Recieved my imac 2,4, 24" today and...

[IDanne]

I´m really happy with the screen, the glare is a non issue. I can´t see any gradient or backlight issues so far, I´ve reduced the backlight to minimum and set the background at solid grey. MAYBE a bit more yellowish at the middle but that´s a big maybe. Maybe I´m just seeing things that aren´t there and if it´s even there it´s so little that it doesn´t really matter.
I´m hoping I won´t get any freezing issues and will not download the 1.1 uprade.
I´ll keep you posted but so far I´m happy!
I´ve had bad experiences with apple before(MBP) so I was sceptic this time around.
I just wanted to post a positive review since they´re seldom seen here on the forum.

 

[IDanne]

Sorry, I was maybe a bit optimistic...
After turning all the lights off it does have some uneven backlight issues.
Take a look at these pics.
What do you guys think?

 

[IDanne]

Nobody who can comment?
I really need advice if I should send this unit back or if it´s better than most others out there?
I really like it except for this issue...

Thanks!

 

[PMR]

Well, there's nothing we can do. It's a known problem on new imacs. I thought only 20" had this problem. Mine is brighter in the bottom, maybe some kind of lcd light isolation problem. So, this is not only a LG-Phillips panel problem... I miss my old 20" apple display. And I'm getting crazy just to getting this monitor calibrated!!!! Thankfully my samsung won't let me down in Photoshop

 

[FatSweatyBlldog]

Most LCDs have uneven backlighting

How exactly is the uneven backlighting affecting the performance of the machine for your purposes? (aside from the pyschological factor, which is clearly big)

The reality of LCD technology is that uneven backlighting exists on all but the absolute most expensive LCD monitors (e.g. +$1000).

Turn off the lights and look at a grey or black desktop on any other LCD in your possesion (including laptops) and you can decide the range of uneven backlighting among consumer electronics, and whether your new iMac falls within the acceptable spectrum.

In any case, good luck finding a consumer panel with even backlighting...this is an issue with the technology itself, not just Apple.

 

[PMR]

Uneven backlighting exists, but it's reduced to minimum in several monitors and not appears so frequently as you say. And most of the times is around the edges, not from the middle to bottom like in most of the new imacs. My last displays (20" apple and 19 lacie) had none of these problems. my 20" samsung has a little, but much less compared to my imac.

 

[kkat69]

Well, there's nothing we can do. It's a known problem on new imacs. I thought only 20" had this problem. Mine is brighter in the bottom, maybe some kind of lcd light isolation problem. So, this is not only a LG-Phillips panel problem... I miss my old 20" apple display. And I'm getting crazy just to getting this monitor calibrated!!!! Thankfully my samsung won't let me down in Photoshop

Yep, well documented issue with the iMacs here and especially in the Apple Discussion boards.

I would bookmark the Apple Discussion Intel iMac forums as that is a good place to find people siting errors with their iMacs.

20" have more of a top to bottom issue where as some (not all) but MOST of the 24" Al iMacs have a left to right issue.

You see more posts on the 20" since it uses a lower quality LCD screen and most people have reported the flush/gradient is very horrible on that screen.

Overall I do see I have it on mine but it's not that bad. It's totally livable even when doing some non professional photo editing.

Remember this isn't a "pro" product so they wont' put the super good lcd's in it.

I have total of 5 (including my iMac) LCD's in my house and with the exception of one (rofl as it would be the cheapest 15" lcd) does not have some sort of gradient issue with it. THey aren't that noticable but with a good inspection you can find it. I tried various colored backgrounds and I can see it on them all.

It's almost like getting a new LCD with a dead pixel, it happens. You can exchange it and roll the dice and you might get lucky. Or you might end up with a dead pixel and a bad gradient.

 

[IDanne]

I think I´ll keep it but I´d really like to know if mine is worse than most others!?
So to all 24" Imac owners here, please post your opinion based on the pics!

 

[teiresias]

Well, how noticeable is it to you in the everyday work you do on the machine. That's really the deciding factor. I mean, I have some geometry issues in a CRT monitor that I can't quite get worked out, but after adjusting it to get it "mostly" right I don't even notice it now, a decade later.

Also, don't use single color desktop backgrounds.

Oh, and don't use it in a completely unlit room, perhaps some dim lighting behind the monitor? Create some ambiance!

 

[bc008]

thankfully my 20" iMac has a beautiful screen, and looks better than any screen or moniter in my house.

I actually thought my macbook pros screen was broken, that is how the difference is.


i would say call apple, and maybe just get a pimped out 20" for the money.

 

[ctakim]

For what it is worth, I have a new 24" iMac and it has a very similar uneven brightness. It is dimmer on the right side of the screen. It is not something that bothers me enough to exchange and from the threads I've read, I'm not sure if any iMac is totally free of this problem. Had I not read about it here, though, I am not sure I would have noticed this. For me the color and sharpness are fine. You can adjust your settings to make this problem less apparent, but I don't think you can make it go away.

 

[Kuska]

Uneven backlighting exists, but it's reduced to minimum in several monitors and not appears so frequently as you say. And most of the times is around the edges, not from the middle to bottom like in most of the new imacs. My last displays (20" apple and 19 lacie) had none of these problems. my 20" samsung has a little, but much less compared to my imac.

Worse than my first - about the same as my second - both got returned - once you notice it, it just screws with your head !

 

[vansouza]

how often

Nobody who can comment?
I really need advice if I should send this unit back or if it´s better than most others out there?
I really like it except for this issue...

Thanks!

How often are you going to be viewing the screen looking the way it did in the photo. Speaking just for me, only me, I could give a rats patuti how my screen looks when it is wacked for some screen test. I care about how it looks in every day life; how it looks doing the things i do with it. I'm happy with my screen, it is not 100% perfect for some but it is perfect for me.

You will have to make that decision, we can not do that for you. Good luck.

 

[IDanne]

I´ve decided to send it back and go with a maxed out mac mini 2.0 and a 20" cinema display. I like the fact that I now will get a separate screen what I
don´t like is the downgrade in harddrive and processor.
Well at least I´ll get a matte display although I liked the glossy one I still prefer matte.

 

[jhkingsr]

I came from a mini with a 22" display. My 24" iMac is beautiful and I have no regrets and would never go back. I'm not a professional photographer and don't notice the "defects" that a few talk about. I like not dealing with extra cables and separate power supply. For my everday use, the iMac is perfect.

You'll enjoy the mini as it is a great machine.

 

[PMR]

I´ve decided to send it back and go with a maxed out mac mini 2.0 and a 20" cinema display. I like the fact that I now will get a separate screen what I
don´t like is the downgrade in harddrive and processor.
Well at least I´ll get a matte display although I liked the glossy one I still prefer matte.

I don't find that a smart move by any means. Not only the hdd and cpu are inferior, but you'll get the crappy gma950 with no gaming performance and really bad colors. do you edit photos for a living to make you change the monitor? i believe not, otherwise you wouldn't change the hd2600 for the gma950. My monitor doesn't bothers me unless i'm in PS.

 

[IDanne]

I don't find that a smart move by any means. Not only the hdd and cpu are inferior, but you'll get the crappy gma950 with no gaming performance and really bad colors. do you edit photos for a living to make you change the monitor? i believe not, otherwise you wouldn't change the hd2600 for the gma950. My monitor doesn't bothers me unless i'm in PS.

No, well I used to but not right now. I study graphic design so I will be better off with a matte screen. I won´t use it for games, maybe age of empires or something but that´s nothing it wont be able to handle.
I also like the fact that I get a separate screen, makes for an easier future upgrade.

 

[bluedoggiant]

No, well I used to but not right now. I study graphic design so I will be better off with a matte screen. I won´t use it for games, maybe age of empires or something but that´s nothing it wont be able to handle.
I also like the fact that I get a separate screen, makes for an easier future upgrade.

hope you didnt return the imac yet!!!! that would be a dumb move for the mini live with it, it wont ruin your life, trust me, and wait till next friday, you can get leopard for 10 dollars since you bought it after oct 1st


i am warning you, you are making a bad decision in your computer life!!!!

 

[FatSweatyBlldog]

But you'll get the crappy gma950 with no gaming performance and really bad colors. do you edit photos for a living to make you change the monitor? i believe not, otherwise you wouldn't change the hd2600 for the gma950.

Um, I realize that the GMA950 isn't a gamer's processor (though you'll find plenty of mini folks who play games on their machines), but how exactly does the GMA950=really bad colors? Please explain. Thanks!

 

[PMR]

Let's put it simple, or at least try : I never saw a good driver for the integrated 940/5 950 gfx. The colors tend to be blurry or washed out no matter in which monitor you try to calibrate it. You could put them more vivid but loses contrast, or try to increase gamma and thin lines become blurry, etc. Having several monitor around and working on many computers at the same time, the integrated gfx never pleased me. It could be hardware related or driver, i don't know... But if your not editing pictures, you won't give a crap. same for the gradient problems on imacs.

 

[FatSweatyBlldog]

Let's put it simple, or at least try : I never saw a good driver for the integrated 940/5 950 gfx.

Actually, can you explain your point using the technical specifications of the GMA950 as a basis?

Since, as explained, your statement is based more on your personal experience/opinion can you clarify:

1)What type of mini you last used to form your opinion? (i.e. G4, Core Solo, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo).

2)And, how much RAM the machine in questions had?

Thanks!

 

[HLdan]

I´ve decided to send it back and go with a maxed out mac mini 2.0 and a 20" cinema display. I like the fact that I now will get a separate screen what I
don´t like is the downgrade in harddrive and processor.
Well at least I´ll get a matte display although I liked the glossy one I still prefer matte.

Cool on the mini, please report back on the quality of your 20" Cinema Display after checking it out.

 

[PMR]

Actually, can you explain your point using the technical specifications of the GMA950 as a basis?

Since, as explained, your statement is based more on your personal experience/opinion can you clarify:

1)What type of mini you last used to form your opinion? (i.e. G4, Core Solo, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo).

2)And, how much RAM the machine in questions had?

Thanks!

I never tried a mini, but I worked on asus, vaios, toshibas and my macbook, all with the same "problem", if you can call you that. And yes, all based on experience since I don't know much of integrated gfx and their drivers.

what does the ram and cpu speed has to do with IQ? I don't get your point. If it's about raw performance, we can compare the mini with the macbook since the specs are similar even the 5400 rpm hdd. Nothing to worry here. fast enough for everything if you are not in a hurry. Just the 2Gb of ram can slow things down if you are applying heavy filters in photos in ps/indesign etc. But there you have it, if you are a professional/enthusiast photographer/pic editor, you don't use gma950 (if you have money for more of course).
The fastest PS/InDesign machine I tried it's my brother's dual G5 1.8Ghz with 4Gb of ram. As for FC, Intel destroys it.

 

[FatSweatyBlldog]

I never tried a mini, but I worked on asus, vaios, toshibas and my macbook, all with the same "problem", if you can call you that. And yes, all based on experience since I don't know much of integrated gfx and their drivers.

what does the ram and cpu speed has to do with IQ? I don't get your point. If it's about raw performance, we can compare the mini with the macbook since the specs are similar even the 5400 rpm hdd.

Thanks for confirming your knowledge on the topic. In any case, the only thing I was asking you about was how exactly GMA950=crappy colors. The rest, I have no idea what you were trying to say. No biggie, though.

 

[IDanne]

Well, after finding out that there are good displays out there I´ve decided to get a replacement..
Hopefully this one will be better!
I´ll let you know when it arrives.