Your iMac (late 09) screen is NOT fine

[El Jack]

And if it is, I'd like to see irrefutable proof beyond 'my screen looks great!'. Thanks but no thanks, I prefer fact over opinion.

As such I'd like to ask all those that believe they have perfect iMacs to take upon this challenge and actually PROVE to us that their screens are free of any problems. Seeing as some people believe that the yellow hue defect is in the minority, I look forward to seeing a lot of posts proving this.

- Make sure no other light sources are on.
- Take a head on photo of your screen with a decent camera and make sure it's exposed well.
- Use a colour-picker in photo editing software (whichever) and measure the colours displayed in the corners & edges.
- Take screenshots.
- Post on here to show off your gorgeous display working as it should.

If you can't bother to actually test your display, then don't talk about it. Simple as.

Bottom line - in my findings this screen is unacceptably inconsistent (especially for an 'ultimate display'). Just check the blue levels in top-left & bottom-right in relation to the red & green.


Uncalibrated original colour profile
http://eljackimages.com/temp/imacyellowtingeuncalibrated.jpg


Calibrated with Spyder 3 (both shots below)
http://eljackimages.com/temp/imacyellowtingecalibrated.jpg

http://eljackimages.com/temp/imacyellowtingecalibratedv2.jpg


Go on prove me wrong.

[wesleyh]

I'll just keep it and repair it in a few months.

[slicecom]

Go on prove me wrong.

Impossible, since you're 100% right. Apple needs to fix this.

[Bryan Bowler]

If you can't bother to actually test your display, then don't talk about it. Simple as.

Jack,

While I will certainly be following this thread with interest, have you considered that folks with good displays are probably not paying any attention to these threads whatsoever? More than likely, the folks that do check their screens closely might make one comment in a thread somewhere that their screen is perfect and then they move on to other things.

With that being said, I hope we see some examples of good screens. But I wouldn't expect a ton of them just by the nature of things...

Bryan

[JacaByte]

And you do realize that the image you take is not a perfect representation of your screen, correct? No matter how good the firmware in your $1000 DSLR is it will still display colors in the image off-key to whatever the color is supposed to be in real life. This is because the camera has picked a white-point that all the other colors are based and calculated from. With a really cheap and crappy camera this is very noticeable, but high-end DSLRs like the one you have have it narrowed down to what is perceived as correct, but is never a 1:1 representation of what the human eye sees. The only way to tell for sure that there is a difference between two monitors is to have them side-by-side, because your eyes will play tricks on you and your camera will as well, invariably.

Honestly, do you not trust your own eyes that badly?

[SilenceBe]

No matter how good the firmware in your $1000 DSLR is it will still display colors in the image off-key to whatever the color is supposed to be in real life.
Doesn't matter as the image proves there is a color distance between the top and bottom of the screen. Different color distance = not the color consistency apple advertises this screens with.

good try though... .

[suburbia]

Thanks El Jack for taking the time, much appreciated. :)

Don't take it too personally when there are those that insist the new iMacs are just fine.

[craig1410]

I spent five years working as senior process & design engineer in an LCD repair facility and I don't recall ever using a camera (high end or otherwise) to make accurate colour measurements! To do that you need a purpose built colour analyser.

Also, if I might add, the tone of your original post is likely to make many potential respondents not bother posting, leaving you with typically only the most opinionated and agenda-laden minority. You would, in my humble opinion, have been better off just asking nicely for anyone with a 27" late '09 iMac to post a photo of their screen and provide a solid white image for them to ensure that everyone uses the same source. You should also have ensured that each screen is switched on for a consistent amount of time before the test (not so bad with LED backlights of course) and that the brightness is set to a consistent value in case any colour variation is caused by brightness level.

It's ironic that you say, "If you can't bother to actually test your display, then don't talk about it. Simple as." when you could have approached this exercise in a wholly more objective and effective manner with a few tweaks to your tone and methodology.

Good luck with your experiment, I shall watch with interest.

[Maeglin]

Although i agree with the OP , u must keep in mind that a "good" color calibrated monitor its expensive .. alot expensive :)

Just an example :

Eizo Nanao EIZO ColorEdge CG221
LCD display - TFT - 22.2" - 1920 x 1200 - 200 cd/m2 - 400:1 - 30 ms

Price : $5,689.99

You aren't expecting that from the apple one are u ? :)

[Sir Cecil]

To the original poster:

Take a photo, with your excellent camera, of any large sheet of card (in any light-toned color of your choice) and post it here for our perusal. I'd like to see an un-retouched photo that exhibits absolute tonal consistency right across the frame, that can be examined with appropriate tools. Please add something in the photo to indicate the scale of the photographed image (perhaps a pen or coin).
Shouldn't be difficult for you to do – after all, you've done it once already with total accuracy, haven't you?
Let's see it.

Actually, on second thoughts, why bother? Your original shots aren't even taken from a consistent position, showing varying degrees of tilt and differing amounts of black surround. A consistent position enabled by the use of a tripod might have been useful. What did you do to negate measurable color shifts due to reflections on the screen, from you and your camera, or anything behind you, from the bright screen? Did you set up a large, non-reflective black card with a hole cut in it through which the lens could protrude with minimal additional reflection? Let us know of anything you did do to make your images anything more than valueless.

Until then, my opinion is that the original images, and the verbage that goes with them, are a lot of rubbish.

[TennisandMusic]

To the original poster:

Take a photo, with your excellent camera, of any large sheet of card (in any light-toned color of your choice) and post it here for our perusal. I'd like to see an un-retouched photo that exhibits absolute tonal consistency right across the frame, that can be examined with appropriate tools. Please add something in the photo to indicate the scale of the photographed image (perhaps a pen or coin).
Shouldn't be difficult for you to do – after all, you've done it once already with total accuracy, haven't you?
Let's see it.

You've never seen a photo that had consistent whites in it? :p

[Travisimo]

Here's my 2 cents:

I've had my 27' i5 (week 51) for a week now. I've purposefully refrained from doing any "tests" on my display because I wanted to see what I noticed just in everyday use. And after a week (the computer has been on 24/7 despite a few reboots to do updates and use Boot Camp), I never noticed any yellow tinge.

But curiosity got the better of me and after doing the "test", there is a very slight gradient from top left to bottom right. And I can see how someone with the need for a perfectly uniform calibrated display would not be happy with this.

However, it also made me realize that there apparently aren't too many "perfect" screens out there on any device. I looked at my 24" Samsung LCD that I use on my PC and it's not uniform at all. It is noticeably darker closer to the edges and the color is not perfectly uniform either. I have a 52" HDTV in my living room which is very nice but has backlight bleed that is really only noticeable under certain conditions.

My point isn't to apologize for Apple or any of the panel manufacturers. You spend good money and you want a perfect product. But I'll tell you what... this 27" display is the best looking screen I've used to date and I'll never notice the slight color gradient. That said, mine is not as pronounced as the images you posted (you'll just have to take my word for it as I do not plan on taking screenshots or checking color values in Lightroom).

In the end, I suppose there's a couple of factors each owner will need to consider:

- To what degree does your display exhibit a color gradient?
- To what degree do you deem this as "acceptable"?

If the gradient on my screen increases over time, I will certainly have it replaced. And if there is a recall or universal fix for this, I'll certainly be partaking in it. On the other hand, all other aspects of the screen are fantastic. There's no bleed, there's no corner degradation, the brightness is unform, the resolution is exceptional, the warm-up time is minimal, and the color/contrast are also very good despite the gradient.

I just hope the screen on this iMac doesn't completely fail like it did on my 24" (early 2009). LOL. That one went to sleep and never woke back up!

Note too that I fully support the efforts of those who want Apple to address this issue (even the Gizmodo guy who may be a bit emotional but at least has the visibility to get noticed).

Thanks for taking the time to pin down this issue.

[El Jack]

First off, credit to this forum for not coming at me with pitchforks & fire - I'm not the most subtle guy. :) Yes my test is flawed in so many ways from a completely technical perspective, but it's a good indicator that is achievable by many.

Also the issue isn't colour fidelity as a Craig highlighted - my camera is a crap tool for this purpose. Rather it can measure colour consistency quite accurately - and that's where this test holds water.

To the original poster:

Take a photo, with your excellent camera, of any large sheet of card (in any light-toned color of your choice) and post it here for our perusal. I'd like to see an un-retouched photo that exhibits absolute tonal consistency right across the frame, that can be examined with appropriate tools. Please add something in the photo to indicate the scale of the photographed image (perhaps a pen or coin).
Shouldn't be difficult for you to do – after all, you've done it once already with total accuracy, haven't you?
Let's see it.

See people like you should be posting up your screens, rather than further challenges.

So you expect me to light a scene with a near-perfect consistency equivalent to that which should be achieved by LG & Apple engineers in an LCD screen? Get real, if I could light that well I'd be far too good at what I do to sit on a forum and discuss an iMac issue!

We're here to judge the iMac screen consistency, not my lighting skills. I am flattered though.

I spent five years working as senior process & design engineer in an LCD repair facility and I don't recall ever using a camera (high end or otherwise) to make accurate colour measurements! To do that you need a purpose built colour analyser.

*snip*

It's ironic that you say, "If you can't bother to actually test your display, then don't talk about it. Simple as." when you could have approached this exercise in a wholly more objective and effective manner with a few tweaks to your tone and methodology.

Good luck with your experiment, I shall watch with interest.

You're quite right Craig, I approached this with way too large a chip on my shoulder. A result of my youth and passion. ;)

I just find it arrogant that some (a very small minority mind you) posters shrug off the yellow screen issue and think everyone else is blowing it out of proportion. It doesn't get much more fanboy than disregarding the proven supply of a substandard product. I see a lot of posts & photos of bad screens, yet only a few posts of opinion on 'perfect' screens.


Jack,

With that being said, I hope we see some examples of good screens. But I wouldn't expect a ton of them just by the nature of things...

Bryan


As do I Bryan, trust me. It would really help to see that it's simply a quality control problem, rather than the fact that the screen just isn't as good as it should be.

[Sir Cecil]

You've never seen a photo that had consistent whites in it? :p

What I'd like to see is a color, photographed with his camera, at his location, with his setup, and shown to be color-accurate across the frame. Not a portion of the camera frame, but the whole frame. Simple request I would have thought, for someone presenting himself as dealing in (quote) "fact" and purporting to be providing accurate evidence.

[Sir Cecil]

So you expect me to light a scene with a near-perfect consistency equivalent to that which should be achieved by LG & Apple engineers in an LCD screen? Get real

Good. I'm pleased you took time off from posting inaccurate images purporting to be "fact" and have now admitted to the inconsistent setup used.
Discussion finished.

[El Jack]

Good. I'm pleased you took time off from posting inaccurate images purporting to be "fact" and have now admitted to the inconsistent setup used.
Discussion finished.

You're not very good at lighting & consistency are you my dear.

In your proposal I would have to light a scene with perfect consistency to test my camera's consistency. The iMac LCD however is it's own light source, that ought to be consistent to a certain degree. In this respect it fails that.

You got one thing right though. Discussion with you over. :)



If you can't bother to actually test your display, then don't talk about it. Simple as.

[utahreefer]

To the original poster:

Take a photo, with your excellent camera, of any large sheet of card (in any light-toned color of your choice) and post it here for our perusal. I'd like to see an un-retouched photo that exhibits absolute tonal consistency right across the frame, that can be examined with appropriate tools. Please add something in the photo to indicate the scale of the photographed image (perhaps a pen or coin).
Shouldn't be difficult for you to do – after all, you've done it once already with total accuracy, haven't you?
Let's see it.

Actually, on second thoughts, why bother? Your original shots aren't even taken from a consistent position, showing varying degrees of tilt and differing amounts of black surround. A consistent position enabled by the use of a tripod might have been useful. What did you do to negate measurable color shifts due to reflections on the screen, from you and your camera, or anything behind you, from the bright screen? Did you set up a large, non-reflective black card with a hole cut in it through which the lens could protrude with minimal additional reflection? Let us know of anything you did do to make your images anything more than valueless.

Until then, my opinion is that the original images, and the verbage that goes with them, are a lot of rubbish.

Come on Cecil - the guy just wants Apple to acknowledge the problem and get some resolve. Your posts come across as a panic attack any time somebody posts a concern....

[Sir Cecil]

Come on Cecil - the guy just wants Apple to acknowledge the problem and get some resolve. Your posts come across as a panic attack any time somebody posts a concern....

I have a slight yellowing at the bottom of the screen myself. So I am all for accurate tests that show the problem and help resolve it. It's a pity a respected publication hasn't produced such tests and images in a professional environment.
However, nonsense like the images posted in this thread only serve to tell Apple they should NOT take stuff presented here seriously.
In any case, the original poster was not addressing Apple – he was challenging people here to post photos of their own screens, and basically accusing those who say they have perfect screens (of whom I am not presently one) of being either fools or liars. I'd say the foolishness lays with the original poster, for even suggesting such loosely-shot photographic evidence, even following his simplistic instructions, is of any value.
That's nothing to do with being a "fanboy". It's about not being misled by any old tripe that's presented here.

[Kebabselector]

Cameras are not good for testing with anyway

True, however the OP states he has a poor screen. The pictures do show he has a poor screen. I guess his mk1 eyeballs show he has a yellowing screen cos if he didn't he wouldn't have bothered taking pictures and posting this thread.

It would be interesting to see the any positive results though. If people with perfect screens don't want to take part, then ignore this thread. If you have a decent display post a pic. It's the one thing no one with a working display has yet done (using the test pic)

[Inutopia]

use a spectrometer ffs.. using a consumer dslr to measure colour is just laughable honestly.

If you are a photographer do yourself a favour and research colour reproduction and measurement before coming up with such a variable prone 'test'

You really know very little about the way the devices you use work if you think there is any accuracy present in the image you captured.


This made me laugh today at least.

[slicecom]

use a spectrometer ffs.. using a consumer dslr to measure colour is just laughable honestly.

If you are a photographer do yourself a favour and research colour reproduction and measurement before coming up with such a variable prone 'test'

You really know very little about the way the devices you use work if you think there is any accuracy present in the image you captured.


This made me laugh today at least.

What's the point? We don't need extreme accuracy to see that the screen is yellow toward the bottom. You can see it with your naked eye. Sure, the camera could be off by a little, but it shows exactly what you can see with your naked eye: it's yellow toward the bottom of the display.

[knewsom]

The minute discrepancies a high-end prosumer DSLR will create PALE in insignificance to the 10% or greater color differential coming from the problems with the screen.

If you REALLY want to get clever, go borrow a color temperature meter from someone in film school.

[SaSaSushi]

You really know very little about the way the devices you use work if you think there is any accuracy present in the image you captured.

This made me laugh today at least.

Even the title of this thread is obnoxious. I get the impression El Jack is a big WWE wrestling fan with that sort of approach.

For those of us with gradient-free 27" panels, apparently our word isn't good enough. Clearly, we're too stupid to detect imperfections ourselves and need their expert assistance, or we're Apple shills that are lying in our blind Apple fanaticism. If we don't post pictures of our screens it's just proof of the same. Further, If we even question the validity of the OP's claims in any way we're coming at him with "pitchforks and fire". It's very clever passive aggression.

[TennisandMusic]

Even the title of this thread is obnoxious. I get the impression El Jack is a big WWE wrestling fan with that sort of approach.

For those of us with gradient-free 27" panels, apparently our word isn't good enough. Clearly, we're too stupid to detect imperfections ourselves and need their expert assistance, or we're Apple shills that are lying in our blind Apple fanaticism. If we don't post pictures of our screens it's just proof of the same. Further, If we even question the validity of the OP's claims in any way we're coming at him with "pitchforks and fire". It's very clever passive aggression.

Why cant you just take a simple picture with all light sources out and a simple camera? If your screen is good it would be pretty clear that it's the case.

I'm actually DYING to see a good screen, as I really want to like these things. My second one is going back tomorrow and, unfortunately, probably for a refund. Just not sure what else to do.

Posting a picture of a good screen would actually be doing a lot of people a good service.

[slicecom]

I'm actually DYING to see a good screen, as I really want to like these things. My second one is going back tomorrow and, unfortunately, probably for a refund. Just not sure what else to do.

Posting a picture of a good screen would actually be doing a lot of people a good service.

EXACTLY! I just want to see a good screen but nobody with a "good" screen is willing to post pictures. Coincidence? I think not.

[fa8362]

EXACTLY! I just want to see a good screen but nobody with a "good" screen is willing to post pictures. Coincidence? I think not.

So, what are you saying? That thousands of satisfied customers are blind? Or that they're ignoring you or don't bother to post here?

[TennisandMusic]

So, what are you saying? That thousands of satisfied customers are blind? Or that they're ignoring you or don't bother to post here?

Well I'm sure there are better screens than what I have out there. My first screen had annoying blue in the upper right, but not really any "yellow" on the bottom. So surely there has to be a decent screen right? A perfect one? Dunno...that doesn't matter to me. Even my ACD at work has pretty bad uniformity, but it's four years old now.

However, I would bet a thousand bucks that PLENTY of people could look at my current screen and say "it's perfect!" when it's far from being so. Some people just don't see these things, or really don't care. Heck, I'm wondering if it's even worth it at this point, because I could just get another machine in 6-12 months, and this one would still allow me to get great work done overall. But that's kinda like letting Apple screw me so...can't bring myself to do it.

So yeah, someone please just show us a basically uniform acceptable screen. Just one? We have a few people insisting theirs is completely perfect, but incredulously refuse to post a shot of it, for whatever reason. If I ever got a perfect one I'd take a bunch of pictures for people that wanted to see it. I'd be glad too, in fact.

[slicecom]

So, what are you saying? That thousands of satisfied customers are blind? Or that they're ignoring you or don't bother to post here?

I'm saying that thousands of satisfied customers aren't professionals trained to see blatant colour inconsistencies, and it would be nice if just one of them could post a simple picture of their "flawless" displays for me to see.

[Sir Cecil]

However, I would bet a thousand bucks that PLENTY of people could look at my current screen and say "it's perfect!" when it's far from being so.

Try it out. Go in the other room and ask your parents what they think.

[BuckeyeBengal]

What I would find curious is if people looked at all the monitors they owned I am sure yellow tinge or non uniformed screens would be normal. Especially on backlit lcds. The 27's screen is so bright and crisp imo any imperfection is gonna stand out much more than other monitors.

[SaSaSushi]

We have a few people insisting theirs is completely perfect, but incredulously refuse to post a shot of it, for whatever reason. If I ever got a perfect one I'd take a bunch of pictures for people that wanted to see it. I'd be glad too, in fact.

I'm not saying that my iMac's screen is completely perfect. I don't think any computer display is absolutely perfect. I'm saying it does not have a yellow tinge and is very uniform overall. There's also little to no backlight bleed whatsoever. It's FAR superior to the uniformity of the mid-2007 24" iMac I replaced with it. As I have mentioned in these threads before I returned the 24" a few times because of its uneven backlighting and other problems. I wasn't happy with Apple about it. The eventual replacement was much better and fairly uniform overall but it doesn't hold a candle to the screen on this i7.

[TennisandMusic]

I'm not saying that my iMac's screen is completely perfect. I don't think any computer display is absolutely perfect. I'm saying it does not have a yellow tinge and is very uniform overall. There's also little to no backlight bleed whatsoever. It's FAR superior to the uniformity of the mid-2007 24" iMac I replaced with it. As I have mentioned in these threads before I returned the 24" a few times because of its uneven backlighting and other problems. I wasn't happy with Apple about it. The eventual replacement was much better and fairly uniform overall but it doesn't hold a candle to the screen on this i7.

Yeah the screens on these things WOULD be amazing if they were uniform. What week is yours again? I'm still not sure if I should request a third machine or a refund tomorrow. The whole thing is just tiresome.

[SaSaSushi]

Yeah the screens on these things WOULD be amazing if they were uniform. What week is yours again? I'm still not sure if I should request a third machine or a refund tomorrow. The whole thing is just tiresome.

Mine's a week 48. I'm really hoping you will get one that is as uniform on the third try if you do decide to go for it.

[djcorrosive]

Jack,

While I will certainly be following this thread with interest, have you considered that folks with good displays are probably not paying any attention to these threads whatsoever? More than likely, the folks that do check their screens closely might make one comment in a thread somewhere that their screen is perfect and then they move on to other things.

With that being said, I hope we see some examples of good screens. But I wouldn't expect a ton of them just by the nature of things...

Bryan

well said. my brother in law has 4 27" imacs in his house i7's and all are 100% perfect. He received them all on the same day just about apart from 1.

3 Boxes were perfect 1 was damaged but the goods inside were fine and in working order.

Mine is prepared for shipment as of today, and i will post back proof if mine is fine. But im sure it will be.

[Sir Cecil]

I live on my own of course

That's no surprise!

Good luck with the next machine by the way :-)

[sparkie1984]

wow! thats some attitude to bowl around here with jack!

at the end of the day, im not happy with my screen but if i was happy with what id pay for then thats that! i dont need some one discounting everything i say.

and surprisingly if i want to talk about it i will!!!

[TennisandMusic]

That's no surprise!

Good luck with the next machine by the way :-)

Refund baby, refund. I just can't keep doing this and will wait it out a bit while I continue to use my MBP.

By the way, no hard feelings either way, you cool? I take back the things I said.

[SilenceBe]

What's the point?
It isn't but the "defense force" tries to flip the discussion to color accuracy but it doesn't matter. Even if the colors are inaccurate in comparison with real life, it stills show there is a big color distance between the top and the bottom of the screens. With a good LED display (for **** sake it's one of the main selling points of LED based screens) we would have a picture with consistent (inaccurate) colors.

Even the "lighting conditions" doesn't matter because the screen itself is a light source. You can change the lighting conditions all that you want, but it wouldn't change a thing.

[SmoothDragon]

Its amazing, not one of the people who do have a perfect screen will post a picture and shut all the rest of the non-believers up...
One picture would be all it would take for everyone to go 'brilliant, an acceptable screen does exist out there!'
I for one would love to see an acceptable screen as I really don't want to think that in this price point my only choice is to go out and buy components and a Dell Monitor and have to run Windows or some flavour of *nix...
Also for all you guys who do have an acceptable screen, what is the problem with posting a pic? The more you say you won't and we should believe your word, well this is an internet forum, what response do you think you will get?

[sparkie1984]

i think its funny the way we all started out with a common problem and now were ending up in 2 camps arguing it out with eachother!!

surely our times better spent bringing it to apples attention rather than keyboard warriors slagging each other off??

[All Taken]

Right then my American cousins,

Here are some pictures of my 21.5" iMac - No yellow tint issue (it has a screen noise issue, but thats a different story for a different thread)

Pictures were taken using a digital camera... you know the UK is behind on most things camera so I apologise. 5MP images taken with no flash in a poorly lit room - light level maintained throughout - Full brightness on display.

Now for the important bit... I could not give a monkeys if you feel that the 3rd pixel from the top right of the display looks to be a bit yellow. It passed the 2 grey bar test. It looks/is fine to my eyes (I have perfect vision). If you wish to test mine and you have enough spare time then please feel free to use a spectral quantum color/colour analyser thingy and prove me wrong.

Perhaps after this challenge we can have a game of "I don't believe anyone doesn't have a screen noise issue? if you say you don't you are a Liar and will burn in the pits of hell!!!"

One picture has been taken with flash for good measure... see how the iMac reflects the light into a X... spooky. ;)

[Kebabselector]

Seems fine, but most issues are with the 27" panel aren't they?

[All Taken]

A nice lady called Zahra (Irish Apple Executive Care) sorted my iMac woes and my new one arrived about 2 hours ago. It has no yellow tinge (again) and this time no screen noise. Built this month - December - and now rocking a Intel G2 SSD in the optical bay. I love those Guys and Gals at Apple.

[Sambo110]

I've only used two 27" iMac's in store, but both looked like they had pretty good screens to me.

[fa8362]

i think its funny the way we all started out with a common problem and now were ending up in 2 camps arguing it out with eachother!!

surely our times better spent bringing it to apples attention

I mostly agree, but there's nothing to bring to Apple's attention. They know the screen. They know the return rate. The know the return rate of other models they've introduced and can compare them. In other words, they know far more than anyone here. This thread is pointless. If someone has a screen that doesn't satisfy him/her, return it. You don't need to see a digital camera image of someone else's screen, or a message board thread for that.

[Travisimo]

Here's a photo of my 27" i5 (Week 51). While not perfect, it is certainly "acceptable" to me and looks absolutely fantastic other than the very slight color gradient. I've had the computer a week and it has been on 24/7 (including a few reboots for updates and booting into Boot Camp).

The photo was taken with a Panasonic GF1 and the only modifications performed were cropping and resizing. By the way, it's difficult to take a perfect straight-on photo of a 27" screen, I've discovered! LOL.

[knewsom]

Here's a photo of my 27" i5 (Week 51). While not perfect, it is certainly "acceptable" to me and looks absolutely fantastic other than the very slight color gradient. I've had the computer a week and it has been on 24/7 (including a few reboots for updates and booting into Boot Camp).

The photo was taken with a Panasonic GF1 and the only modifications performed were cropping and resizing. By the way, it's difficult to take a perfect straight-on photo of a 27" screen, I've discovered! LOL.

Oooh, I wouldn't call that one acceptable, personally.

[archipellago]

Oooh, I wouldn't call that one acceptable, personally.

agree, it looks awful!

[Ecoh]

Oooh, I wouldn't call that one acceptable, personally.

That picture makes my screen look good, and I am not happy with my screen. My iMac is used only for my photography business and the slight color gradient at the bottom just bugs me. But the display is gorgeous if you are only looking at video or photos and not gray bars or solid colors. I can live with it and enjoy it until a fix is found. I don't do highly color critical work, and I have work arounds.

I think the real problem here is that some people are pickier than other people. Apple should know that there customers are generally going to be more selective, just because we bought Apple computers. :D

[archipellago]

That picture makes my screen look good, and I am not happy with my screen. My iMac is used only for my photography business and the slight color gradient at the bottom just bugs me. But the display is gorgeous if you are only looking at video or photos and not gray bars or solid colors. I can live with it and enjoy it until a fix is found. I don't do highly color critical work, and I have work arounds.

I think the real problem here is that some people are pickier than other people. Apple should know that there customers are generally going to be more selective, just because we bought Apple computers. :D

no, Apple say it is the ultimate display..

what they need to do is live up to that claim...

[racer1441]

And whats the point of calling out people who have no problem and most likely won't even look at this thread? :confused:

A little overboard I say.

[Sir Cecil]

no, Apple say it is the ultimate display..

what they need to do is live up to that claim...


Their description is entirely accurate. It is their ultimate display, unless they have released another one in the meantime that I don't know about – in which case it would be their penultimate display.

What is your native language by the way?

[slicecom]

Here's a photo of my 27" i5 (Week 51). While not perfect, it is certainly "acceptable" to me and looks absolutely fantastic other than the very slight color gradient. I've had the computer a week and it has been on 24/7 (including a few reboots for updates and booting into Boot Camp).

The photo was taken with a Panasonic GF1 and the only modifications performed were cropping and resizing. By the way, it's difficult to take a perfect straight-on photo of a 27" screen, I've discovered! LOL.

Thanks for actually having the balls to post a picture of your screen, I wish some of those with "perfect" screens would too, but they've probably realized their screens aren't as perfect as they claim. Your screen has a yellow tinge, but its not as bad as some cases including mine. If mine looked like that and everything else worked, I would have a hard time taking it back and risking getting something worse.

And whats the point of calling out people who have no problem and most likely won't even look at this thread? :confused:

A little overboard I say.

Did you even bother to read the thread? Numerous people in here have claimed to have perfect displays.

[archipellago]

Their description is entirely accurate. It is their ultimate display, unless they have released another one in the meantime that I don't know about – in which case it would be their penultimate display.

What is your native language by the way?

FFS are you being serious or do you get a kick out of being deliberately obtuse..? :mad:


The new
iMac

The ultimate all-in-one. Now with the ultimate display.

[Sir Cecil]

FFS are you being serious or do you get a kick out of being deliberately obtuse..? :mad:


The new
iMac

The ultimate all-in-one. Now with the ultimate display.


The word ultimate relates to the last in a sequence, or size, or authority.

This iMac is the ultimate all-in-one they have produced. It is the ultimate display they have produced (for such a computer), until the next one. Nothing obtuse about that.
Any interpretation beyond that is entirely your own.
Perhaps less time here and more time reading a dictionary would be good for your vocabulary.

[slicecom]

The word ultimate relates to the last in a sequence, or size, or authority.

This iMac is the ultimate all-in-one they have produced. It is the ultimate display they have produced, until the next one. Nothing obtuse about that.
Any interpretation beyond that is entirely your own.
Perhaps less time here and more time reading a dictionary would be good for your vocabulary.

Are you serious!? Maybe if YOU spent more time reading a dictionary you'd realize that there are often multiple definitions for the same word.

In the case of ultimate, it can mean: "the finest or most superior quality of its kind" OR it can also mean: "being the last or concluding element of a series".

It's clear to anyone with an IQ higher than an infant that Apple's use of it in their slogan intends to use the first definition of ultimate.

[knewsom]

Are you serious!? Maybe if YOU spent more time reading a dictionary you'd realize that there are often multiple definitions for the same word.

In the case of ultimate, it can mean: "the finest or most superior quality of its kind" OR it can also mean: "being the last or concluding element of a series".

It's clear to anyone with an IQ higher than an infant that Apple's use of it in their slogan intends to use the first definition of ultimate.

What a frackin' lawyer. This kind of BS just disgusts me. Not that I'm surprised with it coming from you.

[Sir Cecil]

Are you serious!? Maybe if YOU spent more time reading a dictionary you'd realize that there are often multiple definitions for the same word.

In the case of ultimate, it can mean: "the finest or most superior quality of its kind" OR it can also mean: "being the last or concluding element of a series".

It's clear to anyone with an IQ higher than an infant that Apple's use of it in their slogan intends to use the first definition of ultimate.

Not at all. Advertising copywriters rely on easily-led minds to attach the meaning you prefer to nebulous words like "ultimate". No advertising standards authority could penalize the creator of the line as it would be defended in exactly the terms I've already expressed.
If you saw an ad talking of the 'ultimate' toothpaste, would you assume it means your yellow tinge will disappear overnight?

[jaw04005]

This reeks of the pink 23" Cinema Display problem, which was never acknowledged.

Apple’s good at a lot of things, but admitting there’s a major problem with a product line is not one of them (NVIDIA graphics issues with the MacBook Pro, original MacBook Air overheating, iPhone/iPod power adapter prong issue, MacBook plastic cracking chassis, iMac G5 capacitor problem, iBook G3 logic board failure, etc).

Most of those issues took statements from suppliers and/or threats of lawsuits to even get Apple to acknowledge an issue. In some cases, it took years (iBook G3).

I was going to bite on a new i7 27” after the first of the year, but I think I’ll hold out until the next revision.

[WilliamG]

Alright. I'm going to try to be the voice of reason here.

First, I believe the thread starter to be 100% correct in his assessment. Judging by his camera choice (Canon EOS 5D MKII), he's clearly VERY conscious of image quality. In the interest of full disclosure, I also own a 5D MKII.

I've owned a LOT of computer screens in my time. Loads. From laptop displays to external displays, a LOT. I've never, not once, encountered a perfect display. Whether it's the buzz that CCFL LCDs make at less than full brightness (including every single 20", 23" and 30" CCFL Apple Cinema Display that Apple ever released - that people maintain they can't hear despite EVERY SINGLE screen suffering from it), to color casts on screens, no screen is perfect.

Now, I've owned several Apple 24" Cinema Displays (the LED model), and none of these displays make a buzzing sound because they're not CCFL of course. However, I've not seen a single 24" Cinema Display with a perfectly white screen. Not once. I've personally used FIVE 24" LED Cinema Displays, with my wife and I both owning one, and having had a couple of issues with previous displays.

I can tell you for sure that none of these displays, not even the ones my wife and I currently use - are perfect. Mine is slightly yellower toward the bottom of the screen, and hers is what I might describe as slightly "green" toward the left/bottom. It does not bother her ONE BIT. She would never EVER notice it. Ever. People have posted pictures of their displays in this thread, and I can see the color casts clearly in each and every one. For anyone to claim their display is perfect is sheer madness. There's absolutely no such thing as a perfect display!

In any case, while I do believe there may be a touch of arrogance in the thread title, the thread starter's logic is sound based on my own experiences, which include over 20 Apple Cinema displays in my computer lab at uni and having experienced a multitude of Apple laptops, Dell laptops, Dell LCDs, Apple LCDs over the years.

I live with my slight color cast on my Apple display because I'm well aware that in the real world it doesn't affect my photograph to any real degree. There's no such thing as true 100% accurate color reproduction in print in any case.

Personally, I've ordered a 27" iMac which should be here in about 10 days. I know for a FACT that my screen will not be perfect. But I can live with that. It just amuses me that every time a new display-related product comes out, people complain like this. While I do wish the creation of the LCD came without a cost, color casts etc are just part of the equation at this point.

To sum up:

1.) Color casts are NORMAL, and EVERY display has them to some degree. My two Nintendo DS LCDs are completely different from each other!

2.) This is not an "issue" exclusive to Apple's own displays.

3.) Not everyone will notice it. I can't think of a single person I know who would notice it, except one or two especially anal friends (and of course, me).

4.) Let's move on?

[invisionblue]

pointless thread, if you don't like your imac then return it. My i7 has been flawless for a month now.

[robotkiller]

Alright. I'm going to try to be the voice of reason here.

First, I believe the thread starter to be 100% correct in his assessment. Judging by his camera choice (Canon EOS 5D MKII), he's clearly VERY conscious of image quality. In the interest of full disclosure, I also own a 5D MKII.

I've owned a LOT of computer screens in my time. Loads. From laptop displays to external displays, a LOT. I've never, not once, encountered a perfect display. Whether it's the buzz that CCFL LCDs make at less than full brightness (including every single 20", 23" and 30" CCFL Apple Cinema Display that Apple ever released - that people maintain they can't hear despite EVERY SINGLE screen suffering from it), to color casts on screens, no screen is perfect.

Now, I've owned several Apple 24" Cinema Displays (the LED model), and none of these displays make a buzzing sound because they're not CCFL of course. However, I've not seen a single 24" Cinema Display with a perfectly white screen. Not once. I've personally used FIVE 24" LED Cinema Displays, with my wife and I both owning one, and having had a couple of issues with previous displays.

I can tell you for sure that none of these displays, not even the ones my wife and I currently use - are perfect. Mine is slightly yellower toward the bottom of the screen, and hers is what I might describe as slightly "green" toward the left/bottom. It does not bother her ONE BIT. She would never EVER notice it. Ever. People have posted pictures of their displays in this thread, and I can see the color casts clearly in each and every one. For anyone to claim their display is perfect is sheer madness. There's absolutely no such thing as a perfect display!

In any case, while I do believe there may be a touch of arrogance in the thread title, the thread starter's logic is sound based on my own experiences, which include over 20 Apple Cinema displays in my computer lab at uni and having experienced a multitude of Apple laptops, Dell laptops, Dell LCDs, Apple LCDs over the years.

I live with my slight color cast on my Apple display because I'm well aware that in the real world it doesn't affect my photograph to any real degree. There's no such thing as true 100% accurate color reproduction in print in any case.

Personally, I've ordered a 27" iMac which should be here in about 10 days. I know for a FACT that my screen will not be perfect. But I can live with that. It just amuses me that every time a new display-related product comes out, people complain like this. While I do wish the creation of the LCD came without a cost, color casts etc are just part of the equation at this point.

To sum up:

1.) Color casts are NORMAL, and EVERY display has them to some degree. My two Nintendo DS LCDs are completely different from each other!

2.) This is not an "issue" exclusive to Apple's own displays.

3.) Not everyone will notice it. I can't think of a single person I know who would notice it, except one or two especially anal friends (and of course, me).

4.) Let's move on?


This is what Apple is counting on. Honestly, wanting a perfect screen is not too much to ask in a $2200 computer

This kind of color shift is simply unacceptable, IMO.

http://dk-sk.smugmug.com/Other/Test/iMac27screenshot/753816881_UbGaF-X3.jpg

[slicecom]

This is what Apple is counting on. Honestly, wanting a perfect screen is not too much to ask in a $2200 computer

This kind of color shift is simply unacceptable, IMO.


Exactly, while I agree with much of what WilliamG said, its not unreasonable to expect a display to have decent colour consistency. I've owned many monitors that have much better colour consistency than the iMac, some of which were very inexpensive and thats the point.

[Travisimo]

Thanks for actually having the balls to post a picture of your screen, I wish some of those with "perfect" screens would too, but they've probably realized their screens aren't as perfect as they claim. Your screen has a yellow tinge, but its not as bad as some cases including mine. If mine looked like that and everything else worked, I would have a hard time taking it back and risking getting something worse.

Right, I'm definitely not returning it. And with my Applecare warranty, I'll have no anxiety over this issue because I've already dealt with Apple's customer service and have found it to be exemplary. I am at ease that if my screen becomes unacceptable at some point during my warranty, it will be replaced. Now for those with an unacceptable display, I guess they have to ask themselves whether it's worth trying for a replacement now, OR just log this issue with Apple and get it replaced once they work out a fix into their production run.

[Maeglin]

Alright. I'm going to try to be the voice of reason here.

First, I believe the thread starter to be 100% correct in his assessment. Judging by his camera choice (Canon EOS 5D MKII), he's clearly VERY conscious of image quality. In the interest of full disclosure, I also own a 5D MKII.

I've owned a LOT of computer screens in my time. Loads. From laptop displays to external displays, a LOT. I've never, not once, encountered a perfect display. Whether it's the buzz that CCFL LCDs make at less than full brightness (including every single 20", 23" and 30" CCFL Apple Cinema Display that Apple ever released - that people maintain they can't hear despite EVERY SINGLE screen suffering from it), to color casts on screens, no screen is perfect.

Now, I've owned several Apple 24" Cinema Displays (the LED model), and none of these displays make a buzzing sound because they're not CCFL of course. However, I've not seen a single 24" Cinema Display with a perfectly white screen. Not once. I've personally used FIVE 24" LED Cinema Displays, with my wife and I both owning one, and having had a couple of issues with previous displays.

I can tell you for sure that none of these displays, not even the ones my wife and I currently use - are perfect. Mine is slightly yellower toward the bottom of the screen, and hers is what I might describe as slightly "green" toward the left/bottom. It does not bother her ONE BIT. She would never EVER notice it. Ever. People have posted pictures of their displays in this thread, and I can see the color casts clearly in each and every one. For anyone to claim their display is perfect is sheer madness. There's absolutely no such thing as a perfect display!

In any case, while I do believe there may be a touch of arrogance in the thread title, the thread starter's logic is sound based on my own experiences, which include over 20 Apple Cinema displays in my computer lab at uni and having experienced a multitude of Apple laptops, Dell laptops, Dell LCDs, Apple LCDs over the years.

I live with my slight color cast on my Apple display because I'm well aware that in the real world it doesn't affect my photograph to any real degree. There's no such thing as true 100% accurate color reproduction in print in any case.

Personally, I've ordered a 27" iMac which should be here in about 10 days. I know for a FACT that my screen will not be perfect. But I can live with that. It just amuses me that every time a new display-related product comes out, people complain like this. While I do wish the creation of the LCD came without a cost, color casts etc are just part of the equation at this point.

To sum up:

1.) Color casts are NORMAL, and EVERY display has them to some degree. My two Nintendo DS LCDs are completely different from each other!

2.) This is not an "issue" exclusive to Apple's own displays.

3.) Not everyone will notice it. I can't think of a single person I know who would notice it, except one or two especially anal friends (and of course, me).

4.) Let's move on?


Finaly some sense .

Thats why i posted this

Eizo Nanao EIZO ColorEdge CG221
LCD display - TFT - 22.2" - 1920 x 1200 - 200 cd/m2 - 400:1 - 30 ms

Price : $5,689.99

This is why it costs that sum : "The CG221 reproduces the Adobe RGB color space and incorporates a newly developed integrated circuit to produce uniform color and brightness from corner to corner. The CG221 delivers accurate and reliable hardware calibration so soft proofing can be done with confidence.

[Travisimo]

Alright. I'm going to try to be the voice of reason here.

I've owned a LOT of computer screens in my time. Loads. From laptop displays to external displays, a LOT. I've never, not once, encountered a perfect display. Whether it's the buzz that CCFL LCDs make at less than full brightness (including every single 20", 23" and 30" CCFL Apple Cinema Display that Apple ever released - that people maintain they can't hear despite EVERY SINGLE screen suffering from it), to color casts on screens, no screen is perfect.

Now, I've owned several Apple 24" Cinema Displays (the LED model), and none of these displays make a buzzing sound because they're not CCFL of course. However, I've not seen a single 24" Cinema Display with a perfectly white screen. Not once. I've personally used FIVE 24" LED Cinema Displays, with my wife and I both owning one, and having had a couple of issues with previous displays.

I can tell you for sure that none of these displays, not even the ones my wife and I currently use - are perfect. Mine is slightly yellower toward the bottom of the screen, and hers is what I might describe as slightly "green" toward the left/bottom. It does not bother her ONE BIT. She would never EVER notice it. Ever. People have posted pictures of their displays in this thread, and I can see the color casts clearly in each and every one. For anyone to claim their display is perfect is sheer madness. There's absolutely no such thing as a perfect display!

In any case, while I do believe there may be a touch of arrogance in the thread title, the thread starter's logic is sound based on my own experiences, which include over 20 Apple Cinema displays in my computer lab at uni and having experienced a multitude of Apple laptops, Dell laptops, Dell LCDs, Apple LCDs over the years.

I live with my slight color cast on my Apple display because I'm well aware that in the real world it doesn't affect my photograph to any real degree. There's no such thing as true 100% accurate color reproduction in print in any case.

Personally, I've ordered a 27" iMac which should be here in about 10 days. I know for a FACT that my screen will not be perfect. But I can live with that. It just amuses me that every time a new display-related product comes out, people complain like this. While I do wish the creation of the LCD came without a cost, color casts etc are just part of the equation at this point.

To sum up:

1.) Color casts are NORMAL, and EVERY display has them to some degree. My two Nintendo DS LCDs are completely different from each other!

2.) This is not an "issue" exclusive to Apple's own displays.

3.) Not everyone will notice it. I can't think of a single person I know who would notice it, except one or two especially anal friends (and of course, me).

4.) Let's move on?

All of what you said makes sense and is indeed "reasonable". There is a balance between expectations and reality and in some cases, it's pretty obvious that their display is not "acceptable". I agree with you that there is NO perfect display, and seeing this issue come to light has made me more aware of imperfections in OTHER displays I own. Even with the slight color gradient, the screen on my 27" iMac is considerably better than the screen on many of my other devices. The screen on my wife's Macbook, for example, pales considerably and I'm not referring to size or resolution. My PC LCD is not uniform, and my 52" HDTV has backlight bleed.

We DO have to draw the line somewhere. There are certainly objective attributes to compare: uniformity, bleed, color accuracy, etc. But at the end of the day, whether or not a screen is "acceptable" is an individual choice.

I'll give you another example. I have a Samsung 52" LCD HDTV that has a panel made by Samsung themselves. However, they also sold this EXACT same TV with panels made by other manufacturers and you could tell if yours was made by Samsung by looking at a code on the back of the unit. There were message board posts full of owners who claimed the panels made by Samsung were better than the ones contracted out (in terms of uniformity, bleed, etc). And some claimed that the store models in places like Best BUy were always units made by Samsung themselves so that they looked better.

If I wasn't a hard-core user who visited these forums, I would have never been aware of this issue or would I have ever noticed it (which is why I purposefully refrained from doing any tests for the first week I owned it). If my screen looked like some of the examples I've seen, I would definitely have noticed.

So there's definitely different degrees to which this issue manifests itself, AND there are different degrees to which owners will find their display "acceptable". And with that, it's no surprise to find extremes of all sides posted here: some defending their displays, some doing multiple exchanges, some accepting "imperfections", etc.

[SilenceBe]

no, Apple say it is the ultimate display..

what they need to do is live up to that claim...
They need to live up the following claim (from their website)


IPS gives you a bright picture with excellent color consistency

http://www.apple.com/imac/features.html

And that btw from every angle which debunks the explanation of the apologists that it has everything to do with the viewing angle... No matter how they try to spin this, there isn't a lot of room to interpret that particular sentence. It is laughable that it isn't possible to have "excellent color consistency" looking straight at the screen.

Although I have heard different explanations ranging from small percentages of faulty screens to a worldwide international conspiracy orchestrated by Apple competitors. And that from the same group of people ! They can even hold one single argument in this whole discussion.

[racer1441]

pointless thread, if you don't like your imac then return it. My i7 has been flawless for a month now.

Agreed.

This whole thing has turned into a cluster. Anyone that sees something claims the problem.

Most of these are placebo affect problems, IMO.

[Vandium]

Reading these yellow tint screen forums is freaky. The Apple fanatics make me feel as though I am living in some Orwellian world. Apple says they have the "ultimate screen" (or Apple new iMac screens are double-plus good) and that is that, end of story. There is no yellowing. (2+2 does not equal 4) Sorry folks, the yellow is there. And now we have Gizmodo to back us. http://gizmodo.com/search/yellow%20screen

Then there are the Apple apologists. Patronizingly they may concede that "your screen" may be yellowish but if so, get over it--nothing is perfect. Like who cares if all the past Macs we have ever owned have had the ability to produce uniform colors. For some reason we should no longer expect this?

Then there are the uber troll posts like those of Cecil who's small world is completely incomprehensible and a waste of everyone's time.

It is simple. There are many, many of us who have yellowish screens and they are not acceptable. We obviously like Macs and are eager to have a new acceptable one. This thread was started because someone has seen so many bad screens that they would love to see a screen without yellow. For those who don't have yellow screens, having a yellow screen (or several in a row) the concept of NON-yellow screens seems almost mythical. That is it. It is our experience. The original poster, out of frustration, just requested that those who have good screens to post a picture of that screen--to give us hope that a good screen actually exists. If you have a screen that works for you, we are happy for you.

As for me my 21" week 44 and weeK 49 were yellowish. I am sending the 49 back for a refund and will painfully wait a few more months and hope....

[WilliamG]

Then there are the Apple apologists. Patronizingly they may concede that "your screen" may be yellowish but if so, get over it--nothing is perfect. Like who cares if all the past Macs we have ever owned have had the ability to produce uniform colors. For some reason we should no longer expect this?



These sentences are 100% false. I bought my father a 20" iMac in 2008. It's a great machine and he loves it. However, it too suffers from a color cast. I set up some good friends of mine with a 2008 20" iMac, too, and it also has a color cast to some degree (slightly worse than my father's). You're making it sound like this is the first time in iMac history this issue has been present. Believe me it's not. And I'm certainly not an Apple apologist.

[Travisimo]

Then there are the Apple apologists. Patronizingly they may concede that "your screen" may be yellowish but if so, get over it--nothing is perfect. Like who cares if all the past Macs we have ever owned have had the ability to produce uniform colors. For some reason we should no longer expect this?


By the same token, just because Apple SAYS theirs is the "ultimate display" doesn't mean all of sudden the displays are going to be perfect. It's not like Apple has reached some mythical perfection in display technology. In many ways, the screen IS a lot better than past screens. Despite the slight color gradient on my 27", it's a heck of a lot better than previous LCD screens I've had (which have indeed had non-uniform displays, backlight bleed, uneven brightness, ghosting, etc).

As I said before, there's a balance of acceptability that is individually governed. You can evaluate a screen using objective measurements but because of the lack of a "perfect" display, there's always a subjective element to acceptability.

For those with unacceptable displays, there's no apologizing necessary: you have the right to return and/or exchange it for another one. I think those expecting a "perfect" display are expecting too much and should take a second look at displays they've had in the past. Perhaps they never took the time to do uniformity, color accuracy, or other tests to evaluate their display? I know I never did, but now when I've look at some other displays, I've noticed things I never noticed before. Again, this is not to dismiss a display that is deemed unacceptable by its owner. Nor does it means we shouldn't have good expectations at all.

Forums are a funny place. You ALWAYS find extremes of two sides and you always find those who try to mediate. It's always the same and it will never change. I've seen it in just about every forum I've ever visit from video games to religion to sports.

This forum is obviously no different. ;-)

[HLdan]

These sentences are 100% false. I bought my father a 20" iMac in 2008. It's a great machine and he loves it. However, it too suffers from a color cast. I set up some good friends of mine with a 2008 20" iMac, too, and it also has a color cast to some degree (slightly worse than my father's). You're making it sound like this is the first time in iMac history this issue has been present. Believe me it's not. And I'm certainly not an Apple apologist.

Absolutely correct! My 24" iMac has color cast issues as well but for my everyday use it's perfectly fine for a consumer machine and I'm a power user. In fact I don't know ever a time where Apple hasn't had complaints about color issues with displays on iMacs, Macbooks, Powerbooks or iBooks and Apple always advertises their displays as being stellar. The person that mentioned the Eizo monitor obviously understands the difference between a consumer machine and a professional monitor.

[Maeglin]

Absolutely correct! My 24" iMac has color cast issues as well but for my everyday use it's perfectly fine for a consumer machine and I'm a power user. In fact I don't know ever a time where Apple hasn't had complaints about color issues with displays on iMacs, Macbooks, Powerbooks or iBooks and Apple always advertises their displays as being stellar. The person that mentioned the Eizo monitor obviously understands the difference between a consumer machine and a professional monitor.

Tnx , i had some hope that someone would understand the difference between a consumer grade display and a professional one :)
Would i love that the 27" Imac was that good ? Yes , but i know its not and it could never be at that price range.

[macsarethebest]

I've only used two 27" iMac's in store, but both looked like they had pretty good screens to me.

of course they would use perfectly tested ones at a demo :p;):o

[WilliamG]

of course they would use perfectly tested ones at a demo :p;):o

They're just like the rest of them. Unless you have a perfectly white screen to test this, you're never going to be able to tell anyway if your screen has a cast of any sort. In the store? Even less likely to be able to tell.

[The General]

You're taking a photo of a flat LCD with a camera. The viewing angle for every pixel of the display is different. Slight discoloration is going to happen for pixels viewed from not directly straight on.

This is a limitation of LCD technology, not a manufacturing defect in your LCD panel.

On top of this problem, there's also going to be slight discoloration/darkening in parts of your photograph because cameras are not capable of capturing the precise color in every area of the frame.

This is a limitation of photography technology, not a manufacturing defect in your camera.

If you can see discoloration with your eyeballs, then head directly to the Genius Bar. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

If you can not see discoloration with your eyeballs, then quit worrying about having a defective display, and quit conjuring up completely inaccurate tests to prove your theory, a theory for which you have already made up your mind.

[TennisandMusic]

You're taking a photo of a flat LCD with a camera. The viewing angle for every pixel of the display is different. Slight discoloration is going to happen for pixels viewed from not directly straight on.

This is a limitation of LCD technology, not a manufacturing defect in your LCD panel.

On top of this problem, there's also going to be slight discoloration/darkening in parts of your photograph because cameras are not capable of capturing the precise color in every area of the frame.

This is a limitation of photography technology, not a manufacturing defect in your camera.

If you can see discoloration with your eyeballs, then head directly to the Genius Bar. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

If you can not see discoloration with your eyeballs, then quit worrying about having a defective display, and quit conjuring up completely inaccurate tests to prove your theory, a theory for which you have already made up your mind.

Yup you heard it here first folks! The screen is perfect! It's your eyeballs, your perception, and your fancy cameras that are all defective!

[The General]

Yup you heard it here first folks! The screen is perfect! It's your eyeballs, your perception, and your fancy cameras that are all defective!

I didn't say anything about anyone's LCD panels being defective or not defective. Nor cameras, nor eyeballs, nor perception (in fact, I didn't even use that word at all).

Try reading my post again. Using critical thinking, you'll see that all I did was debunk the OP's non-scientific, completely inaccurate test.

The results that the OP found would be found on any LCD panel.

[SilenceBe]

The person that mentioned the Eizo monitor obviously understands the difference between a consumer machine and a professional monitor.
Yeah because color consistency is a "pro feature" :rolleyes: So my 200 euro costing samsung TFT monitor (yeah I'm so lucky to have an older imac with the gradient problem ) is a "professional monitor" ?

You are aware that the existence of "professional monitors" has more to do with that what you see (color wise / color calibration) on the screen is the same what rolls of the presses ? You will for example not see many professional web designers/developers (hello btw) working on expensive EIZO monitors, that is just plain overkill. But yellowing does interfere with their work as it also has an impact with regards of contrast on pages and other things.

There is nobody in his mind asking for perfect gamut or support for Adobe RGB colors. Just that white is displayed as white at the top and the bottom.

For hell sake lets drop the ultimate display thing but just think for a moment. We are talking about LED backlited S-IPS panels, you cant expect anything less with this kind of displays then consistent colors. I don't see a lot of reasons why the technology would exists otherwise. Something that Apple also advertises with on the imac pages "EXCELLENT color CONSISTENCY from every angle". You think that the color distance between white and yellow is something anybody in his right mind would call "excellent" ?

[Fishrrman]

I don't have one of the new iMacs (have a 2nd revision white Intel 24" that's doing fine), but a few thoughts:

- The "yellowing" is generally towards the lower-right-hand quadrant of the screen, is that correct?

- If correct, what _components_ lie _behind_ that area of the screen, back in the rear of the case?

- Could they be emitting some EFI that could account for the slight discoloration of the screen?

I work on the railroad, and at one station the crew quarters are over the tracks. The trains are powered by 11,000 volts a.c., the wires mounted over the tracks (directly under the floor where we are). When an engine goes by underneath (which uses a LOT of electrical current) there will be color distortion on video screens upstairs. EFI interference to be sure.

Could something similar be happening with the iMacs - granted, on a much smaller and more subtle scale, but happening nonetheless? It's simply a fact of life that the iMac design requires that the display be located in close proximity to a host of electrical devices capable of generating EFI, if even in small doses....

[archipellago]

I don't have one of the new iMacs (have a 2nd revision white Intel 24" that's doing fine), but a few thoughts:

- The "yellowing" is generally towards the lower-right-hand quadrant of the screen, is that correct?

- If correct, what _components_ lie _behind_ that area of the screen, back in the rear of the case?

- Could they be emitting some EFI that could account for the slight discoloration of the screen?

I work on the railroad, and at one station the crew quarters are over the tracks. The trains are powered by 11,000 volts a.c., the wires mounted over the tracks (directly under the floor where we are). When an engine goes by underneath (which uses a LOT of electrical current) there will be color distortion on video screens upstairs. EFI interference to be sure.

Could something similar be happening with the iMacs - granted, on a much smaller and more subtle scale, but happening nonetheless? It's simply a fact of life that the iMac design requires that the display be located in close proximity to a host of electrical devices capable of generating EFI, if even in small doses....

so you're asking if Apple completely screwed up the design of the new imac?

probably...

[sparkie1984]

I don't have one of the new iMacs (have a 2nd revision white Intel 24" that's doing fine), but a few thoughts:

- The "yellowing" is generally towards the lower-right-hand quadrant of the screen, is that correct?

- If correct, what _components_ lie _behind_ that area of the screen, back in the rear of the case?

- Could they be emitting some EFI that could account for the slight discoloration of the screen?

I work on the railroad, and at one station the crew quarters are over the tracks. The trains are powered by 11,000 volts a.c., the wires mounted over the tracks (directly under the floor where we are). When an engine goes by underneath (which uses a LOT of electrical current) there will be color distortion on video screens upstairs. EFI interference to be sure.

Could something similar be happening with the iMacs - granted, on a much smaller and more subtle scale, but happening nonetheless? It's simply a fact of life that the iMac design requires that the display be located in close proximity to a host of electrical devices capable of generating EFI, if even in small doses....


kind of like when you used to put a magnet near a crt screen? theres an ifixit article on the web with the imac disassembled, if someone could find that it may help us out!

edit: might be the bluetooth antenna or something down there??? heres the article:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac-Intel-27-Inch/1236/2

[DarwinOSX]

As such I'd like to ask all those that believe they have perfect iMacs to take upon this challenge and actually PROVE to us that their screens are free of any problems.
If you can't bother to actually test your display, then don't talk about it.

I feel no need to prove anything to you or anyone else. I will certainly talk about how my screen is fine all I want whether it passes your "test" or not.

My screen is fine.

[DarwinOSX]

Agreed.

This whole thing has turned into a cluster. Anyone that sees something claims the problem.

Most of these are placebo affect problems, IMO.

Exactly right.

[robotkiller]

Exactly right.

http://www.smileys.me.uk/smileys/Roll_eye/rolleye0011.gif (http://www.free-blinkies.com/)

[slicecom]

Exactly right.

:rolleyes:

[msw123307]

Many users (like myself) are actually interested to see a display with good consistency. I don't consider myself picky at all, and don't use photoshop heavily or anything like that. I definitely don't have a good eye for color. But I noticed this discoloration on both of my 27" iMacs on first boot up/loading screen.

Regardless if those of you with perfect screens need to "prove" something or not, it's really not about that. Some of us are just interested to see your screens, so we know they are out there.

[Wang Foolio]

Just a quick note on the "placebo effect" at play here. Placebos refer to a fake treatment causing people to report that their symptoms have disappeared. Interestingly, there are tons of cases where actual honest-to-goodness objective measures show that the problem is gone even when you didn't do anything to treat it.

Someone hearing about a problem and deciding that they too suffer from it, that's more like a somatoform disorder or hypochondriasis. I don't know what the desktop computer equivalent is, but anyway placebo isn't the right term. Since everyone is so interested in getting technical, I thought I'd throw my overpriced education into the mix for the sake of making the semantics argument even more amusing :D

Anyway, long story short: Ordered a 27" i7 in December. Week 50 manufacture. Noticed a very subtle discoloration pattern on the screen, wasn't concerned much because it was so very slight and I've seen much much worse in the past. Fast forward 2 weeks or so, and the problem seems to be getting worse. I hop online, see threads like this, and think "Wow, clearly I'm not the only one."

I am currently in the process of deciding how to handle the thing, the issue was reported within 14 days of my delivery date, and since I have Boot Camp and tons of stuff installed on both partitions I am loathe to enter the lottery of refurbs/replacements and then earn the privilege of installing everything over again. If they can get somebody to pop the HD out of my old one into a replacement with a better screen, I'll happily take them up on the offer.

For the sake of completion, I'll describe my discolouration pattern. Imagine a W shape extending all the way to the corners of the screen. The top half of the shape, basically the two wedges with the fat ends at the top, are fine. The bottom of the W pattern, ie. the three wedges which are widest on the bottom, are all yellow. Over 2 weeks the problem worsened quite a bit, most noticeably near the center of the screen. Before I would have estimated that 25% of the area of the screen had the tinge, now it's closer to 40-50%.

[Dino1956]

Of course you could simply just take a photo & copy they bottom Gray Bay next to the Gray Bar on the Top in Preview & see there is definitely a Yellow on bottom of Screen. Slightly Amatuer But It Clearly Shows my 21.5 NVidia Week 45 iMac's Screen.

http://img.skitch.com/20100112-br6b64ujiuseudi11qm9ixraiu.preview.jpg (http://skitch.com/dino1956/nxyn2/yellow-screen-tinge-01)
Click for full size (http://skitch.com/dino1956/nxyn2/yellow-screen-tinge-01) - Uploaded with plasq (http://plasq.com)'s Skitch (http://skitch.com)

[Sir Cecil]

You're taking a photo of a flat LCD with a camera. The viewing angle for every pixel of the display is different. Slight discoloration is going to happen for pixels viewed from not directly straight on.

This is a limitation of LCD technology, not a manufacturing defect in your LCD panel.

On top of this problem, there's also going to be slight discoloration/darkening in parts of your photograph because cameras are not capable of capturing the precise color in every area of the frame.

This is a limitation of photography technology, not a manufacturing defect in your camera.

If you can see discoloration with your eyeballs, then head directly to the Genius Bar. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

If you can not see discoloration with your eyeballs, then quit worrying about having a defective display, and quit conjuring up completely inaccurate tests to prove your theory, a theory for which you have already made up your mind.

Excellent post. Some sense being heard over the wails of the zealots at last.

[Wang Foolio]

You know what else isn't capable of capturing perfectly uniform light over its entire field of view? Your eyes.

You know what else can't see every pixel on your screen from the exact same viewing angle at the same time? Your eyes.

Even the arguments over whether the argument is too technical are getting too technical. LOL :D

I agree wholeheartedly with the final statement though, nobody on the forum here can fix the problem for you. Talk to Apple and see what they can do for you, it's in their best interest to make you happy so you can spend thousands of dollars on their next shiny new toy, perhaps the one which is going to be announced on the 27th?

[gb1631]

so you're asking if Apple completely screwed up the design of the new imac?

probably...

archipellago, in looking at all your posts on here, it makes me wonder if you have ever owned and operated a MAC, much less a 27 iMac. I have never seen a post by you, that contributed to any of the problem solving with Mac issues or for that matter anything of real value to other posters here in this Mac forum.

It make me wonder what your real motives for posting here are, are you just a troll or do you have other hidden agendas?

If you hate Macs as much as your posts indicate, why not stay on a PC forum?

My 2 Cents!

[SaSaSushi]

I agree wholeheartedly with the final statement though, nobody on the forum here can fix the problem for you. Talk to Apple and see what they can do for you, it's in their best interest to make you happy so you can spend thousands of dollars on their next shiny new toy, perhaps the one which is going to be announced on the 27th?

I read on the Apple Discussion forums that Apple is offering visual cortex replacements and in some extreme cases is even replacing the occitipal lobe in the brain of some affected users.

I think they should offer some users full frontal lobotomies.

[Sir Cecil]

archipellago, in looking at all your posts on here, it makes me wonder if you have ever owned and operated a MAC, much less a 27 iMac. I have never seen a post by you, that contributed to any of the problem solving with Mac issues or for that matter anything of real value to other posters here in this Mac forum.

It make me wonder what your real motives for posting here are, are you just a troll or do you have other hidden agendas?

If you hate Macs as much as your posts indicate, why not stay on a PC forum?

My 2 Cents!

Rather than see a photo of his screen, I'd rather see a receipt for any iMac purchase of his. Of course, no such thing will be forthcoming. He's only here (like several others too) to inflame and further his anti-Mac agenda. It's so easy to do of course and it is nothing unusual in these days of Internet industrial subterfuge. No different to an unscrupulous company sending moles to post bad reviews for a competitor's products on the Apple Store site.
The unfortunate experience of those with genuine screen problems is like tasty red meat for such characters to prey on.

[Dino1956]

Why do PC Users Hate Apple so much ? I don't get it! I drive a Mazda, you drive a Mercedes. I don't hate Mercedes! It's immature & ridiculous. It's a preference & everyone has their right to buy what they want. All PC Users think we buy Macs because thy are Pretty & because of the shiny Apple Logo. They have this passionate hate towards Apple & Macs. I tell you what. I know I don't hate PC's as much as they hate Macs. And most of them never even owned a Mac. I can say that most of us here have owned PC's & that's WHY we are Mac Users. Haters! :-)

[Bryan Bowler]

archipellago, in looking at all your posts on here, it makes me wonder if you have ever owned and operated a MAC, much less a 27 iMac. I have never seen a post by you, that contributed to any of the problem solving with Mac issues or for that matter anything of real value to other posters here in this Mac forum.

It make me wonder what your real motives for posting here are, are you just a troll or do you have other hidden agendas?

If you hate Macs as much as your posts indicate, why not stay on a PC forum?

My 2 Cents!

Bravo! I couldn't agree with you more. archipellago has been trolling on here for a very long time. He even admitted that he doesn't own a Mac and thinks that PCs are superior. I don't mind at all that he prefers PCs over Macs...that's totally cool. But what's not cool, is him sitting on this forum and doing nothing but stirring the pot. :mad:

Bryan

[SaSaSushi]

archipellago, in looking at all your posts on here, it makes me wonder if you have ever owned and operated a MAC, much less a 27 iMac.

I'm afraid Archipellago won't be able to answer you right away as he appears to be on a forced holiday thanks to his trolling.

I highly doubt he's ever owned a Mac.

[mistraldk]

EXACTLY! I just want to see a good screen but nobody with a "good" screen is willing to post pictures. Coincidence? I think not.

It's strange at the least...
I'm now awaiting my 4th...iMac. (one doa, two flickering&yellow screens).
In all stores i've visited and all iMac's (27inch) i've seen so far there has been an yellow tinge, some worse than others but all were afflicted.
I'm also awaiting a viewing of a perfect screen!

[SaSaSushi]

It's strange at the least...
I'm now awaiting my 4th...iMac. (one doa, two flickering&yellow screens).
In all stores i've visited and all iMac's (27inch) i've seen so far there has been an yellow tinge, some worse than others but all were afflicted.
I'm also awaiting a viewing of a perfect screen!

Strange how this lie is propagated.

I posted pics of my i7's tinge-free screen (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=841291&page=3) two weeks ago.

[mistraldk]

Strange how this lie is propagated.

I posted pics of my i7's tinge-free screen (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=841291&page=3) two weeks ago.

Thanks!
I must have missed your post in that thread.

[SaSaSushi]

Thanks!
I must have missed your post in that thread.

No worries at all and I must apologize to you if my comments seemed accusatory. They were more directed at the poster you were replying TO because he participated in the thread I pointed you at and should be aware of the pictures that have been posted by myself and others.

I hope you get a keeper on the next try. I'm really loving mine!

[iamthedudeman]

use a spectrometer ffs.. using a consumer dslr to measure colour is just laughable honestly.

If you are a photographer do yourself a favour and research colour reproduction and measurement before coming up with such a variable prone 'test'

You really know very little about the way the devices you use work if you think there is any accuracy present in the image you captured.


This made me laugh today at least.


Wow. Finally some reason to all this madness.

This post is spot on. Sorry.

To the OP, without this test does your panel look bad? Without doing this test, or did you do the test based on the crazy reports on this site?

Your panel looks fine to me from the pictures. Regardless of your flawed test. I have a 21.5 and it looks perfect. And no I don't care to do a test to see if I am right or not. If it looks fine to me why bother.

People on this site make up just a fraction of the millions of people who buy Macs in the first place. You do realize this? Don't you. That is why Apple is not seeing this as a widespread problem. Because it most likely isn't to them. If it is at all.

Do a large number of panels have a yellow tint, maybe so. Do people on this site see it as a big problem, yes they do. Do the general public, no they don't. Are most people on this site sickened with OCD, yes they are. In a big way.

Most of the posts are of people putting up pictures with so called "yellow tint'. Most of the time I cannot see a problem, some do most of the time not. Am I color blind maybe, but probably not.

The moral of the story is that you people are crazy. Go see a shrink. :(

[iamthedudeman]

Well I'm sure there are better screens than what I have out there. My first screen had annoying blue in the upper right, but not really any "yellow" on the bottom. So surely there has to be a decent screen right? A perfect one? Dunno...that doesn't matter to me. Even my ACD at work has pretty bad uniformity, but it's four years old now.

However, I would bet a thousand bucks that PLENTY of people could look at my current screen and say "it's perfect!" when it's far from being so. Some people just don't see these things, or really don't care. Heck, I'm wondering if it's even worth it at this point, because I could just get another machine in 6-12 months, and this one would still allow me to get great work done overall. But that's kinda like letting Apple screw me so...can't bring myself to do it.

So yeah, someone please just show us a basically uniform acceptable screen. Just one? We have a few people insisting theirs is completely perfect, but incredulously refuse to post a shot of it, for whatever reason. If I ever got a perfect one I'd take a bunch of pictures for people that wanted to see it. I'd be glad too, in fact.

You finally get the point. Most screens on the market today weather it is TV screens or computer screens are not perfect. Go check your HDTV and do a test like the OP did to his Mac. Most likely it isn't perfect either. Go and test the other computers in your house and see how perfect they are.

Why does the screen have to be perfect? If it looks good then why do a test. If it looks bad take it back. Most people who buy Macs are not on this site, let me repeat "most people on this site are not the majority of Mac owners'. and if it was such a widespread issue it would be on CNN or Fox news in the "tech' section as pretty big news.

Do you know why it's not, because it isn't big news, that is because it isn't a as big a problem as most claim on this site.

Simple as that.

[Binarymix]

It's sad when my early 2006 CD iMac has a uniform screen, and looks beautiful, yet 2009 screens are looking like this.

[Sir Cecil]

It's sad when my early 2006 CD iMac has a uniform screen, and looks beautiful, yet 2009 screens are looking like this.

Try a 2010 model. The one I received last week has no problems.

[Binarymix]

Try a 2010 model. The one I received last week has no problems.

I won't buy another iMac until I see first hand in a store that the issues have been fixed. Probably next revision.

[SaSaSushi]

I won't buy another iMac until I see first hand in a store that the issues have been fixed. Probably next revision.

Best of luck to you.

In regards to your comment about your 2006 iMac, my i7 has far less gradient issues than my mid-2007 24" iMac did.