Wouldn't that be true of the previous generation iMac, with buyers demoing the 24 or 20 but eventually settling on the 17?
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Apple sued over 'inferior' panel in 20" iMacs
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Wouldn't that be true of the previous generation iMac, with buyers demoing the 24 or 20 but eventually settling on the 17?
Why didn't you return the iMac asap if it was that bad?
Anyway tech specs always lie. Always use your own 2 eyes and experience instead of relying on paper specs. I mean do you ever look at what the printing speed specs for printers are? I hope you don't take those verbatim when making a purchase.
I bought my 20" iMac. I knew about the gradient thing. I looked at it for a day and determined that the problem, at least on mine, was there, but was very minor and not something you notice unless you look for it. Overall the 20" monitor on my iMac is quite nice.
In the store I could tell the 24" looked a bit better. I just think too many are concerned about paper specs and then polarize the differences to good vs bad when the reality is the differences are great vs very good.
WEll anyone with some experience knows that new hardware isn't always better. How many printers come out that are worse than the ones the year before? Monitors don't always get better either. Neither do Camcorders. Software sometimes gets worse. Reliability of computers is often worse than the previous generation of computers. Yada yada yada. Prices sometimes go up on the components of technology (at least short term) and sometimes shortcuts are taken that are for the worse.
Also we all know not to trust specs I hope? Printer speeds, battery life, contrast claims, yada yada yada. Those are always lies and best case scenarios that aren't reproducible in the real world.
The beauty is that you can return your iMac within 2 weeks afaik. If you look at the display and have to puke then return it. GEt something else. There's not much excuse to complain about the monitor when everyone has a 2 week return period.
And I honestly don't see how anyone, except the most anal retentive of humanity, wouldn't like the 20" iMac display that I received.
While I am not sure whether I think that Apple should be sued over this issue. I think that their implacations are dishonest. If you buy from their website and choose between their 2.4Ghz 20" or the 2.4Ghz 24" the implication is that they are the same computer but one has a 4 inch bigger screen. Before reading this thread I thought that was the only difference. Now I don't mind there being a difference in quality but I think it should be made more clear. That more than anything is what I would want from this.
Actually they list some specs of both the 20" and 24" monitor and the implication on Apple's website is the 20" is inferior.
You can also view the difference in the store before buying.
YOu also have a 2 wk return period. Don't like it then return it.
Where were you last gen when the iMacs all looked the same, but the smaller ones had (technically speaking) lesser panels?
Also you probably should own a 20" before you start complaining.
As a new buyer I would not know that I had to compare the two in the shop. I actually think as many people have said here most people would not recognise the difference.
I don't get the arguement about last generation imacs I wasn't around then so I can't in anyway comment.
As I said before when comparing the 2.4Ghz models on the store page nothing is there to say that the monitor on these computers are any different apart from the 4 inch extra on the 24 inch.
I am not saying that apple are in any way wrong to put different quality monitors on them. I completly accept that entry level machines often have less quality materials make them up, and if I know about them I can make my decisions accordingly. I can make up my mind if it is worth it or not.
If I hadn't read this thread I would not have known there was a difference other than the obvious 4 inches. Which I again argue is their implications being dishonest.
This does not mean that everyone who was happy with the 20 inch imacs should suddenly be unhappy with them in truth it is the same computer they had before reading this thread and if they were happy with it then they should be happy with it now.
But that does not mean that apple shouldn't tell people that there is a difference between these machines other than the 4 inches.
False http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html
The 20" and 24" have different resolution, viewing angles, brightness, and contrast.
That's not the store page.
I had never seen that page until this thread. I know it's there but it is not necessary to view that page before buying even on their site. The spec comparison on the store page even when you click on full specs makes no mention of it.
I believe it should at least be on the full spec comparison list. I can't think of a good reason why it should not be.
(By the way I've only looked on the British site if this is different on any other countries site I apologise but I only looked on the site that I would actually buy from.)
I wonder how many people would even know the screen were different if it werent for threads like this? 
I had a Samsung LCD for 2yrs before I got my iMac. After I started seeing this discussion of TN screens I stood to the side and look at that Samsung and sure enough, there was discoloration from an angle. I had it for 2 years and had never noticed it before.
I had a Samsung LCD for 2yrs before I got my iMac. After I started seeing this discussion of TN screens I stood to the side and look at that Samsung and sure enough, there was discoloration from an angle. I had it for 2 years and had never noticed it before.
I wonder how many people would even know the screen were different if it werent for threads like this?
I had a Samsung LCD for 2yrs before I got my iMac. After I started seeing this discussion of TN screens I stood to the side and look at that Samsung and sure enough, there was discoloration from an angle. I had it for 2 years and had never noticed it before.
I actually think that you are totally right there. I think that the issue itself is really small. I just would have liked to have known straight away.
The issue isnt whether or not you can see the difference, it's that the company is saying the screen can do things that it can't.
And whats that, that it can show millions of colors, but the way they come to that number is through some digital process? Who cares really. Should ppl sue because the iPhone battery doesnt last near as long as they claim? Should ppl sue because their cars dont get the exact gas milage the sticker says?
You folks are bitching about something so insignificant if you really think about it.
Several reasons. I purchased it in another state at one of the last remaining CompUSA stores (using a $161 gift card I had been holding for a while). I only have 1 inch clearance above the 20-inch model. 1680x1050 resolution is already pushing the limits of the 2600HD video card. And lastly, the 20-inch will fit nicely in a suitcase, when I eventually take it with me to South America and sell it.
Maybe so, but I don't see how that's relevant. If the 16GB iPhone claimed the same battery life as the 8GB, but actually had fewer mAh, then your comparison might actually make sense.
To extend your comparison a bit more to the point, it would be as if the 8 GB was advertised with the same battery life, and indeed had a battery with a lower mAh, but came to the same battery life through another means - such as a slightly dimmer screen. And then Apple disclosed that the screen was dimmer, but not that the battery was lower mAh.
They disclose that the 20" panel has a different viewing angle and contrast ratio. The specs make it clear that something is different. They just don't say how the 20" achieves it millions of colors. Do they have an obligation to disclose the means and the ends, or just the ends?
Do they have an obligation to avoid outrageous flat-out LIES about the ends?
................
.................. http://www.apple.com/imac/technology/display.html
..."from every seat in the house."
...(For houses not exceeding 36" wide.)
LK
Do they have an obligation to avoid outrageous flat-out LIES about the ends?
................
.................. http://www.apple.com/imac/technology/display.html
..."from every seat in the house."
...(For houses not exceeding 36" wide.)
LK
Oh come on. You act like Apple is the only company out there that doesn't try and put their products in the best light possible. I mean have you been in a cave? Marketing is always one big exaggeration.
Again you get home with your 20". If you start puking from looking at the screen, you return it. You have 14 days.
Ah yes, the ever-popular "Everyone does it." defense.
Yep, I did.
http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLooby
...twice,
LK
Oh come on. You would have bought the 20" even if on the store page it said the viewing angle was worse under the tech specs. And do you do any research when you buy a product? And when you buy something like a car do you know every damn technical detail about it and whether or not every component in the car is of higher or lesser quality than the components in last year's model?
That's what the return period is for and that's what looking at both models in the store is for. That's what the internet is for. That's what Apple's spec page is for. REally it's shame on you in the day and age of the internet and return periods if you feel cheated. I hate to break the news to you, but this is sort of how the world works. YOu might want to do yourself a favor and do some due diligence before making big purchases.
And if you want to use your logic well I don't see Apple saying anywhere that the two monitors were exactly alike. So if you want to split hairs and say they didn't tell you they weren't exactly alike well they didn't tell you the opposite either.
No not the everyone does it defense. It's called the wake-up and smell the coffee defense. I mean the world ain't going to change for you bud. You ain't the center of it. You must walk around complaining all day because of all the bs marketing out there. I tell you that would make me miserable dwelling on that.
YOu have alot of gall too to complain about a company that let you return their product (twice) because you weren't satisfied. You act like they still owe you something.
And everyone else has the same opportunity to return their 20" iMacs within 2 weeks of purchase if they are not satisfied. That's plenty of time to clean off the puke if you don't like the sight of it and box it back up.
Watch out Leon, it is a tag-team fanboi attack!
___________________________________________
I have my 20 inch alum. (which I love except for the display) to the left of my attached external HP LP2065, so I can compare all types of display aspects between the garbage iMac TN display, and a pretty darn good A-MVA display that cost less that $300 (I'm not positive that it is not S-IPS, as black looks purple from very extreme angles--a characteristic of S-IPS displays. HP did pull the old panel-switch on people somewhere along the line from S-IPS to A-MVA, but at least they are both good displays. Also, HP gave a $50 rebate to people who may have gotten the A-MVA when they were expecting the S-IPS. Was the rebate a coincidence, a settlement, or maybe a way to avoid a LS? )
1. Open a window in Finder that has the alternating grey/white bars from top to bottom...stretch that window from top to bottom of the iMac display...those bars absolutely completely disappear at the bottom of the display (unless viewed from 6 feet away). It is the EXTREME gradation from top to bottom that is actually more of a problem for me than the fact that Apple (allegedly) is lying about the amount of actual colors.
Put up a desktop of one solid color on the 20 inch imac.....OMG, it is terrible.
I am sorry to say if you do not notice the extreme color/luminance gradation from top to bottom on the 20 inch imac, you may have been "dumbed down" and you did not bother to notice. You done had the "smoke & mirriors" pulled on you with that glass-glossy display...
P.S. Just for fun the other day, while I was in Best Buy on a slow day, I set the desktop picture of every single Apple computer on display there (maybe a dozen) to "Solid Grey Medium." I wanted a real immediate comparison of all the displays. I do believe the staff (Best Buy, not Apple store, remember) got a kick out of my exercise.
Maybe I should have done this type of comparison before I bought my 20 inch iMac, but I am actually happy with my set-up, now that I have the dual-display. The imac display is great for all my secondary screen space needs.
Disclosure: I have worked as a professional graphic designer including photography, so I may have a more discerning eye for things like poor displays.
Why did I ever get the 20 inch?: It was a gift from my mother in Law & I did not mind my solution (a second attached display).
___________________________________________
I have my 20 inch alum. (which I love except for the display) to the left of my attached external HP LP2065, so I can compare all types of display aspects between the garbage iMac TN display, and a pretty darn good A-MVA display that cost less that $300 (I'm not positive that it is not S-IPS, as black looks purple from very extreme angles--a characteristic of S-IPS displays. HP did pull the old panel-switch on people somewhere along the line from S-IPS to A-MVA, but at least they are both good displays. Also, HP gave a $50 rebate to people who may have gotten the A-MVA when they were expecting the S-IPS. Was the rebate a coincidence, a settlement, or maybe a way to avoid a LS? )
1. Open a window in Finder that has the alternating grey/white bars from top to bottom...stretch that window from top to bottom of the iMac display...those bars absolutely completely disappear at the bottom of the display (unless viewed from 6 feet away). It is the EXTREME gradation from top to bottom that is actually more of a problem for me than the fact that Apple (allegedly) is lying about the amount of actual colors.
Put up a desktop of one solid color on the 20 inch imac.....OMG, it is terrible.
I am sorry to say if you do not notice the extreme color/luminance gradation from top to bottom on the 20 inch imac, you may have been "dumbed down" and you did not bother to notice. You done had the "smoke & mirriors" pulled on you with that glass-glossy display...
P.S. Just for fun the other day, while I was in Best Buy on a slow day, I set the desktop picture of every single Apple computer on display there (maybe a dozen) to "Solid Grey Medium." I wanted a real immediate comparison of all the displays. I do believe the staff (Best Buy, not Apple store, remember) got a kick out of my exercise.
Maybe I should have done this type of comparison before I bought my 20 inch iMac, but I am actually happy with my set-up, now that I have the dual-display. The imac display is great for all my secondary screen space needs.
Disclosure: I have worked as a professional graphic designer including photography, so I may have a more discerning eye for things like poor displays.
Why did I ever get the 20 inch?: It was a gift from my mother in Law & I did not mind my solution (a second attached display).