New 24" Penryn iMac owners....screen bleed fixed???

[Darkroom]

I did mention a minor noise from the fans. Is that what you mean by "Fanboy"? And I have no connection to Apple whatsoever, apart from a couple of Applecare registrations.

However, IF I was an Apple Store manager and someone came in to change a computer for the 15th time in a few days, I think I'd be performing a public service if I informed the local authorities of his identity, so they could cart him off to an appropriate clinic for psychological evaluation.

i agree it's a bit excessive, BUT judging from some of the photos of his defective screen, there were some serious light leaks from the corners that were clearly visible. also, it's hard work taking back a 24" iMac to an Apple Store. i only had to do it once, thankfully. but no one is going to actually want to do that over and over again unless they absolutely need to... and for a computer that costs over $2000, no one should be forced to decide weather to return it, or to "deal with it"...

my first iMac had a gradient, which the techs at the genius bar couldn't see, but they reluctantly allowed me to change it. i'm sure if i continued to bring in macs like this they'd put an end to it after 3 - so i would assume that his previous 15 really were clearly bad, otherwise they wouldn't have allowed him to exchange so many.

 

[Leon Kowalski]

Apple did a firmware update to the graphics card to fix the LCD problems. It was not a software fix.

That firmware update fixed some problems the early ALU iMacs had
with lockups and data corruption in the GPU VRAM -- but they didn't
(can't!) fix LCD panel non-uniformities such as brightness gradients
and color defects that vary from unit to unit.

iMacs don't have the specialized display-compensation hardware used
in NEC monitors -- and even if the hardware was there, that type of
compensation requires factory measurement and calculation of the
customized correction tables programmed into each individual unit.

...GPU firmware updates cannot fix defects in the LCD panel,

LK

 

[minik]

BTW, the 3.06Ghz iMac BTO I received from Apple online store, which had a messed up display was produced on week 18. The replacement I got from the Apple retail store was made on week 16.

 

[GMFlash]

I took delivery of a 24" 2.8GHz iMac earlier this week and I don't see any bleeding during real world use so far. I did however think I had a dead pixel in the corner but it would only appear from certain angles. Popped off the glass front and there was a little speck of dust stuck to the inside of the glass. Now that my "faux dead pixel" problem is fixed this machine is pretty much perfect. It is possible to hear the fan noise if you have good ears but it doesn't sound any louder than a notebook would. Top is warm to the touch but not hot enough to be uncomfortable.

 

[dantay]

I did mention a minor noise from the fans. Is that what you mean by "Fanboy"? And I have no connection to Apple whatsoever, apart from a couple of Applecare registrations.

However, IF I was an Apple Store manager and someone came in to change a computer for the 15th time in a few days, I think I'd be performing a public service if I informed the local authorities of his identity, so they could cart him off to an appropriate clinic for psychological evaluation.

If I got a decent one to start off with then I would have kept it. I have given up on the 24" imac's now as they are all crap to some extent and settled on a base 20" imac with little or no bleed.....a top to bottom gradient (i can handle this as its a TN panel) and spent the rest of the cash on a B&W Zeppelin and a Samsung bluray player.....I can accept a £799 machine having a very ordinary screen.....this I expect, I can't accept one costing £1400 being bad in 2 different ways. I understand why people think its excessive to return sooo many units and I agree. I was looking for a decent one and i'm kinda glad its cost apple a little bit of £££ for dishing out such sub-standard screens. I wish you all the luck in the future Sir Cecil as you surely will succeed in your role as a professional forum ******. Thank you all and good night x

 

[ntrigue]

It's partly because the previous iMacs had professional quality S-IPS panels:

- The 20" white iMac used exactly the same panel as the 20" Cinema Display.

- The 24" white iMac used exactly the same panel as the $1100 NEC LCD2490WUXi

And partly because Apple's CEO repeatedly and unreservedly claimed that the
ALU iMacs were: "even better", "upgraded", and "MORE PROFESSIONAL"
than the white iMacs -- i.e., the ones with professional-grade S-IPS displays:

Liar, liar, pants on fire!


Maybe "everyone was expecting" something other than outright lies from SJ.

LK

Excellent! That was precisely what I was looking for.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Excellent! That was precisely what I was looking for.

So glad to hear you found what you were looking for but what exactly is it?

 

[mhnajjar]

My 24" 3.06 iMac has a bright spot on the bottom left corner only. It is visible in dark backgrounds only! I am okay with this and it is not causing me any trouble.

I just found out that I have horizontal stripes all over the screen which are visible on black backgrounds only. Is this normal or should I exchange it? Today is my 14th day but in addition to the stripes, I see dots all over the screen also which look like pixels.

Please let me know what you think ASAP


Regards

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I just found out that I have horizontal stripes all over the screen which are visible on black backgrounds only. Is this normal or should I exchange it? Today is my 14th day but in addition to the stripes, I see dots all over the screen also which look like pixels.

Please let me know what you think ASAP

Sounds like graphics card is gone.

 

[Leon Kowalski]

Today is my 14th day but in addition to the stripes, I see
dots all over the screen also which look like pixels.

Exchange it. If it's defective out-of-the-box, i.e., Dead On Arrival,
you have 30 days to demand a new replacement. Read the DOA
provisions of Apple's sales policies:

http://www.apple.com/legal/sales_policies/

LK

 

[mhnajjar]

It was a bit funny when I went to the Apple store! My wife and I could see the stripes and even the Apple salesman at BestBuy did so, but the ladies at the Apple store kept saying that they do not see anything. Even one girl said that "I do not see anything and whatever you are seeing is NOT a manufacturing standard" I was as if she was the owner of

At the end, I asked for my money and I might get a new redesigned MBP since my 2.4 MBP looks a bit out of this world since the design has not been changed since I was born

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Exchange it. If it's defective out-of-the-box, i.e., Dead On Arrival,
you have 30 days to demand a new replacement. Read the DOA
provisions of Apple's sales policies:

http://www.apple.com/legal/sales_policies/

LK

If Apple determines if it's DOA.

 

[mtntrance]

I received my replacement 3.06 and it's a keeper.

Is it perfect? No. Is it very good yes? There is some back bleed on the bottom but minimal. Gradient is slight. There is no yellow hue in the middle of the screen like before. The screen is overall very nice and superior to my old white 20 inch G5. I think I will keep it.

 

[ukmacmonster]

The screen is overall very nice and superior to my old white 20 inch G5. I think I will keep it.

That's interesting. I've got my new 24" iMac sat right next to my old 20" G5 at the moment. Now I haven't had time to compare them too critically, but on first impression the new display looks better. The bleed issue simply does not exist in normal use with normal ambient room lighting. But I will check it in the dark with a black background out of curiosity. There does appear to be a slight left-right brightness gradient, with the far right appearing slightly darker. But it's really very subtle and not an issue for me. Comparing against the G5, the new display actually looks better overall in terms of uniform brightness. My G5 suffers from a little vignetting in the corners and the new one doesn't. The glossy screen is ok too with my room lighting. I'm still not 100% sold on glossy screens (they are complete madness on laptops where lighting cannot be controlled) but it does look stunning in the right conditions.

 

[mtntrance]

left right brightness barely noticeable and a non issue for me too

"There does appear to be a slight left-right brightness gradient, with the far right appearing slightly darker. But it's really very subtle and not an issue for me."

I have the subtle brightness gradient too but it does not bother me. Formerly I had a left-right yellow hues issue that I could not stand. The bleed I used to have was too much and noticeable when I went to the Front Row black background. I think the only thing that would disappoint me now is if apple came out with an equivalent mac mini "pro" and new apple cinema display at 24 inches that was at the same price point. This is not likely so I am going to enjoy this new fast i-mac 3.06. In the future I hope apple does a better job balancing form with function so the screens on iMacs are as uniform as ACDs.

 

[covertsurfer]

After keeping my eye on this thread before I bought an iMac I was a bit sceptical however I took the risk and purchased a new 3.06Ghz iMac. It had a stuck pixel which I got replaced.

I have now just turned my replaced iMac on and can see a huge gradient in my opinion. I can't tell whether it is just the light but I don't think it is. What do people think?

I bought it from an Apple Store however its 60 miles away. I bought it on 4th May so I can I call AppleCare and ask for a replacement and for them to collect and replace? I have bought 3 years worth of Applecare. Do I need to wipe my machine before sending it back.

Interested in your thoughts

 

[rainydays]

I haven't been around here for a few months but I heard that the iMac got updated so I thought I'd see if there had been any fixes to the display issues.

Sadly, it doesn't seem like anything has changed.

Apart from the screen issues I have an annoying buzzing sound, and I was hoping that I could get both problems fixed at once. But since the updated version seem to have the same issues there's probably no point in waiting to fix the buzzing.

The yellow tint and gradient still annoys me every day after several months. I hoped that I would get used to it, but I was wrong. Ironically the only time when I'm not that bothered by it is when I'm editing photos. But for every other task I'm constantly reminded. Still I need the computer for my work and I can't afford a Mac Pro (and I frankly have no need for it) so I just have to put up with the iMac.

 

[rainydays]

I have now just turned my replaced iMac on and can see a huge gradient in my opinion. I can't tell whether it is just the light but I don't think it is. What do people think?

Yes, that one is really bad. It looks like one of the iMacs I returned. Get it replaced, there are at least better ones, trust me.

 

[Tehy]

After keeping my eye on this thread before I bought an iMac I was a bit sceptical however I took the risk and purchased a new 3.06Ghz iMac. It had a stuck pixel which I got replaced.

I have now just turned my replaced iMac on and can see a huge gradient in my opinion. I can't tell whether it is just the light but I don't think it is. What do people think?

I bought it from an Apple Store however its 60 miles away. I bought it on 4th May so I can I call AppleCare and ask for a replacement and for them to collect and replace? I have bought 3 years worth of Applecare. Do I need to wipe my machine before sending it back.

Interested in your thoughts

I must be blind, because in my opinion your screen looks just fine!

 

[muskratboy]

holy crap... NINE?

Hello people....I was wondering if anyone owning one of the just released 24" iMacs could look and see if the backlight and screen gradient issues have been resolved on the latest models? I got the 2.4ghz 24" "old" model within the 2 week exchange period and fancy upgrading to the 3.06ghz model as they now have a decent graphics card etc. I went through 9 of the "old" model to get a reasonable screen (still has a bit of bleed at the bottom) and wondered if the break in production had given them chance to address the screen issues? Thanks in advance for your replys.

damn man... that may set a new record for "anal mac owner." seriously... NINE? that is pretty nuts dude.

 

[MortonH]

I must be blind, because in my opinion your screen looks just fine!

Seriously?

The left side is much lighter than the right side. And the rest of it is uneven.

 

[covertsurfer]

If I call Applecare will they pick my old one up and supply a new one?

Is it best to wipe my machine before hand?

 

[G-Force]

Call them and ask.

 

[surferfromuk]

After keeping my eye on this thread before I bought an iMac I was a bit sceptical however I took the risk and purchased a new 3.06Ghz iMac. It had a stuck pixel which I got replaced.

I have now just turned my replaced iMac on and can see a huge gradient in my opinion. I can't tell whether it is just the light but I don't think it is. What do people think?

I bought it from an Apple Store however its 60 miles away. I bought it on 4th May so I can I call AppleCare and ask for a replacement and for them to collect and replace? I have bought 3 years worth of Applecare. Do I need to wipe my machine before sending it back.

Interested in your thoughts

Doesn't look bad to me but then it's a photo and I wouldn't like to say - have you got any yellowing in the centre ? if not I'd seriously ask yourself it it's really as bad as you think - read this thread may lead you to believe it is - because you could end up with a worse screen on a switch out!!

 

[covertsurfer]

I just called Applecare and they got me to turn my iMac off unplug it for 20 secs then turn it on whilst pressing Cmd+Alt+P+R and wait for the iMac to chime 3 times and then let go.

My issues now seem to be resolved.

Has anyone tried this before or been recommended to do this?

Update 1 hour later: Maybe not seems to be creeping back.