New iMac 24" Display Issues/ Need advice

[I'm a Mac]

Please don't make fun of me, but I'm not quite sure if I have gradient issues. I know I have one dead pixel, which is annoying, but can someone look at this picture and help me decide- I have trouble staring at the screen, but I think there might be a gradient. I do work with movies, so this may not be good.

P.S. I have applecare, but I didn't buy it from an apple store. If you think this needs repair (or if I decide it does) can I take it to the genius bar? Or do I have to send it all the back to the store I bought it at (far away).

Heres a photo, although you can't see the dead pixel. (If you do, you have good vision)

 

[ceres]

Please don't make fun of me, but I'm not quite sure if I have gradient issues. I know I have one dead pixel, which is annoying, but can someone look at this picture and help me decide- I have trouble staring at the screen, but I think there might be a gradient. I do work with movies, so this may not be good.

P.S. I have applecare, but I didn't buy it from an apple store. If you think this needs repair (or if I decide it does) can I take it to the genius bar? Or do I have to send it all the back to the store I bought it at (far away).

Heres a photo, although you can't see the dead pixel. (If you do, you have good vision)

Sure, obvious gradient. It´s up to you if it´s alright for the purposes you intend. You could try to have the unit replaced but, really, your screen is a middle of the road part. There are (some of them posted on the board) that are better but so many more that are a much worse including everything that I have seen locally irl. It´s up to you to decide if your overall computer experience is severely impaired by this screen. What did you buy your iMac for and how is that task hindered? What are your options? If you really need a high quality 24in display you´ll have to go Dell 2407 and up from there.
I recommend Eizo S2431W-GY that retails for around 800 Eur or even NEC LCD2690WUXi that costs around 1000 Eur. If you need OS X you´ll have to wait for the next Mac Pro. There should be a 4core version that starts at 1999. Yet, you´ll end up with 600-1000 USD more spent.
Another option you have is the white 24in iMac.

 

[I'm a Mac]

What do you mean by theres a gradient? (could you be more specific when you say that- I noticed it looked off, but I was wondering how to describe it. There's no way I'm getting the mac pro, I don't need it and its too expensive. I got the imac because I enjoy the big screen, and the faster processor (i do some hd home video editing). I'm not saying I want to return it, but what are my options? I live in NY, and I ordered the computer form North Carolina (good deal, campus apple store). I have applecare and procare. Any ideas? is it [returning it] worth it?

 

[ceres]

What do you mean by theres a gradient? (could you be more specific when you say that- I noticed it looked off, but I was wondering how to describe it. There's no way I'm getting the mac pro, I don't need it and its too expensive. I got the imac because I enjoy the big screen, and the faster processor (i do some hd home video editing). I'm not saying I want to return it, but what are my options? I live in NY, and I ordered the computer form North Carolina (good deal, campus apple store). I have applecare and procare. Any ideas? is it [returning it] worth it?

Well, the white is very good and saturated on the left but when you look to the right the white has turned into a greyish-yellow white. Returning it is in your case imo not worth it. It´s not very likely that a replacement unit will be better. You might want to call the seller, however. You can ask for an exchange but have them ship the replacement first. That´s what I did. This way you can juxtapose your machines and your ultimate verdict will be easier to formulate.

 

[I'm a Mac]

So, I guess in the case I want to return it, I'll call the seller (in north carolina.) But how long is my window of opportunity- like lets say in a month or two it gets worse... do I still call the seller or call apple... lets say it's really bad around macworld... I might want a newer model? (theoretically, of course)

 

[ceres]

So, I guess in the case I want to return it, I'll call the seller (in north carolina.) But how long is my window of opportunity- like lets say in a month or two it gets worse... do I still call the seller or call apple... lets say it's really bad around macworld... I might want a newer model? (theoretically, of course)

If you do it now your machine will be categorized doa and things will be better for you as you can demand a swap.
If you wait a month your only option will be repairs.

 

[I'm a Mac]

Problem is, however, it's been more than 14 days, and I didn't buy it from an apple store. I do have applecare, though, but I know I can argue that this shouldn't be happening so soon, but I don't know how far I'll get. So since the 14 days has passed, should I still wait to see if it gets worse?

 

[DerKommissar]

In all honesty, if you need someone else to tell you that you have a problem, you don't have a problem. Much of this issue has to do with perception, which varies from person to person. Don't let someone else convince you that you have a problem if you can't see it yourself. Sure, that person may not be happy with your screen, but that does not mean you can't be.

Problem is, however, it's been more than 14 days, and I didn't buy it from an apple store. I do have applecare, though, but I know I can argue that this shouldn't be happening so soon, but I don't know how far I'll get. So since the 14 days has passed, should I still wait to see if it gets worse?

 

[Nordichund]

Problem is, however, it's been more than 14 days, and I didn't buy it from an apple store. I do have applecare, though, but I know I can argue that this shouldn't be happening so soon, but I don't know how far I'll get. So since the 14 days has passed, should I still wait to see if it gets worse?

If I were in your position I would call the place where you bought it from and tell them your screen is not right and you are not happy with it. Who knows maybe your store has a longer returns policy than the Apple Store.

My experience with Apple is if there is a genuine problem and it's within the warrenty they will fix it by either offering you a new machine or fixing your current one.

My message to anyone out there who buys a new iMac and is not happy with the quality of their screen is to immediately call up Apple or the store and tell them. Get the problem sorted out as soon as possible and save yourself a lot of worry and grief.

 

[I'm a Mac]

But based on the other experiences of people returning their iMacs, what are my chances of getting a better one? I am locked in to getting another iMac? What if I want to exchange it for, let's say, a MacBook Pro? Is that an option? Could I argue to the seller (not saying that they're not nice), that I don't want another iMac because most of them are faulty?

 

[I'm a Mac]

Forget about the gradient for now, hat would just be another excuse for getting it returned if one dead pixel isn't enough, but is there a strong likelihood of more dead pixels- anyone had an issue like this? One pixel dead, then more to follow?

 

[queshy]

I see the dead pixel. It's to the left of the blue rectangle, near the bottom of the screen.

The gradient is sort of only noticeable on a pure white background.

 

[I'm a Mac]

I see the dead pixel. It's to the left of the blue rectangle, near the bottom of the screen.

The gradient is sort of only noticeable on a pure white background.

Actually, that was a piece of dirt. I only have a 6 mp camera, so the dead pixel doesn't come up. But can someone please tell me if more dead pixels usually follow the first one?

 

[Leon Kowalski]

Problem is, however, it's been more than 14 days, and I didn't buy it from an apple store.

Apple's "14 day limit" applies to non-defective merchandise -- in cases
where the buyer just "changed his mind." Apple has a 30-day limit on
DEFECTIVE merchandise that's "Dead On Arrival" (DOA).

Follow ceres' sound advice and take advantage of the DOA policy. You MUST
notify AppleCare within 30 days of purchase to qualify for a DOA exchange.
After that, it's Apple's choice to repair or replace -- under the terms of the
normal warranty.

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

LK

 

[eRondeau]

Yes, there is a fairly obvious blue rectangular area running vertically down the centre of the screen.

I ordered the exact same iMac Extreme as yours from my local Mac dealer three weeks ago. I asked him to fire it up and personally check it over, as I only wanted to purchase a "perfect" computer. Like I said, that was three weeks ago, not sure how many he's gone through so far, but he still hasn't called to tell me that it's in.

 

[czachorski]

Yes, there is a fairly obvious blue rectangular area running vertically down the centre of the screen.

I ordered the exact same iMac Extreme as yours from my local Mac dealer three weeks ago. I asked him to fire it up and personally check it over, as I only wanted to purchase a "perfect" computer. Like I said, that was three weeks ago, not sure how many he's gone through so far, but he still hasn't called to tell me that it's in.

There you have it. Definitive proof that there is no such thing as the perfect computer.

He probably wrote you off as an problematic customer and figured he would do better to not deal with you than provide you service. I wouldn't expect a call back.

 

[I'm a Mac]

I believe this is day 17... So I'll give applecare a call. So I guess they'll give me a repair or replacement... How does that work? I didn't buy it from them, so I guess I can't take it to my local apple store. What if I say, replace it with a macbook pro ?

 

[queshy]

Actually, that was a piece of dirt. I only have a 6 mp camera, so the dead pixel doesn't come up. But can someone please tell me if more dead pixels usually follow the first one?

Dead pixels aren't contagious. They don't spread. Once it's dead, it's dead and the others around it are still alive.

 

[I'm a Mac]

I know they're not contagious, but am I likely to have more dead pixels?

 

[rpeters83]

I see you're using my quick-o-lcd test script . For comparison, mine looked like this: http://home.ryanpetersonline.com/screen.jpg

I actually just got back from returning my 24" imac. It had the same gradient as yours does (and at least from the pic, I see the right side is slightly more yellow than the left, like mine).

Since it does look like yours has the color-shift issue, I would take it back to the store you got it from and tell them that yours has the color gradient issue. Also, mention that you have a bad pixel (I returned my first one for a single bad pixel, but I was within 14 days).

There's a lot of evidence on the boards (not just this one) that this is a more common issue. then again, not everyone notices it and are happy with their machines. I gave mine a good thorough inspection and noticed the issue.

Anyway, I showed the techs at the store just now when I returned mine, ran that same test page, and they immediately saw it. Their demo model even had it. You might want to also check for backlight bleed on a black screen with the room lights dimmed (mine had two spots near the edges, not a soft glow that I otherwise would've settled for).

ALL of the CompUSA stores in maryland no longer carry any of the new imacs, so they could be fixing the problem now. The apple rep at the store agreed that could very well be true.

But then again, if you don't see any problems, by all means keep it.

 

[I'm a Mac]

Do you think I could get a refund from the store? They have a 30 day return policy and I could tell them that it's applecare registered and they can take care of it.

 

[ceres]

I see you're using my quick-o-lcd test script . For comparison, mine looked like this: http://home.ryanpetersonline.com/screen.jpg

I actually just got back from returning my 24" imac. It had the same gradient as yours does (and at least from the pic, I see the right side is slightly more yellow than the left, like mine).

Since it does look like yours has the color-shift issue, I would take it back to the store you got it from and tell them that yours has the color gradient issue. Also, mention that you have a bad pixel (I returned my first one for a single bad pixel, but I was within 14 days).

There's a lot of evidence on the boards (not just this one) that this is a more common issue. then again, not everyone notices it and are happy with their machines. I gave mine a good thorough inspection and noticed the issue.

Anyway, I showed the techs at the store just now when I returned mine, ran that same test page, and they immediately saw it. Their demo model even had it. You might want to also check for backlight bleed on a black screen with the room lights dimmed (mine had two spots near the edges, not a soft glow that I otherwise would've settled for).

ALL of the CompUSA stores in maryland no longer carry any of the new imacs, so they could be fixing the problem now. The apple rep at the store agreed that could very well be true.

But then again, if you don't see any problems, by all means keep it.

I don´t think Apple will do anything or even acknowledge any problems with the current iMac lineup. They have probably sold boatloads of units (any concrete numbers around?). If only 20% have faulty screens a recall will be very expensive. Looking at your very own screenshot they will probably claim that it is, in deed, within specifications. It´s considerably worse than everything on the white 24in predecessor but not as bad as to necessitate a recall. It´s just the fact that screen quality did not improve over the previous gen. It got worse. The potential buyer should have been made aware of this issue. It didn´t happen hence the disappointment.

 

[rpeters83]

I don´t think Apple will do anything or even acknowledge any problems with the current iMac lineup. They have probably sold boatloads of units (any concrete numbers around?). If only 20% have faulty screens a recall will be very expensive. Looking at your very own screenshot they will probably claim that it is, in deed, within specifications. It´s considerably worse than everything on the white 24in predecessor but not as bad as to necessitate a recall. It´s just the fact that screen quality did not improve over the previous gen. It got worse. The potential buyer should have been made aware of this issue. It didn´t happen hence the disappointment.

Anything can be "in spec". However, an apple rep and 3 techs at compusa agreed my screen was faulty enough to warrant a return. They didn't even see the backlight bleeding I was having!

 

[Leon Kowalski]

Anything can be "in spec".

Yep, it's especially easy when the specs (if any) are double-super-secret.

I repeatedly asked Apple tech support for the ALU iMacs' brightness uniformity
specs, and they repeatedly flat-out refused to reveal them. I have the emails.

"Previous reports of luminescence and brightness non-uniformity
were found to be within the expected range for iMacs."

"Previous reports?" Hmm? ...two days earlier, they swore they were "unaware"
of any previous reports.

"An awkward, unscientific lie is often as ineffectual as the truth."
-- Mark Twain

.

 

[kfuty]

But based on the other experiences of people returning their iMacs, what are my chances of getting a better one? I am locked in to getting another iMac? What if I want to exchange it for, let's say, a MacBook Pro? Is that an option?

Does anyone know if the MBP is a possibility? I too am unsatisfied with my display (currently on second replacement) and would much prefer to just get a MBP and an external display that works instead of trying to keep fixing this issue which isn't being resolved.

I think I need to read up on the product warranty....