i have finally called it a day with the 27"

[frenchie0101]

ok so some will know i started the hard drive noise thread and ended up returning so many times. After going the online route and opting for the 2TB (which has been alot better) i have now suffered with screen flickering etc. After receiving my new replacement 2 days ago week 00 or 02 i immediately noticed horrible background bleed and a very strange white orb at the top right corner.... So after 9!!!! different 27" macs i have now called it a day. I am getting my money back and afraid to say back to windows until i can see a REV B come through with all the problems solved

[lexvo]

I can fully understand your reasoning. I think I would give up after the 4th or 5th exchange or so. This post is so in contrast with the thread started by Robotkiller (he got a good 27" in his 4th exchange).

I have the yellow tinge, but my 27" is perfect for the rest. So I decided to wait until Apple has sorted things out.

[hakr]

I can fully understand your reasoning. I think I would give up after the 4th or 5th exchange or so. This post is so in contrast with the thread started by Robotkiller (he got a good 27" in his 4th exchange).

I have the yellow tinge, but my 27" is perfect for the rest. So I decided to wait until Apple has sorted things out.

The problem is, there's no way to tell when or if the damned flickering problem will appear. For some, it didn't show up for several weeks. I agree about the yellow tinge, though...if you only have a bit of it or if it doesn't otherwise interfere with your use of the machine, waiting for apple to come out with a "fix" is probably a smart move.

But the flickering...it's a time bomb.

[mdewberry]

ok so some will know i started the hard drive noise thread and ended up returning so many times. After going the online route and opting for the 2TB (which has been alot better) i have now suffered with screen flickering etc. After receiving my new replacement 2 days ago week 00 or 02 i immediately noticed horrible background bleed and a very strange white orb at the top right corner.... So after 9!!!! different 27" macs i have now called it a day. I am getting my money back and afraid to say back to windows until i can see a REV B come through with all the problems solved

Hi Frenchie0101, I am with you... 4th iMac was it, and am returning it for a refund.. Hated to do it, but waiting for the next revision to see if they can work some of these hardware issues out...

[sparkie1984]

im gonna have to take my 2nd back and im considering taking it back for a refund.

those who are on their 4th machine fair play to you, theres only so much carting around through packed shopping centres in london that i can physically do!! plus sooner or later im gonna get mugged for it!

im wondering if the mac pros would budge down in price at all as id probably go for one of those instead. or i may just max out a normal pc with the money! who knows yet!!

anyway i think you should give apple a chance or maybe 2 but you shouldnt have to keep exchanging units on the off chance of getting a new one

[wesleyh]

Perhaps you should try the repair route instead of the replacement route? I would think that they would check the new HD / new screen in repairs before putting it in to see if it does not exhibit the same symptoms.

[mdewberry]

Perhaps you should try the repair route instead of the replacement route? I would think that they would check the new HD / new screen in repairs before putting it in to see if it does not exhibit the same symptoms.

Y'now, I considered that option, and if Apple was making the statement "we know what the issue is, and an LED panel swap will resolve the issue" I would more than likely keep the machine. However Apple has been silent, and there are a few theories out there (including heat issues) that may make resolving the issue more complicated. Also some have mentioned Apple may write this off as a cosmetic issue.. Again, all theories but for my peace of mind I would rather get out of the replacement cycle, sit back, keep up with the threads here and wait until Apple resolves the issues with these machines. MacRumors timeframes point the next revision Aprll/May, I will most likely jump back in at that point and take advantage of any speed bumps.

The other issue with my iMac (which I posted on another thread) is you can't just wake it up and open apps/internet immediately.. I wake the iMac up, the screen comes up, but until I hear the fan/hum rev up and hard drive wake up (takes about 10-20) seconds, nothing opens up from my application tray at the bottom of my screenwhen I click on them. If a Safari window is open, the internet will not connect immediately either.. Minor annoyance, but again, tells me that there are issues.. My 6 year old G4 powerbook still allows me to launch an application/Safari session immediately upon waking...

I am usually very conservative about buying brand new technology, but was so darn excited about the new iMac I couldn't wait.. Guess I learned to trust my instinct!

[Dont Hurt Me]

Another revision A machine?

[mdewberry]

Another revision A machine?

Sorry, probably wrong terminology.. I meant the new update/speed bump.. would that be Revision B?

[HLdan]

a very strange white orb at the top right corner....

Can't speak for the rest of your problems but the white orb certainly is not one of them. That's a visual hot corner. Can be easily enabled by accidentally pressing a certain key combo. Can be just as easily disabled as well. This is an example of the wrong info being generated on the internet making others think there's more wrong with the iMac than it really is.

[jamesdmc]

frenchie,

When you get your refund for your 27", have you thought about getting a refurbed 24" instead of a windows machine? I don't know about the availability of 24-inchers on the UK site, but I'd consider that as an alternative to a Windows 7 PC.

[frenchie0101]

frenchie,

When you get your refund for your 27", have you thought about getting a refurbed 24" instead of a windows machine? I don't know about the availability of 24-inchers on the UK site, but I'd consider that as an alternative to a Windows 7 PC.

I gave my 24" up for the 27" I would go back but really not sure yet, I'm just going to rest my mind for a while and give it another go in a few months, it has crossed my mind to go for a mac pro with the 26" screen but that screen may just have the same problems.... But as I say I'm just going to take a back seat for now

Can't speak for the rest of your problems but the white orb certainly is not one of them. That's a visual hot corner. Can be easily enabled by accidentally pressing a certain key combo. Can be just as easily disabled as well. This is an example of the wrong info being generated on the internet making others think there's more wrong with the iMac than it really is.

No it's something else it's noticable when the screen goes blue on startup, then on dark backgrounds, I would say it's like a really strong cloud effect... Plus I'm not stupid I think I have masses of experince to know if it's software related or "hardware" related

[steadcd]

Initially I thought things couldn't be too bad but afraid I think they are. Got a 21.5 for my parents, definitely yellow in the middle but quiet hdd and they didn't notice, more hassle for them to change than me tell them about something they won't notice.

Made me worried about getting a 27 but got it after Xmas anyway, week 49, screen pretty good yellowish at sides and bottom right but very mild and satisfactory to me but also had dead pixel, 8 dead pixels in iSight and noisy seagate.

Exchanged for week 46, much yellower, chipped keyboard, lots of dust/debris under plastic wraping so unsuprised when 2 smudges under glass casting shadows on screen. Few dead pixels in iSight, had wd hdd which was a lot quieter. If I could put the good bits of the 2 together would be ok!

This will be a great machine but I vowed only to try 2 machines so getting refund tomorrow and will try again in a month or two. Never returned anything before, g5 still going, White MacBook both been perfect so I think there is a problem with a significant proportion if 27s.

[BigBagaroo]

Getting my 3rd 27" next week.

If this one doesn't work out, I'm done with the iMacs for now. I ordered my machine in november last year, and I was planning to do some work on it, but now we're probably approaching an update of the range in a few months time, and I still don't have a fully working 27" here.

Really annoying, I hope some heads in the QA department are rolling.

[HLdan]

No it's something else it's noticable when the screen goes blue on startup, then on dark backgrounds, I would say it's like a really strong cloud effect... Plus I'm not stupid I think I have masses of experince to know if it's software related or "hardware" related

Dude, no need to be nasty about it. Nobody's calling you stupid, how the heck do I know what your experiences with computers are? Obviously you came to this forum, for either help or just to tell us that you're fed up with your iMac due to issues. I try to help people whenever I might have an answer and 9 times out of 10, it's user error and there's no shame in that but don't jump down my throat, all you said was there was a white orb in the right corner of your screen and that explains the hot corner orb, you were not specific on what it was.

[harleygold]

have you thought of getting a 21.5? It's not the most powerful iMac but its trouble free. At least mine anyways. I bought mine the first week they came out and I've not had any issues what so ever. its been flawless. :D

Good luck

[Editor-]

However Apple has been silent,

I find it outreageous that they still are silent about it really. Seriously you can be very stubborn but this is by far not how you should threat your community.

Man do I get pissed off when I think about it.


I am getting my money back and afraid to say back to windows until i can see a REV B come through with all the problems solved

I feel sorry for you man, but am happy that I quitted after my first one. One question to everybody, how do we actually know when the REV B product will be out? Does Apple announce stuff like this, or should we just guess?

Too bad Frenchie, really feeling for ya..

[OllyW]

I find it outreageous that they still are silent about it really.

....how do we actually know when the REV B product will be out? Does Apple announce stuff like this, or should we just guess?

What will be referred to as the Rev B will be released the next time Apple updates the iMac range.

If Apple manage to fix the problems with the current iMac range before the next product update, it's very unlikely they will make any announcement as they have not publicly acknowledged there is a problem in the first place.

[frenchie0101]

Dude, no need to be nasty about it. Nobody's calling you stupid, how the heck do I know what your experiences with computers are? Obviously you came to this forum, for either help or just to tell us that you're fed up with your iMac due to issues. I try to help people whenever I might have an answer and 9 times out of 10, it's user error and there's no shame in that but don't jump down my throat, all you said was there was a white orb in the right corner of your screen and that explains the hot corner orb, you were not specific on what it was.

Soz man I think it's the other way round. It's you what bassicly jumped out saying that it's nothing to do with hardware and that I'm reporting something which affects other people into thinking there is nothing wrong when there s something wrong hardware wise. My quote is not to be aimed at jumping down your throat which it is not ( I think ur a little sensitive) my aim is to extinguish what you think in-which is actually a wrong piece of Information so people can follow all problems. You could of asked me for accurate
information before bassicly saying it's user error. Sorry if you feel disshearted of what I said I seriously wasn't aimed at you in a horrible way lol

[ABG]

I have the yellow tinge, but my 27" is perfect for the rest. So I decided to wait until Apple has sorted things out.

+1

I know everyone loves Apple for swapping machines so easily, but I have better things to do with my life than the admin around swapping machines potentially over and over again. Just taking delivery the first time was a PITA.

[bossxii]

+1

I know everyone loves Apple for swapping machines so easily, but I have better things to do with my life than the admin around swapping machines potentially over and over again. Just taking delivery the first time was a PITA.

YA! Like all hours wasted on forums bitching out it! Who has time to swap machines damnit!

[MJD Dawg]

have you thought of getting a 21.5? It's not the most powerful iMac but its trouble free. At least mine anyways. I bought mine the first week they came out and I've not had any issues what so ever. its been flawless. :D

Good luck

I second this. My week 44 3.06 with 4670 purchased the week before Christmas from the Apple store is flawless...for now. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some yellow tinge, but I'm not going to test for it. Sometimes I even think I see some yellow in a part of the screen, but then it's gone when I change the viewing angle, so I'm probably just imagining things with all the talk of yellow tinge. Otherwise, no flicker, no dead pixels, quiet seagate HD, lightning fast. I'm just really enjoying my first mac experience. Coming from a lifetime of windows pc's, this thing just oozes quality.

Good luck to everyone.

[MJD Dawg]

im gonna have to take my 2nd back and im considering taking it back for a refund.

those who are on their 4th machine fair play to you, theres only so much carting around through packed shopping centres in london that i can physically do!! plus sooner or later im gonna get mugged for it!

im wondering if the mac pros would budge down in price at all as id probably go for one of those instead. or i may just max out a normal pc with the money! who knows yet!!

anyway i think you should give apple a chance or maybe 2 but you shouldnt have to keep exchanging units on the off chance of getting a new one


Sorry to hear this sparkie. I feel for you. Hope it works out. It's a damn shame though that this is what it's come to. Luckily, mine's been fine to this point. Btw, have you dug out of the snow yet?

Cheers.

[Music_Producer]

Y'now, I considered that option, and if Apple was making the statement "we know what the issue is, and an LED panel swap will resolve the issue" I would more than likely keep the machine. However Apple has been silent, and there are a few theories out there (including heat issues) that may make resolving the issue more complicated.

If you recall the MacBook Pro nVidia graphics card issue - they took a long time to acknowledge the issue. However, they did acknowledge it - refunded customers their money for replacing the cards (out-of-warranty) and extended the original warranty of the machine by 2 years (or was it 1?)

So they'll take care of this issue as well. It just takes them a bit long to ascertain the problem (they have to be 100% sure of what's causing this)

[Sir Cecil]

So they'll take care of this issue as well. It just takes them a bit long to ascertain the problem (they have to be 100% sure of what's causing this)

It takes relatively little time to ascertain such problems. The time-consuming part is getting any third-party supplier to acknowledge material and financial responsibility for any problems, to agree to whether something is in spec or not and stump up the cost of fixing it. Perhaps it is a connector (provided by a fourth-party) that is the cause of the problem and not the screen itself. The blame-game might continue for quite a while. If there are screen problems, the supplier is going to have to show that sufficient quantities of decent replacements can be provided (and timescales) before Apple can announce any replacement program. The supplier and Apple might have insurance hurdles to go through too, plus any number of other legal obstacles. They don't spend millions and then discuss who is going to pay it afterwards. They have finance directors and lawyers to satisfy as well as technical boffins! The screen manufacturer might absorb all material costs, but be unwilling to cover the costs of servicing the repairs. Negotiations will have to take place to see where one company's responsibility ends and another's begins. The third-party manufacturer might want to spread the loss over the length of the contract, rather than pay in one go. It all needs agreeing up front.
Even after all that, any specific repair or replacement program of any substantial size needs to be planned and initiated at the highest level and communicated in a way that is most efficient and cost-effective, and least damaging to the company in terms of PR etc.
Anyone who thinks this is something that happens in a couple of weeks is dreaming.
Of course, this always assumes there is an on-going problem. After three days, my replacement i7 has no signs of problems whatsoever and is a fantastic computer... so far.

[AlaskaMoose]

ok so some will know i started the hard drive noise thread and ended up returning so many times. After going the online route and opting for the 2TB (which has been alot better) i have now suffered with screen flickering etc. After receiving my new replacement 2 days ago week 00 or 02 i immediately noticed horrible background bleed and a very strange white orb at the top right corner.... So after 9!!!! different 27" macs i have now called it a day. I am getting my money back and afraid to say back to windows until i can see a REV B come through with all the problems solved

I understand that the Mac Pro desktop (tower) is quite expensive, but it should not have any of the problems the iMac seems to be having. Besides you can use whichever screen you want with it.

[wkw]

9 replacement imacs? wow

[09iMac=Fail]

9 replacement imacs? wow

That's what I was thinking. Wow, what are the odds? :rolleyes: You've topped the previous record of 7, and would make that schmuck at gizmodo real happy. On a serious note, I feel sorry for the trouble you have gone through.

[lilo777]

ok so some will know i started the hard drive noise thread and ended up returning so many times. After going the online route and opting for the 2TB (which has been alot better) i have now suffered with screen flickering etc. After receiving my new replacement 2 days ago week 00 or 02 i immediately noticed horrible background bleed and a very strange white orb at the top right corner.... So after 9!!!! different 27" macs i have now called it a day. I am getting my money back and afraid to say back to windows until i can see a REV B come through with all the problems solved

What I find really interesting in this story is the fact that someone (anyone) would do an exchange 9 time (9 !!!!) of any single item. It's interesting for two reasons:

1. This thing should be really buggy for anyone to experience this hight rate of problems. For example, if 20% of all iMacs had problems the probability of getting 9 faulty computers in row would be 0.0000512%. One has to wonder what the rate of returns must be for these computers then.

2. I have to admit I have never in my life heard of anyone exchanging something 9 times. I noticed that several people on this forum replaced quite a few computers already. What does it tell us? Are Mac that much worse than other devices? Probably not. I think in all other (non Apple product) cases people simply lose faith in the product and the producer. Apple fans must be touch cookies :)

[Libertine Lush]

MacRumors timeframes point the next revision Aprll/May, I will most likely jump back in at that point and take advantage of any speed bumps.

Could you point me to where you see that revision info? I'm aware of the Buyer's Guide section but there's no revision details there. Thanks.

[sparkie1984]

Sorry to hear this sparkie. I feel for you. Hope it works out. It's a damn shame though that this is what it's come to. Luckily, mine's been fine to this point. Btw, have you dug out of the snow yet?

Cheers.

thanks mate, i agree we shouldnt be going through this!

the snow is causing hell in the uk! 2mm of snow and theres road closures, we run out of grit, the roads are such poor quality they cant plow them too low, everyone crashes!! :D gotta love it!

i still manage to go to the apple store though! one last chance for me

glad yours is still good mate.

[frenchie0101]

What I find really interesting in this story is the fact that someone (anyone) would do an exchange 9 time (9 !!!!) of any single item. It's interesting for two reasons:

1. This thing should be really buggy for anyone to experience this hight rate of problems. For example, if 20% of all iMacs had problems the probability of getting 9 faulty computers in row would be 0.0000512%. One has to wonder what the rate of returns must be for these computers then.

2. I have to admit I have never in my life heard of anyone exchanging something 9 times. I noticed that several people on this forum replaced quite a few computers already. What does it tell us? Are Mac that much worse than other devices? Probably not. I think in all other (non Apple product) cases people simply lose faith in the product and the producer. Apple fans must be touch cookies :)


I have never in my life actually replaced anything until this 27" came out, I am a tech head I have the latest Sony z5500 canon slr camera with various lenses, ps3, standalone bluray player etc etc.. Mac wise I have hade the 20" 24" models and at work I use 20" iMac, the point I'm getting at is I have been ultra unlucy and all of the 27" I have had have been 100% faulty, 6 of them which was from the store have been looked at with geniuses etc. All of the gear I have listed have never ever been defective and also in the past

[Lnce]

I have the same yellowing issue with 50 week iMac.. now waiting for a replacement and wondering if I should just stop hoping brighter future..

thanks mate, i agree we shouldnt be going through this!

the snow is causing hell in the uk! 2mm of snow and theres road closures, we run out of grit, the roads are such poor quality they cant plow them too low, everyone crashes!! :D gotta love it!

i still manage to go to the apple store though! one last chance for me

glad yours is still good mate.

Heh, we've here over 30 cms snow all the time and it's not a surprise, if it snows more than 15 cm/day.
I guess the coldest day was -30 Celsius.. Luckily I've the iMac i7, which heats up my house :)

BR

[sparkie1984]

I have the same yellowing issue with 50 week iMac.. now waiting for a replacement and wondering if I should just stop hoping brighter future..



Heh, we've here over 30 cms snow all the time and it's not a surprise, if it snows more than 15 cm/day.
I guess the coldest day was -30 Celsius.. Luckily I've the iMac i7, which heats up my house :)

BR

all my imacs doing is giving me an epileptic fit with the flickering!!

the coldest weve had in a long time was -21c i think they said. but were running out of grit and theres uproar as always in the uk

im still unsure whether to give them one more chance and try a 3rd replacement, or to get my money back and go windoooze, or whether to try and save up for a macpro and a display but their sooooo expensive (quite fancy one for windows gaming, although im not a huge gamer really)

[archipellago]

all my imacs doing is giving me an epileptic fit with the flickering!!

the coldest weve had in a long time was -21c i think they said. but were running out of grit and theres uproar as always in the uk

im still unsure whether to give them one more chance and try a 3rd replacement, or to get my money back and go windoooze, or whether to try and save up for a macpro and a display but their sooooo expensive (quite fancy one for windows gaming, although im not a huge gamer really)


build your own PC and save the cash Win 7 is better than snow leopard anyway.

[sparkie1984]

build your own PC and save the cash Win 7 is better than snow leopard anyway.

i havent used win 7 only vista, which is a crime against humanity as far as im concerned!!! this is a tempting option, although i would miss osx i think, its such a shame i cant build a pc with osx on it (well i think you can actually a hackintosh)

[maghemi]

Personally I'd definitely not be going past 2 machines before getting a refund. And only if I were really keen on the machine.

[harleygold]

build your own PC and save the cash Win 7 is better than snow leopard anyway.

matter of opinion :cool:

[ntrigue]

That must have been so aggravating! What was your total downtime (nine machines)?!

How long would it take to partner with another panel manufacturer at this point?

[frenchie0101]

That must have been so aggravating! What was your total downtime (nine machines)?!

How long would it take to partner with another panel manufacturer at this point?

downtime??? too long.. i seriously think they would need to look at samsung

[HLdan]

I have the same yellowing issue with 50 week iMac.. now waiting for a replacement and wondering if I should just stop hoping brighter future..



Can you or someone please enlighten me how you can have
"Week 50" on an iMac that hasn't been out more than a few short months? Sorry to sound ignorant but I don't understand how can it be week 50? Is that some tech jargon?

[frenchie0101]

Can you or someone please enlighten me how you can have
"Week 50" on an iMac that hasn't been out more than a few short months? Sorry to sound ignorant but I don't understand how can it be week 50? Is that some tech jargon?

apple use the weeks of the "year" for production, the week number of the "year" is always in the serial number...

[powerbook911]

Can you or someone please enlighten me how you can have
"Week 50" on an iMac that hasn't been out more than a few short months? Sorry to sound ignorant but I don't understand how can it be week 50? Is that some tech jargon?

No, it has to do with the weeks in a year. There are 52 weeks, though Apple claims there are 53 weeks as they seem to skip week 1 and have a week 53 at the end instead.

[lexvo]

How long would it take to partner with another panel manufacturer at this point?

I think changing the panel manufacturer would cost a long time. Apple not only has to find a manufacturer which produces 27" panels, but these panels must also fit in the iMac housing.

[HLdan]

apple use the weeks of the "year" for production, the week number of the "year" is always in the serial number...

No, it has to do with the weeks in a year. There are 52 weeks, though Apple claims there are 53 weeks as they seem to skip week 1 and have a week 53 at the end instead.

Thanks to both of you! :). I've never really paid much attention to production numbers. I needed clarification. I have a 27" i7 on order right now, warranty replacement from Apple for my defective 24" iMac. At least I will know what production week it is when I get it.

[mdewberry]

Could you point me to where you see that revision info? I'm aware of the Buyer's Guide section but there's no revision details there. Thanks.

They post the average number of days that the iMac is updated (221 days), so I used that figure to calculate about seven months. As the new Imac was released mid-October, that would mean (hopefully) late April or May timeframe.. Total speculation on my part, just using the past average.. Could be past May or earlier May when it happens...