Does your 2009 24 inch iMac have a horizontal gradient going across the screen?

[avihappy]

EDIT: I am making this thread into a poll to see how bad this issue is.

Here are some simulated images of what the gradient looks like:
http://i39.tinypic.com/20f6q9f.png
http://i44.tinypic.com/2zzq79h.png

I have a 2009 24 inch iMac that is now past the 14 day return period. I recently noticed a sutle brightness gradient across the screen. I read that this was (and probably still is) a major issue with the Alum iMacs. Now that I am past the 14 day period, would giving it to Apple for repair fix the issue?

Has anyone with this problem gotten it repaired successfully (IE had the LCD replaced with one that does not have a noticable gradient)?

Thanks

[Shake 'n' Bake]

Sure. You can take it for a full year unless you've got AppleCare, then it is 3 years. Anyways, just ask them to correct the screen problem. They may even give you a new iMac.

[Sebby]

I have the same issue, but it's not a big deal at the moment, and I decided I'd wait a year or so, at which point Apple will hopefully be using fixed panels, then I'll get it swapped.

[straleno]

I've got the same thing, but you can barely notice it except on solid backgrounds or things with a lot of white in them, like open emails. From all I've read here and on the Apple boards, it's a near-universal issue. In the meantime, my new Mac works great and has no dead pixels, so I'd be nervous to exchange or repair...

[avihappy]

I've got the same thing, but you can barely notice it except on solid backgrounds or things with a lot of white in them, like open emails. From all I've read here and on the Apple boards, it's a near-universal issue. In the meantime, my new Mac works great and has no dead pixels, so I'd be nervous to exchange or repair...

But that's kind of the problem. Most of the internet, as well as all word processing apps, the Finder, and most programs in general have a solid white background.

And I even notice that if I look at the color of things like window title bars and such, that the screen is warmer in the middle. It's extremely obvious.

The only other display I own with this severe of an issue is a low end 2 year old 200 dollar 22 inch display. I would think that the iMac would at least look better than that.

[MacAndy74]

This blog post seemed interesting: http://bit.ly/7zXSV

Seems to get better with time - once the panel heats up for long enough?!

[avihappy]

Well, as I feared, when I got it back the gradient was still there. They said they replaced the LCD, and I believe them, but this is a bit saddening. Maybe I shouldn't take it to an Apple Store. Perhaps a smaller Apple Authorized Service Provider could actually fix it?

[MacAndy74]

Well, as I feared, when I got it back the gradient was still there. They said they replaced the LCD, and I believe them, but this is a bit saddening. Maybe I shouldn't take it to an Apple Store. Perhaps a smaller Apple Authorized Service Provider could actually fix it?

Run your iMac for about 24 hours. But configure the Energy Saver not to send your iMac to 'Sleep'. I have it on good advice that it's actually a good thing to let your Panel go through a 'burn in' period. Set your screen saver to arabesque and enjoy the show. :cool:

[avihappy]

Run your iMac for about 24 hours. But configure the Energy Saver not to send your iMac to 'Sleep'. I have it on good advice that it's actually a good thing to let your Panel go through a 'burn in' period. Set your screen saver to arabesque and enjoy the show. :cool:

Hmm, that's a good idea. I've just set up a script to enable Caffeine (http://lightheadsw.com/caffeine/) for 24 hours. I have some doubt in the effectiveness of this method, but at this point anything is worth a shot!

So, new iMac panel is now going to be on and at 100 brightness until 8pm PST tomorrow. When not being used, iTunes visualizer will be on to prevent stuck pixels. Thanks for the idea.

[MacAndy74]

Hmm, that's a good idea. I've just set up a script to enable Caffeine (http://lightheadsw.com/caffeine/) for 24 hours. I have some doubt in the effectiveness of this method, but at this point anything is worth a shot!

So, new iMac panel is now going to be on and at 100 brightness until 8pm PST tomorrow. When not being used, iTunes visualizer will be on to prevent stuck pixels. Thanks for the idea.

You're welcome. :)

I found the panel in the iMac I'm working on here, had some background lighting irregularity but after a 24hr run - its nice and uniform now.

[avihappy]

You're welcome. :)

I found the panel in the iMac I'm working on here, had some background lighting irregularity but after a 24hr run - its nice and uniform now.

Just to be sure, the "some background lighting irregularity" you said you fixed was something more like a gradient like what I illustrate here?:

http://i41.tinypic.com/1z3cviv.png (NOTE: This illustration is highly exaggerated. But if you look at a solid color, you will be able to see it on my iMac)

EDIT: Here is another illustration showing how it may look over Apple.com (again, the gradient is somewhat exaggerated): http://i39.tinypic.com/20f6q9f.png
EDIT 2: And another (again somewhat exaggerated) over what this thread would look like right now: http://i44.tinypic.com/2zzq79h.png

[avihappy]

Well, I'm sending it for repair number 2. And I'm making this a poll to see if this is a common issue.