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What's going on with Intel iMac build quality?

K

Ken S

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 1, 2006
51
0
Anyone else here have to return or exchange their Intel iMac due to build quality issues?

Believe it or not, I've had to return four iMacs so far. The first three had misaligned LCDs. Apple Support was helpful and responsive, diagnosed the problem and deemed that it would be faster to replace than repair.

My recent fourth unit came very badly scratched out of the box. These were not your typical fine hairline scratches that can only be seen with a bright light at an angle -- those I can live with. They were clear lines running across various sections of the case. Needless to say that one went back too.

While I completely understand that these are mass produced consumer products, I've become a little worried about the overall build quality of the iMac. I still have every intention of buying one but wanted to know if what I'm experiencing is (hopefully) an anomaly. I'm also considering buying from the Retail Store directly just so I don't have to deal with FedEx anymore.
 
Electro Funk said:
I am perfectly happy with the 20" iMac 2ghz w/ 2g Ram...

No complaints whatsoever...
Click to expand...
I agree. Mine is in perfect shape but I've been hearing a lot of problems from people receiving new Intel iMacs. The only good thing so far is I've heard Apple's been very good about taking back the machines and sending out new ones. Sorry to hear about your troubles and hopefully you're next one will be perfect.
 
I had to return 2, both had pixel problems. The third one i got is being repaired. its getting a new hard drive, the original hard drive was ridiculously loud. awesome, very awesome, not.
 
i'm sure it could happen to any computer, even a PowerPC Mac, but i'm not surprised. now that Apple can make cheapies, they're gonna do it. make room for more iPods. haha.

that's what happens with mass market parts, some aren't the best.

not to sound rude, but i hope you get one that works! i mean, a fifth time has to be good for something right?
 
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm sure there's got to be near-flawless iMacs out there, but it sounds like others have had problems too. It's just surprising to get so many bad ones in a row.

Well, who knows, the 5th time might be a charm!

Out of curiosity, which week were your iMacs built in? If you look at your serial number, the fourth and fifth digits signify the week it was manufactured. For example, S/N W8606.... means (W8=China, 6=year 2006, 06=week 06 or sometime in Feb). I had two from week 06, one from 08 and another from 09. Just wondering if there were just some "bad" batches out there.

I sure hope someone at Apple is tracking the return/exchange units and getting the word to manufacturing.
 
Rev a. Buzzing, Hissing..scratches. Lcd issues. Poor wireless. What the hell happened to quality control? Im never buying Rev a products from apple. :mad:
 
progx said:
i'm sure it could happen to any computer, even a PowerPC Mac, but i'm not surprised. now that Apple can make cheapies, they're gonna do it. make room for more iPods. haha.

that's what happens with mass market parts, some aren't the best.

not to sound rude, but i hope you get one that works! i mean, a fifth time has to be good for something right?
Click to expand...
Of course you do realize that the Intel chips are actually more expensive than the PPC, right? (a LOT more expensive than the G4s, marginally more than the G5)

So it's not exactly like they can make "cheapies". They're putting Intels best chip in there, not some Celeron D.
 
While I understand that these are still rev A and they are bound to have some issues, don't they share some common parts and assembly processes with the rev C PPC iMacs? Did the rev C PPC iMac have the same build quality issues?

I wonder if Apple had to try and make up for the lost margin of going to the more expensive Intel Core Duo chips by increasing the yeild by trading off some quality on the Intel iMacs.

I'd like to wait for a rev B Intel iMac, but that's probably quite some time off in the future.
 
wow, I had no idea. I belive I got one of the first when they came out and mine is just a thing of beauty. good luck on the 5th!
 
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