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Apple is finally acknowledging there's a big problem with some MacBook screens

Apple is finally acknowledging a problem plaguing thousands of MacBook and MacBook Pro customers, the Apple blog MacRumors reports, and has begun replacing the screens of affected devices at no charge.

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The issue is popularly known as "Staingate," and it involves the anti-reflective coating on some laptop screens failing. The result is ugly cosmetic stains across the screen.

apple macbook staingate
Staingate.org

It's difficult to quantify exactly how many people have been affected by the issue, but it appears to be in the thousands. More than 4,000 people have joined a Facebook group for Apple customers who have experienced Staingate, and around 4,700 have signed a petition to Apple launched early in 2015 calling for a free fix.

The issue appears to affect devices sold from June 2012 onward, and it seems to be caused (at least in some cases) by cleaning.

staingate
Staingate.org

Citing multiple sources, MacRumors says the Cupertino company is now addressing the issue. It will replace affected devices that have been bought within the past three years via a "Quality Program" — an acknowledgement of a common fault.

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Multiple customers are also reporting on the Staingate Facebook page that Apple was offering free replacements.

Reached for comment, an Apple spokesperson told Business Insider that "if customers are experiencing an issue with their Mac, they should contact AppleCare."

Apple
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