Warning Before You Buy A New Imac

[aliensporebomb]

Hee

I love the posts "wah! I want an imac made with technology that doesn't exist yet outside of a lab!".

That being said, my 27" corei7 was perfect.

That's not to say people have had problems but...

You might consider opening the box in the store to make sure it functions as advertised if you've had a few bad experiences? Stuff does get tossed around in shipping.

 

[raynold2010]

My iMac was made in China for your knowledge and I live in Europe. Unless this forum is for fanboys only I suggest disrespectful people should just NOT post. People have the right to complain. That is democracy. And I wish someone said those hard drives from Seagate are faulty and a SDD can be no wrong. This is the only reason why I want a SDD, not because I have a "regret". So keep your clever observations to yourselves

 

[mlblacy]

Thanks for the counter view

Reading these forums scared the crap out of me. My first apple computer purchase a few weeks ago. 21.5" iMac. It's very nice. Quiet, cool, looks good. This forum made me look like a retard when it first got delivered. If there was video of me, everyone would have a good laugh watching me stare at the thing for yellow tint, put my ear to the thing listening for noises.

In the end, I have windows 7 on it, and I am not the biggest fan of the glossy screen. Aside from that, hardware wise, this is very well designed.

For what it's worth,
-Taank

You illustrate my point perfectly. Silly threads like this sow indecision among those who simply do not know what the real facts are, and my bet is that some of this is on purpose. Be assured if you have a real issue Apple will do their best to get it right. Of you haven't done so yet, get AppleCare. Buy it on Amazon and you will save a few bucks. I believe you have up to a year after your purchase date to buy it... But buy it. I hate extended warranties by nature, but this is the one I always do recommend. Good luck with your iMac, I don't think you will regret it...
Cheers.
Michael

 

[glxyjones]

You illustrate my point perfectly. Silly threads like this sow indecision among those who simply do not know what the real facts are, and my bet is that some of this is on purpose. Be assured if you have a real issue Apple will do their best to get it right. Of you haven't done so yet, get AppleCare. Buy it on Amazon and you will save a few bucks. I believe you have up to a year after your purchase date to buy it... But buy it. I hate extended warranties by nature, but this is the one I always do recommend. Good luck with your iMac, I don't think you will regret it...
Cheers.
Michael

Agreed and that is a very valid point. However, ignoring the poor QA of these iMacs (by not making threads like this) completely masks the issues and empowers Apple to continue down the path of poor QA. If you don't hold companies accountable for their products they'll continue to make crappy products until there's a tipping point and everyone does start complaining.

 

[ninjaslim]

My iMac was made in China for your knowledge and I live in Europe. Unless this forum is for fanboys only I suggest disrespectful people should just NOT post. People have the right to complain. That is democracy. And I wish someone said those hard drives from Seagate are faulty and a SDD can be no wrong. This is the only reason why I want a SDD, not because I have a "regret". So keep your clever observations to yourselves

You mean an SSD...

 

[moocat]

Exactly.

Who cares if it has some yellow blemishes and buzzes a little. Be happy you have a computer.

its not just a whistle... it is headache inducing - at least in my experience.

 

[mlblacy]

It is ok to disagree, really...

My iMac was made in China for your knowledge and I live in Europe. Unless this forum is for fanboys only I suggest disrespectful people should just NOT post. People have the right to complain. That is democracy. And I wish someone said those hard drives from Seagate are faulty and a SDD can be no wrong. This is the only reason why I want a SDD, not because I have a "regret". So keep your clever observations to yourselves

This forum is not just for fanboys, but by the way just by using the term it puts your post in a different light. Another "clever" observation? Difference of opinion is always welcome, and so is an open discussion with differing viewpoints. However, these boards are chock full of flame bait these days. Folks DO come here to escape the open hostility towards all things Apple that is rampant on ArsTechnica, Gizmodo, Engadget, SlashDot, etc (and those are the supposed neutral sites, it is much worse elsewehere).

My so called clever observation about adding in the SSD was relevant to the discussion in that I think it was a detail that was not mentioned previously, and it puts the original post in a different context. If indeed you were successful in convincing Apple to change the specs on your order with no restocking fee, I think you should consider yourself lucky. Furthermore that they would do so in indicative of their GOOD customer service, and not the opposite. If the worse penalty you suffer is time, and not financial, you are lucky.

I have no idea of where the iMac was made is relevant, although I have seen the rumor mill threads that this makes a difference. That does not mean it is factual. You only have to see how the iPhone attena gate fiasco was played out. Most of the facts were lost, or misreported.

Lastly, democracy or not... Making blanket statements that imply all the Seagate drives are faulty is irresponsible, and uses faulty logic to get to that supposition. Furthermore if you believe that a SSD is bulletproof and will never fail, I want to gently prepare you for the fact that it may not be so. Only time will tell on that. I have been around long enough to be skeptical of overhyped claims.

My post was not intended as a personal attack. But if you read the humerous post of the guy who was expecting the worse by making the purchase, you will understand my reasoning for my post.

Peace,
Michael

 

[Blu-Ray]

Am I the only that noticed that the guy below is also the OP?

Nice way to drive traffic to your site sir!!!

Done the same - can't wait around for a 4th time for a replacement with such a high chance of a fault of some kind and their help line at least in the UK is pretty poor as well.

Heck even the Apple Store in Cambridge need some kind of retraining or better organisation. Phone up - they say they have i7 27" in stock as it is advertised in store. Go in, assistant says yes we have them in store, another assistant says no they don't, another says yes they do - they go check, they don't. Repeat

 

[byron_hinson]

Am I the only that noticed that the guy below is also the OP?

Nice way to drive traffic to your site sir!!!

Slightly wrong - I'm not the OP - I did do the article though

 

[TennisandMusic]

ATI 4670M is a huge step from those crappy IGPs that were used before. There isn't a 5xxxM card that could really replace the 4670M. 5470M is a lot slower and 5650M is too close to the 5730M (i.e. Apple's "5670"). IMO 4670M was a great choice because it's still a capable chip and drivers exist already jadajada. Easy and cheap choice for Apple



No Intel chipset supports SATA 6Gb/s or USB 3.0 as of yet. SATA 6Gb/s is likely to be introduced with Cougar Point (P67, H67 and Q67) but USB 3.0 ain't coming before Patsburg (X68). SATA 6Gb/s wouldn't change your life at all because no single mechanical HD can max out the speed of SATA 3Gb/s. Even SSDs are mainly SATA 3Gb/s, especially the ones that Apple use

What about the SATA 3 SSD's?

 

[raynold2010]

For your knowledge you must know that the seagate is known to be an issue since the apple repair center I went to told me they have received a note by apple about it. So keep your fanboyism to yourself. When I asked about another HDD they told me they were not sure which model could fit the best. And since I don't need a 2 to hdd and i dont have the time for testing my only option is ssd. I hope that make things perfectly clear.

Another point is I have a refund because apple must respect the law like anybody else. Not becAuse they are nice people.

 

[mlblacy]

GOOD NEWS ABOUT BUYING A NEW iMAC!

For your knowledge you must know that the seagate is known to be an issue since the apple repair center I went to told me they have received a note by apple about it. So keep your fanboyism to yourself. When I asked about another HDD they told me they were not sure which model could fit the best. And since I don't need a 2 to hdd and i dont have the time for testing my only option is ssd. I hope that make things perfectly clear.

Another point is I have a refund because apple must respect the law like anybody else. Not becAuse they are nice people.

If you believe everything you read, then surely the 2tb drive makes more sense than the SSD, as those seem "safer". The SSD drives are still a bit exotic (read expensive, lol), but clearly offer some advantages over a drive comprised of spinning platters, so I can understand "wanting" one.

That being said, sorry... the seagate stuff is apocryphal heresay, and has nothing to do with my "fanboyism". ANY drive that exhibits clicking sounds is likely defective, that being said all hard drive sounds do not indicate a technical deficiency. Perhaps they were trying trying to satisfy your need for a really quiet hard drive. I simply have no way of knowing this.

Lastly, legally I doubt Apple has to do much more than give you an EXACT duplicate of what you ordered. That they seem to have allowed you to change your specs and add in the SSD, is a big deal, and qualifies as "being nice" in my book. Here in the states the 1tb + the SSD is an additional $600, whereas the 2tb drive is only $150 more than the 1tb drive. If they didn't charge you the additional $600 (US), then you should bake them a cake and send it over right away. Really, that also qualifies as nice in most people's books. I don't see how you can claim they are not trying to make you happy. Perhaps they bought your story of not needing a 2TB hard drive, but I would have my doubts if I was answering the call. An SSD drive is a super premium item, and one with a big ticket expense. They frankly ARE going above and beyond to satisfy you, you don't seem to see that.

The larger point is this... all these posts should be taken with a grain of salt. my own included I suppose. Folks have motives. Some folks simply churn flamebait to drive traffic to their website, like our friend Byron. Who may or may not be you. You did get to lead off the discussion how you are consumed with anger, and also the BIG BOLD HEADLINE... "Warning Before You Buy A New Imac". Mission accomplished?

Lastly for you poor souls trying to discern the truth in all this, here is an entertaining read: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/840983/
The date of the posts are from December 2009. Decide for yourself folks. I am trudging forward with my order for my 27" i7 with no worries. Lastly, for what it is worth, my headline is in caps... too bad yours is leading off the discussion.
peace?
michael

 

[JHorstmann]

To each his own...

The fact of the matter is, and this is reiterated hundreds of times in these forums- an apathetic towards Apple would not be on this forum. This forum is either for people who love Apple to some respect, or hate it to some respect. So naturally it's hard for every post to appear neutral. Here is one thing that I think the OP has overlooked.

In order for a product to hit the shelves, it has to work- clearly not every one WILL work like it's designed, but there is a lower percentage of defective rates than this forum would allude to.

Also a few questions- #1, how do people have no time to get replacements? I mean, I understand it takes awhile, but so many people have stayed with their original "defective" machine because they just "don't have time for this" and I don't totally understand what timetable they are on where they needed a new iMac now, and cannot wait for a new one to get replaced.

#2 How does 1 defective machine justify a thread titled "Warning Before You Buy A New Imac" as if all of these machines are tiny Deceptacons? I understand you got a bad machine, I feel your pain, but I feel like these kind of threads are the derivative of any poster who creates a new thread "I love My iMac." If you got a good one, awesome. If you didn't, I'm sorry, tell us about it, get it fixed- but PLEEASSSE- let's try not to get super dramatic here.

As far as the OP saying "People have the right to complain. That is democracy. And I wish someone said those hard drives from Seagate are faulty and a SDD can be no wrong... So keep your clever observations to yourselves" In other words, this is a democracy so I can complain, but you can't go to an extent to tell me I'm overreacting.

OP, I'm sorry you got a faulty iMac, I wish you the best of luck getting a new one, or a new computer- as far as I can tell though, Apple is doing the right thing for you and for them.

 

[stonemann]

ATI 4670M is a huge step from those crappy IGPs that were used before. There isn't a 5xxxM card that could really replace the 4670M. 5470M is a lot slower and 5650M is too close to the 5730M (i.e. Apple's "5670"). IMO 4670M was a great choice because it's still a capable chip and drivers exist already jadajada. Easy and cheap choice for Apple

But the ATI 4670 isn't a match for the 5670 is it? I'm only asking as I imagine most people spring for the 21.5" 3.2 iMac mainly for the improved graphics card.

 

[TheBritishBloke]

For your knowledge you must know that the seagate is known to be an issue since the apple repair center I went to told me they have received a note by apple about it. So keep your fanboyism to yourself. When I asked about another HDD they told me they were not sure which model could fit the best. And since I don't need a 2 to hdd and i dont have the time for testing my only option is ssd. I hope that make things perfectly clear.

Another point is I have a refund because apple must respect the law like anybody else. Not becAuse they are nice people.

Your posts are just getting childish. And you've not even said much, just that "I've had the same problems as the author" which probably means you have a slight hard drive ticking and this is your first replacement.

These things happen deal with it, apple will fix it, rather than going to forums for attention.

 

[reeley]

Guess What, I am bucking the trend

Unlike most, I am not going to complain.

I have just treated myself to a imac I5 27. (to go with my MAcbook 13 that I bought in January)

Bl00dy WOW!!!

It is absolutely stunning. It has replaced my old Packard Bell XP machine (just died after about 10 years service) and my 3+ year old Mesh Dual Core Win7 machine which has just eaten its third harddrive and I just gave up!.

I have a small problem in that I can only load Vista on bootcamp (problem with Win7 that I can't be bothered to follow the convoluted work arounds).

The Apple side is magnificent, the screen just blows you away, the quality is worth every single damn penny!!! On the Bootcamp side, Vista flies faster than it ever ever went on the Mesh PC and is fine for the family for what they need.

As long as I get a few years out of it I will still be smiling. Looking at similarly specced all in ones ( try getting a quad core with a 27in screen!) the Apple is actually probably quite cheap and is certainly exceedingly good value.


So, bucking the trend, here is one guy coming on here to praise and not complain.

No I don't work for apple. I started using Windows 1.0 (and retired an Apple IIe to do so!) and have been a convinced Windows user until this year. I finally got sick of the anti virus anti trojan bloatware that I had to buy.

My only beef? Well, if I have to find one, it is that I have to run MS Access on bootcamp, and that OfficeMAC currently doesn't support VBA, but crikey, not exactly earth shattering gripes

 

[Anders Fischer]

What the?

What a stupid thread.
My iMac 27" i7 is all fine.
The HDD isn't noisy at all.
What a load of crap.

 

[panzer06]

Wrong. Thats extremely cheap considering the power and value, especially in this slumping economy with the poor $ value. Would you rather be paying $4000-$8000 for a decent desktop computer like I was in 1985? If so, My AT&T PC6300 is for sale.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who had one of those! iMac is a much better value.

Cheers,

 

[Jimmdean]

But the ATI 4670 isn't a match for the 5670 is it? I'm only asking as I imagine most people spring for the 21.5" 3.2 iMac mainly for the improved graphics card.

The 5670 is better, but not the leap that is was last time going from a 9400M integrated card to a 4670.

 

[Hellhammer]

What about the SATA 3 SSD's?

There aren't that many of them available yet. When Cougar Point is released sometime in this this year, there will be more SATA 6Gb/s SSD and HDs because then most new computers has it, no need for discrete chip which is only found in some motherboards like now. Next iMac should have it as Apple will likely use Cougar Point and Sandy Bridge

But the ATI 4670 isn't a match for the 5670 is it? I'm only asking as I imagine most people spring for the 21.5" 3.2 iMac mainly for the improved graphics card.

ATI 5670 aka 5730M is better than 4670M but not significantly. You can compare them yourself

http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4670.13881.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5730.23825.0.html

 

[ouimetnick]

Sucks to be you, you'll see no sympathy from me. If every man-made device were perfect there wouldn't be any need for a warranty.

No, but Apple says they offer better products that their competiors. It seems that the new iMacs (2009 and newer) lack QC. Yellow tinted screens, light leaks, un even backlighting, Noisy hard drives, failing hard drives, noisy screens, noisy Power Supplies. Thats a lot of flaws for a computer that costs $1199+ I know that my friends can't just shell out $1199, and if they did, they would expect nothing short of perfection, considering they have Windows PCs with no problems (hardware wise)

 

[moocat]

What a stupid thread.
My iMac 27" i7 is all fine.
The HDD isn't noisy at all.
What a load of crap.

what a stupid comment - just because yours is fine doesn't mean it is the same for everyone else.

 

[raynold2010]

Hi guys.

Today, I've finally received my new new iMac.

27 inches, intel core i3, 8 gb RAM, AND... SSD.

No more problems apparently. the computer is GREAT. Life is GREAT.

SSD is the way to go. It's really fast. And quiet. Wish I knew that before. No more humming, no more dog whistle, no yellow tint. Screen's great.



And the new iTunes icon sucks, really. Change that guys, it's a shame.

 

[robo456]

Exactly.

Who cares if it has some yellow blemishes and buzzes a little. Be happy you have a computer.

I guess it's just me, but if I spend over $2000 on a machine, it better be perfect!

**EDIT**
...and congrats on your new machine OP! Enjoy it!

--rob

 

[wirelessness]

I love Apple but this new model is sure a rotten one.

I know I shouldn't feed the Trolls but it's hard to resist.

If you are willing to spend over $2K on a computer without doing your own research and do diligence beforehand you have no one to blame but yourself.

This is NOT a NEW MODEL. This is only a minor hardware update to a model that has been out for several years now. ALL of the issues you mentioned are WELL KNOWN and WELL DOCUMENTED.

To buy the iMac 27" and then act totally surprised when you find out about these issues is pretty naive. A smart person would have been prepared to test the device out for these known issues fulling expecting to have to exchange it if needed. The fact that you have not planned for this possibility shows lack of forethought.

Now, I will fully admit that for the money these issues should not occur. However, when you want to have cutting edge technology sometimes you run into a few speed-bumps along the way. There is not another manufacturer offering a high resolution 27" integrated CPU anywhere. Not even close.

The bottom line is, while it might be a hassle Apple will back the iMac with it's reputation. If anyone is not happy then can get an exchange (sometimes many) or return it.