Is it safe to buy new 27 inch iMac i7?

[SilenceBe]

U will pay : $5,689.99 just for a 22" , but u will have what u want

My cheap samsung monitor (with a inferior TN panel) can display white as white at the top and the bottom... .

It doesn't do Adobe RGB color or has perfect gamut but that is something nobody really asking or expecting especially for that price.

 

[Yakuza]

I have a i7 ordered since december 10th (in a reseller).

I am becoming sick of reading this threads..

OF COURSE that these problems (especially the yellow thing) are widely spread - thus the increased level of complains are not an "anti-apple campaign" like some users like to think.. But OF COURSE that the surveys made by some sites (especially the imac.squeaked.com) are NOT reality-representative.. The majority of people with problems-free iMacs (or near it) do not give a **** to those surveys / forums - only people that found problems and started googling about them......

And what is the problem of buying one now?? If it has issues Apple, without complains or bureaucracies, replaces it. So, my opinion is that people should not think of not buying it only because of these issues..

I myself have a 2 years-old toshiba satellite and, doing the imacs tests for fun, found that the bottom grey bar is much lighter than the upper one - and I had NEVER noticed it and I would NEVER notice if I had not done the test.. of course that if you give 2000€ for a computer you expect it to be perfect, but you cannot make any possible test to it, otherwise you will find, even being small, something - try to do a COMPLETE check up in a hospital and you will definitely find out that you are perfect!

With this I am not saying that you should not be angry with the problems or that you should not replace your iMac in case you found them, especially if it is a really visible or annoying one... I am saying that, in every product of every kind, there are a big number of them in which you find problems if you deeply test it - it is not new and it does not only happen with Apple.. But with one thing I must agree: Apple is doing very little for correcting these problems.. Apart from a freeware update to the flickering (that most users say did nothing) and a delay in deliveries, Apple seems to not know the answer to the problems.. especially in what concerns the display (dead pixels.. yellowing..)

Probably most of them in that website, are the same people that sent back the imac and recieved another one with problem, ever think of that?

So we have just one person that reports a problem in the website, but multiple times, in those cases that have gone thru 3/4 iMacs all with some kind of problems, then we have NOT 3/4 peoples reporting problems, BUT, just a single one.

at least that's my way of seeing things

 

[IndustrialSpace]

***DO NOT BUY NEW 21.5" or 27" iMac***

DO NOT BUY THIS iMAC UNTIL APPLE FIXES THE SCREEEN ISSUES!!!!!!

DO NOT BE A GUINEA PIG FOR APPLE.

The only way Apple will fix this problem is when you vote with your dollars!

I was ready to spend $3K on a top iMac but have since changed my mind due to the extensive screen problems (yellow tint, flickering, etc.).

I have since told many coworkers and friends about this problem apple refuses to address.

GET THE WORD OUT!!!

Let your friends and coworkers know that Appple is not handling this properly.

POST ON MANY MESSAGE BOARDS!!!

Spread the word and let magazines and computer reviewers know how dissatisfied you are with this product.


Remeber this is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE for such an EXPENSIVE COMPUTER.

 

[macchiato2009]

already lots of replies but i'll give my 2 cents

core i processors are on the market for a while already, offered by many PC manufacturers

apple is just very late with these imac because they wanted to make as much money as they could on our backs thanks to little frequency bumps every 6 months...

plus, this is a really joke to continue to offer the 9400M chipset

and on the other side, apple is also probably late because they wanted for 19/6 panels to be available


but still, these new machines are verifying one true rule: never buy rev A machines with Apple


and finally, more and more core i processors will be released in Jan/Feb, meaning that more processors at better prices

and sata III is arriving

of course, apple will not offer the latest technology immediately but at least they will correct all the problems encountered with rev A machines...



i will buy the next imac only if:

- Apple gets rid of Core 2 Duo processors !!!
- Apple gets rid of the 9400M and offers a good video card as a standard, not as an option
- the 21.5" screen can also be used as an external screen like the 27"


for the price we pay, we deserve to be treated like serious customers... not like a bunch of idiots / cash cows

 

[SaSaSushi]

DO NOT BUY THIS iMAC UNTIL APPLE FIXES THE SCREEEN ISSUES!!!!!!

DO NOT BE A GUINEA PIG FOR APPLE.

The only way Apple will fix this problem is when you vote with your dollars!

I was ready to spend $3K on a top iMac but have since changed my mind due to the extensive screen problems (yellow tint, flickering, etc.).

I have since told many coworkers and friends about this problem apple refuses to address.

GET THE WORD OUT!!!

Let your friends and coworkers know that Appple is not handling this properly.

POST ON MANY MESSAGE BOARDS!!!

Spread the word and let magazines and computer reviewers know how dissatisfied you are with this product.


Remeber this is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE for such an EXPENSIVE COMPUTER.

I've told all my friends and POSTED ON MANY MESSAGE BOARDS!!! how much I love my i7 and how I have had no flickering and the screen isn't yellow, thanks. I'm going to continue to do so.

I don't feel very much like a GUINEA PIG and if my iMac had the slightest problem it would be right back to Apple for repair/replacement. This was the first machine I received. I don't have much luck with lotteries, gambling, etc. I'm sure it wasn't luck.

Since I actually bought one and use it daily I feel a little more qualified to offer buying advice for it.

Get a new hobby and calm down.

 

[Fiddler70]

Sad to join this

Hi SaSaSushi!

Glad you are enjoying your iMac. I just picked one up from my local Apple Story yesterday. I love the machine. i5 27" week 48.

I was so much hoping I would not have the yellowing and in the beginning I really did not want to see it. But sadly I have to say I do. Everyone that was at my place yesterday could see it on a white screen.

I am asking you as you seem to have lots of experience with following the different stories, even posting your own pics.

I saw that you are telling people to go ahead and buy these machines, as your screen is perfect, but in your pics the color between right hand lower corner and left hand upper corner is also slightly different. It is just as with mine although a bit less. It would be more obvious if you took a pic of the screen test. Lower right hand is "warmer" than upper left hand. After warming up the screen it is quite noticeable. Windows open in the lower right have a different "white" and "purple" than high left.

Now I have seen it on my screen, "live", I can also quite easily see it also on pics of people that say they don't have yellow tinge. Sorry to spoil anyones breakfast!

Of course I have seen pics online with screens that are much worse. So now I am not completely sure as what to do. The manager of the shop was aware of the existence of these screens, but told me this issue goes away in a few days. Online I have never read such a theory. More to the point I feel it gets worse as the display is on for longer.

If you feel your screen is perfect... then maybe I should stick to mine. For the rest the machine works fantastic.

I do not agree with the aggressive tone of many people who sometimes have not even yet bought a machine. I would say if this is the best I can get, at this moment on time with this money.... I might even accept that. In the recent past only the screen of this baby would have cost more than the whole computer!!

In the mean time I enjoy this awesome beast and see how it all develops. They were really nice in the shop and let me open the box and start up the iMac just to make sure it did not have any of the other issues reported. I could not get as far as the screen test though.

About the attachment. The camera is slightly more critical than the eye, so the screen actually looks a bit better than what you see on that picture. Still it is accurate up to 90%.

Nice day to everyone!

PS. actually as I am making this post and am using the full width of the screen I can see the tinge difference quite clearly. I was thinking many people on the forum were just too sensitive, but I might have to agree now....

 

[SaSaSushi]

Hi Fiddler,

Thank you for your comments.

I saw that you are telling people to go ahead and buy these machines, as your screen is perfect, but in your pics the color between right hand lower corner and left hand upper corner is also slightly different.

Let me be perfectly clear (again). I never said my screen is perfect. I claim only the absence of a yellow tinge.

I do not think an absolutely perfect display exists at any price.

If you feel your screen is perfect... then maybe I should stick to mine. For the rest the machine works fantastic.

This is obviously a decision you, and everyone else, has to make for themselves. As mentioned, I do not think my display is perfect. I also don't believe it to be in any way defective.

I'm not on here trying to sell 27" iMacs. My advice for those who are on the fence is simply to give it a try and see the machines for themselves before making a decision rather than not try at all based on the bad experiences of others.

I hope everything works out for you and thanks for your pics.

Cheers!

 

[Fiddler70]

Sorry for misquoting you. I remember you saying that you could not claim perfect color consistency....

What do you think about the pic I posted? I know it depends on sensitivity and use, but would you not agree there is a strong gradient? My macbook pro's (mid 2007) cannot be compared in quality, but is the same color all over.

It is just confusing that in the shop the screens of demos looked fine. Does it indeed go away after a while?

As a long time waiter, that was put off by the experience of others on this forum, I have understanding for people that are affected by this more strongly than I am. That said it is still amazing to work with this computer.

 

[SaSaSushi]

What do you think about the pic I posted? I know it depends on sensitivity and use, but would you not agree there is a strong gradient? My macbook pro's (mid 2007) cannot be compared in quality, but is the same color all over.

I do see a gradient in the lower right in your picture but I don't know if I would go so far as to use the word "strong" to describe it, having seen pictures of some with much worse. (see the pic in the lower right I posted along with the pics of my own screen!)

It is just confusing that in the shop the screens of demos looked fine. Does it indeed go away after a while?

I'm sorry but I can't claim to know if heating up plays any part with these LED backlit machines or not. I do know that with my previous 24" iMac and it's LCD backlit display, the left to right gradient was at it's WORST when the machine was just powered on, especially in cold weather. After about 30 minutes of use it gradually evened out.

I don't notice a gradient on powerup OR after extended use with my i7 and I have not experienced any changes since purchase.

By the way, I do recommend you properly calibrate your display for best quality image. I calibrate mine with a Spyder2 colorimeter.

As a long time waiter, that was put off by the experience of others on this forum, I have understanding for people that are affected by this more strongly than I am. That said it is still amazing to work with this computer.

I just think that if someone is interested in trying out a 27" iMac I really don't think they should hesitate to do so based on other's experiences. Try one and if it doesn't meet your requirements then return it for exchange or refund.

 

[IndustrialSpace]

I'm not on here trying to sell 27" iMacs. My advice for those who are on the fence is simply to give it a try and see the machines for themselves before making a decision rather than not try at all based on the bad experiences of others.

This is exactly what Apple hopes for. Onnce you've commmited to the purchase, you are in essense, locked into the computer and Apple has the profit. Percentage-wise, it makes more sense for Apple when consumers make the plunge and buy it KNOWING there are defects. Many will either settle and keep it, living with a partially yellow screen or after serveral replacements, just give up and accept the inferior screen. Some will return it for a refund, outright.

Many have even stated that the yellow tint problem gets WORSE after time.

Do you see how its advantageous for Apple ot continue to sell these faulty screens? They do the EXACT same thing o nthe refurbished side. The returns go directly to the refurb. pool, so Apple doesn't suffer too much a loss.

It just seems very unwise to take a gamble (which is what it is) on a machine which has widespread problems with its screen. It gets very exhausting to return and replace over and over again.

It's best to wait for Apple to fix this problem.

 

[crut]

It's best to wait for Apple to fix this problem.

And only take advice from those who have owned 27" iMacs?

 

[Fiddler70]

Dear Industrialspace...

Sorry I am spoiling Apple and ruining your chances of getting the "perfect" iMac. The tinge is slight in daily use and seems a minor issue now I am actually using the machine. Coming from 10 years of Laptop use. I am absolutely loving the big screen.

You cannot work on and enjoy a computer you are waiting for. My year is starting... a busy one.

Should the screen be perfect.... yes... and yes I might go in for a replacement.

I guess it all depends on value. Where I live, life is so expensive that the 1500£ I spent (got 12% off and apple care for only 49£ cos of Educational discount) seems reasonable. When you subtract VAT... £1200 etc.... etc... I cant believe what we get for the money nowadays... My IBM laptops used to be quite a bit more pricy! But then others might live in a place where that kind of money goes a very, very long way.

Surely my attitude makes Mac computers more expensive, so my apologies to everyone here...

But then, who els has an OS that lets me work on new hardware as if it was the one I have been working on for years, taking a mere 15 minutes to transfer all my stuff???? That alone saved me 5-6 hours... which is worth a lot.

Maybe I am a bit old for this forum.

PS What I love about the iMac

Speed, speed and speed
Huge screen (so big that I seldom notice the slight color difference between left and right side ;-) )
Screen is bright
Colors are great, lively yes, but not OTT
It's quiet
The magic mouse
The small keyboard
No cables

 

[HLdan]

Do you see how its advantageous for Apple ot continue to sell these faulty screens? They do the EXACT same thing o nthe refurbished side. The returns go directly to the refurb. pool, so Apple doesn't suffer too much a loss.

Please prove your statements before stating them as facts. What proof do you have that Apple shoves the defective returns right into the refurb bin for resale?

 

[BATTLE BORN]

Yesterday I exchanged my flickering week 47

for a flickering week 52....

This one is actually worse and started flickering the first day. Even when doing something as simple as browsing the web, or watching a movie. The first machine would flicker more when it was working harder, like ripping a dvd.

the guy next to me at the genius bar had a week 2 i7 with flickering.

 

[Fiddler70]

Oh man... that sucks...

Makes me wonder if I should go back with my tinged screen to get a new one. Apart from that mine seems OK.

Was your screen evenly white?

 

[BATTLE BORN]

it looked pretty good to my eyes. maybe a tad warmer towards the bottom of the screen, but that may have been related to viewing angle (or possibly even in my head). looked good enough for me at the time of trade in, but I don't have the eyes of a graphic artist either.

Edit: although my eyes were good enough to spot pretty significant yellowing on an apple store's display model. so maybe it gets worse with time

 

[faxao]

Yesterday I exchanged my flickering week 47

for a flickering week 52....

This one is actually worse and started flickering the first day. Even when doing something as simple as browsing the web, or watching a movie. The first machine would flicker more when it was working harder, like ripping a dvd.

the guy next to me at the genius bar had a week 2 i7 with flickering.

Oh my....I definitely hold my order for the time being......more i7 good news needed before "pushing the button"

 

[IndustrialSpace]

Please prove your statements before stating them as facts. What proof do you have that Apple shoves the defective returns right into the refurb bin for resale?

The Apple sales person in NYC located on 5th ave by Central Park.

Stop by and ask one of their sales associates yourself, or call.

They tweak the returns and send them out.


PLEEEEASE don't tell me you thought they went into the garbage dump.

 

[IndustrialSpace]

And only take advice from those who have owned 27" iMacs?

Exactly.


Thats why I get my info from those who have this problem. Best source.

 

[tombb]

The Apple sales person in NYC located on 5th ave by Central Park.

Stop by and ask one of their sales associates yourself, or call.

They tweak the returns and send them out.

In my experience, Apple refurbs are only shipped after they have been fixed, tested, and repackaged--not just "tweaked." Are you saying that the factory refurb process takes place at the Apple retail outlets?

 

[IndustrialSpace]

In my experience, Apple refurbs are only shipped after they have been fixed, tested, and repackaged--not just "tweaked." Are you saying that the factory refurb process takes place at the Apple retail outlets?

Yes. That's exactly what I mean by tweaked, genius.

NO. Apple stores DO NOT refurbish them.


Is everyone this SLOW in Texas?

 

[tombb]

Yes. That's exactly what I mean by tweaked, genius.

NO. Apple stores DO NOT refurbish them.


Is everyone this SLOW in Texas?

Wow... are you okay?

 

[IndustrialSpace]

Wow... are you okay?

No, I'm Industrial Space.

 

[unamused]

im shocked how many people are willing to settle for a $2k+ defective product..

the fanboism is strong in this thread. Just because yours may not have as many issues, or the issues arent as intense as others, you shouldnt just sit idly by.

"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out."

 

[Fiddler70]

I guess slowly the OP's answer is answered.

It is NOT safe to buy a 27" iMac.

Especially if it means having to mix in this forum afterwards to face the onslaught of fellow Mac aficionados!