Is my MacBook replacement screen a genuine Apple product?

Hi @danj. Thanks a lot for your reply. Like they say ‘eternally grateful’.

I live in Sri Lanka. I went to Abans (https://goo.gl/maps/zXW1ccSNn2ATtFNw7). They are the authorised service provider in Sri Lanka and I originally purchased it from them too (A different nearby branch of theirs).

The differences aren’t visible enough to show in a picture. But the lid is somewhat thinker, heavier and feels like is made from plastic instead of aluminium. The display colours are somewhat red/yellow-ish (compared to crystal clear colours on my original screen).

The above characteristics were evident right after I picked it. But lately (now about six months since replacement) it started flickering and showing lines. When searched only I realised there are fake counterfeits as per this link.

Any method I can find out if this is a fake screen or not? Maybe via a serial number?

Sorry no S/N's won't do here. Mimicry is hard to tell one from another! But it really doesn't matter as you don't have much to stand on here as Apples repair warranty likely has expired at this point. (90 days here in the states). As Apple doesn't have a physical store within Sri Lanka I don't know how you could object the repair.

In looking up the store I don't find it at the location you posted! Here is what I found directly from Apples site #3 - SHOP NO. GS03 GRAND STAND RACECOURSE REID AVENUE COLOMBO 07, COLOMBO, COLOMBO (94) 115776295 I would go to this address to see if the other store is real. Its also possible someone at that store (who is not authorized) tried fixing your system. While I did point to India, Sri Lanka is also on the list of having some shady operations.

Sadly, it sounds like the display is in need of replacement again! A common issue in this series is over heating as the T-CON logic is too close to the heat sink and if you block the vents or have a dust clogged fan & fin area you will cook it as well.

@danj Hey again Dan! Yup the location you found is the one. The location is accurate. Hmm... any suggestions go about this? If you keep it next to a Mac with the display it came with, then ofc you can spot the difference between look & feel.

@ironmanx46 - IF Apple had a presence in country I would have recommended you contact them as they would want to physically see the system as well as your paperwork.

It will be hard to complain at this time point (too much time has gone by) As you hadn't complained to the repair or at least place a report to Apple Corp. I don't see any solution here that repairs your system under an Apple repair warranty.

Do you have a local consumer protection organization or state run program to protect you? I would go down that path. But they too may question the delay as you are claiming a fake part was used.

You don't need to prove to me it's fake, it's what the people who run the repair shop and/or local authorities you need to convince. I would try the shop again but I fear they will dismiss you as it was so long.

Sending an email to tcook@apple.com with the proof of clear images that make it clear its not real and copies of your paperwork. But I fear that will be a dead-end as they are to far-way to address things. All they can do is put it into the file so when they review Abans status they might pull them as a reseller and service center.

@danj Hi Dan! You make sense. Thanks.

Well, I did make the complaint to Apple. Two days after I collected the device Apple sent me a survey form to let them know if I was satisfied with the service (replacement) and any comments. There I did tell them about it feeling like a plastic fake (and got screenshots on this too).

Just that I didn't bother if it was a fake since apart from looking yellowish, being thicker and heavier, I can get my work done. But now only it started disrupting my work with flickering screen & lines.

Thus the delay to take action on this. I hope this makes sense. Some of my friends had issues with Abans too (and some of them had similar issues to mine). So gonna talk to them and file a formal complaint soon.

Btw Apple does not make plastic lids anyway, right? For this model? So if this is in fact plastic (will confirm that on Monday) then it is (with certainty) a fake right?