Dead pixels on Intel iMacs

[maverick808]

Just wondering if the people who have received new Intel iMacs have any dead, stuck or hot pixels.

I received three iMacs in October/November and returned all of them due to pixel problems. Each machine had one faulty pixel each. I'm going to order a new Intel iMac but if it has any pixel defects I'll be returning it too so I'm just curious as to what the chances of a perfect screen are.

 

[yoda13]

Well, there is always a chance of a pixel problem with any screen. I haven't heard any problems with the new Intel iMacs, but I doubt there are enough of them in circulation for those to have really come to light if they exist anyway.

 

[y0zza]

Just wondering if the people who have received new Intel iMacs have any dead, stuck or hot pixels.

I received three iMacs in October/November and returned all of them due to pixel problems. Each machine had one faulty pixel each. I'm going to order a new Intel iMac but if it has any pixel defects I'll be returning it too so I'm just curious as to what the chances of a perfect screen are.

Returned three iMacs because of a single dead/stuck pixel on each one?

I'm surprised Apple even accepted your return, since their returns policy certainly requires more than a single pixel.

Just a single dead pixel is already quite good on a 20" LCD, particularly for the S-IPS panel that Apple uses; of course it's your decision, but personally I would just get over it unless it's in a particularly prominent location.

 

[robbieduncan]

Returned three iMacs because of a single dead/stuck pixel on each one?

I'm surprised Apple even accepted your return, since their returns policy certainly requires more than a single pixel.

Just a single dead pixel is already quite good on a 20" LCD, particularly for the S-IPS panel that Apple uses; of course it's your decision, but personally I would just get over it unless it's in a particularly prominent location.

If you buy anything in the UK via telesales (or the Internet) then you can return it within a week (of receiving the product, not ordering) for a full refund. You can do this for any reason or no reason at all (i.e. you changed your mind).

DTI factsheet on UK Distance Selling Law (see FAQ 3)

 

[maverick808]

Returned three iMacs because of a single dead/stuck pixel on each one?

I'm surprised Apple even accepted your return, since their returns policy certainly requires more than a single pixel.

Just a single dead pixel is already quite good on a 20" LCD, particularly for the S-IPS panel that Apple uses; of course it's your decision, but personally I would just get over it unless it's in a particularly prominent location.

No I know some people can accept dead pixels but I can't. I also know the industry standards and that 1 or 2 pixels on a 20" display is considered "good". However, I'm not going to pay over £1000 for anything less than perfection.

In the UK we legally have a 7 day period in which you can return a product bought over the Internet for any reason at all. So since they have to take it back at no cost to me I don't see why I should put up with an imperfect display.

 

[jblock]

My iMac G5 17 has one stuck pixel near the top-left corner, but it's not noticeable unless you really look for it. My refurbished iBook, however, had one in a similar place that was very noticeable. Luckily, I got a cooperative Apple customer service rep. who let me return it without having to pay the restocking or shipping fees.

 

[robbieduncan]

So since they have to take it back at no cost to me I don't see why I should put up with an imperfect display.

According to the link I posted above they might be able to charge you carriage for the return if they claimed the goods did not have a fault and were fit for purpose. Still £20 or so is a lot less than the restocking fee they would charge you in the US.

 

[maverick808]

According to the link I posted above they might be able to charge you carriage for the return if they claimed the goods did not have a fault and were fit for purpose. Still £20 or so is a lot less than the restocking fee they would charge you in the US.

Yes I know but Apple are generally quite nice about it and have never yet charged me for sending the goods back. So far I've sent back a PowerBook (didn't even open it... decided to return it before it arrived due to reading about horizontal lines) and those three iMacs.

Actually, when I called them up and told them I was really annoyed that every iMac had a dead pixel they were really apologetic.

 

[BakedBeans]

Thats some great info robbie thanks - I have been really lucky with pixels - ive had a powerbook and a 20inch imac that have been perfect, display wise.

Does this law include BTO/CTO stuff? Are you allowed to open the product (as long as you return everything)

 

[maverick808]

Thats some great info robbie thanks - I have been really lucky with pixels - ive had a powerbook and a 20inch imac that have been perfect, display wise.

Does this law include BTO/CTO stuff? Are you allowed to open the product (as long as you return everything)

The law does not include BTO stuff. However, Apple do usually overlook that and just let you return BTO stuff anyway. For example, the PowerBook I returned was BTO.

So, don't rely on that law if you have a BTO machine but it's worth a try phoning them if you do want to return a BTO since they are generally quite good with returns.

EDIT: sorry missed your second question. Yes, you are allowed to open it the law states that the 7 day period is a "cooling off" period to let you "examine the goods as you would in the shop". So yeah you can open and use it as long as you keep all the packaging and keep everything in a good condition. All three of my iMacs had been opened and used (otherwise how would I know they had dead pixels?).

 

[BakedBeans]

Thanks for the reply Mav, I can't find where it states that BTO's cannot be returned - they are all still products apple sells and are online upgrades so I dont see why not.

EDIT - I see the part where it say "doesnt include made to customers specifications" but BTO isnt that - its laid out upgraded on a specific computer - As far as im concerned ive bought an imac with apples options.

 

[robbieduncan]

Thanks for the reply Mav, I can't find where it states that BTO's cannot be returned - they are all still products apple sells and are online upgrades so I dont see why not.

See FAQ Q3. There are some exclusions on what this applies to including:

"The cooling off period and right to cancel do not apply to contracts for:

· goods made to the customer's specification;"

A BTO Mac would be made to the customer's specification.

 

[BakedBeans]

See FAQ Q3. There are some exclusions on what this applies to including:

"The cooling off period and right to cancel do not apply to contracts for:

· goods made to the customer's specification;"

A BTO Mac would be made to the customer's specification.

I dont believe it is made to my specifications - they have laid down upgrade options.

My specs would be something out of the ordinary surely? if anything its been made to their specifications - anything outside of that would be made to my specification.

TO ''prove'' (for want of a better word) this, they have a part number for the exact option i ordered. Z0CY - many others ordered that same standard machine.

 

[dops7107]

If you buy anything in the UK via telesales (or the Internet) then you can return it within a week (of receiving the product, not ordering) for a full refund. You can do this for any reason or no reason at all (i.e. you changed your mind).

Check out the guy who knows his rights... I had no idea about this - thanks! Useful knowledge. I wonder if most telesales people are aware of this, too

 

[maverick808]

A BTO Mac would be made to the customer's specification.

Well, I guess you could argue that this isn't exactly what that exception is supposed to cover. I think that's in the law for stuff that's engraved or completely custom. Like if you phone someone up and ask them to build a garden ornament in the shape of Superman... I think that's what the law means by "built to the customer's specification".

Perhaps this is why I was able to return my CTO machine without a problem. I could be completely wrong though. I'll phone Apple later and ask them what they think about it.

 

[maverick808]

I dont believe it is made to my specifications - they have laid down upgrade options.

Yes I think you are right and this is why I had no trouble returning my BTO PowerBook. Also, my workmate bought a BTO 12" PowerBook for his dad and wasn't sure if he wanted to keep it. He called up and asked if he could return it and they checked and said yes he could no problem as it was within 7 days. In the end he decided to keep it but they would have taken it back.

 

[BakedBeans]

Well, I guess you could argue that this isn't exactly what that exception is supposed to cover. I think that's in the law for stuff that's engraved or completely custom. Like if you phone someone up and ask them to build a garden ornament in the shape of Superman... I think that's what the law means by "built to the customer's specification".

Perhaps this is why I was able to return my CTO machine without a problem. I could be completely wrong though. I'll phone Apple later and ask them what they think about it.

I think your exactly right. we should discuss this between ourselves though

 

[robbieduncan]

If Apple will accept CTO (or BTO) machines without questions then great. I'm just saying that I think they might well be able to get away with not accepting them.

Clearly engraved iPods are different and cannot be returned just because you've gone off the idea!

 

[BakedBeans]

Clearly engraved iPods are different and cannot be returned just because you've gone off the idea!

ahh thats customers spec! but if it was an option of having apple logo or nothing on it then it wouldnt be - it would be an option.

just have to see if its got any dead pixels i suppose (im a bit worried)

great info and very much appreciated robbie thanks