponsive while playing a movie trailer in iMovie or after waking from sleep when an external display is connected. Apple's general operating pattern is to not admit any problem exists until they have a tested and verified fix ready for release, but affected users should still head to the Genius Bar without delay.

Source: AppleInsider

[mardinn]

Hahaha. I love when something that Steve produces gets problems. This made my day!

[JonnyBoy123]

This will just be fixed in a software update don't trip. (no pun intended)

[priezti]

he must have turned it on using the wrong hand and holding it the wrong way

[jbarrett652]

Still getting one.

[mardinn]

Still getting one.

Of course you will get one. When Steve says so, you will do as he commands. That is the logic for people that uses Mac.

[UiK]

I think ever since apples success with the iPod and iPhones, their quality of products has declined due to their arrogance and cockiness in thinking ppl will buy their products No matter how dodgy they are. And they are right.

[CaptainChaos]

This sounds like something that is happening to me when I run OSX with VMware Workstation on my HP. I fixed the Kernel Panics, but still get the distorted colors sometimes. Minimizing and then re-maximizing VMware gets rid of the color distortion, but that is not something you can do on a Mac.

[iD3nn1s]

this is why i wait a while before getting a new model of a computer

[CZroe]

This used to happen to me on two different PC notebooks many years ago (~2002 on a Dell and 2006 on an Acer; both with discrete graphics). Usually, a sleep/wake or power cycle would fix it.

[kuhndsn]

No problems on mine. Though I did have issues with my HP and Sony vio. I solved that problem by buying a MBP. Too bad thoes companies didn't share the same fun as apple does with news agencies reporting issues. Just like the signal issues I had with my crack berry. I guess it's only big news when the company is gaining corporate success. With that said I'll stay with apple until another giant takes it's place.

[MXCO]

Steve jobs warn y'all in one of his meetings that netbooks are cheap and slow.

[Melech518]

I have had 2 kernel panics on my macbook air 11" where the screen goes completely grey...

[whereswaldo]

What can you expect out of a crappy computer like this

[mikerlx]

As quiet as its kept, the Macbook air in general has/had issue with overheating kernel panic. So, I don't think the new models will be any different except there is no longer a cheap plastic hinge that breaks and lifts the screen!

[DisneyRicky]

I have had 2 kernel panics on my macbook air 11" where the screen goes completely grey...

I get those on my 2010 Mac Book Pro

[Zokunei]

Wow, sounds like Macs really do suck (first time I'm getting convinced). And why are they so expensive again? I mean, even if the OS IS as good as Mac users say, and had no major glitches like this, it still wouldn't be worth the extra $500, or however much.

[Buckmaster]

yep, I am using a very nice 16" HP that does anything I want, and if it does break, with the money I saved, just buy another one.

[StealthBravo]

I have had 2 kernel panics on my macbook air 11" where the screen goes completely grey...

its melech

[topless1967stang]

he must have turned it on using the wrong hand and holding it the wrong way

Yes, you are supposed to hold the new Macbook Air a certain way, and you cannot put it on your lap without a case.

Apple will issue free bumper cases for the new Macbook Air to fix this issue, but only after they receive enough complaints that makes them look bad.