Intel iMac: Anyone else with misaligned LCD?

[Ken S]

Anyone out there with an Intel iMac where the LCD doesn't seem aligned?

I noticed on my iMac that the black border around the LCD display (ie. the area of the screen between the edge of the displayed image and the iMac case) was not even all the way around. It almost looked like the LCD was mounted slightly off center in the case causing the left border to be twice as thick as that on the right.

I've looked at other iMacs at the local Apple retail store and they all seem to have an even border all the way around.

I contacted tech support, tried a bunch of things with them but ended up in having my iMac replaced. Unfortunately, the replacment I received also had the exact same screen issue and it was taken back as well. We're hoping the 3rd time will be a charm! Anyone else have this problem?

 

[HungrySeacow]

Anyone out there with an Intel iMac where the LCD doesn't seem aligned?

I noticed on my iMac that the black border around the LCD display (ie. the area of the screen between the edge of the displayed image and the iMac case) was not even all the way around. It almost looked like the LCD was mounted slightly off center in the case causing the left border to be twice as thick as that on the right.

I've looked at other iMacs at the local Apple retail store and they all seem to have an even border all the way around.

I contacted tech support, tried a bunch of things with them but ended up in having my iMac replaced. Unfortunately, the replacment I received also had the exact same screen issue and it was taken back as well. We're hoping the 3rd time will be a charm! Anyone else have this problem?

I have had seven, yes seven 20" iMacs. Every single one had an issue with screen alignment, some better then others. I had replaced the other iMacs because of other issues with the display, such as uneven lighting and then because the Intel iMacs were released. Sadly, the way that the iMac is designed, perfect screen alignment is nearly impossible to achieve. Trust me, I have even took one apart to find that the LCD's position is not adjustable. With the one that I have settled with, the gap on the right is slightly larger then the one on the right. You will drive yourself insane over this if you can't just accept it, trust me.

 

[Ken S]

I have had seven, yes seven 20" iMacs. Every single one had an issue with screen alignment, some better then others. I had replaced the other iMacs because of other issues with the display, such as uneven lighting and then because the Intel iMacs were released. Sadly, the way that the iMac is designed, perfect screen alignment is nearly impossible to achieve. Trust me, I have even took one apart to find that the LCD's position is not adjustable. The one that I have settled with the gap on the right is slightly larger then the one on the right. You will drive yourself insane over this if you can't just accept it, trust me.

Wow, SEVEN iMacs!!??

So it sounds like the root of the misalignment is in the assembly process that pre-dates the Core Duo models. I would have thought there were tighter tolerances for something like the LCD position within the case. So do most people just not notice?

Is there any feature to align the image within the LCD? Most external LCD monitors have an "auto adjust" feature that corrects the image position. A simple tool like that could probably perfect the

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[HungrySeacow]

Wow, SEVEN iMacs!!??

So it sounds like the root of the misalignment is in the assembly process that pre-dates the Core Duo models. I would have thought there were tighter tolerances for something like the LCD position within the case. So do most people just not notice?

Is there any feature to align the image within the LCD? Most external LCD monitors have an "auto adjust" feature that corrects the image position. A simple tool like that could probably perfect the

Thanks for the feedback.

Most people don't notice. I once started a thread on a forum complaining about the issue, which then brought some people's attention to their own alignment variations. Software correction is not an option, the pixel placement on an LCD is fixed, the computer can't draw anymore pixels beyond the current edges. The problem is that the LCD is attached to the rear of the computer, then the front frame is attached to the rear, covering the LCD. Any variations in the plastic mold in both the rear and front, even in the slightest will amplify the offset. I would image that the pre-iSight models would have had a more reliable LCD alignment simply because the LCD was affixed to the front cover not the rear. However I still believe that the current design is superior because of its internal layout. The iSight generation iMacs have three cooling zones controlled by three large fans. With the large fan design these machines are able to be silent and cool.

 

[Ken S]

Most people don't notice. I once started a thread on a forum complaining about the issue, which then brought some people's attention to their own alignment variations. Software correction is not an option, the pixel placement on an LCD is fixed, the computer can't draw anymore pixels beyond the current edges. The problem is that the LCD is attached to the rear of the computer, then the front frame is attached to the rear, covering the LCD. Any variations in the plastic mold in both the rear and front, even in the slightest will amplify the offset.

Thanks. That makes perfect sense. I guess the majority of owners just don't notice. I'm actually on my 3rd iMac now and the screen alignment looks pretty much the same it did on the first two with more of a gap on the left.

 

[wpwj40e]

Thanks. That makes perfect sense. I guess the majority of owners just don't notice. I'm actually on my 3rd iMac now and the screen alignment looks pretty much the same it did on the first two with more of a gap on the left.

I refuse to read any more intel iMac theads that discuss problems

Sigh...I am also on my 3rd iMac - for non display/lcd issues. And until I read this - I didn't even notice....

I too have this misalignment - and now that I see it - I see it alot!! Thanks!

Gonna live with it...Just want the darned network/airport card to work right. Something that I think everyone has problems with - to some degree.

Back to my regularly scheduled reading about the mac mini or MB...and someone elses issues on a machine I don't own!

 

[shrimpdesign]

Now that you say something. ... my 17" is slightly misaligned .. the left is just barely larger than the right side ... but I don't really care, it's to small to tell in normal usage. But something is wrong with my HD ... yay for Core Duo iMac problems.

 

[nospleen]

Quick fix.... Set your desktop as a solid black pic and download clear dock!! Magic!!!

 

[PiTT]

Mine is perfect.. the same black space on right and left