Donux
I think this could work for the Pro models, because there seems to be fewer suppliers there from what I’ve read on these forums. So having the seller run the terminal command for the serial number would be a first step if we can identify good or bad panels. This seems impossible with the MBA models because the identifiers are so similar.
The other thing we have to consider is whether Sequoia is more aggressively dithering or circumventing Stillcolor. Like with iOS, a lot of iPhone SE users got eye strain when updating to iOS 16. I don’t own an SE, but I do own an iPhone 13 that is completely fine on iOS 15. I’ve tried other 13’s on iOS 16, 17, and 18 and they are all much more uncomfortable.
My point being that the sense I get is each version of MacOS seems to be applying more and more intense dithering techniques to achieve the specific colors for the OS redesign. I used an M1 Pro briefly in 2022 on Monterey and it was very comfortable. Probably a combination of factors, including a good screen and calibration out of the box, but I think determine what OS is less awful is helpful.
Another point I’d like to make is that I believe the flicker I’ve identified in this thread is occurring on a hardware level, or at the very least being controlled by a separate parameter than the usual GPU dither that Stillcolor disables. My reasoning for this is I have found it on Intel Retina machines using LCD screens. If it is not some sort of dither, then it is a power saving measure used by certain Apple devices - iMacs and Retinas - that probably uses a PWM or dithering style flicker to manage the GPU and the backlight. I firmly believe this is what is making the M2/M3/M4 MacBook Airs uncomfortable even after disabling dithering via Stillcolor. It has also shown up on the Pro models in the past and is connected to the refresh rate of screen interfacing with the GPU (I will find the post and link it here later).
So to summarize, I think we need to categorize all these specific problems and begin ruling out Macs that exhibit them. This may be problematic because PWM, dithering, and the “grey tone flicker” are only visible via camera shutter speed 1/4000 and higher, slow motion video, or other testing with tools like Opple.
Honestly, we almost need to get in contact with a Mac Reseller or Repair Shop and see if they might be willing to let one of us test a few models or do it themselves if it piques their inquisitive interest.
Sorry for all the posts, everyone. I’ve reached out to aiaf and others and they are aware of the problem with the MacBook Air’s. I don’t know if any programmers who are capable have time to look into this particular flicker myself and others identified and if there is some way to see if it is controlled by a software parameter similar to the one Stillcolor disabled, but if it is, it could finally make these laptops usable.