Any photos of good 20" iMac screens?

[inkswamp]

I see a lot of arguing about the quality of the 20" aluminum iMac display concerning the gradient issue. I see photographic evidence that the gradient exists but haven't yet seen any photographic evidence that there are good 20" screens out there. I'm not interested in rekindling any of those arguments here, but I do find it curious that nobody has provided any photos of their own 20" aluminum iMac display that shows no gradient.

Remember, when you take the photo, aim straight at the screen and center yourself as best as possible. You do naturally perceive a gradient when you're viewing the screen from one edge or another, but you shouldn't if the photo is taken straight-on, dead-center. And also, hopefully it doesn't need to be said, but a screenshot isn't going to cut it. We're looking for actual photos so we can see how it's seen by a user.

Any 20" aluminum iMac owners want to step up to the plate?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

If only czachorski had a 20" Alu iMac...

 

[harry454]

I believe that gradient issue was on the older imacs, the new ones, which I got are perfect, my display is MINT!!

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Also, you'll have to do the camera-as-a-light-meter test per Leon Kowalski, not just post some random photos aiming straight at the screen. Several distractors tried to claim that czachorski's screen had an obvious gradient just from looking at the photos, when in actuality the measurements showed it to be within ACD's tolerance and it even convinced Leon that there are some 24" Alu "keepers" out there.

 

[inkswamp]

I believe that gradient issue was on the older imacs, the new ones, which I got are perfect, my display is MINT!!

From what I've read, there was no change in the displays from the previous iMacs and updated ones.

Regardless, I'm a little surprised, especially with all the arguing, that nobody has posted a photo yet. Presumably some of the folks defending the displays actually own a 20" iMac without the much-maligned gradient issue. I've seen so much photographic evidence to support the detractors, but nothing to back up the people defending it.

Again... any takers?

BTW, I'm not posting this to fan the flames. A colleague of mine recently asked about buying a 20" iMac and I couldn't in good faith recommend it without first seeing some evidence that some of the screens aren't bad. But from everything I've seen in stores and in photos online, it appears that pretty much all 20" iMacs are affected by this defect.

 

[inkswamp]

within ACD's tolerance and it even convinced Leon that there are some 24" Alu "keepers" out there.

Just asking about the 20" model.

 

[inkswamp]

No takers, yet?

Look, some of you have argued tirelessly that the gradient anomalies seen on the 20" iMac were rare and being exaggerated by some people here for the sake of whining, and that a majority of the 20" iMacs out there were just fine. When you make a statement like that, it stands to reason that you have an example or two to share with everyone that backs up your argument.

So, let's see it already. I would have thought an open invitation to prove that point would have been jumped on immediately by several of you.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

So, let's see it already. I would have thought an open invitation to prove that point would have been jumped on immediately by several of you.

Several of us? Try only one person who actually did the camera-as-a-light-meter test when it came to the 24" Alu iMac, namely czachorski. Like I said, if only czachorski had a 20". You're trying too hard. I'm sure the rest of the 20" Alu owners simply don't care to back up the unsubstantiated argument being spread by the distractors of this forum.

Why don't you tell your colleague what you really think of the Alu iMac (as evidenced by the thread you started on the day of its debut)? Why would you even recommend it even if some 20" have no gradient defect? I know I wouldn't recommend a 20" Alu simply because it uses TN film panel, which I detest.

 

[inkswamp]

Why don't you tell your colleague what you really think of the Alu iMac (as evidenced by the thread you started on the day of its debut)? Why would you even recommend it even if some 20" have no gradient defect? I know I wouldn't recommend a 20" Alu simply because it uses TN film panel, which I detest.

Because not everybody has the same demands I have for a computer, I wouldn't rule out recommending it to someone else. I would like to warn this person beforehand that the 20" has a defective screen by design if that's the case. I'm just trying to find out if all the 20-inchers suffer from this or just some. I thought since some people have argued that it's only a few 20-inchers that suffer from the screen gradient, that maybe some might like to post some evidence so I can, in good conscience, recommend the iMac to someone.

 

[Astral Cars]

I guess it depends what you're talking about when you say gradient issue. My understanding is that there is a issue with the 20" iMacs were looking up and down the screen there is a shift in color and light as a result of the poor viewing angle. This is universal to all the 20"-ers. Separately, the 24" (and maybe the 20" as well, not exactly sure) suffers from more of a left to right "gradient" issue that is less noticeable and does not affect all of them.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I would like to know.

 

[AppleFan360]

I would never tell someone that the 20" display is defective. It really is not. For most people, the display is fine. It's only the hard core computer geeks that care about the gradient issue. It personally doesn't bother me to the point of calling the screen defective. Most of the time, I forget about it until someone mentions it here.

 

[maestrokev]

I would never tell someone that the 20" display is defective. It really is not. For most people, the display is fine. It's only the hard core computer geeks that care about the gradient issue. It personally doesn't bother me to the point of calling the screen defective. Most of the time, I forget about it until someone mentions it here.

Exactly, I have a 20" and 24" Al iMac from last year. While the 24" display is better than the 20" display I doubt people who buy these models are relying upon them for colour accuracy. For photo viewing and web browsing it's perfect for the majority of buyers. The picky people should have bought an Apple Cinema Display or equivalent.