Apple hit with second lawsuit over MacBook Pro ‘stage light’ issues

Another day, another lawsuit. AppleInsider reports that a new class-action complaint claims Apple was aware of a MacBook Pro design flaw that caused some units to exhibit backlight display issues.

Filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the action targets the so-called “stage light” or “flexgate” issue that presented in MacBook Pro models manufactured in 2016 and 2017. This is the second such lawsuit, following one filed in May.

In 2016, Apple introduced its updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models. The company described these laptops as “revolutionary” and “groundbreaking,” with “breakthrough performance.” The laptops’ main selling point was their display. Apple described it as its “brightest and most colorful Retina display yet.” 

However, the lawsuits claim that, in an effort to make the laptops as slim as possible, used thin flexible ribbon cables to connect the display screen to the display controller board. The cables wrap around the display controller board and are secured by a pair of spring-loaded covers.

According to the lawsuits, at first these cables function correctly. But their length and placement cause them to rub against the control board each time the laptop is opened or closed, causing the cables to wear and tear over time.