Who's changed their mind about the 27" iMac because of the issues?

[Norskman]

I was completely sold on the 27" iMac. It looks gorgeous and the specs are great for suck a slick all-in-one solution, but after following threads here I will not be buying one until I know for sure it's fixed.

I really have to give kudos to those of you going through 3-4, even even more, returns, trying to get a perfect display. Just sounds like this first generation 27" machine has some issues that need to be worked out.

Who here has also changed their mind, possibly waiting to see what's happening?

 

[henrikrox]

Im one of those people who changed their minds because of the noises, cracking noices, yellow tinting etc.

i remember every day going to the local apple retail store here in norway to look at the gorgeus display. But i think i made a wise choice, yes i could have gotten one and it would been perfect, but its not that long (couple of monts perphaps) until a update.

So that combined with all the problems made me wait for the next revision.

 

[TMRaven]

I changed my mind to wait on one until apple started offering screen replacements and putting the new replacements in their factory shipments.

I received my iMac last month, and the screen is near perfect, but not uniform in color. I'd say on a scale of 1-10 for perfection, the screen I got is an 8.

If the time comes where I would want to replace this screen for a better one (which won't be likely) I got a whole year, because apple gives everybody a 1 year limited warranty.

You really shouldn't be that afraid of the current iMacs. I doubt the next refresh would offer that much improvement at all. Probably the best you could hope for would be a lynnfield 870-- and according to rumors and reports, a mobility 5750 (which is not one bit more powerful than the mobility 4850)

 

[henrikrox]

Im not spending alot of money on a computer thats 8/10. How stupid is it to even accept a 8/10. Ur buying quality products, then u shouldnt settle for average, then you just let apple get away with it.

on another note, the 5750 is faster then the 4850, not much, but its better, read tests. also the screen isses hopefully be solved by then, the first revision on a new product almost allways have some kind of faults.

 

[TMRaven]

To be honest, I'd give 9/10 other screens I've seen on any computer an 8/10.

You must show me these "tests" I should read.

The mobility 4850 and 5750 are two totally different stories. The mobility 4850 is based directly on its desktop brother, and is meant for high-end laptops.
The mobility 5750 is actually just a slightly faster mobility 5650, which is a middle-of-the line mobility card meant for mediumly priced notebooks. The current gaming benchmarks show the 5650 to have roughly half the performance of the 4850.

Also, mobility 5750 has half the bandwidth and half the amount of shaders.

The only thing 5750 has going for it is a cooler operating temperature and direct x 11 support. Other than that, I'd expect the performance to be worse.

 

[Kalison]

I have gone through three and now they are sending a tech to my place to replace the LCD with a known good batch, according to my AppleCare agent. If this doesn't work I am demanding a refund and taking my money somewhere else.

 

[henrikrox]

Where do you read stuff. Damn. 5750 uses gddr5 for starters instead of gddr3. Heres the list. You should do better research next time around.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3658 (in the middle of the page) 5750 got higher core clock, memory clock, more transistor etc.

More links:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9vgJ1nwu_xA/S1JBw7u_f9I/AAAAAAAAB2s/g-_bgXVnIuw/s1600/perfrel_1920.gif

More tests u say? okay.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3658&p=6
36.6 fps far cry 2 5750
18.5 fps far cry 2 4850

I can go on forever mate if u want more results.

 

[auero]

I've kept checking back to purchase one but I've given up. Just don't want to go through the hassle.

 

[kazmac]

Sadly, I have changed my mind on these current iMacs. I had many of the same problems with a 21.5" inch model which was returned last week.

I applaud the patience and the good cheer of folks who have the strength to return dud after dud and hope for good. Unfortunately, once is one more time than I can deal with right now.

 

[henrikrox]

i also do salute the people who goes trough weeks of waiting, returning getting new imacs again and again, but enough is enough. There is obviously something wrong with the current imacs, i dont care if apple says its fixed, it cant be if u look at all the threads about the issue.

And i also think its mind baffling that people settle for an imac with problems. That just seems weird.

 

[TMRaven]

Those are all values for desktop grade gpus.

For sounding so confident, someone's off to a bad start!

 

[Norskman]

If I'm spending $2400+ for a computer, no matter what brand, it better be damn near perfect, by my eyes. It might not be to the trained eye, but I know I'd be able to see the gray band, the yellowing and the red bar quite easily. I would be one of those returning it, and after a replacement with the same issues, I'd ask for a refund.

After reading the similarities between the Samsung LED LCD panels and the iMac panels I'm putting my money on fragile LED panel and rough shipping, explaining why it is so hit and miss.

I'll try and stay positive, give them the benefit of the doubt, and let them work it out with the next revision. I'd be just as happy spending $3,000 on a Mac Pro with more possibilities and just live with my Dell 24" for now, until I can afford a new display.

 

[IndustrialSpace]

Strangely, I get the sense that Apple doesn't really care and are playing the statisics/numbers game. They have a marketing/profit model which allows them to financially minimize the impact of any consumer complaints arising from the shipment of defective screens. It's a volume game with refurbs and fed by an AppleCare insurance "Pool."

Apple isn't sweating this. Clearly there are many who don't mind settling for minor blemishes on their computer.

Let's just hope that the next revision will truly "address" this issue. For all you know, that is what Apple's ambiguous statement implied.

 

[zappster]

Personally, I don't think the issues have affected my buying decision. It's definitely disheartening to read all the negative posts on this forum. But at the same time, people are more prone to write about the negatives rather than the positives.

At this point, I'm waiting for the next speed bump in hopes that Apple uses i5 and i7 core for all versions of the iMac. Whether that's in June or next fall, I can wait.

And if the complaints and issues don't stop, I will be more than happy to pick up a Mac Mini.

 

[rhinosrcool]

Strangely, I get the sense that Apple doesn't really care and are playing the statisics/numbers game. They have a marketing/profit model which allows them to financially minimize the impact of any consumer complaints arising from the shipment of defective screens. It's a volume game with refurbs and fed by an AppleCare insurance "Pool."

Apple isn't sweating this. Clearly there are many who don't mind settling for minor blemishes on their computer.

Let's just hope that the next revision will truly "address" this issue. For all you know, that is what Apple's ambiguous statement implied.

I agree. It is pretty sad though that people "settle" for these flaws. To this day, in 5 different Apple stores, I have not seen a 27" iMac that was without the yellowing.

 

[cmvsm]

Didn't affect my buying decision. As long as you have Applecare, you're covered. I exchanged mine out once, and then had the screen replaced in that one. No productivity lost as I was able to keep my first computer while a replacement was sent out, and was out of town while the screen was being replaced locally. Everything is on an external, so no biggie.

The computer...screen...everything is spot on. Was it worth it?? You bet your A$$. This is the best iMac that I've owned, and this is my third model. I just can't say enough good things about it.

For those of you who are holding back, I understand to an extent, but you are missing out!

 

[Burnincoco]

I Changed my mind even if I always buy applecare. Will not buy until a perfect fix is official and comes out of the belts that way.

 

[unixfool]

If I'm spending $2400+ for a computer, no matter what brand, it better be damn near perfect, by my eyes. It might not be to the trained eye, but I know I'd be able to see the gray band, the yellowing and the red bar quite easily. I would be one of those returning it, and after a replacement with the same issues, I'd ask for a refund.

After reading the similarities between the Samsung LED LCD panels and the iMac panels I'm putting my money on fragile LED panel and rough shipping, explaining why it is so hit and miss.

I'll try and stay positive, give them the benefit of the doubt, and let them work it out with the next revision. I'd be just as happy spending $3,000 on a Mac Pro with more possibilities and just live with my Dell 24" for now, until I can afford a new display.

If you're spending that much for an iMac, its because of the additional internals. A base i7 is $1999, which is an average price for the hardware specs, IMO. It's not like you're buying a Ferrari or anything like that...seriously...a lot of people are acting like these things are hand-built by master crafters or something. As nice as they look and as robust as they are, they're just computers with the same parts as most PCs. I can't think of even one computer that I bought (no matter the manufacturer) where I didn't have at least one major issue that affected many others.

Then again, I'm supremely happy with my iMac. It's a tool...it doesn't have to be perfect, as long as it works and as long as there aren't any major issues that hinder my usage of it.

Some of these posts aren't making any sense, though I agree that if you don't like the product, selling it and getting something more to your liking makes better sense than swapping out multiple units.

There's no such thing as perfect.

 

[henrikrox]

Personally, I don't think the issues have affected my buying decision. It's definitely disheartening to read all the negative posts on this forum. But at the same time, people are more prone to write about the negatives rather than the positives.

At this point, I'm waiting for the next speed bump in hopes that Apple uses i5 and i7 core for all versions of the iMac. Whether that's in June or next fall, I can wait.

And if the complaints and issues don't stop, I will be more than happy to pick up a Mac Mini.

Thats true about the negative vs positives stuff. But i get the feeling that i know there must be so many people out there with imacs with yellow/noise issues, and that they dont even know about it.

Like for instance, one of my friends bought an imac right after christmas, and he loved it, he called it the perfect machine etc. After he had for a week i tested it for yellow/grey and it clearly got it. That makes me wonder that the average consumer dont know about this, and its so hard to spot if u dont know what ur looking for, and apple gets away with it.

I also have this feeling people (after reading on the forums) that have gone trough the process of getting a replacement a bunch of times, just are now settling for a half decent imac. And that's just sad in so many ways

 

[henrikrox]

Didn't affect my buying decision. As long as you have Applecare, you're covered. I exchanged mine out once, and then had the screen replaced in that one. No productivity lost as I was able to keep my first computer while a replacement was sent out, and was out of town while the screen was being replaced locally. Everything is on an external, so no biggie.

The computer...screen...everything is spot on. Was it worth it?? You bet your A$$. This is the best iMac that I've owned, and this is my third model. I just can't say enough good things about it.

For those of you who are holding back, I understand to an extent, but you are missing out!

Thats good for you, but not everyone has a backup computer when they just spend 1700 dollars on a imac, and most people dont have convient placed vacation when they imac is getting replaced.

And yes maybe people are missing out, but the waiting isnt in vain. Also (personal preference here) i just feel the current imac lacks so many imporant features/featureset that is already out there, that makes it a lackluster computer, besides the cpu ofcourse.

 

[jtap]

The first iMac I received was a 27" 3.06 C2D from BB. I did not notice any yellow tint, however there was a very noticeable dead pixel in the middle of the screen. It took me two days to notice it, but once I did I couldn't stop noticing it every time I had a browser window open. I decided to get a refund and order the i5. I love the power of the i5 processor, but this display has VERY apparent yellowing.

I couldn't believe it as I just received it less than 2 weeks ago(I thought the problem had been fixed). There is also another dead pixel, however it is in the lower left of the screen so I don't really mind that. There is also what looks like two gray bars running along the bottom of the screen, I don't even mind this as it gives the dock a "shadow" look . The yellowing, however, is unbelievably awful. If I have a white background website open it is like a gradient effect from the top to bottom.

I don't want to wait another two weeks for a replacement(and probably get another bad one). I also am going through Best Buy so I will probably have to return this one for a refund and order another.

I am planning on waiting a few months and taking it to an Apple store, the closest one being 3 hours away in Chicago. Hopefully by then the problem will be dealt with.

 

[MrFrodo]

I read a lot here about all the issues and I still ordered an 27' i7 iMac, mostly for working with my photos. Yesterday it arrived. Almost instantly when I turned it on I saw substantial yellow tinge and also greybanding. The test later with the testsite confirmed it. Also my wife saw it. So send it back?

I started to check out various applications and looked at a selection of photos. While doing that it was impossible to see anything unusual.

So - yes, I would prefer a completely white screen and if at one time Apple has solved the issue and there is a 99% chance to get a perfect screen, when asking for a fix, then I might contact Apple. But until then I can work perfectly fine with the one I have right now.

Even knowing that I would get exactly this display I would have still ordered the iMac because all the advantages outweigh this little issue by far.

 

[bobob]

Like for instance, one of my friends bought an imac right after christmas, and he loved it, he called it the perfect machine etc. After he had for a week i tested it for yellow/grey and it clearly got it.

"Cause that's what friends are for." - Reverend Killjoy

 

[Norskman]

If you're spending that much for an iMac, its because of the additional internals. A base i7 is $1999, which is an average price for the hardware specs, IMO. It's not like you're buying a Ferrari or anything like that...seriously...a lot of people are acting like these things are hand-built by master crafters or something. As nice as they look and as robust as they are, they're just computers with the same parts as most PCs. I can't think of even one computer that I bought (no matter the manufacturer) where I didn't have at least one major issue that affected many others.

Then again, I'm supremely happy with my iMac. It's a tool...it doesn't have to be perfect, as long as it works and as long as there aren't any major issues that hinder my usage of it.

Some of these posts aren't making any sense, though I agree that if you don't like the product, selling it and getting something more to your liking makes better sense than swapping out multiple units.

There's no such thing as perfect.

I was looking at getting the 27" with 8GB RAM and 2TB hd. With tax, that's my price more or less. I would expect a 27" display on par with other LED LCD's free of defects. As a consumer, this is not unreasonable to ask for.

I see some of the comments that people will live with the blemishes, and that's too bad. Apple has a reputation for delivering really good looking hardware that "just works", looks awesome and caters to professionals, especially in design and media production. Maybe they're trying to shed that niche in favor of the general consumer, and therefore have lowered their quality to offer a better price point.

If that is the case, I think it's a mistake and will hurt their branding.

 

[Paulyboy]

I can't say I've completely changed my mind but the issues have certainly given me pause. But I went to the local Apple Store the other night and got to extensively play around with all the 27" demo ones and they were all quiet and had perfect (in my eyes) displays. So go figure.

I think you also have to factor in the widespread reports that Apple is selling these things like crazy and that the issues may be magnified to us forum readers because of the negative posts. So it really makes that refurb I7 awfully tempting. I've never had a top of a line Mac and I promised myself that I wouldn't cheap out next time and I'd get the top of the (in this case) iMac line. The I7 is the biggest jump I would be making between Macs in my 24 years of using Macs and I could certainly make use of some of it's power right away. Ironically it would cost less than what I paid for the stock 24" iMac in late 2006.

However, in my 24 years and 7 Macs I've never had a single issue or even purchased AppleCare. I fear this iMac might break both of those streaks. I would still have my 2006 iMac in case it didn't work out but that's only a minor consolation.

So basically I've went from certain buy (why wouldn't it be a certain buy if it didn't have any issues? ) to I just don't really know. It's a day-to-day thing for me now. Damn you Apple.

-PN