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My New iMac is a Whiner!!!!!!!!

jfyrfytr25

jfyrfytr25

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 6, 2008
762
3
Bought a 21.5" iMac on November 20th. I had to exchange 3 times because I kept getting screens that were half yellow. I was about to give up and get my money back when I got one that was "acceptable". the screen is not perfect but the best I have seen (including several display models from different stores)


SO!!, I have been using it for a few days when I notice a knock coming from inside when the screen dims due to no activity for a min. while trying to investigate that issue, I am playing with screen brightness and notice a high pitched whine coming form it when it is between 20 & 80% bright. It is not loud but is ear piercing. The kind that makes you sick to your stomach after a few min because of the frequency. Thankfully the knock and whine do not occur at full brightness, which is where I keep it most of the time. BUT, I would like to have the option should the need arise.

I now begin to research this issue and find that it is semi common. ARGGHHH!!

My question is, Should i just return it and wait until they fix these issues or keep it? and if I do keep it, is it something apple can fix or is it just the way they are and a new module would do the same?


I have purchased many apple notebooks over the last few years, but this is my first iMac and so far I am discouraged.

Please give me your 2 cents.
 
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If it irritates you, exchange it now while you still can.
 
Xenc said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-gb) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

If it irritates you, exchange it now while you still can.
Click to expand...

Wow!!! you completely disregarded the essence of my question.

I want to know if exchanging will remedy the issue (i.e. if they all do it then an exchange is futile) More importantly, I want to hear if anyone here has had this issue and had apple successfully repair it. If so, i will go that route to avoid taking a chance on getting another bad screen.
 
jfyrfytr25 said:
I want to know if exchanging will remedy the issue (i.e. if they all do it then an exchange is futile) More importantly, I want to hear if anyone here has had this issue and had apple successfully repair it.
Click to expand...

They do *not* all do it, but the issue is well documented and seems to affect a small number of machines.

I would not put up with it. I would exchange it.

I bought a refurb iMac and do not have any yellow tint issue or monitor whine issue.

So, yes, they can fix it and then sell a unit as refurb, and the vast majority of new machines do not have the problem.

(And how you use your iMac at full brightness all the time is beyond me. Mine is blinding at full brightness. Right now I'm at only three marks out of the total.)
 
jfyrfytr25 said:
Wow!!! you completely disregarded the essence of my question.

I want to know if exchanging will remedy the issue (i.e. if they all do it then an exchange is futile) More importantly, I want to hear if anyone here has had this issue and had apple successfully repair it. If so, i will go that route to avoid taking a chance on getting another bad screen.
Click to expand...

I see. Every unit doesn't have this problem, but you might just be unlucky and receive a replacement with the same problem. It's certainly not a futile exercise though.
 
Xenc said:
I see. Every unit doesn't have this problem, but you might just be unlucky and receive a replacement with the same problem. It's certainly not a futile exercise though.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I apologize if my initial response was a bit snarky, After I pondered it I realized I may not have been very clear on my questions.
 
jfyrfytr25 said:
Thanks, I apologize if my initial response was a bit snarky, After I pondered it I realized I may not have been very clear on my questions.
Click to expand...

It seem Apple did ABSOLUTELY nothing to fix yellow screen and whining, except, as Steve Jobs phrased it, "addressed the issue" (he was not more specific than that). It means most likely they will keep replacing the faulty units until the customer gets tired and settles, as yourself, for the "acceptable" one.

Typically each complain gets also a response from a totally happy guy with a "perfect" unit, stating that faulty units are rare and you should simply keep returning them for as long as it takes, but after having four faulty units IN A ROW, how many more exchanges are you ready to stomach?

Tom B.
 
Xenc said:
No problem, good luck with the exchange!
Click to expand...

Actually, I just got back from returning it all together. A local shop around here has the last gen 27" iMac, 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo on clearance for $1399. I was thinking about trying one of those and opening it up and checking it before I ever left the store. The display they have of the same model looks really good.

Any Advice?
 
Michaelgtrusa said:
Apple 'Smokes the Competition' in Reliability .:apple:
Click to expand...


I love apple products. I have a MBP, MBA, iPod, iPhone 4, apple TV. But that statement is BULL!!!!!!!! lately they have just as many issues, problems, and design flaws as any other MFG. Again I love them, But these little characteristics that used to be true, are getting less and less.
 
jfyrfytr25 said:
I love apple products. I have a MBP, MBA, iPod, iPhone 4, apple TV. But that statement is BULL!!!!!!!! lately they have just as many issues, problems, and design flaws as any other MFG. Again I love them, But these little characteristics that used to be true, are getting less and less.
Click to expand...




I'm a Apple enthusiast, but I will never follow any company blindly! If no one complained about the yellow issue among others would Apple recall defective products? No!
 
I'm on my third iMac and sending it back.

1st Bottom left and right screen had light leak basically on a dark background the corners were way lighter than the rest of the screen. Sent back.

2nd Did not even get to use it, when I came to take the plastic wrapping off which protects the screen the whole screen was coming off with it!!! Being sent back Monday.

3rd one as soon as I switched it on a buzzing/ zumming sound was heard, the hard drive was very load with a kinda clicking sound to it and again the bottom right and more so bottom left hand screen on a dark background was all silvery grey still lit up, again a light leak from the panel! Going back.

Spoke with apple care and because it's my 3rd one they need special permission from a supervisor to send it back as no supervisor was in today!

I'm slightly getting worried on what to do, going on holiday on Monday for 10 days so what my replacement to come when I get back.

What happens if my 4 th replacement is faulty what happens then?

I ask the lady if wherever and whomever sends me my iMac that they or a technician opens the box and checks it to make sure everything is indeed A ok, but all she said that ALL iMacs are quality controlled! Obviously not otherwise I would not have to be sending them back!!!

I'm in a dilemma because I have bought extras to supplement my iMac, time machine german wireless keyboard, extra ram etc but I do not want a 90% ok iMac I want and for the price expect a 100% ok iMac.

I have not given up hope as I love the machine and the OS from what I have used (ex windows), is and feels great to use.

I also have to sign some kind of waiver in order to get my iMac replaced for the 4th time anyone else had to do this?
 
Grolsch30 said:
I'm on my third iMac and sending it back.

1st Bottom left and right screen had light leak basically on a dark background the corners were way lighter than the rest of the screen. Sent back.

2nd Did not even get to use it, when I came to take the plastic wrapping off which protects the screen the whole screen was coming off with it!!! Being sent back Monday.

3rd one as soon as I switched it on a buzzing/ zumming sound was heard, the hard drive was very load with a kinda clicking sound to it and again the bottom right and more so bottom left hand screen on a dark background was all silvery grey still lit up, again a light leak from the panel! Going back.

Spoke with apple care and because it's my 3rd one they need special permission from a supervisor to send it back as no supervisor was in today!

I'm slightly getting worried on what to do, going on holiday on Monday for 10 days so what my replacement to come when I get back.

What happens if my 4 th replacement is faulty what happens then?

I ask the lady if wherever and whomever sends me my iMac that they or a technician opens the box and checks it to make sure everything is indeed A ok, but all she said that ALL iMacs are quality controlled! Obviously not otherwise I would not have to be sending them back!!!

I'm in a dilemma because I have bought extras to supplement my iMac, time machine german wireless keyboard, extra ram etc but I do not want a 90% ok iMac I want and for the price expect a 100% ok iMac.

I have not given up hope as I love the machine and the OS from what I have used (ex windows), is and feels great to use.

I also have to sign some kind of waiver in order to get my iMac replaced for the 4th time anyone else had to do this?
Click to expand...


It looks like you are getting "recycled" machines. Probability of getting THREE NEW, faulty iMacs in a row is almost zero. Any signs of the box beeng open, or computer used BEFORE you got it (fingerprints on the glass, not factory packed)? Can you return it for cash and buy yourself a really new one (even with a restocking fee it might be a good deal, now when you know what to look for)?

Tom B.
 
It Apple get caught out returning new models with refurbs they will be in a hell of a lot of legal trouble and i'll not come to their aid.
 
Jesus. I plan on getting the next gen iMac. I am thinking maybe I should get them to take it out and test it before I leave the store but then again that leaves the machine to getting repacked badly for the journey home / finger prints / scratches / old people sneezing on it (since they are like heat seeking missiles when it comes to sneezing on other's valuables). I hope you never have this issue again and I hope it is completely solved in the iMacs to come :apple:
 
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