27" iMac purchase question - serial numbers

[roguepink]

Forgive me if this has been answered elsewhere but I am not patient enough to dig through 18 pages of opinions for what could be given in a couple of simple answers.

I have a potential long-term job bid that will require a current Mac and Adobe suite to replace my trusted G5. I am going to bring something home THIS WEEKEND. Ideally, it will be the 27" iMac i5.

My question pertains to how to read the manufacturing date or any other information to help determine when a machine was made, what batch it comes from, and if it is likely to show the documented screen flaws from the earlier batches.

Simple answers, please. There are enough opinions on other threads.

 

[cerote]

The start of the serial is the location of the build.

F, FC, XA, XB, QP, G8 (USA)
RN (Mexico)
CK (Ireland)
SG, E (Singapore)
MB (Malaysia)
PT, CY (Korea)
EE, QT, UV (Taiwan)
1C, 4H, W8, YM, VM, WQ, 7J (China)
RM (Refurbished/Remanufactured)


Next is the year and week. So QP006 would be week 6 of 2010 made in USA.

The screen flaws are still an issue. You will not know until you open and see for yorself. After you buy it in the store you can ask them to stand there while you boot it up to see the screen. You have to purchase it first for them to open it.

 

[swee5420]

http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-ma...nderstand-apple-mac-serial-number-format.html

 

[roguepink]

Thanks.

I was going to wait a few months but, as I said, a long term freelance job requires I advance that plan. The client would be my girlfriend who is an activities director for a retirement community and she's looking for a newsletter designer.

I have a good shot at the job.

I figure it this way: if I come across a need to do precise Pantone color matching, I'll get a high-end dedicated CRT for the job.