Any Web/Print designer/s out there with new 20" Imac

[paetrick]

My screen doesn't look like that. My screen looks fine. It's not perfect, but few screens are.

So your screen has the same color on the top of the screen and the bottom? (please take a pic if so)

EDIT:
Just saw this iMac "unboxing" on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdRJpXXVr2M , when you look at the boot up (the grey color) it is the same on the top and the bottom(instead of being darker above and lighter on the bottom). Can this "problem" really be a defect and not an issue that every iMac screen got? Sure hope so !

 

[Sean Dempsey]

Here is a shot of my screen of 1 solid color. There is a slight shift in color, but so what? My eyes and brain are easily able to realize that it's not really there, and I don't see how that could possibly effect my graphic design, since, you know, I use hex values and RGB values for my colors.

while taking the picture, I couldn't tell that there was a color shift. Of course, I can see a teeny tiny one now, but it's not noticable and not a problem at all.

Maybe you guys should stop doing your designs sitting on the floor looking up, or from a ladder looking down. Most screens are meant to be viewed front and center. But I guess if you have to design while in a boxing match, yeah, it would be in a problem.

 

[vendettabass]

Here is a shot of my screen of 1 solid color. There is a slight shift in color, but so what? My eyes and brain are easily able to realize that it's not really there, and I don't see how that could possibly effect my graphic design, since, you know, I use hex values and RGB values for my colors.

while taking the picture, I couldn't tell that there was a color shift. Of course, I can see a teeny tiny one now, but it's not noticable and not a problem at all.

Maybe you guys should stop doing your designs sitting on the floor looking up, or from a ladder looking down. Most screens are meant to be viewed front and center. But I guess if you have to design while in a boxing match, yeah, it would be in a problem.

thanks a lot for the picture, I'm so getting a 20' iMac

 

[Sean Dempsey]

thanks a lot for the picture, I'm so getting a 20' iMac

Here's some fullscreen shots of some pretty high quality photos. My camera is just a Canon SD750 so it's not the greatest and the pics look a little high-contrast and such. In person, it looks almost perfect. But I think it's pretty clear that there is no glare, and no problems with the color. If you couldn't work in this environment... well I think that is a problem a display won't solve.

Maybe I got a defective iMac where the defect is that it works great. Any other photo requests? I'll do whatever I have to to add a counterpoint to this whole "new imac screen" argument.

 

[AnalyzeThis]

It is too dark out there

I could not even see the iMac itself on the photos.

Continue, and may be over time you would not be able to differentiate between B/W and Color. Think how much money it would save you. Nothing to worry, you can always check the hex number or RGB to be sure and your brain will take care of the rest.

We all should invest in draperies and windows screens or wait till the sun is out, get an exercise to freeze like a pytons and train our brain to compensate any color shift so we can enjoy our photos. Thanks.
.

Photos look great btw. Are you sure you have 20" not 24". May be yours has an old panel in it - it would make you very lucky one.

Not so luck for my local apple store and BB - all 20" models on display are with issues. Folks moving from 17" to new 20" should feel right at home as both now using same optical quality panels.

I could suggest to stretch a bit and get 24" - you can convert it to matte, with a suction cup. Just remove this d*** glass panel. Eventually some one will come up with just a bezel insert, so your iMac 24" parts would not be showing (no parts really showing, just mounting hardware). Also 24" has very high quality panel (same as old).

 

[paetrick]

Here is a shot of my screen of 1 solid color. There is a slight shift in color, but so what? My eyes and brain are easily able to realize that it's not really there, and I don't see how that could possibly effect my graphic design, since, you know, I use hex values and RGB values for my colors.

while taking the picture, I couldn't tell that there was a color shift. Of course, I can see a teeny tiny one now, but it's not noticable and not a problem at all.

Maybe you guys should stop doing your designs sitting on the floor looking up, or from a ladder looking down. Most screens are meant to be viewed front and center. But I guess if you have to design while in a boxing match, yeah, it would be in a problem.

What the ***, no color shift !!!!, does everyone else got defective ones???

 

[mkaake]

No, they're all pretty much the same. The bad color shift pictures are being taken when standing 70 degrees off center (i.e., your face would just about be touching the glass either on the sides or top of the screen). That's where the color shift is apparent (though in veryyyyy small amounts from straight on).

Coincidentally, unlike many other posters here at MR, I use my computer while sitting down in front of the screen, not standing on top of or next to it, so the 20" is just fine.

That said, if your planned usage includes sitting 2 feet to the right or left of the machine, and staring back at it at a very large angle, this machine is not for you.

People like complaining about something. Make it something they can photograph repeatably, and they'll do it. Forget the fact that most (not all, but most) of them would never have noticed this 'flaw' (which is also built in to every laptop on the market, btw) if they hadn't read about it first...

I can't wait for the new MB's to come out, so we can see if people start taking pictures of them at 80-85 degrees off center, amazed that there's a color shift...

 

[suneohair]

I can see color shift there. You guys must be blind. I love how everyone says "I look at my screen dead on, it does not matter if it shifts" If that is how you want to work being confined to looking dead center, help yourself. The pictures taken are the extremes of the problem. However there are color shifts on TN panels even with a slight shift. Watch some of the videos out there, you can start to see it immediately.

Also, Sean is clearly using a color where is the shift isn't as evident.

 

[AnalyzeThis]

Color depth I think is also affected

Angles/shift in one issue, then comes glossy finish (could be addressed by removing front panel for now) and 3rd - the colors resolution is also limited - it is apparent on gradients and leads to blemished look instead of smooth gradient as it should be.

I could look at old panel 20" panel from any angle even more than 80 degree and it always looks great. color is natural, deep & smooth. Newbee folks who is buying new 20" model will never even know what quality should be or was.

May it is too bad to have a good and above average set of eyes. Life is a lot more simpler for other folks.

But I think I would rather keep my eyes and old 20" iMac serves me very well.

 

[suneohair]

When it gets darker (no curtains right now) I will get some shots of my MVA for comparison.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

Also, Sean is clearly using a color where is the shift isn't as evident.

I used the same color as the guy posted above - green, it wasn't my choice. I'll use any color you want. Give me a hex value. You want red, green, orange, shamrock, salmon, samophlange? The sweet color of victory?

Also, my room isn't dark at all, I've got nice midday sunlight coming in the windows. My camera is just a point and shoot, if I had a decent SLR I could take something more close to what it actually looks like.

I'll do a Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, and White, hows that? CLEARLY.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

here's my response, in haiku form:

uploaded pictures
colorshift not visible
imac great machine.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

here's what the room looks like when I don't set the exposure area to the awesomely bright imac screen, btw, for all those who think I am doing this in my "imac photo hoax soundstage cave".

 

[AnalyzeThis]

Thanks Sean.

Sean,

Folks who are asking for photos should just go to the store and look at the display models. I would not recommend to anyone to base their decisions on photo or video. Now, they may just know what to pay attention to.

Also, did anyone see a new Apple both at Best Buy? It has 57" or 58" flat matte panel (can not tell what brand it is).
Boy, does it look gorgeous !!!

Sean what model you have, is it based on $1199 or $1499? the fact the specs posted are the same, may be it is from different manufacturers. I could not tell by the ones I saw in store. I only remember they all had 2GB RAM.

 

[suneohair]

From the looks of it, the color is deeper toward the top and lighter toward the bottom. Oh well. Shift a smidge to the right and see what happens.

Lets say I had 2 20" iMacs, since I have 2 LCDs now. My LCDs are turned slightly. They are in somewhat of a V shape. On TN panels, I would see color shifting on the outside edge of my displays. Whereas I don't get that on my MVA panels now.

For me, color shift does not fit in. Maybe my work flow is strange. But sometimes I like to sit back in my chair and think about what I am designing. Just sit back and see it all. If I sit back and my color shifts, I don't find that helpful.

That is not to say the iMac isn't for everyone. But naturally try everything out. If you don't like it you can return it.

 

[AnalyzeThis]

it is 1199 or 1499 model?

Sean what model you have, is it based on $1199 or $1499? the fact the specs posted are the same, may be it is from different manufacturers. I could not tell by the ones I saw in store. I only remember they all had 2GB RAM.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

20" 2.4ghz

here's the display info

 

[AnalyzeThis]

Another try

Sean,

I meant: when you bought the new iMac 20" how much it cost without any additional options you may selected.

I am thinking:
$1199 may have mediocre panel
$1499 may have better optical quality

Despite the fact the specs of both panels are identical.

Based on your CPU speed 2.4 GHz is seems you got $1499. It may raise some hope that more expensive 20" model has acceptable quality flat panel.

It is possible - stores just put cheaper models on the display.

Thanks in advance.

 

[paetrick]

here's my response, in haiku form:

uploaded pictures
colorshift not visible
imac great machine.

Your screeens doesn't fade (at least not as much as shown on other peoples pictures)
And I would be really HAPPY if the "non defect" iMac screen looked like that.

I will call Applesupport tomorrow and tell him the situation, if he tells me that the screen should not fade when sitting in front of it I can clearly order an iMac and replace it until I get a screen which doesn't fade !!

Thanks man !

 

[AnalyzeThis]

No luck with $1499 model

I went to store and checked again 20" iMac. They all $1499 models with 2.4 GHz CPU. It seems all 20" models have same panel.

 

[Alloye]

Possible Panel Lottery

There may be a panel lottery for the 20" iMac. In this thread, at least one user reported having panel identifier 9C6B when everyone else had 9C6A. It's possible these panels may have different manufacturers/characteristics, which may be why some people notice a more pronounced color shift than others.

BTW, the best way I've found to identify the real panel manufacturer and model is by doing a DDC export with the SwitchResX utility.

 

[AnalyzeThis]

Forget about matte - it is history.

The LCD panels on 20" and 24" behind glass is also glossy + they do not have any protective coating. If you need matte - the only option is to buy previous generation iMac. Period. If you are lucky...

 

[barcoguy45]

20" imac Fade Problem on new iMac

Hey,
Yes I feel it is the panel lottery. Something that Dell uses to cut costs. The best test that most of the iMacs will fail on is if you open iTunes open an internet radio station. Or something to show the blue and white dividing bars. Now drag the iTunes window from the top of the screen to the bottom of the screen. You have to look closely you will see the contrast between the two bars fade and it will appear as a blank white area. I took my iMac back showed them this and they are replacing the panel.
The guys at the store said they had seen one other defective iMac. Nice guys at the store, nice computer. It just seems like a luck of the draw as to what panel you will get in the 20"

Please post your results and let me know.

 

[mbalson]

I've received my 24" replacement iMac and I now have them sitting side by side.
20" brightness shift from top to bottom, but otherwise looks stunning.
24" much more consistent brightness also beautiful but not as punchy(possibly my calibration), viewing angles kill the 20" but my new 24" arrived with 2 dead pixels and a piece of dust! so that's a spoils things slightly. Any advice on the dead pixels and the dust?