Apple will fix defective yellow screens in 3 weeks

[JimKirk]

This is not related to the issue with the flicker.

I am told that in 3 weeks time they will be offering LCD panel replacements.

In dealing with Apple executive relations, they have suggested that I wait 3 weeks and then either get a panel replacement or a replacement computer.

I chose the replacement machine and was offered a free memory upgrade for my problems.

That is all the information they are willing to give out.

 

[Ecoh]

This is not related to the issue with the flicker.

I am told that in 3 weeks time they will be offering LCD panel replacements.

In dealing with Apple executive relations, they have suggested that I wait 3 weeks and then either get a panel replacement or a replacement computer.

I chose the replacement machine and was offered a free memory upgrade for my problems.

That is all the information they are willing to give out.

Thanks for the update.

 

[scrapple]

my 21.5 has this problem.. so i need to wait 3 weeks? Should I call to see if I can get a free upgrade (even though I already have 4gig)?

 

[Sir Cecil]

In dealing with Apple executive relations, they have suggested that I wait 3 weeks and then either get a panel replacement or a replacement computer.

So basically they've just reiterated what anyone can see by visiting the Apple Store website... that there's a three week wait at present.

 

[Btom]

This is not related to the issue with the flicker.

I am told that in 3 weeks time they will be offering LCD panel replacements.

In dealing with Apple executive relations, they have suggested that I wait 3 weeks and then either get a panel replacement or a replacement computer.
.....

Thanks, this is great news!

Tom B.

 

[JimKirk]

If you order one now there is no guarantee that your panel will be a good one

That is why they suggested I wait 3 weeks before ordering a replacement.

I was very clear about this. Shipping units will not get the good panels until after 3 weeks.

Even then there is no guarantee unless you get a panel replacement.

There is no eta for shipping units.

Apple is going to contact me Feb 15 and advise me to either get a panel swap or replacement unit.

 

[Btom]

Thanks again!

Tom B.

 

[Kehaan]

Hey

I had thought about ordering one on friday or monday.
But if i do that, will i then get the new panels? :S

Thanks

From Kehaan

 

[JimKirk]

No, then new panels will not be available until after 3 weeks

The 3 week delay is not about fixing screens or flickering.

 

[aristobrat]

The 3 week delay is not about fixing screens or flickering.

So it's just a coincidence that Apple's been recalling 27" iMacs already in-transit to customers, and the expected re-release date corresponds to when executive relations told you that non-yellow screens would be available?

 

[Focks]

Believing that this information is correct and than, indeed, the LCD panels will have no problems in 3 weeks, What if we order one now? Will it arrive with the new ones?

 

[jezs]

Update: So apparently they recalled my package to the local depot because there was some mix up where part of the order was the wrong item.... I am supposed to get it in the next day or so....

Its a week 3 so I will let you all know whether its ok!

 

[ellixm]

Well I called for a replacement within 14 days of receipt on 13th January and recieved my estimated shipping date as 26th January and delivery expected by 1st February. I kept hold of my 27" i7 (yellow lower half of screen and a non-stop headache inducing loud buzzing from the fans) until I receive my replacement.

Today I recieved the following from Apple:

"Thank you for your recent Apple Store order.

The demand for the Product you ordered has been higher than anticipated. We are shipping as quickly as possible, but cannot meet the ship date we previously estimated for you. We now expect to ship your order within 2-3 weeks. Once your order has dispatched, you will receive a Dispatch Notification email, which will provide you with detailed delivery information.

Your business is very important to us, and we apologise for any inconvenience that this change may cause."

Needless to say I am fairly annoyed considering I placed the order on 11th December after selling my two previous iMacs which were still working perfectly. So I'll be speaking to Applecare tomorrow to see what they can do to compensate for my experience, I'm figuring a memory upgrade would partially soften the blow.

I'm not angry (at least they're fixing the issue) but rather suprised after over 5 years of excellent apple service and products, they would let their customers down this badly. If I had never previously encountered the company before and this was my very first order with Apple I would be appalled by the whole process.

 

[JimKirk]

Apple is not going to halt production to fix this issue

They will phase the new ones into production.

Recall rumors hold no water.

I expect they are just trying to catch up to demand.

There are a lot of people asking for replacements (I have had 4).

Plus they sold more Imacs than ever before last quarter.

 

[baslotto]

Now I'm sure I'll get a 2nd delay email too...
From Dec 30th to mid Feb is a long wait!

This makes me want to go back to Windows after 7+ years...

HAHAHHAHAHAH!!!
Maybe I'll wait another 6-9 months without a computer before I switch to another brand!

 

[Sir Cecil]

So it's just a coincidence that Apple's been recalling 27" iMacs already in-transit to customers

Please let us know what evidence you have to show that Apple has "recalled" even ONE 27" iMac already in-transit, for anything other than a packing error, transport damage or order cancellation.

 

[Thunderbird]

Not sure I understand the thread title. So, you're saying Apple is not fixing the yellow screens, they're replacing them?

 

[JimKirk]

I was told the fix is a replacement LCD panel

So call it whatever you like but if you want a fix for the yellow screen you will need either a replacement computer (Once they have rolled the new screens into production) or a replacement panel.

 

[Bitwise]

Good news; long wait.

I got a call today from corporate customer care notifying me that my replacement iMac will be delayed by 3-4 weeks, and perhaps even longer (pretty much expected that). I was told that they were just now notified that all 27" iMac shipments will be delayed for longer than expected (minimum of 3-4 weeks) because they are currently implementing a fix for the yellow displays. I was told that all of the delayed orders and all shipments thereafter will have good panels.

I'm half tempted to just except the refund offered to me and go down to one of the local Apple Stores in my area, purchase another QC iMac, and then have the panel replaced a month or so down the road (if it's a bad one). The only downside to that is that I will lose the free i7 upgrade since the local stores only sell the i5.

Hmmmph...

 

[SaSaSushi]

I love the hearsay reports in here. It's always some anonymous Apple CSR advising of some massive recall or total production shutdown and perfect machines to start in 3 to 4 weeks. Apple doesn't make these announcements to the press but always to random users on the telephone to spread to the world.

 

[spcdust]

I love the hearsay reports in here. It's always some anonymous Apple CSR advising of some massive recall or total production shutdown and perfect machines to start in 3 to 4 weeks. Apple doesn't make these announcements to the press but always to random users on the telephone to spread to the world.

I wouldn't expect Apple to make an announcement to the press - "Hey everyone, we really goofed on our flagship iMac so just send em' all back, wether you have the fault or not, and we'll sort it all out - we're made of money, did you see our financial results?" Probably not the best PR, especially with tomorrows big Event with all Apple PR hands to the deck. More likely Apple will adopt a low key strategy and just silently replace / repair affected units as and when a customer complains about it.

It's quite possible that internal bulletins have circulated - the flickering screen fix does sound plausible but this 3 week wait for yellow screens to be fixed does sound a little more tenuous but who knows? Also, has anyone considered that Apple agents are confusing the information they have and applying it to all scenarios? Also, they may know as much as us and, just like this forum, are filling in the missing pieces with their own deductions.

 

[archipellago]

I wouldn't expect Apple to make an announcement to the press - "Hey everyone, we really goofed on our flagship iMac so just send em' all back, wether you have the fault or not, and we'll sort it all out - we're made of money, did you see our financial results?" Probably not the best PR, especially with tomorrows big Event with all Apple PR hands to the deck. More likely Apple will adopt a low key strategy and just silently replace / repair affected units as and when a customer complains about it.

It's quite possible that internal bulletins have circulated - the flickering screen fix does sound plausible but this 3 week wait for yellow screens to be fixed does sound a little more tenuous but who knows? Also, has anyone considered that Apple agents are confusing the information they have and applying it to all scenarios? Also, they may know as much as us and, just like this forum, are filling in the missing pieces with their own deductions.

all fair points I think..

Apple won't acknowledge anything they don't need to or isn't 'good' for Apple. The iMac is nowhere near massmarket levels and the fanbase is unusually loyal. The law especially over here will make no difference to them (never has)

The Gizmodo guys say the panel LEDs aren't bad in their yellow Imacs, which points to another part or an Apple design issue.

I just sincerely hope that all the Apple buyers, if surveyed tell the truth about their experience and remember this 'one last thing'

Apple have likely known about this issue for many weeks/months even and yet have still shipped them out knowingly they are likely to be faulty. Gizmodo's blog on this confirms this with their chat with Apple Exec complaints.

How anyone can say that Apple treats its customers any differently to any other cheap electronics company with this outright and absolute lack of respect is beyond me, but I'm sure some will try.

good luck all...

 

[Editor-]

their attitude is crap, that about everything that is to be said on how they handled these problems.

 

[SaSaSushi]

I wouldn't expect Apple to make an announcement to the press - "Hey everyone, we really goofed on our flagship iMac so just send em' all back, wether you have the fault or not, and we'll sort it all out - we're made of money, did you see our financial results?" Probably not the best PR, especially with tomorrows big Event with all Apple PR hands to the deck.

That was not my point in the slightest. My point was that it is JUST as unlikely that they are making such major announcements to random users over the telephone.

 

[spcdust]

That was not my point in the slightest. My point was that it is JUST as unlikely that they are making such major announcements to random users over the telephone.