MacBook Pro’s OLED display causes dizziness and fatigue
The first owners of MacBook Pro models with the PROLED XDR OLED display are reporting eye strain, dizziness and nausea. Some complaints are linked to reading text on the laptop for extended periods.
One such case was described on Reddit by a user going by the name HD4kAI. They said the screen made an excellent first impression, but prolonged reading led to trouble focusing and dizziness.
The discomfort was most noticeable when using dark mode, with white text on a black background. They experienced no similar symptoms while watching videos. Other owners also reported eye strain and headaches. Some said they had returned their laptops.
Notebookcheck specialists found that the glossy OLED display in the 14-inch MacBook Pro has brightness fluctuations at a frequency of 240 Hz and an amplitude of 56%. Flicker was detected at brightness settings of 99% and below.
According to Notebookcheck, the display uses pulse-width modulation (PWM) and also adjusts brightness by varying the current (DC dimming). This flicker may cause eye strain and headaches in sensitive users.
So far, the complaints have come from individual owners, so it is too early to call this a widespread problem. Sensitivity to flicker varies from person to person: some people do not notice it at all, while others experience discomfort even after a short time using the laptop.
