Why I will not try to buy another iMac 27 - i7

[laff2]

Long time MacRumors Reader, first time posting...I read the posts and have seen the opinions on the 27" i7's...

I so wanted this to work out, but after six attempts to purchase a iMac i7 I am at the end of my rope. I write this as I am now online over two hours to set up a return with Apple (Support already decided it need to be returned). Waiting for store side.

As a long time mac user I have been through problems with some past iMac's and Macbook Air's...but this is amazing. Some of you have been very lucky (I wish I was one). Just want to share my experience so everyone else can take it for what its worth and try to get a good iMac (which you may on try #1) or wait.

Recap-

Unit #1: Refurb - Scratchy Hard Drive/ Fan would come on a lot/ Yellow was very bad through 1/3 of screen.

Unit #2: Refurb - Arrived with fully shattered screen and no damage to box.

Unit #3: Refurb - Hinge was so loose you could swing it extremely easily with one finger.

Unit #4: New - Apple said they are sorry and they replaced my refurb with a new one at no charge. Was working great then on day 3, the bluetooth hardware died in the iMac and a couple of the USB's went bad out of the blue. Apple said swap it out for another one.

Unit #5: New - The screen out of the box at the store was white on one side of the screen and dark on the other. The right bottom corner would light up about very bright on 1/3 of the corner of pitch black screen as if it was a xmas tree of white light. They were out of i7's - Returned.

Unit #6: Refurb - Came today, there are large pieces of dark black specks stuck between the screen and glass. The hinge is very loose so any vibration or minor bump to the desk makes the monitor move downwards.

So add my time on the phone with support at Apple, going to the Apple store and dragging in the brick of an iMac and tons of time...I think, for me, I am done.

 

[mtnDewFTW]

Wow.. it almost sounds like Apple were trying to mess with you.
I mean, how in the hell could you not get a single working machine. That's just ridiculous!

But, I think I would have done the same, just return it. But this is just amazing. You should post it on some blog or something for more people to know these issues, maybe then Apple will step up their game.

What're you gonna do now? Go for a different Mac, or are you done with Apple completely?

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

It's sad to see the once pristine quality go down hill from the best hi tech co. One thing is for certain, my imac days are over.

 

[Tom71]

Read this post just when I'm deciding of buying one...

 

[Omnigray]

me too, that's really disheartening

 

[124c41]

dayum, that sucks... i guess i should be happy with the one i've got in spite of the petty software aggro's...

 

[After G]

Wow, I was thinking of going iPad + iMac for my next hardware purchases too.

Nothing to add but to say sorry for your bad luck ... even the opened ones in the store ...

Maybe write Steve Jobs or something ... if only to fix the problems for anyone else who is going the same route you are.

 

[turugara]

that sounds like really really horrible luck.

 

[mocsharp]

that sounds like really really horrible luck.

I'm thinking to return my 3rd replacement as well. (this is actually the 6th unit i've own)
1) from MacConnection (i5)=> yellow
2) replacement from Apple store => yellow => refund due to low stock in jan
3) from MacConnection again (i5)=> yellow => returned to MC
4) from MacConnection (i7) => yellow in the center
5) replacement from Apple care => more yellow in the center
6) replacement from Apple store => current unit

I was actually going to accept the very minor yellowing on this one but boot camp just didn't work, not with any version of windows (xp, vista, 7), not even DOS. The screen just goes blank when i try to boot from windows/dos.

Has anyone updated their 27" imac with the latest firmware and having this issue?

Another issue is the yellow background on finder windows, as i've posted in the other thread. http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=227184&d=1274515180

 

[Labaguette]

so finally i can forget about getting a 27" iMac

@mocsharp The issue you got there with Bootcamp is windows-based. you have to delete the ATI driver for your graphics card included in windows (via Mac OS X) and after it has booted using a generic VGA driver you can install a new ATI Catalyst.
Let me know if this works
regards

 

[mrwonkers]

I guess I'm a lucky one then only 2 attempts, writing this on my iMac now. My first was purchased through an Apple reseller and had yellow screen, and DVD drive scratched the living crap out of all discs. Apple gave me a discount voucher 4 my trouble and co-ordinated a refund through the reseller 4 me. I purchased a refurb unit hoping that they would go through some sort of testing process as opposed to new machines which it seems are just built and shipped. The refurb is perfect and in the end using the discount voucher and a little charm I managed to purchase the refurb iMac 4 25% less than a new one costs. I have run the iMac extremely hard to see if I can make it cry/explode die and I'm pleased to say all attempts to date have failed. I think for the volume of units that are actually produced there will always be failures especially with a Gen 1 product. I know 2 others who have purchased new iMacs recently and they are also perfect. I think Apple have ironed out the majority of issues with both newly manufactured & refurbs units.
Older stock may still be in circulation and these units could well be the ones causing so many Mac lovers to cry
This is without doubt my fav Mac to date and I have had many.
Good luck to all would b imac purchasers out there...

Long time MacRumors Reader, first time posting...I read the posts and have seen the opinions on the 27" i7's...

I so wanted this to work out, but after six attempts to purchase a iMac i7 I am at the end of my rope. I write this as I am now online over two hours to set up a return with Apple (Support already decided it need to be returned). Waiting for store side.

As a long time mac user I have been through problems with some past iMac's and Macbook Air's...but this is amazing. Some of you have been very lucky (I wish I was one). Just want to share my experience so everyone else can take it for what its worth and try to get a good iMac (which you may on try #1) or wait.

Recap-

Unit #1: Refurb - Scratchy Hard Drive/ Fan would come on a lot/ Yellow was very bad through 1/3 of screen.

Unit #2: Refurb - Arrived with fully shattered screen and no damage to box.

Unit #3: Refurb - Hinge was so loose you could swing it extremely easily with one finger.

Unit #4: New - Apple said they are sorry and they replaced my refurb with a new one at no charge. Was working great then on day 3, the bluetooth hardware died in the iMac and a couple of the USB's went bad out of the blue. Apple said swap it out for another one.

Unit #5: New - The screen out of the box at the store was white on one side of the screen and dark on the other. The right bottom corner would light up about very bright on 1/3 of the corner of pitch black screen as if it was a xmas tree of white light. They were out of i7's - Returned.

Unit #6: Refurb - Came today, there are large pieces of dark black specks stuck between the screen and glass. The hinge is very loose so any vibration or minor bump to the desk makes the monitor move downwards.

So add my time on the phone with support at Apple, going to the Apple store and dragging in the brick of an iMac and tons of time...I think, for me, I am done.

 

[fhall1]

I was actually going to accept the very minor yellowing on this one but boot camp just didn't work, not with any version of windows (xp, vista, 7), not even DOS. The screen just goes blank when i try to boot from windows/dos.

Has anyone updated their 27" imac with the latest firmware and having this issue?

Are you by chance using a USB connected monitor with Displaylink drivers?

 

[kazmac]

wow

Sorry you had to go through all that. I went through a few returns as well, but only my initial new iMac had serious problems.

While I'm happy with my refurb 20" and new MBP 13", I may just leave the iMac behind whenever I'm ready for a refresh (in this case, years from now since I'm continuing university).

Whenever I've rec'd a dud iMac (2 out of 4 in the 11 years I've been using them), I eventually move toward getting a refund (esp. if it's an immediate problem). Bummer the refurbs were awful. I've the best apple customer relations help with the refurbs.

I really hope Apple comes through for you laff2, bummer you had such a lousy experince.

 

[sadcamper]

Sucks you had to go through all that...I recently purchased my first iMac (21.5 refurb) and it had the yellow-screen issue. I read all the horror stories on here, so I asked for a refund instead of attempting an exchange.

I finally decided I would wait to see if the problem worked itself out, but I'm now beginning to think that won't happen. I *may* attempt buying directly from the Apple Store so I can easily return it (returning via UPS has proved to be a long and painful experience).

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Apples made in China quality control isnt what it use to be, I went through 2 units and then quit but to go through 6 thats just amazing. I think a lot of the problems are caused by shipping it around the world and lets face it these things are getting banged up big time before they arrive. My second box had a hole all the way through both boxes and I think it was a plunger pushing this down another track at a Fedx plant. Another reason why I dont like the all in one because if one item has a issue your stuck taking the whole thing back. A separate computer and then monitor or HDTV seems to be a better choice and so im waiting for a better Mini or a new Macintosh thats not all in freakin one. Good Luck

 

[staralfur]

Some brutal experiences on here which I can see would put people off buying.
But then again, I got a 27 inch iMac a month ago which was perfect and hasn't skipped a beat.

 

[johnnymg]

Long time MacRumors Reader, first time posting...I read the posts and have seen the opinions on the 27" i7's...

I so wanted this to work out, but after six attempts to purchase a iMac i7 I am at the end of my rope. I write this as I am now online over two hours to set up a return with Apple (Support already decided it need to be returned). Waiting for store side.
snip.............

Ouch................. you should definitely give up on the imac. Sometimes the zen of the Apple product line just doesn't work for some people.

good luck with whatever computer you purchase in the future

 

[IndustrialSpace]

Unfortunately, there have been MANY stories similar to yours. Apple has really created a disaster with this new iMac line. The amount of problems are incredible!

It has become clearly evident that Apple quality has gone way down with regards to their computers. Their resources are more allocated towards their mobile line of products with the staple iMac being given ancillary consideration within their buisness model. Right now, they're seeding the mobile world with their devices amongst very strong competition for a mode of product determined to be a fixture in everyone' life. Apple is reinforcing their anchor in this consumer mobile world. To effectively capture this market and become synonomous with it (Apple is well on the road w/iPhone and iPad), one needs to divert and focus resources accordingly. iMac seems to be a casuality of this thinking.

I really don't understand how Apple can allow someone to receive several defective machines. For it to happen to one or two customers is one thing, but the sheer volume of reports from people who have had to return and replace multiple times (3-8 repalcements) is astonishing. It seems this problem is not really a "problem" per se, but the norm with these back-lit LED screens innovated by Apple. The defective yellow tint found randomly scattered throughout the screen is inherent in the desgin and stated as such in the iMac patent. See for yourself. THAT is why everyone seems to have some yellowing. It's not really "defective," but more a design flaw (or infancy) by the lack of precison in which this technology was implemented.

 

[alent1234]

wow, do you work for Adobe by chance? or Google?

 

[slicecom]

wow, do you work for Adobe by chance? or Google?

You have no response for his facts and logic, so you accuse him of working for the competition. You'd make a good politician.

 

[mrwonkers]

Unfortunately, there have been MANY stories similar to yours. Apple has really created a disaster with this new iMac line. The amount of problems are incredible!

It has become clearly evident that Apple quality has gone way down with regards to their computers. Their resources are more allocated towards their mobile line of products with the staple iMac being given ancillary consideration within their buisness model. Right now, they're seeding the mobile world with their devices amongst very strong competition for a mode of product determined to be a fixture in everyone' life. Apple is reinforcing their anchor in this consumer mobile world. To effectively capture this market and become synonomous with it (Apple is well on the road w/iPhone and iPad), one needs to divert and focus resources accordingly. iMac seems to be a casuality of this thinking.

I really don't understand how Apple can allow someone to receive several defective machines. For it to happen to one or two customers is one thing, but the sheer volume of reports from people who have had to return and replace multiple times (3-8 repalcements) is astonishing. It seems this problem is not really a "problem" per se, but the norm with these back-lit LED screens innovated by Apple. The defective yellow tint found randomly scattered throughout the screen is inherent in the desgin and stated as such in the iMac patent. See for yourself. THAT is why everyone seems to have some yellowing. It's not really "defective," but more a design flaw (or infancy) by the lack of precison in which this technology was implemented.

Assuming that the problem is wide scale on this particular model is absurd. For every person in a forum who got a "crap" iMac I'm sure there are 100's more people who got a perfectly functional iMac. Apple are producing more machines now than ever b4 so hence the failure percentage will increase in respect to total percentage of units manufactured. This is a Rev A product as with most Rev A products there will be initial production issues that need to be ironed out. People come to forums to complain when their machines do not work, I'm sure the numbers of complaints are severely disproportionate when compared 2 real world numbers of people who are very happy with their iMacs. Don't like it get your money back and wait for a Rev B or better still wait forever 4 a PERFECT computer....doh

I love my iMac and am very happy I decided to go with it as I'm sure many others are 2.

 

[laff2]

To Answer alent1234...no, I do not work for Google or Adobe, etc. I am a long, long time Apple user.

I do have to agree with the statement of increased growth and manufacturing. With growth comes greater number of problems or DOA's etc.

I want to have a iMac 27" i7 that is good...don't get me wrong. I will even deal with the yellowing of the screen to a certain point.

While many iMacs appear to be fine and people are enjoying them, I have not been so lucky and many more then usual (in regards to a specific model in this case) appear to be in the same boat.

 

[FoxyKaye]

It has become clearly evident that Apple quality has gone way down with regards to their computers... etc.

Which to me is a long-winded way of saying, "Remember the good old days, when Apple made computers?"

It's not just the latest round of iMacs, quality control and the iMac lineup has been variable for a long time.

I'm fascinated by the fact that my almost 10-year-old iBook G3 is still running, especially after it has been dropped (and really dropped, from like 4 feet) and modded, but my 2005 iMac is in its death throes. And it's not just mine - three of my friends with iMac G5s have all had their motherboards die slow and horrible deaths after the computer is between 4-6 years old.

I will say we bought a refurb 27" iMac Core i7 for our designer at work about a month ago, and so far, so good. But I'm starting to wonder if Apple's trying to pack too much into too-small of a form factor in the iMac lineup.

 

[ValSalva]

Maybe your Refurb #1 was the machine I returned Seriously, I think the current model iMac is a lemon.

I'm waiting for a Mac Pro now. If Apple releases a 27" ACD I will skip it and go for the Dell U2711. I don't think Apple's screen supplier is doing them any favors.

 

[fearoftigers]

Maybe your Refurb #1 was the machine I returned Seriously, I think the current model iMac is a lemon.

I'm waiting for a Mac Pro now. If Apple releases a 27" ACD I will skip it and go for the Dell U2711. I don't think Apple's screen supplier is doing them any favors.

Yea I agree.

I read the forums and thought all the problems had been fixed. Bought a 27" for music production, spent a day loading up the software (Logic=6 hours, Omnisphere=6 hours etc)

It worked perfectly for 2 weeks and the then I went to switch it on one day and nothing. Wouldn't boot up.

On the bright side I got my money back but I wasted several days and lost some of the data on the machine.

I'd love to buy another one but it seems foolish to spend £3000 on a computer that clearly has problems. I don't want to have to take it in to be repaired in 6 months time. I mean surely it should just work!

I want a solid, dependable computer that will last me several years. I don't think the imac is the right machine.

I'll wait for the Mac Pro. Any one want to speculate when it's out?
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/907279/