Oh have to add that there are slight differences in the "identical model" that I got:
Processor on the one I've been using for 9 years:
2.3 GHz Intel Core i7
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1 GB
Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB
and the one I bought off eBay:
2.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB
Could these two really make the difference between giving eyestrain? I honestly don't know how to solve this problem.
rnmkr Could these two really make the difference between giving eyestrain? I honestly don't know how to solve this problem.
There used to be a way from the command line to extract the panel manufacturer on your Macbook. I don't think it works any more, but I know first hand that two nigh-on identical Macbooks can have different panels made by different manufacturers. And that's all it takes... (sadly).
The 2012 retina with the nvidia chip is the last MacBook I could reliably use for any period of time so this doesn’t sound unusual. They made that model into 2013 but again finding one in good condition with the nvidia chip is hard. And even then it might be the panel. No promises.
rnmkr There are many XPS 15 models and configurations with different Windows 10 versions, graphics chips, and panels (even just within FHD) that make it hard to give it a blanket recommendation. Certain XPS 15 models in particular configurations may be OK for some, but that’s about all we can say.
So I did some digging and apparently the command is still there. The command is:
ioreg -lw0 | grep \"EDID\" sed "/[^<]/s///" | xxd - -r | strings -6
More info as to what the numbers mean:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/only-early-2013-rmbp-15-lcd-model-ir-test.1567570/
Retina test is available here:
https://github.com/mitchmalone/retina-test
I have switched the screens on the MacBook Pros and I started getting headache from the one that came in so it seems to be a panel problem.
The one that I bought (now with the panel that I have been using forever and was able to use with no problems) is LP154WT1-SJA2
The one that I was able to use (and now with the panel from the newer MacBook Pro that gives me eyestrain) is LP154WT1-SJA1
I'm not sure how the ioreg command works, but I suspect it queries system information and doesn't query the actual panel itself which means SJA1 is the one that doesn't give me eyestrain and SJA2 is the one that does. I will switch the panels over again to verify this.
rnmkr Actually it's been the same for me, in 2018 I bought the Macbook pro 13 and i found that i can't use new laptops. My old laptop was from 2008 and i used it for 10 years without a headache or any sort of eyes problems. I had to sell the macbook and since then i've tried these laptops all with the same simptons.
none of these worked :
Macbook 13 from 2012 , no retina - still not good - i tried all the diferent macos i could in it and also bootcamp with windows 7
Dell Precision 5510 from 2016 wich is similar to the Dell XPS 15 with windows 7, 8 and 10 (diferent versions of the 10 also)
Thinpad x1 Carbon 8th gen - windows 10
Thinkpad x1 yoga 4th gen - windows 10
also tried different old lcd panels event non led panel but still felt disconfort but not has much as with the laptop panel.
there's strange flickering or dithering happening in the image, like nothing is still. expecially is hard to read letters on a whitebackground.
Also the doctors didn't find anything wrong with my eyes so i don't know what to do.
Right now i'm using the X1 yoga thinkpad connected to the Dasung Paperlike eink monitor but would love to be hable to have a fully working laptop again ...
I don't seem to be able to figure out if the problem is Ledpanels, software, drivers or hardware ... its very confusing.
Did you have the same symptoms just using one eye? Try to cover each eye for 30 minutes or so on a device you couldn't use. Sometimes one feels better than the other. For me it wasn't great at first, but way better than with both eyes after a while you can get used to it if you only do this for 1-2 hours to not harm your bionocular vision. I could suggest buying an old Samsung rf510 and installing Ubuntu 18 since the display is so bad, but I also can use every display just with one eye covered.
Here https://heteroforie.webnode.cz/ you can find more infos.
I never tried to used the computers with one eye for long periods of time but when i've done it it seems to help to stabilize the image. On the 10th of May i will have an appointment with the doctor and i will ask about Heteroforie, I'll let you know how it goes but usually doctors are so condescending when you tried to explain something they don't exactly know what it is. And when you tried to talk about computers they look at you like you're making it up, like the people who think 5g is evil or something.
Sometimes I still used my old laptop but its so slow, hot and heavy that it gets infuriating.
C_c If you have less problem with one eye there isn't another magical explanation other than a problem with binocular vision. Causes can however range from eye muscle imbalances (most likely), jaw, neck, shoulder problems, neurological factors, and even hip misalignments. Look for specialists for patients with strabismus/squinting. They quickly understand it, since they deal with similar issues every day. I also guess the one eye / two eye difference in symptoms will help you get your point across. @martin blog I have linked above is a good starting point for you.
Having the right display is like having a good running shoe when you having knee pain. It is important, but if you can fix your knee pain you don't have to rely so much on the right shoe. However, in this forum, we often talk a little bit too much about the running shoe which is good and helpful but a little incomplete.
