I need help to check New iMac in Store

[Red7]

Ok, so like many people ive waited for the recent iMac up date, so now's the time to buy an iMac 24 inch and this being my first Apple Mac computer I really could do with some help from you guy's here , ive read that some people checked out their iMac's in store before taking them home, so I contacted the nearest Apple Store which is a 3 day trip away , to ask if they could set up and check the new iMac in the store before I take it all the way back home. Their answer was sure they could set up the iMac 24 inch for me and let me check it over before taking it out of the store, so now having confirmed this option here's where I could do with some help .

Never having an Apple Mac before , although ive read up as much as I can generally on the subject , what I really need to know from you guy's is , what to check on the
iMac when its sitting in the store , from what ive read there seem's to be several re occurring comments about the 24 inch iMac .

1. The screen may have a gradient problem
2. The screen may have a back light bleed problem
3. Dead pixels



As I have never before had an Apple Mac , I really don't know how to go about checking for the above possible problems , when I am stood next to the computer in the store,
so can some one please walk me through click by click , what I need to do to check if the new iMac has any of the above possible problems..?, one thought ive had is I am sure when the new iMac is set up in the store , the store lighting may be very be bright lighting .

I f any one could also help me out with any other suggestions of what to check out while the machine is still in the store, that would be most appreciated, I know my request may look a bit over the top to some, but I don't have the luxury of living near to an apple store, so any thing I can check on the new iMac , before returning on a long journey home, will hopefully be of a great help.


Thanks

 

[D4F]

You want to take 3 day trip to buy a computer??


Just buy it online and forget about stress. Remember that forums like this represent only a very small percentage of actual users. Happy people don't create YAY MY MAC IS PERFECT posts so the illusion of huge faulty system issues are not really true. I mean some problems exist but they are not a issue in most cases unless your system is purchased towards Pro and commercial grade use where you need a flawless machine. You have a lot of freaks and geeks here which use diagnostic tools to determine if their system is good. Usual perverts lol. Many of the things mentioned here won't be seen be a regular user and (unless you're anal about perfection) i suggest taking a deep breath and just buying it online. It's a draw of luck with any electronic stuff you buy.
Comes bad send it back. It's gonna come out WAY cheaper than all those travels.

 

[f1]

As I have never before had an Apple Mac , I really don't know how to go about checking for the above possible problems , when I am stood next to the computer in the store,
so can some one please walk me through click by click , what I need to do to check if the new iMac has any of the above possible problems..?

Simple, go to the store, if you like what you see buy it. People who complain about these problems are a small minority, people don't care to come on forums to vent about how perfect their iMacs are.

 

[chairguru22]

1. Setup a Personal Shopping appointment before you go in. You get a tour of the store and products and have all your questions answered. http://www.apple.com/retail/personalshopping/

2. Ask about a Standard Care setup (free) that includes installation of software and updates. Ask them to even make sure that your screen is clean and has no issues. Takes an hour or two usually so grab a bite or something.

3. When picking it up, ask to check it out first before you go. I'm not sure what these bleeding issues could be but see for youself. Compare it to the iMacs on display.

That's all the advice I got. Enjoy.

 

[Red7]

Thanks D4F,

The main reason really I would like to try out the new iMac in the store, before taking it home is where I live in a remote part of Cambodia, it can be problematic when it comes to trying to get things sorted out , on any electronic equipment, be it under warranty of out of warranty, buying an iMac using an online option is fraught with many problems, ( some company's will not ship to Cambodia , some company's will not accept credit cards with a Cambodian address ETc. So just to put my mind at rest as far as possible I was thinking if I could stand next to the new iMac in store and check out as much as possible , not only the items ive put on my list but as many as other possible items then I would feel a bit more happy taking the new iMac all the way home , I know that many people buy from a local Apple store
and take their iMac home, if they find a problem , they can just '' pop '' it back to the store, but my situation is a little different as you can see . If I just collect the new iMac and take it home , un pack it only to find there's an oblivious problem, it means another 3 day trip back to the store. sorry may be I should have made my location known first ..


chairguru22, Thanks for the advice, The store nearest to me is a small Apple approved re-seller , with ive been told One iMac 20 inch and One iMac 24 inch machines on display, and is staffed with One lady cashier and One sales staff, with only a land line telephone contact number, ( no online potions ) I am only expecting a very basic sales set up, so getting as much know how my self before turning up at the store , I hope will be of benefit
in some small way

 

[D4F]

Thanks D4F,

The main reason really I would like to try out the new iMac in the store, before taking it home is where I live in a remote part of Cambodia, it can be problematic when it comes to trying to get things sorted out , on any electronic equipment, be it under warranty of out of warranty, buying an iMac using an online option is fraught with many problems, ( some company's will not ship to Cambodia , some company's will not accept credit cards with a Cambodian address ETc. So just to put my mind at rest as far as possible I was thinking if I could stand next to the new iMac in store and check out as much as possible , not only the items ive put on my list but as many as other possible items then I would feel a bit more happy taking the new iMac all the way home , I know that many people buy from a local Apple store
and take their iMac home, if they find a problem , they can just '' pop '' it back to the store, but my situation is a little different as you can see . If I just collect the new iMac and take it home , un pack it only to find there's an oblivious problem, it means another 3 day trip back to the store. sorry may be I should have made my location known first ..


Thanks

Ahhhh... Now your situation is more clear so I understand your position.
First of all once you turn it in load a web page or set up background to full black. This will show you the possible screen bleed issue on the bottom corners. Just so you know my iMac has a bit of this bleed to but it totally doesn't matter to me even tho I use my mac for pro graphical projects.
Second thing is do a dead pixel check as this tiny buggers can be annoying as hell.

This is a very simple online test (maybe somebody else will give you better link) and make sure you have a cloth with you as dust might look like a dead pixel on this screen.
http://jasonfarrell.com/misc/deadpixeltest.php

Just for your own peace of mind make sure that once OS X loads up you click on the tiny Apple logo in the top left corner and then choose 'About this Mac'. I've read that sometimes people get wrong systems and while a higher configuration might make you happy I do not think you would like to get a lower one.
Once you there click 'More Info...' and scroll down to the 'Memory' tab. Click on it and check if status on both is 'OK'.

Check super drive. They like to break and a seen post where people stated they were dead right from the box. Just put any DVD movie and let it play for few minutes. rewind stop FF a few times to stress it even further.

If you have the money buy a external HD once you there and once you get back home set it up as backup disk in Time Machine. Really worth it.

Use 'Photobooth' to check if the internal camera is working.

Play some music to see if both speakers work.

If I think of something else I'll post it up

 

[Red7]

Thanks for your time and reply, first to clear up another point I forgot to add in my previous post ( sorry ) the Apple Reseller store does not have an internet connection
so connecting a new iMac to the net is at this time not possible, so can you please tell me how to set up a full black background , and is there a way to check for dead
pixel's with out an internet connection ..? any other suggestions will be most welcome.

 

[MacUser2525]

so can you please tell me how to set up a full black background , and is there a way to check for dead
pixel's with out an internet connection ..?

Have Pixel Check already on a CD/DVD that you put in the computer when at the store for testing, it has the various full screen colors options you can use for your purpose.

 

[Red7]

Thanks for the advice, can you please tell me how I can bring up different back ground colors on the screen ..? to check for a possible gradient problem

Thanks

 

[MacUser2525]

Thanks for the advice, can you please tell me how I can bring up different back ground colors on the screen ..? to check for a possible gradient problem

Thanks

Once you have started the program you get different buttons to press which gives you the different colors in full screen mode.

 

[nando2323]

I don't know if it's just me but I think it's crazy how people take buying a computer like buying a car. Go to a page and do this, turn on the music and do that, play a video and look for this, etc etc...

I bought my 24" iMac on release day last August, my first mac ever BTW. I went in the store, asked the person for a 24" 2.4 didn't even look at the floor models, gave him my credit card and went home. I am very knowledgeable in the subject of computers, and did allot of research online obviously but it's a computer not a house or a car.

I understand that you might live so far from the store or what not, but come on now. If you look for minuscule errors you will never, ever get a perfect one, because they don't exist, no matter what you buy. Just like the many others in here have said the people that complain about problems are a very very small percentage of people. Look at the polls for instance and you'll see.

 

[MacUser2525]

I bought my 24" iMac on release day last August, my first mac ever BTW. I went in the store, asked the person for a 24" 2.4 didn't even look at the floor models, gave him my credit card and went home. I am very knowledgeable in the subject of computers, and did allot of research online obviously but it's a computer not a house or a car.

Well good for you that you don't really care about a $2000 purchase. To most people that is a good chunk of change to be putting out which most people rightly think they should be getting best product they can for their money when doing it.

 

[nando2323]

Well good for you that you don't really care about a $2000 purchase. To most people that is a good chunk of change to be putting out which most people rightly think they should be getting best product they can for their money when doing it.

If this is the way that you go through life then you must never get anything done. What I meant is that its a piece of electronics it's not going to be perfect. If you get it home and it doesn't work then go and return it. I just don't see why so many people are so anal retentive about this stuff. Going to websites with certain colors to see if there are any pixels jacked up, putting in a DVD to see if it plays? Come on now that's just crazy!

Maybe it's just me but I never ever done anything like that. You're prob one of those people that buy the extended warranty on everything too huh? I'll buy the Apple care on my iMac just because it's not user maintainable (if you don't have a full torx set that is). But besides that I think it's just ridiculous to have that type of OCD when buying a computer. Just my opinion that's all.

 

[Red7]

I'm now wondering if I should ask any more questions ..? , I have worked long and hard to save the money for my first Mac, and all I really want to do is a little bit of research before
I hand over my cash , Now I'm thinking may be as nando2323 , said I am one of the crazy people.

 

[trip1ex]

Something sounds odd about living in a remote part of Cambodia and buying a 24" iMac and being worried about having a perfect monitor.

 

[wordmunger]

Something sounds odd about living in a remote part of Cambodia and buying a 24" iMac and being worried about having a perfect monitor.

What, you don't think people who live in Cambodia should have nice computers?

I suppose this person could be deceiving us, but he sounds earnest, and even if he's not being completely forthright, we're getting useful information out of the discussion.

If I was traveling three days to get my computer (and I would, if that's what it took to get a computer), I would make sure it was perfect too.

 

[Red7]

Hi, My request for help and advice from other forum members is due to the fact that I really want to but an imac 24 inch computer after using an old PC, so ive saved up the money and been in contact with the nearest Apple re- seller to me ( in Thailand ) who will let me try out the computer before taking it all the way back home which will be a 3 day trip . so all I would like is to get some help from members here , by asking some simple newbie questions, may be I did not make it too clear in my original post, but I would like to try out as much as I can on the iMac in the store, not just the screen , but any thing members of this help forum could suggest , my request may sound odd to some one who lives within driving distance to an Apple store but returning home after a 3 day journey and not trying the iMac out in some way in the store , may not be a sound decision to make . all I am looking for is help , now does that sound odd,

 

[trip1ex]

What, you don't think people who live in Cambodia should have nice computers?

I suppose this person could be deceiving us, but he sounds earnest, and even if he's not being completely forthright, we're getting useful information out of the discussion.

If I was traveling three days to get my computer (and I would, if that's what it took to get a computer), I would make sure it was perfect too.

Well if I lived in a remote part of Cambodia I probably wouldn't be buying a 24" iMac. And a dead pixel would probably be the least of my worries.

IT's not like he has a choice either. He said he's got 1 24" iMac to choose from. It doesn't sound like he can be picky. I also find it odd that the store selling the thing has no internet and yet is an official Apple reseller?

 

[wordmunger]

Well if I lived in a remote part of Cambodia I probably wouldn't be buying a 24" iMac. And a dead pixel would probably be the least of my worries.

Good for you. If I lived in a remote part of Cambodia I'd still need a iMac. but I'm glad to learn that you somehow wouldn't need an iMac if you lived there. Would you need an iMac if, say, you lived in a remote part of Kansas?

IT's not like he has a choice either. He said he's got 1 24" iMac to choose from. It doesn't sound like he can be picky. I also find it odd that the store selling the thing has no internet and yet is an official Apple reseller?

That might be a bit of a warning sign -- but at least he can try it out before he buys. If I was in his situation, that's what I would do.

Red7, unfortunately I can't give you much help as to what to look for because I have the previous generation 17-inch iMac, but I'm pretty sure MR members will step up and give you the advice you need.

 

[trip1ex]

The other odd thing too is that the guy is worried about having a perfect monitor when he's currently using an old pc.

I mean it sounds like the 24" iMac is going to be such a step up to make his worries trivial.

Your best bet is to use your own 2 eyes and not read these forums as it is mostly a bunch of whiners who complain about the screens. If you like what you see then buy.

 

[Le Big Mac]

What, you don't think people who live in Cambodia should have nice computers?

I suppose this person could be deceiving us, but he sounds earnest, and even if he's not being completely forthright, we're getting useful information out of the discussion.

If I was traveling three days to get my computer (and I would, if that's what it took to get a computer), I would make sure it was perfect too.

Yeah, seems to me that he's gotta take a three-day trip anyway. FedEx isn't exactly giving him door-to-door delivery. So he might as well make sure he doesn't have a DOA machine before taking it from the store.

 

[Red7]

Here we go again , why do people have to dissect every thing , just to prove to them selves they are right , The Apple re seller Ive been in contact with , has told me they don't have a large display of mac's and they don't have an internet connection, they do have two Mobile phone numbers that the staff use , this store is a semi rural store, I could make my trip a little longer and fly into Bangkok to check out a larger store . If wanting to check out the Apple imac in store first is considered '' picky '' then so be it, and as for .......

Well if I lived in a remote part of Cambodia I probably wouldn't be buying a 24" iMac

I don't really know what to reply , may be I should not have bought my new Samsung LDC TV, which by the way I did ask the store to switch on , so I could .. check it out first , before I took it home

Some times I really wished I lived in another country where Good Customer Service and after sales care were the norm, but alas I don't .

May be i'm asking too much just to be able to ask some simple questions of forum members here ...? with out having my questions being put under a microscope.

 

[trip1ex]

Here we go again , why do people have to dissect every thing , just to prove to them selves they are right , The Apple re seller Ive been in contact with , has told me they don't have a large display of mac's and they don't have an internet connection, they do have two Mobile phone numbers that the staff use , this store is a semi rural store, I could make my trip a little longer and fly into Bangkok to check out a larger store . If wanting to check out the Apple imac in store first is considered '' picky '' then so be it, and as for .......

Well if I lived in a remote part of Cambodia I probably wouldn't be buying a 24" iMac

I don't really know what to reply , may be I should not have bought my new Samsung LDC TV, which by the way I did ask the store to switch on , so I could .. check it out first , before I took it home

Some times I really wished I lived in another country where Good Customer Service and after sales care were the norm, but alas I don't .

May be i'm asking too much just to be able to ask some simple questions of forum members here ...? with out having my questions being put under a microscope.

Well since you bought a Samsung LCD TV then you must already know what to look for.

Hey I'm not knocking looking at your product before you buy, but I guess maybe you don't realize that almost all the complaints on this board about iMac screens are super anal.

With the distance you travel to get a Mac and the fact the store has 1 24" iMac then I wouldn't exactly be super anal when I made my purchase. It doesn't mean I wouldn't check it out and use my own 2 eyes, but super anal? No.

So my advice is simple. Look at the screen with your own 2 eyes.

If you want to be super anal then search these forums. You'll find plenty of information on what to look for from the super anal crowd.

 

[otherorange]

The majority of responses to this honest question have been embarrassing.

To check the screen just follow these simple steps...

1) Open System Preferences (in the Apple menu, upper left hand corner)
2) Click on Desktop & Screen Saver
3) In the Desktop section of that window, click on the Solid Colours option on the left.
4) You can choose a white or a dark grey (no black unfortunately)

That should help with checking out the screen, no internet connection or CD or anything else needed.

Good luck with the new Mac.

Wondering where you are in Cambodia too. I spent a week there last year and fell in love with the country. Planning on going back this summer and can't wait.

 

[chas0001]

You could try and download this application : http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/15119, unzipping it and copying the file LCDTest.app onto a CD or USB thumb drive and taking it with you. When you double click on the application, using the IMAC, it displays Sold colours (White, Red, Green, Blue and Black) full screen so it could help you see any dead pixels or possible screen bleeding. Good luck on the trip.

I just tried it on my MAC PRO and it works fine.