New iMac 27" dead pixel

[yourdream]

It's been a couple of days I've had this new 27" iMac and have noticed that there is a small black dot on the right side of the screen, which can not be removed with the black cloth included with the iMac. I am assuming this is a dead pixel. Should I be getting a refund or exchange? Or just let keep it? (Chances are if I get a exchange, something like this might happen again or I will even get something that will even be more frustrating.) The black dot can been seen very clearly when brightness is at the maximum. However, if the brightness is in middle or below, it is harder to notice the black dot. Sitting and not being too close to the monitor makes the black dot harder to notice) I don't know what should I do. What are the chances of me getting more dead or stuck pixels? Also, what are the chances that I'll get another iMac with this problem?

[dukebound85]

you wont likely get an exchange or refund as there is an acceptable tolerance in terms of dead/stuck pixles in the monitor industry

[Badger^2]

you could try taking it to an Apple store to see if they would fix it...

A simple try at home is to rub it out.

Pull the glass off with a suction cup and rub the screen directly with your finger and see if it goes away.

[dukebound85]

op: view this to get a sense on apples stance

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1721?viewlocale=en_US

while an old article (last year) that doesnt reflect the newest products, id wager the position apple has is identical to what is stated on the article

[yourdream]

I forgot to mention that I actually bought this from a retail store. (Not from the Apple Store.) The salesperson said that if the iMac is defective, they would replace it with a new one. Would my iMac be considered defective? I really would hate to put the monitor back into the packaging and go to the store.

Here are their warranty and return policy:

Warranty and Return Policy

* Your original receipt is required and a valid ID may be required for all returns, exchanges, price matches and warranty repair services.
* We accept returns or exchanges 15 days from the date of purchase for unopened products, in original condition and packaging (including all manuals & accessories).
* If you suspect your product to be DOA (dead on arrival), you may return or exchange your DOA Apple product within 5 days from the date of purchase, or 15 days from the date of purchase for non- Apple DOA products.
* Opened non-defective hardware returns must be in original condition and packaging (including all manuals & accessories), and are subjected to a 15% restocking charge when returned within 15 days.
* No returns on computer software, videos & DVD movies, video games and music. Due to copyright laws, you may EXCHANGE these items for the same title if the original is defective.
* All products are covered by manufacturer's warranty. After 5 days (for Apple hardware) or 30 days (for non-Apple hardware), please contact the manufacturer for warranty services.
* No returns on customized, configure-to-order, or special order products; media, or media consumables, and products labeled as "No return". - No returns on labour or installation services -
* Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice

[SnowLeopard2008]

I forgot to mention that I actually bought this from a retail store. (Not from the Apple Store.) The salesperson said that if the iMac is defective, they would replace it with a new one. Would my iMac be considered defective? I really would hate to put the monitor back into the packaging and go to the store.

Here are their warranty and return policy:

Warranty and Return Policy

* Your original receipt is required and a valid ID may be required for all returns, exchanges, price matches and warranty repair services.
* We accept returns or exchanges 15 days from the date of purchase for unopened products, in original condition and packaging (including all manuals & accessories).
* If you suspect your product to be DOA (dead on arrival), you may return or exchange your DOA Apple product within 5 days from the date of purchase, or 15 days from the date of purchase for non- Apple DOA products.
* Opened non-defective hardware returns must be in original condition and packaging (including all manuals & accessories), and are subjected to a 15% restocking charge when returned within 15 days.
* No returns on computer software, videos & DVD movies, video games and music. Due to copyright laws, you may EXCHANGE these items for the same title if the original is defective.
* All products are covered by manufacturer's warranty. After 5 days (for Apple hardware) or 30 days (for non-Apple hardware), please contact the manufacturer for warranty services.
* No returns on customized, configure-to-order, or special order products; media, or media consumables, and products labeled as "No return". - No returns on labour or installation services -
* Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice

Oh come on, it's just one pixel out of ... how many? If it bothers you that much, go exchange it.

[yourdream]

Oh come on, it's just one pixel out of ... how many? If it bothers you that much, go exchange it.

I'm actually not really bothered by the dead pixel, however I am bothered that more will start to appear in the upcoming months or years.

[dukebound85]

I'm actually not really bothered by the dead pixel, however I am bothered that more will start to appear in the upcoming months or years.

what makes you think they will?

its not like the pixel has swine flu and will affect other pixels

[yourdream]

what makes you think they will?

its not like the pixel has swine flu and will affect other pixels

Because I have a unibody MacBook and it had only one dead pixel and it started to get more. But I can't help resisting myself from buying Apple products, as I really love the design and operating system.

[dukebound85]

Because I have a unibody MacBook and it had only one dead pixel and it started to get more. But I can't help resisting myself from buying Apple products, as I really love the design and operating system, compared to Windows.

Chances are they were already there and found over time as a result of you looking harder as opposed to them becoming stuck one by one

[SnowLeopard2008]

Because I have a unibody MacBook and it had only one dead pixel and it started to get more. But I can't help resisting myself from buying Apple products, as I really love the design and operating system.

For smaller sized screens like on notebooks, it's easier to warrant a replacement. For larger screens, the margin of error is bigger and easier to wave away.

[MacHamster68]

i dont think you can exchange it as 1 dead pixel on a 27 inch screen is acceptable
if you are worried about dead pixels you should not buy a lcd screen as dead pixels are quiet common so are pressure marks if you rub them clean :mad:

get a eMac or iMac g3
...no dead pixels on crt screens and no pressure marks :p

[300D]

1 dead pixel to the side of the screen is not a warranty item. If it were in the center, thats different.

[Serif]

i dont think you can exchange it as 1 dead pixel on a 27 inch screen is acceptable
if you are worried about dead pixels you should not buy a lcd screen as dead pixels are quiet common so are pressure marks if you rub them clean :mad:

get a eMac or iMac g3
...no dead pixels on crt screens and no pressure marks :p

You're not seriously suggesting removing the glass from a new iMac so you can try massage a dead pixel back into life?

Also, for folks who buy online. Some countries have the equivalent of the UK's "Distance Selling Regulations" in force. In the UK if you buy something on line then you have the right to return it for any reason whatsoever, or none at all, within 7 days for a full refund. And no, they can't charge a restocking fee. Well worth a few minutes on Google if you're in this sort of situation.

Oh, and the "Sale of Goods Act" also makes for an interesting search, especially when it comes to products that have failed after a year or two. It's amazing the effect that uttering the words "Sale of Goods" and "Small Claims Court" can have on a seller who seems to be confused over their obligations. ;)

[MacHamster68]

:D no i meant that pressure marks when you rub them clean . that some people are a bit to enthusiastic when cleaning their lcd screens
had to deal with this kind of stuff at work ...you would be surprised
what methods and materials office staff is utilizing to clean lcd screens
someone used motorcycle engine cleaner to clean its screen which had
some kind of milky effect afterwards :eek:
someone else thought it would be a great idea to get the screen cleaned by using some steel wool to clean the screen after a "marker pen accident"how he called it :eek:
ive seen everything even someone cleaning it with washing up liquid , which would not have been too bad, if he would not have used big sponge and a bucket full of water while the screen was switched on , it was alright until the screen send out some smoke signals and died :confused:

[conshok26]

I had the same issue with my 21.5" iMac. It was almost in the center of the screen. I thought it was just dust underneath the glass so I popped the glass out only to find that it was in the LED panel itself. I went to the Genius Bar the next day to tell them the issue. I didn't mention I took the glass off and that it was under the panel but they did the same thing I did and discovered it was in the panel. With no questions they gave me a brand new one which has been perfect.

[yourdream]

Ok. The salesperson said that they will have to let their technician check for the dead pixel. Then if technician finds a dead pixel, the technician will then send it to an Apple retail store for the Genius to check for the dead pixel and then the Genius will decide of he will give me a replacement or give me a new screen. This sucks. I'll be just wasting my time waiting it to come back and probably the Genius will say he didn't see anything.

[cfitz7111]

Sounds like you are stuck with a dead pixel like most LCDs have. After a while you wont notice it. If more appear, you have you Apple Warranty.

[kfscoll]

I haven't found any dead pixels yet on my new 27" iMac (I used PiXel Check v1.2 to inspect), but there are some smudges/grease spots under the glass (either on the LCD panel itself or on the backside of the glass). I considered, for about one minute, taking the glass off and cleaning the smudges, but then I realized there'd be no way I wouldn't just have tons of dust and a worse situation after I was done. Besides, my smudges are all on the far edges of the screen, so I'll just live with them. You can't see them at all anyway unless they're in direct light...a condition that you'd never operate your computer in anyway. Don't ask how I found them. :)

So, what's the point of all this? If I were you I'd just leave well enough alone with only one dead pixel. It's very likely that if you get a replacement you'll just have the same problem or worse. I figure if I have another problem down the road or decide to install a Blu-ray drive I'll just address the issue then.

[Juliet1186]

It's been a couple of days I've had this new 27" iMac and have noticed that there is a small black dot on the right side of the screen, which can not be removed with the black cloth included with the iMac. I am assuming this is a dead pixel. Should I be getting a refund or exchange? Or just let keep it? (Chances are if I get a exchange, something like this might happen again or I will even get something that will even be more frustrating.) The black dot can been seen very clearly when brightness is at the maximum. However, if the brightness is in middle or below, it is harder to notice the black dot. Sitting and not being too close to the monitor makes the black dot harder to notice) I don't know what should I do. What are the chances of me getting more dead or stuck pixels? Also, what are the chances that I'll get another iMac with this problem?

some guy on another post said he returned his duo with a dead pixel on it and then kept it in the box to later buy the quad it's in the quad post somewhere he said he didn't have any hassel

[robby818]

I think OP should take it back for an exchange. Chances are that if that pixel is bothering you enough to post the question on a forum, it will keep bothering you as you continue to own the computer. That would be bad.

Although Apple has an official policy regarding dead/stuck pixels I have read many stories of the Apple store employees being quite forgiving and allowing one exchange w/o a restocking fee for even one bad pixel.

I'm the same way, first thing I do is check for dead or stuck pixels (I can't help it). I usually buy from Amazon because in addition to no sales tax Amazon has a pretty much no questions asked return policy. I have never had an issue with getting full refunds from Amazon.

I tried the pixel flashing app and once tried rubbing out a stuck pixel. The app did absolutely nothing and the time I tried to rub out a bad pixel ended up causing micro scratches on the plastic screen which looked much worse than that the one bad pixel.

[kfscoll]

To the OP -- you're going to feel pretty silly if the next iMac you get has one (or more) dead pixels -- which, truth be told, is just as likely as getting an iMac with no dead pixels.

I once went through three plasma TVs before I realized that dead/stuck pixels were the nature of the beast. I completely understand the compulsion that drives you to seek perfection, but you're just not going to find it. After you accept that, then it just becomes a matter of what you're willing to live with and how much trouble it is to go through the returns process.

Because my newest iMac was a BTO straight from the Apple Store, it'd take more than a single dead pixel for me to go through the hassle of packing up my computer, sending it back, waiting for the replacement, and hoping against hope that the second one wasn't worse than the first. I'm not happy about the fact that my iMac has a couple smudges under the display's glass (visible only when shining a flashlight on them), but I have to live with them because it's extremely likely that any replacement I'd get would be worse than this machine.

[kfscoll]

--deleted--

[otisblack]

I had a black dead pixel in the middle of the screen on my i5; returned it to the Apple store for a brand new i5, no hassle. You should exchange it, you didn't pay nearly two grand for in imperfect product. If it bothers you, head to the Apple store.

[BelowTheBelt]

Ok. The salesperson said that they will have to let their technician check for the dead pixel. Then if technician finds a dead pixel, the technician will then send it to an Apple retail store for the Genius to check for the dead pixel and then the Genius will decide of he will give me a replacement or give me a new screen. This sucks. I'll be just wasting my time waiting it to come back and probably the Genius will say he didn't see anything.

Did you pay with Visa, MasterCard, Amex ect....

If so I would simply take the item back place it on the counter and ask for the refund, if that say no I would call up my CC company explain the product is defective and I assure you they would have the charge removed.

These stores where you purchase items know better than to argue with Visa or MasterCard, they don't give a rats you know what about Apple's dead pixel policy. They want you to happily spend money with their card.

[Evostar*]

sorry not read the whole thread. but sometimes pixels get stuck. i had this with psp and other lcd products. try a video like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj9U-Ux6QHY full screen. or find a better version that can loop for a whole night why u sleep to see if it unsticks it. worth a shot if its a stuck pixel. but this wont revive a dead pixel.

[Stingray454]

At least where I live, Apple have a 14 day return policy. This means that you can send any product back because you, for example, regret your purchase, didn't like the color of it, remembered that you don't actually like macs or whatever reason you can think of. As long as you tell them within 14 days that you don't want it, and it's not been damaged by you, you should be free to send it back. Just say you want to return it and do so, then buy another one.

[kfscoll]

For some reason it didn't occur to me that the OP bought his quad-core iMac right from the local Apple Store...I just assumed that it was a BTO iMac that'd have to be shipped back. If it's as simple as swapping it out at the Apple Store, then give it a shot.

[marlys]

Because I have a unibody MacBook and it had only one dead pixel and it started to get more. But I can't help resisting myself from buying Apple products, as I really love the design and operating system.

This obviously isn't helpful in your situation (where you bought the machine from a non-Apple retailer), but when I got my new i5, they offered me a session of "one on one" in store where they'd help me set up my new Mac the way I wanted. I imagine that if you discovered a dead pixel before taking the machine out of the store, you probably would get to swap it on the spot.

[i7QuadCoreMania]

luckily my i7 is perfect!!!, my first iMac the 24" had a small red dot in the lower part of the screen, annoyed the ***** out of me. if I could have exchanged it I would have, luckily I sold it in preparation for the i7:D

[MovieCutter]

luckily my i7 is perfect!!!, my first iMac the 24" had a small red dot in the lower part of the screen, annoyed the ***** out of me. if I could have exchanged it I would have, luckily I sold it in preparation for the i7:D

Good for you "Username will inevitably be sadly out of date in a matter of months" guy!

[cryer]

In the same spot.. sounds like most people would not keep it and learn to live with it even though it's one pixel