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i make movies

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 9, 2007
176
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HI folks,

When it comes to the weird yellowing areas and/or uneven lighting, I was just curious if you think there is any correlation between purchasing a 24" iMac from an Apple Store or getting one BTO from China. Also, maybe there is a model number/date of manufacture thing similar to the iPod Touch ordeal with their bad display. Granted, these are 2 completely different machines and Apple did recognize that some of the iPod Touch displays were bad.

From reading the other threads about this, I am coming to the assumption that there are more display problems from the BTO purchasers, but I want to hear what y'all think.
 
Interesting theory - I bought mine in-apple-store in the UK and I don't have that problem, but I did have a fruity mouse that only scrolled down after 2 weeks - did the kitchen roll cleaning routine and it's aok.
 
HI folks,

When it comes to the weird yellowing areas and/or uneven lighting, I was just curious if you think there is any correlation between purchasing a 24" iMac from an Apple Store or getting one BTO from China. Also, maybe there is a model number/date of manufacture thing similar to the iPod Touch ordeal with their bad display. Granted, these are 2 completely different machines and Apple did recognize that some of the iPod Touch displays were bad.

From reading the other threads about this, I am coming to the assumption that there are more display problems from the BTO purchasers, but I want to hear what y'all think.

I can only speak for myself and I got a BTO iMac and have no problems whatsoever. We'd have to hear from more folks to see if there seems to be trend. I've always gotten BTO Macs and my PowerBook had problems but my PowerMac was perfect.
 
I did have a fruity mouse that only scrolled down after 2 weeks

Mine only scrolls up :(

Wait- TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A WORKING MIGHTY MOUSE! hahah

I'm sending it back to Apple as soon as my replacement arrives... apparently, they're out of stock, though! (Obviously a re-occuring problem :p They guy I was talking to had just got off the phone to another person with the same problem.)
 
From reading the other threads about this, I am coming to the assumption that there are more display problems from the BTO purchasers, but I want to hear what y'all think.

It is an interesting theory...

- The major confounds are that first, there are a higher proportion of BTO customers here than in the general population, and second, BTO customers are almost certainly generally pickier than in-store customers by virtue of the very personality traits that made them (us) BTO in the first place.

- If you download the coconut program, you'll find that your iMac is made in the same place, most likely, as the BTOs, right? I guess there can still be differences in rates though because the stock computes may be made in larger, more isolated runs (like having the factory produce nothing but one design for several days, in order to fill many pallets of iMacs).
 
From reading the other threads about this, I am coming to the assumption that there are more display problems from the BTO purchasers, but I want to hear what y'all think.
My 24" isn't a BTO, and neither were the eight others on the showroom floors of two local Apple Stores -- but they all had exactly the same problem.

I personally checked five of them with a light meter (mine, plus the four showroom units at one Apple Store), and the VERY BEST sample had a measured luminance gradient of 2.5:1. The worst, an astonishingly horrid 3.7:1 !!

Thus far, my scorecard shows nine-for-nine among the first-hand samples -- plus dozens of screen photos on user forums -- all with the same problem.

So, I must conclude that EVERY 24" iMac has a serious non-uniformity problem -- but I would be delighted to be proven wrong. (If even one non-afflicted unit exists, there just might be another somewhere -- with my name on it.)

Yep, some participants of this forum (and several others) claim to have flawless displays; but as yet, NOT ONE photograph has been posted showing a 24" (or 20") AL iMAc with a gradient-free screen on a solid-color background.

...still waitin' (but not holdin' my breath),

LK
 
Mine only scrolls up :(

Wait- TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A WORKING MIGHTY MOUSE! hahah

I have 2 mice hooked to mine. One on the KVM and the other connected direct. I can play mouse wars with them :D

My 24" is BTO and I don't see any problem with the screen, but then I am not using a microscope to examine it.
 
I ordered a 20" imac online and the display sucked, so I returned it to an Apple store 1.5 hours away from home, paid 10% restock fee, got a 24". Got home and 24" screen looked like crap, had a very noticeable brightness problem. Returned it and got another 24" after the apple guy told me that the MBP had a really slow hard drive and that if I didn't really need the portability, to go with the iMac. So I got another 24" and it has a very yellow screen and brightness issues on 2/3 of the screen. This is my first apple computer, and after being told how awesome they are, I am quite disappointed. although OS X is very impressive! It seems as though apple is skimping out on quality/components to boost profit. btw, I drove 1.5 hours to return the 2nd 24" (3rd return total) and apple store was closed for the week for renovations. I was livid. the apple guy standing in front of the closed apple store gave me his card and said to make an appointment with a genius.....yet another 1.5 trip to return yet another bad product and get my money back. I am so very very extremely terribly disappointed. what am I to do?!?! I can't go back to just windows!!!
 
So I got another 24" and it has a very yellow screen and brightness issues on 2/3 of the screen. This is my first apple computer, and after being told how awesome they are, I am quite disappointed. although OS X is very impressive! It seems as though apple is skimping out on quality/components to boost profit. btw, I drove 1.5 hours to return the 2nd 24" (3rd return total) and apple store was closed for the week for renovations. I was livid. the apple guy standing in front of the closed apple store gave me his card and said to make an appointment with a genius.....yet another 1.5 trip to return yet another bad product and get my money back. I am so very very extremely terribly disappointed. what am I to do?!?! I can't go back to just windows!!!

What are you to do? Call Applecare and ask for an exchange as the brick and mortar store would do. Dude, what are you to do? It's not that serious, it's not as if your Mac actually isn't working and you're stuck.
As far as your screen concerns I don't think that you will get a better screen by exchanging it again. That brightness thing on the far left of the screen is uneven backlighting. You may have to live with it or get some other computer.

Also I don't mean to be hard nosed about it but why is it that every new Mac user that has a slight problem brings up the fact that they may have to go back to Windows? Now I know you said you can't just go back to Windows but there are other alternatives.
You can get a Mac and a Cinema Display. If the Mac Pro is too much and the Mac mini is underpowered then live with the iMac and enjoy the OS.
I have never had a "perfect" LCD screen from any manufacturer. I'm sure your screen is not that bad.
Apple doesn't charge a premium for the iMac. Truthfully the 24" base model for $1799 should be $2599 if it had a premium design LCD. If you think the iMacs are already overpriced check out Gateway's new mess and Sony and Dell are even worse.
 
HLDan,
I was waiting for a reply like this. "Just deal with it." No, I'm not going to just deal with it. I'm just trying to say that after hearing and reading how awesome apple computers are supposed to be, I am disappointed in the latest imacs. I could also point out the "slight problems" as you might call them in the ipod touch's and macbook pro screens. I think products should be as good as they are advertised to be and work properly. maybe the imacs are priced competitively, but I still didn't get what I paid for. maybe you're right, a perfect LCD may not exist, but the 3 imacs I had were too far from perfect for my money. It won't be the end of the world if Apple isn't quite as perfect as some may think. I intend on getting some sort of apple computer in the future, but for now, I'm done with trying to get a decent iMac.
 
hummm

HI folks,

When it comes to the weird yellowing areas and/or uneven lighting, I was just curious if you think there is any correlation between purchasing a 24" iMac from an Apple Store or getting one BTO from China. Also, maybe there is a model number/date of manufacture thing similar to the iPod Touch ordeal with their bad display. Granted, these are 2 completely different machines and Apple did recognize that some of the iPod Touch displays were bad.

From reading the other threads about this, I am coming to the assumption that there are more display problems from the BTO purchasers, but I want to hear what y'all think.

I got mine built to order; and the screen is perfect to my eyes and certainly for my needs. :apple::)
 
I have never had a "perfect" LCD screen from any manufacturer. I'm sure your screen is not that bad.

"And so, what would an iMac look like if we UPGRADED it and made it out of aluminum and glass?"
-- Mr. Steven Jobs, Aug. 2007 ALU iMac product introduction

"And the PROS have told us it looks much more like a PRO product, in a PROFESSIONAL setting."
-- Mr. Steven Jobs, Aug. 2007 ALU iMac product introduction

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/specialevent07


1) My 20" upgrade to 6-bit TN -- Color Profile: iMac Profile
2) My 20" upgrade to 6-bit TN -- Color Profile: Adobe RGB (1998)
3) My 24" $300 display upgrade -- Background: Solid Aqua Blue
4) My 24" $300 display upgrade -- Background: Solid Gray Medium

..."calibrate" THAT!

LK
 

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"And the pros have told us it looks much more like a pro product, in a professional setting."
-- Mr. Steven Jobs, Aug. 2007 ALU iMac product introduction

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/specialevent07

1) 20" ALU iMac, Color Profile: iMac Profile
2) 20" ALU iMac, Color Profile: Adobe RGB (1998)
3) 24" ALU iMac, Background: Solid Aqua Blue
4) 24" ALU iMac, Background: Solid Gray Medium

..."calibrate" THAT!

LK


I'm sure Steve was talking about the aesthetics of the computer vs. the old white one in professional atmosphere.
In any rate, if the pros say it looks more like pro product in a pro setting then what does that say Leon?? Hmm?? Maybe your eyes are worse than you thought. :D
 
I ordered a 20" imac online and the display sucked, so I returned it to an Apple store 1.5 hours away from home, paid 10% restock fee, got a 24". Got home and 24" screen looked like crap, had a very noticeable brightness problem

Did you calibrate it in preferences?

If you took one look at it, went urgh and took it back without calibrating it then I think you've just made a bit of a schoolboy error.
 
If the display is not uniform, it CANNOT be calibrated. You can make one region look better ONLY by making other regions look worse. This effect is demonstrated clearly in photos #1 and #2, above. Improving the lower edge of the screen degrades the upper edge. There is no workaround.

LK

Thats not necessarily true, brightness can effect uneven backlighting uniformly.
These are very good LCDs with backlighting problems from what I've heard.

Also, I read on the Apple forums that there may be a burn in period for these screens. So for those people that keep returning their iMacs, they may not be waiting long enough.
 
Thats not necessarily true, brightness can effect uneven backlighting uniformly.
Yes, brightness can affect the uniformity -- and it does (to a small degree) on my 24" iMac. The gradient is slightly less horrid at full brightness; the left:right luminance ratio drops to "only" 2.2:1 -- rather than 2.5:1.

Pick any backlight brightness level you like; if the display isn't uniform, at that brightness level, it CANNOT be calibrated.

These are very good LCDs with backlighting problems from what I've heard.
Yeah, kinda like a Porsche Carrera with only one broken piston, huh?

Also, I read on the Apple forums that there may be a burn in period for these screens.
Yeah, I think I saw the same thread. As I recall, the Einstein who suggested that based it on his experience with "breaking in" audio speaker cables. OTOH. I will freely admit that CCFLs might change over time -- but I've seen no tangible evidence that any iMac displays have healed themselves. Also, I saw no measurable change in my own 20" and 24" ex-iMacs -- after 3+ weeks of operation, in each case.

...so, after a wire is "broken-in," how long do you have 'til it's "worn-out?"

LK
 
Wow, does LK ever say anything positive? It seems like the only thing LK says positive is when it's Positively Negative. :eek:

Spending way too much time &ithcin' about what's not right, does LK actually run apps and do work on the Mac? I think not. :p
 
Wow, does LK ever say anything positive? It seems like the only thing LK says positive is when it's Positively Negative. :eek:

Spending way too much time &ithcin' about what's not right, does LK actually run apps and do work on the Mac? I think not. :p

You have hardly been helpful to anyone. Telling people they should expect and deal with terrible displays is ridiculous. The real question is do you ever post anything that isn't kissing Apple's ass? I would say no.
 
You have hardly been helpful to anyone. Telling people they should expect and deal with terrible displays is ridiculous. The real question is do you ever post anything that isn't kissing Apple's ass? I would say no.

I was actually answering a question that was posted to me but since you had to butt in and be rude I will answer yours as well.
I spend a great deal of time on these threads posting (the unusual) good things about my iMac rather than find everything humanly possible wrong with it. My posts actually help people rather than trying to dissuade potential buyers.

My thing is why consistently post bad things about your new Mac? Just take it back and walk in the direction of the store that sells a computer that will fit your needs.
I don't have a problem with people posting a new issue but to constantly post over and over? How's that helping anyone and how's the complainer helping himself?

One example, the freezing issue with the iMacs. Well Apple has acknowledged this issue and is working on a fix. Well with many posters saying that they have this issue it's giving the impression that ALL of the iMacs are like that. Well they are not so I will post positive experiences because my iMac works perfectly.

You just like negative posts, that's why you were so rude. I'm sorry I don't remember telling anyone to deal with anything. Point that post out. I'm sure I mentioned to live with it if you have no intention to return it. What other choices are there?
 
I was actually answering a question that was posted to me but since you had to butt in and be rude I will answer yours as well.
I spend a great deal of time on these threads posting (the unusual) good things about my iMac rather than find everything humanly possible wrong with it. My posts actually help people rather than trying to dissuade potential buyers.

My thing is why consistently post bad things about your new Mac? Just take it back and walk in the direction of the store that sells a computer that will fit your needs.
I don't have a problem with people posting a new issue but to constantly post over and over? How's that helping anyone and how's the complainer helping himself?

One example, the freezing issue with the iMacs. Well Apple has acknowledged this issue and is working on a fix. Well with many posters saying that they have this issue it's giving the impression that ALL of the iMacs are like that. Well they are not so I will post positive experiences because my iMac works perfectly.

You just like negative posts, that's why you were so rude. I'm sorry I don't remember telling anyone to deal with anything. Point that post out. I'm sure I mentioned to live with it if you have no intention to return it. What other choices are there?

I hardly like negative posts. Nor is my possibly liking them a reason for being rude. Talk about faulty logic. But one who asks the question "why post bad things?" can expect to receive the question "why post good things?" Who cares if you love you new iMac? I sure as the sun don't. Quite frankly the threads are a waste of time and annoying.

What I find comical is that you bash these people as if they have no complaint whatsoever. Instead of actually acknowledging the problem you again, kiss Apples ass and say, "no screen is perfect" and further insult them by telling them it isn't as bad as they think it is! How helpful!

And my favorite, of which I made a reply to, but of course you never chimed in again, "I only mentioned other AIO's in the industry to point out that the iMac gives more than the competition for less money so expecting the screen to be perfect while maintaining a low cost computer is unreasonable."

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/351264/

Of course, ignoring the thread where everyone praised Apple Gods for giving them a glorious panel, worth $1300! Of course, I can see why you would continue to deny the existence of such problems in the round about, "can't expect perfection, move along" sort of way. When you actually believe that the panel is worth $1300.

Anyhow, I love how you call your points, "unusual," again in an attempt to minimize legitimate complaints. If my iMac is freezing to honestly think I care if yours runs perfectly? If I post a thread saying such and your post the ever so pompous, "Mine works great!," would you not expect me to be a little perturbed?

Giving the impression of a widespread problem has become the duty of forums. If someone can't figure out that any issue is going to be overblown in a specialized forum, they are the ones that aren't being helpful to themselves by actually thinking.

I will admit, you do offer the option of going with something else. but again, that is hardly helpful. You assert that mine is perfect, yet, tell everyone else they can't expect perfection. Of course, your perfection may be taking the defects and living with them, but lets not go there.

Some people want a Mac. Some of those people want an iMac. Some of those people turn out to have a crappy experience. Attempting to minimize their concerns is hardly being a helpful forum member.

You are more than welcome to call me rude, but your posts are pompous and unhelpful. And your continued assertion that anyone with a different opinion than yours is unwelcome is far more rude than anything I could possibly say to you as it harms the image of all members here.
 
Man, so many display problems. This is what scares me the most about buying macs or any laptop for that matter. Its always a gamble to get a good screen. I lucked out with my Dell monitors but even they have some problems with ports. At least they have 5 yr warranties. They look good in DVI and VGA but not so good on the other component ports.

I just keep sending my displays back until I get good ones. If they try to charge me I go manimal on their asses, they usually shut the hell up and give me a new one for free. Had that happen with 5 apple laptops now but apple store has NEVER given me any hassle on exchanges. My 17" imac has been perfect though. Got a winner right out the gate.
 
Yes, brightness can affect the uniformity -- and it does (to a small degree) on my 24" iMac. The gradient is slightly less horrid at full brightness; the left:right luminance ratio drops to "only" 2.2:1 -- rather than 2.5:1.

Pick any backlight brightness level you like; if the display isn't uniform, at that brightness level, it CANNOT be calibrated.


Yeah, kinda like a Porsche Carrera with only one broken piston, huh?


Yeah, I think I saw the same thread. As I recall, the Einstein who suggested that based it on his experience with "breaking in" audio speaker cables. OTOH. I will freely admit that CCFLs might change over time -- but I've seen no tangible evidence that any iMac displays have healed themselves. Also, I saw no measurable change in my own 20" and 24" ex-iMacs -- after 3+ weeks of operation, in each case.

...so, after a wire is "broken-in," how long do you have 'til it's "worn-out?"

LK

I dont think the porsche analogy is applicable more like a HD projector with the wrong kind of bulb or something like that.

Also, the threads on Apple's forums were not just based on experiences with audio chords they actually reported that the yellowing disappeared.
 
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