Has any student been told that there display was damaged due to a bookbag?

Question

To all,
I have read posts about the Apple Store telling customers that the white spots on the display are due to pressure points from books in bookbags. My bookbag is designed to cushion and protect a laptop and I never overload it. I recently took my PowerBook G4 to the Apple Store in Oak Brook, IL and was told that the problem was caused by me overloading my backpack and the pressure on the screen caused the marks. I care for my PowerBook like it was a new car. I use it religiously in all of my classes. I don't see how this could have been something I did considering the number of posts on this issue. Also, is it fair to say that 20 days is kind of a long time for a student to wait for a repair job when they are so dependent on their PowerBook in every class?
The marks resemble the 15" model defects perfectly. I never had the chance to mention that the marks began showing up before I started school. The seem to originate from the Apple logo that lights up in the middle of the screen and spread outward. Curiously, the Apple store representative said that they would fix it, this time. So I am sending it in over break. We'll see how long it takes them to resolve this issue, and hopefully it won't come back with any other defects. I'll keep this forum updated.
CP

Answer 1

If you feel that you have adequate clearance and the notebook is not being pressed against in the bag, then I would advise you to contact AppleCare and have them assess it. A good bench tech will know the difference between a defective LCD panel or if it has been pressed against.
When I was doing repair for (large, worldwide computer retailer), I would see this with other laptops as well--particularly student notebooks.
Routinely, I would see laptops where the white spots are directly beneath cable linkages and/or clips in the display lid. Under normal usage, these linkages would not be touching the LCD panel, but under light-to-moderate pressure caused by books or other things in the bag, it would cause the cables to press up against the LCD and cause pressure points (aka. white spots).
I'm assuming Apple uses the same practice in determining whether or not the issue is manufacturing defect or the fault of the consumer.
What I saw most often is people would put their laptop in a bag and when it is picked up via the handles, the sides will put some measure of pressure on what is inside the bag. If you have the pockets filled with accessories, cables, adapters, etc., then those will also be pressing against the notebook as well. Take all this into consideration when also laying the notebook (in it's bag) on it's side, and gravity does the rest. How you can test this theory is by opening the top of the bag and putting your hand in the bag--feel the pressure being pushed against the sides of the notebook from just picking it up. I'd usually recommend them to get a bag w/ some "play" inside to give the notebook some breathing room when it's being transported.
I personally had a white-spot issue w/ my 12" Rev. B and had no problems w/ getting it replaced by Apple. The white spot (small cloud) formed 1/2" below, right-center, of the Apple insignia. I sent it in via AppleCare and received it back within a few days with a replacement LCD panel.