This could be a problem.
Apple this week acknowledged that some MacBook Air models with Retina displays may exhibit anti-reflective coating issues, as noted in a memo shared with its Apple Authorized Service Provider members.
Per the memo:
“Retina displays on some MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro computers can exhibit anti-reflective (AR) coating issues,”
Apple’s internal service documentation for this issue only mentions MacBook Pro and discontinued 12-inch MacBook notebooks with retina displays, but the MacBook Air models have now been mentioned twice. Apple added a Retina display to the MacBook Air in October 2018 and all models of the notebook have featured once since.
Apple currently runs a free repair program to handle the anti-reflective coating issue in place, but has yet to add any of the MacBook Air notebook models to its list of eligible models, in spite of having mentioned it elsewhere. To this end, customers may have a valid argument for a free in-warranty repair, if not a more widespread free repair.
The list of eligible notebooks that qualify for the free repair as of December 2019:
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2015)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
- MacBook (12-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook (12-inch, Early 2016)
- MacBook (12-inch, Early 2017)
Apple began the repair program in October 2015 after some MacBook and MacBook Pro users experienced an issue with the anti-reflective coating wearing off or delaminating on Retina displays. Apple has never posted the repair program to its website, opting instead to handle the matter more quietly.
Apple Store locations outside of China as well as many Apple Authorized Service Providers are closed right now given the Coronavirus pandemic, but customers can still visit support.apple.com for service and support.
If you’ve seen this issue on your end, please let us know about your experience in the comments.
Via MacRumors