Thread for 21,5" screen issues, Apple need's to know not only the 27" have problems!!

[marco12345]

5th 21,5" Imac all the same problems on all five.

[Doctor Q]

What problems?

[Dont Hurt Me]

Yellow Juandice screens. I gave up after two. Apple was nice about my issues though and gave me a free....magic....:D

[marco12345]

I just got back from the store, 5th Imac still making lots of noise from the hard drive, every time I load a web page, Thicking sound from hard drive, whistling screen and yellow tint, dead pixell as well.

[Fast duck]

They gave you what?

[FearlessFreep]

First one was a week 51, yellow splotchy display. Returned for a week 52 - all is well.

[swanny007]

I haven't tested mine yet. It's either a week 51 or 52, not sure. It doesn't matter, I haven't noticed any unusual yellowish tint.

[marco12345]

Any subtle ticking from the hard drive when browsing on the internet? or whistling when adjusting screen brightness? I have now a week 42 ATI 21,5"

There's got to be more people with 21,5 issues?

[xokimwhiteox]

Okay so im very uneducated, whats with the "weeks", what does this mean?
I plan to buy a 21.5 next week sometime, I wonder if it will have these issues?

[marco12345]

Don't buy stay away lol, you should wait till apple resolve's the problems...week of production, we are now in the 5 week in the year 2010.

Your serial number on the computer starts with w89 then the week so w8952.

Or in this case I guess w8905...

We are all hopping to find a better week of production then others i guess!

Take the advice and wait.

[xokimwhiteox]

You don't understand, I am the most impatient person ever :( LOL...Plus, I need a new computer because im selling my Vaio, so its either buy one now or buy another stupid Microsoft PC. Hmm....what to do, what to do. I cant be without a computer since I work at home.

[SaSaSushi]

Production weeks mean very little. My i7 is a week 47. It has no yellow tinge or any other issues. There are reports of some machines in that production week having problems. I suspect the same goes for every other production week.

Apple uses LG Philips panels in the iMacs. They get them straight from LG and in large quantities. Apple doesn't make display panels and never has.

This is the place people come to with their problems for the most part. Keep it in mind.

[Abyssgh0st]

I have a 21.5" refurb, week 51. Got it for $999. EVERYTHING is perfectly normal. Check and see in system profiler if you've got a Western Digital harddrive or a Seagate one.

And @xokimwhiteox- Not to say that the OP is lying, but the 21.5" issues are much less widespread and apparent than the 27" issues. If you don't have an issue with buying a refurb (assuming you don't want to have a BTO, which means that you want to customize anything in your iMac), they've currently got the 21.5" 3.06 with 1TB, 4GB RAM, and the ATI Radeon HD 4670 for $1299. They occasionally have the 500GB, 4GB RAM, and the nVidia 9400M model on there, which is what I got for $999. Here is a link for you. (http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac)

[marco12345]

I guess some poeple settle for less, I on the other hand would greatly appreciate a problem free, pristine Imac out of the box,

Refurb.......a fixed Imac that maybe 2 or 3 poeple had....no thanks!

[xokimwhiteox]

I want a new one, only because I've ALWAYS wanted a Mac and could never afford it, so it will feel good walking to the store and being able to just BUY IT! haha. I am nervous though....I need a computer either way, im thinking of going for it, but I don't know.

[SaSaSushi]

Refurb.......a fixed Imac that maybe 2 or 3 poeple had....no thanks!

I bought all of my Macs thus far brand new, but this notion that refurbs are just returns to Apple that they turn around and resell as is for a discount is BS.

So far as I can tell the only thing you get by buying new over refurb is a colorful box with a picture of the machine on it. Refurbs come in plain brown boxes. However, they're spotless, scratchless, identical to new with the same warranty and option to extend with Applecare for considerably discounted prices. They are a great option for many.

[marco12345]

Then go for it and be sure to come back and post your issues their is bound to have one lol

You always have the store policy to return it...how many times do you think you are going to go back for an exchange?

[Abyssgh0st]

I guess some poeple settle for less, I on the other hand would greatly appreciate a problem free, pristine Imac out of the box,

Refurb.......a fixed Imac that maybe 2 or 3 poeple had....no thanks!

Hey, beggars can't be choosers. You're demanding a perfect iMac new out of the box, while it is obviously evident that the machines with issues are primarily the new machine that you esteem to very high levels. My machine is a week 51, and I got it on December 30th in the mail. I don't think two-three different people owned it within the timespan of a week. :rolleyes:

But yeah, I guess you're right, it really was dumb of me to save $220 to get my perfect iMac via next day mail, instead of having to drive 30+ minutes (each way) to my Apple store, and then get it there.. Not to mention the $120 I made alone on selling my old wireless keyboard (yes, the inferior three battery model), along with the extra Magic Mouse I had from the iMac. My old MBA sold for $1100, so I made money on this transaction.

BTW, I'm quite jealous of your box with an iMac on it. Except at the end of the day, the goal is to have a fully functional machine that you are satisfied with. I have that, and you don't, so don't complain about the refurb store with a baseless argument.

[SaSaSushi]

Then go for it and be sure to come back and post your issues their is bound to have one lol

You always have the store policy to return it...how many times do you think you are going to go back for an exchange?

I said refurbs are a great option for many folks. I have purchased all of my own Macs new thus far. I guess I just love those colorful boxes and truthfully, believe it or not, here in Japan they actually help increase resale value although I don't know if it is equivalent to the discount of a refurb.

As for returns, my first i7 (week 47) has no problems whatsoever. There is no buzzing, no HD noise, no flickering or blackouts, no cracked glass and NO yellow tinge. I am very sensitive to issues of color uniformity. I returned my last iMac (mid-2007 24") back in the summer of 2007 a few times for screen gradients.

This has been the best iMac experience yet for me. :)

I hope you get a good one too. :)

[marco12345]

I got six in about 2 weeks! U sure about that buddy! lol

I sold my old computer as well and got a compensation from apple, big ******** deal!

Lol, I am buying a Imac because I heard they are simply the best.

That is why I want a new one and a good one!

Glad you got a good refurb one! why do you think they call them Refurb?

[xokimwhiteox]

Okay so I figured out what im going to do. I'm going to buy it from best buy next week, if i have an issue with it, ill just return it and get a macbook. Sounds like a good plan to me.:) I hope it doesn't have problems though, I can deal with a little yellowing, but no flickering or noise.

[SaSaSushi]

I got six in about 2 weeks! U sure about that buddy! lol

Not sure which "buddy" you're referring to here so I'll reply in case:

Yes, I'm quite sure this machine is problem-free.

I admire your tenacity. I would have given up at the third replacement and called it a day, taken my refund (plus compensation) and moved on to greener pastures. What is keeping you going with the replacements??

[marco12345]

I said refurbs are a great option for many folks. I have purchased all of my own Macs new thus far. I guess I just love those colorful boxes and truthfully, believe it or not, here in Japan they actually help increase resale value although I don't know if it is equivalent to the discount of a refurb.

As for returns, my first i7 (week 47) has no problems whatsoever. There is no buzzing, no HD noise, no flickering or blackouts, no cracked glass and NO yellow tinge. I am very sensitive to issues of color uniformity. I returned my last iMac (mid-2007 24") back in the summer of 2007 a few times for screen gradients.

This has been the best iMac experience yet for me. :)

I hope you get a good one too. :)

I do hope so, cause now I will never go back to a PC.

I am sold on the whole Imac thing, but for my money, I want a good one. This is my first Imac and do not want to get it fixed or repaired before even taking it out of the box.

I guess I am picky, same as almost all of the people posting their problems!

[Abyssgh0st]

Your equation doesn't compute. It's non-sequitur. You've had six in two weeks, okay. How does that mean that my machine went to two-three different people in less than a weeks time? Do you know that your previous five machines have already been refurbished and resold to other customers?

And I know exactly why they call them refurbs.. Is is returned (or an E.O.L. product), in which there is either a hardware issue or it the customer simply didn't want the machine. They replace anything on the body that would have cosmetic damage, along with repairing the hardware issue in question, then inspecting the computer much more thoroughly than a new machine made by an assembly line. Also, with laptops they replace the battery and the entire casing.

My computer looks just as new as your machine, except without your yellow tint.

[marco12345]

Not sure which "buddy" you're referring to here so I'll reply in case:

Yes, I'm quite sure this machine is problem-free.

I admire your tenacity. I would have given up at the third replacement and called it a day, taken my refund (plus compensation) and moved on to greener pastures. What is keeping you going with the replacements??

The other buddy lol

But thanks for replying, I guess I don't like to get cheated out of my money and getting laugh t at when addressing the issue at my local Apple store, by two Sales rep.

And trying to get answers and getting told nothing could be done for now!

[SaSaSushi]

I guess I am picky, same as almost all of the people posting their problems!

It's not picky to want a perfect machine. That's what you're paying for. You're also under no obligation to buy a refurb of course but they are a great option for some folks is all I was saying. They are refurbished to new condition.

You prefer new, that's fine.

I gathered that you were entirely committed to the Mac, considering your on the 6th one. :)

[marco12345]

Your equation doesn't compute. It's non-sequitur. You've had six in two weeks, okay. How does that mean that my machine went to two-three different people in less than a weeks time? Do you know that your previous five machines have already been refurbished and resold to other customers?

And I know exactly why they call them refurbs.. Is is returned (or an E.O.L. product), in which there is either a hardware issue or it the customer simply didn't want the machine. They replace anything on the body that would have cosmetic damage, along with repairing the hardware issue in question, then inspecting the computer much more thoroughly than a new machine made by an assembly line. Also, with laptops they replace the battery and the entire casing.

My computer looks just as new as your machine, except without your yellow tint.

When I returned my 5th Imac at future shop they din't even ask questions or open the box....they must send it back to Apple.

You really think that apple will tell you that everything is fine on the machine....I don't think so.

Quality control is obviously not well manage for ****tup computers are still going out week 05!

Common don't try to sell me that your refurb is perfect.

If so, if you are content, then good for you!

It's not picky to want a perfect machine. That's what you're paying for. You're also under no obligation to buy a refurb of course but they are a great option for some folks is all I was saying. They are refurbished to new condition.

You prefer new, that's fine.

I gathered that you were entirely committed to the Mac, considering your on the 6th one. :)

Canon EOS,

Would you settle for a yellowish screen for editing your picture?

[SaSaSushi]

Canon EOS,

Would you settle for a yellowish screen for editing your picture?

Absolutely not. I've seen pictures of yellow-tinged iMacs and I know the problem exists. I got a good one. :D

[Abyssgh0st]

When I returned my 5th Imac at future shop they din't even ask questions or open the box....they must send it back to Apple.

Probably because you’ve been a customer in there a lot frequently with incessant complaints. They’re a third party retailer, I doubt they care much anyways.

You really think that apple will tell you that everything is fine on the machine....I don't think so.

Yeah, I do think so. “Before we put a refurbished Mac, iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV up for sale in Special Deals, it undergoes a rigorous refurbishment process to make sure it's up to Apple's tough quality standards. We back it with our standard one-year limited warranty. And you have the option of purchasing an AppleCare Protection Plan for it.”

Common don't try to sell me that your refurb is perfect.

Not sure why I’d lie.. It wouldn’t make me feel any better. If there was a single issue with it, I would have returned it immediately. I haven’t installed any Apple-issued problem resolving firmware, and all is still perfectly well.

[marco12345]

Probably because you’ve been a customer in there a lot frequently with incessant complaints. They’re a third party retailer, I doubt they care much anyways.



Yeah, I do think so. “Before we put a refurbished Mac, iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV up for sale in Special Deals, it undergoes a rigorous refurbishment process to make sure it's up to Apple's tough quality standards. We back it with our standard one-year limited warranty. And you have the option of purchasing an AppleCare Protection Plan for it.”



Not sure why I’d lie.. It wouldn’t make me feel any better. If there was a single issue with it, I would have returned it immediately. I haven’t installed any Apple-issued problem resolving firmware, and all is still perfectly well.


They must have made you feel special.

And actually got 3 from Best buy, they were the worst ones and 2 from Future Shop......They were more compliant to my needs then Apple tech support that's for sure!

And by WE you mean? WE as in our Company....I knew it, you work for Apple lo00ol

[Abyssgh0st]

They must have made you feel special.

Actually no, they didn’t at all. I ordered around 1 A.M. online, so I had no interaction with anyone.

And actually got 3 from Best buy, they were the worst ones and 2 from Future Shop......They were more compliant to my needs then Apple tech support that's for sure!

I think you’re a little off base here. Not sure if you know, but BestBuy owns Future Shop. BestBuy (and presumably Future Shop) is typically vary compliant with returns, as long as your return qualifies within the return period. Maybe you should buy from an actual Apple store, they (Apple technicians|) tend to be much more compliant and willing to help if you bought directly from them, regardless of how new a product is.

And by WE you mean? WE as in our Company....I knew it, you work for Apple lo00ol

You got it! I work for Apple! Just got home from dinner with Steve Jobs actually.

Actually, I don’t. I have little to no affiliations with them, besides being an iPhone developer the most ties I have with Apple is probably the EULA for my iTunes account. I work for BestBuy, specifically in computers and customer service (returning items, not checking people out).

BTW, I got that link that apparently links me with Apple from some odd website.. Not sure of it’s validity though. It’s called www.apple.com Specifically, from here. (http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals?mco=MTM3NDkyNzc)

[marco12345]

I think you’re a little off base here. Not sure if you know, but BestBuy owns Future Shop. BestBuy (and presumably Future Shop) is typically vary compliant with returns, as long as your return qualifies within the return period. Maybe you should buy from an actual Apple store, they (Apple technicians|) tend to be much more compliant and willing to help if you bought directly from them, regardless of how new a product is.

I don't think you understand, I don't want to fix a brand new computer!!!!!

By the way, what did you get for desert? ****** apple pie?

[Abyssgh0st]

I don't think you understand, I don't want to fix a brand new computer!!!!!

By the way, what did you get for desert? ****** apple pie?

Where did I say 'return' again..? I didn't I said Apple technicians would be more willing to comply, and by comply I meant get you a new computer. If your machine is as plagued with problems as you claim, and assuming you have documentation of each returned iMac, then there is no way they would try and fix your current one. They'd just give you a new one.

And tonight, no actually I didn't. I'm a big fan of apple pie though. Tonight I had Vanilla Oreos, along with a Carmel Delite Girl Scout Cookie. Thanks for being interested in my dietary habits though. :)

[SaSaSushi]

By the way, what did you get for desert? ****** apple pie?

LOL! Marco, please don't take this the wrong way.... but I think all these iMac replacements may be getting to you...

[marco12345]

Where did I say 'return' again..? I didn't I said Apple technicians would be more willing to comply, and by comply I meant get you a new computer. If your machine is as plagued with problems as you claim, and assuming you have documentation of each returned iMac, then there is no way they would try and fix your current one. They'd just give you a new one.

And tonight, no actually I didn't. I'm a big fan of apple pie though. Tonight I had Vanilla Oreos, along with a Carmel Delite Girl Scout Cookie. Thanks for being interested in my dietary habits though. :)

Lolool.....I will maybe buy it from Apple store, that is what I was willing to do for the next one.....but still am not sure!

[MacGurl111]

My serial number does not start with a "w" and I just got the computer. I want to know what week mine is in.

[marco12345]

Any issued with it?

[MacGurl111]

No. I was just curious. :D

[marco12345]

No Yellow, nothing? no dead pixels, no noisy hard drive or whistling screen when adjusting brightness?

Go on the Apple logo, top left corner\About this Mac\then in that window, click on the version 10.6.2....it should give you a serial #

[SaSaSushi]

My serial number does not start with a "w" and I just got the computer. I want to know what week mine is in.

W8 at the beginning of the serial number just means the machine was built in Shanghai, China. If yours doesn't start with W8 it was just assembled at a different plant.

Pop your serial number into this site (http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html) and it will give you any detail you can think of regarding your machine's details and when and where it was made.

The 4th and 5th digits of the serial number are the production week. ;)

[MacGurl111]

Mine says Screen size: 21 inch
Memory - number of slots: 4
Factory: QP (USA)
Production year: 2000
Production week: 03 (January)
Production number: 1981 (within this week)


Does this sound right? I just bought mine couple days ago. Why does it say 21 inch, should be 21.5. Production year 2000??:confused:

[SaSaSushi]

Mine says Screen size: 21 inch
Memory - number of slots: 4
Factory: QP (USA)
Production year: 2000
Production week: 03 (January)
Production number: 1981 (within this week)


Does this sound right? I just bought mine couple days ago. Why does it say 21 inch, should be 21.5. Production year 2000??:confused:

My guess is that the Chipmunk site hasn't updated their software to properly display 2010 yet, since it is the same code as it was for 2000. I wouldn't worry about the 21 either since there is no such beast. :p

Yes, your iMac was assembled in the good old USA in the 3rd week of January and was the 1,981st machine built in that week. No worries!

[caero]

I am on my 2nd replacement 21.5

All of them have had the yellow tinge one. The last being the worst. It's a week 2.

[AdamA9]

I just got back from the store, 5th Imac still making lots of noise from the hard drive, every time I load a web page, Thicking sound from hard drive, whistling screen and yellow tint, dead pixell as well.

Why didn't you get them to open it up in store and test it before walking away with it? :confused:

[marco12345]

They wouln'd let me open the box at the Apple store they said it wasn't possible....Ottawa by the way!

[SnoFlo]

Hiya folks. I got a week 50 iMac 21.5 with a large area of yellow tint on the lower right side of the screen. Luckily I use another IPS monitor to do my image editing. It'll be a pain for me to return the computer as I'm using it in the Caribbean! I'll likely sell it and upgrade to a Mac Pro later this year, or something. Otherwise, it's a very nice computer (3.06 version) and very fast compared to my 17" 1.5GHz G4 Powerbook that I upgraded from. On another note that Powerbook is 6 years old now and it has been flawless for all that time even with heavy use.

Cheers!

[Btom]

They wouln'd let me open the box at the Apple store they said it wasn't possible....Ottawa by the way!

You mean Ottawa CANADA?

Tom B.

[Btom]

.......
Yeah, I do think so. “Before we put a refurbished Mac, iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV up for sale in Special Deals, it undergoes a rigorous refurbishment process to make sure it's up to Apple's tough quality standards. We back it with our standard one-year limited warranty. And you have the option of purchasing an AppleCare Protection Plan for it.”
..........

I have an idea on the side: Maybe Apple should pass all the iMacs through the refurbishing process for a while? This would likely help with the initial quality.
Just a thought (if case Apple is reading)...

Tom B.

[Bubba Satori]

Everything will be ok. Just don't buy any of that cheap Dell junk.

[StarTzar]

I have an idea on the side: Maybe Apple should pass all the iMacs through the refurbishing process for a while? This would likely help with the initial quality.
Just a thought (if case Apple is reading)...

Tom B.

Good idea.... I will return my second iMac.... I just got off the phone with Apple Tech..... went through all the reset procedures (for the book).... Not really looking forward to my next defective iMac.
The yellow tinge on this second one is getting worst and now I get a constant whistling sound coming from the panel when I play with resolution.

Really am not impressed with my move from PC to Mac...
I made the switch for the graphics and photos. I have heard all the hype about Apple being a superior product for graphics and photos.
Now the yellow tinge will make it impossible to calibrate the panel.

Had I done more research before making the move, I would probably still have my PC.

What really P!$$e's me off is the fact that I will have to work on a crappy toshiba laptop with VISTA.

All I am looking for is an iMac that works right out of the box.

[chrislaw]

im not sure why u are so anti refurb lol

the aluminum MB that i bought before my MBP was flawless, and perfect... hope not to burst any bubbles :p

my 21.5" should be here Tuesday. I'll let you know whats wrong with it since you've been so nice in telling everyone that there will be something wrong with theirs... so much for being nice and wishing them good luck negative nancy!:rolleyes:

[pablomr]

I have had 6 21.5" imacs (different weeks) and all of them had the yellow tinge problem.

I have seen 3 more and also were affected.


This problem affect to the majority of the units (I will not say to the totality), and not only 27".


I am waiting for the replacing of the screen when a solution is found.

[Dino1956]

iMac 21.5 NVidia
Week 45 Yellow Tinge & Flicker
Week 51 Yellow Tinge, Loud Grumbly Hard Drive when Surfing Net, No Flicker

[Silvia835]

Stop it all you haters! Just stop...
I am enjoying my brand new 21.5 iMac (with a perfectly UN-yellow screen)
so please let me be...:o

[marco12345]

Good for you! but this is not the thread to post this!

[StarTzar]

iMac 21.5 NVidia
Week 45 Yellow Tinge & Flicker
Week 51 Yellow Tinge, Loud Grumbly Hard Drive when Surfing Net, No Flicker

This is my third iMac 21.5

The first was basic with NVidia.... yellow tinged screen and an extremely noisy super drive

My second was a 21.5 with the ATI radeon and 1TB hard drive... it too had the yellow tinged screen and a noisy hard drive and the whistling sound

After dealing over the phone with a senior product specialist, I decided to purchase at the Apple Store (thinking that I might get better results)...... Guess what, the screen on this third iMac (week 53) has the yellow tinge. I was reluctant in purchasing at the Apple STORE and almost changed my mind at the very last minute. Now, I regret my decision.

I will be calling my (Senior Product Specialist) and hopefully, the "Genius" at the Apple Store will be able to see the yellow in my yellow tinged screen.

I have installed windows 7 on our Toshiba window infested laptop this weekend and must admit that it is starting to look pretty good to me....

[reesecollins518]

if u go buy a new 21.5" iMac u may have problems....but i DID NOT. i bought a week 4 from the apple store in Kansas City and i have NO problems at all. runs like a champ. no yellow screen. no hard drive noise....

[Nihilvor]

I'm on the list of 21.5 owners who have an open customer service case with Apple regarding the yellowing tinge.

Has anyone who is in the same boat gotten that call that the 27" owners are writing about. They just started telling them to bring the computer to the store for a screen replacement fix.

Since I haven't heard anything from Apple yet, I'll be calling them tomorrow, but I'm curious as I haven't seen 21.5 owners posting about the fix.

[StarTzar]

I'm on the list of 21.5 owners who have an open customer service case with Apple regarding the yellowing tinge.

I am also on the same list. Don't waite for them to call.... pick up the phone and give them a call. Post the results.

I will be calling them on wednesday.

[MtnDog]

Given screen-yellowing concerns, and with the overall picture in mind (no pun intended), please help me decide whether I should buy a refurbished 21.5" iMac (w/3.06ghz 1tb ATI 4670 graphics card) instead of a 2009 24" iMac (w/3.06ghz 1tb and GT 130 graphics card)? Use will be primarily document research and writing, movie/video entertainment, with some photo editing and perhaps movie/video editing down the road. I should make the purchase sometime this week.

Thank you for your shared experience, insights, and suggestions.

[bbrukx]

They let me walk out of the Tyson's Corner store with a week 50 21.5" iMac, of course it had the yellow corner.

I thought the yellow screen applied only to the 27".

Now I have to decided whether I return it for a refund (and wait a few months for Apple to figure this one out) or roll the dice and get a replacement iMac.

[Nihilvor]

They let me walk out of the Tyson's Corner store with a week 50 21.5" iMac, of course it had the yellow corner.

I thought the yellow screen applied only to the 27".

Now I have to decided whether I return it for a refund (and wait a few months for Apple to figure this one out) or roll the dice and get a replacement iMac.

Actually, it's never ONLY applied to the 27". It's been well documented as one of the most common problems with the 21.5. There are websites for documenting this issue, and it goes back to the early units. Even the first press reports noted the 21.5 yellowing problem. However, probably because the 27" had other issues with flickering as well, there were a few recent articles that neglected to mention the 21.5.

[rleepremier]

so my week 3 doesnt have the yellowing but i do have the low brightness flickering. i was wondering would you guys take it in for a replacement if it only has the flickering. also this only occurs when the brightness is almost at the bottom or 2-3 bars. i usually have the brightness set pretty high so i dont notice it. oh yeah this is also a refurb and i would be able to get a new one from my local store since its a base 21.5in.

[FearlessFreep]

I had a yellow splotchiness on my week 51 21.5 refurb. Called AppleCare, they arranged a swap and my brand new week 52 is great. There are good screens out there.

[thestumper]

I wen't through 3 21.5's. Well, the "second" was an unsuccessful attempt by the Apple Store at "fixing" my first bad screen (was actually worse). A couple of points to understand:

-My first 21.5 was a refurb. This is a salient point; Apple refused to exchange it for a new machine unless I paid the difference. I understand their point, but hopefully people realize that if they walk into the Apple Store with their refurb and expect an even exchange for a brand new iMac, it isn't likely to happen.

-I paid the difference and got a new iMac; it is better than the first two but it still has a noticeable issue on the bottom third of the display. I called Apple and opened a case so that there would be a history, and I need to call them back and see where things stand. I hope to do that today.

It is an interesting, if not aggravating, experience for me. How Apple chooses to deal with these problems will largely determine if I'll buy another Mac. I've decided to trust them this time; we shall see if my faith pays off. They appear to be doing the right thing for 27" owners.

Keeping my fingers crossed...

[FearlessFreep]

I wen't through 3 21.5's. Well, the "second" was an unsuccessful attempt by the Apple Store at "fixing" my first bad screen (was actually worse). A couple of points to understand:

-My first 21.5 was a refurb. This is a salient point; Apple refused to exchange it for a new machine unless I paid the difference. I understand their point, but hopefully people realize that if they walk into the Apple Store with their refurb and expect an even exchange for a brand new iMac, it isn't likely to happen.

-I paid the difference and got a new iMac; it is better than the first two but it still has a noticeable issue on the bottom third of the display. I called Apple and opened a case so that there would be a history, and I need to call them back and see where things stand. I hope to do that today.

It is an interesting, if not aggravating, experience for me. How Apple chooses to deal with these problems will largely determine if I'll buy another Mac. I've decided to trust them this time; we shall see if my faith pays off. They appear to be doing the right thing for 27" owners.

Keeping my fingers crossed...

My replacement for my original 21.5 refurb was a brand new machine.

[bbrukx]

I returned my week 50 21.5" iMac to the Apple Store because of the yellow corner. They were good about and gave me full refund 'because I was not happy with the computer'.

When I asked them if they had had more returns because of the yellow screens, they looked at me if I was from Mars...

I'll try again in a few weeks if the screens get better.

[panzer06]

if u go buy a new 21.5" iMac u may have problems....but i DID NOT. i bought a week 4 from the apple store in Kansas City and i have NO problems at all. runs like a champ. no yellow screen. no hard drive noise....

Stop it all you haters! Just stop...
I am enjoying my brand new 21.5 iMac (with a perfectly UN-yellow screen)
so please let me be...:o

Ours is great as well. Of course I haven't made any effort to look for yellowing or turned off all the other equipment to see if the HD was loud. It's my wife's Mac and if she hasn't complained about anything, it must be perfect!

Cheers,

[ankurgupta]

I too had a yellow tinted screen on my week 47 iMac(21.5). But the major problem that plagued my display were the black spots. I have made a post in the 27" black spots thread that you can check here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=9266531&postcount=13).

Posting here to document it as a 21.5" problem and let others know it does exist, no matter how uncommon it is.

[StarTzar]

I returned my week 50 21.5" iMac to the Apple Store because of the yellow corner. They were good about and gave me full refund 'because I was not happy with the computer'.

When I asked them if they had had more returns because of the yellow screens, they looked at me if I was from Mars...

I'll try again in a few weeks if the screens get better.

I am on my third yellow tinged iMac. I was on the phone with an Apple senior product specialist who offered to have the screen replaced... he went on to say that I could also get a full refund.

I am returning the iMac to the Apple store for a full refund.

I have waited 12 years to finally purchase my first Mac.... I can wait another three to six months.

[StarTzar]

Well, I was at the Apple Store yesterday to get a full refund for my number three yellow tinged iMac. Instead of taking the full refund I opted to give it another shot. I exchanged it for a week 5 21.5 iMac. (I know I know.... I said I could wait another three to six months but I really need my MacApple)

Sooooooooooooooooo when I got home and fired up my brand new week 5 iMac I see that the screen is still yellow tinged in the bottom and the hard drive is noisy.

So I put everything back in the Box and the Apple Store opens at noon today.
This time I am going back with my Apple Anonymous Sponsor and he will make sure I take the money.

[thestumper]

Update: I picked up Imac number 3 this weekend (4th screen in total) and this one appears to be clean. I don't have the build date info in front of me but I will post that as well. I'm going to let it settle in a for at least a few more days before I pass final judgement, but it appears to be a good machine from every perspective. Note that the screen is not perfect, but the yellowing on this one seems extrememly limited to the point where there are no real discernable "areas" that draw my attention to them. The last one that went back was disticntly yellowed on the bottom 20% of the display (my first two screens were absolutely miserable). The new one currently shows very little, if any, yellow tinge unless you run the test pattern and even then it seems negligible.

I will commend Apple tech support on this. I had opened a case a little while back just so that there was a history on it, and told them I would wait until a resolution was found. When I called to check status, I was immediately passed to a higher level engineer who asked a lot of questions and said that they wanted the machine back in their possession for testing (but it was ultimately my choice...). I had puchased it the week before Christmas, and he still really wanted me to exchange it for a new machine, which he facillitated through my local Apple Store. The engineer was extrememly helpful, very focused on my user experience, and at times, applogetic (after he ran through all of my cases from every iMac.screen I went through over the last couple months...).

Note that at no point did he admit outright that there was a known problem; only that my experience was unacceptable in Apple's eyes and that their only concern was making me a happy customer. This is important, because I haven't seen any evidence that Apple has officialy acknowledged a specific issue. That's a little disappointing, because you could tell by the questions he asked and the tone of his voice that this is not new to them - they have seen it before. Still, it was top notch support (as it has always been whenever I call) and I was generally impressed with how things were handled.

As mentioned, I don't feel like I'm out of the woods yet; I still want to give this new iMac a few more days of typical use before I pass judgement, but as long as nothing crops up, life should be good. The machine has been a bit of a disappointment, but Apple Support has been excellent.

As an asside, Time Machine actually works really well. I had my old machine config back in about an hour, and there was a LOT of stuff on there. Had to reinstall iTunes by hand for some odd reason, but that was trivial.

[smdiesel]

Hey everyone.

Same problem with me. 2nd iMac (21.5 Geforce) with yellow tints, now the second one is even worse than the first one. Around 40% of screen is "infected" with yellow tints, clearly visible without doing any kind of test.

The worst thing is that both of them were manufactured in february.

How come Apple not willing to admit that there are MANY problems with their 21.5, 27 iMac series. There should be an investigation to find out what causes the problem.

Maybe i choose the wrong time switching to MAC... :mad:

[kos213]

Here's my story which I posted on the apple support forums:

I've been a long time user of Macs - I've pretty much never owned a PC since my father started toying around with an Apple IIe in the mid 1980s. Since then, we've probably gone through nearly 20 different models, starting with the Mac SE all the way to a newer Macbook Pro

I'm not a fan boy - I've only ever used Macs because it's the only system I've ever known.

However, the state of the refurb 21.5 iMac I got from Apple the other day is simply unacceptable. Take a look at these shots:

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/6420/p1040995c.jpg
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/4750/p1040995s.jpg
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/8010/p1050004.jpg


I decided it was finally time to upgrade to an Intel Mac desktop and replace the G5 I've been working on for the last 8 years - however, my crappy 17-inch ADC monitor makes the new iMac look shameful. 8 years and the colours are as bright as ever, while this state-of-the-art display looks like someone's been smoking inside it.

Anyways, for those who think Apple is "testing" its refurb units to the fullest extent, think again. They're probably offloading the affected units via their refurb store.

[kos213]

Also, just to update what happened - I ended up calling Apple support who were, as usual, very friendly and helpful. My case went up to a 'senior advisor' who seemed very concerned about identifying which batch the refurbed iMac was originally a part of.

However, my whole complaint was shouldn't a yellow tinge THIS bad have been identified during the rigorous testing process they claim is a part of every refurb prep?

They set me up for a replacement and I lugged the iMac to my UPS store this morning. However, I'm now seriously considering calling them and asking for a refund instead given the horror stories I've read here and elsewhere. I'm 99% sure the next one will have a yellow tinged screen and I'm not sure I want to go through the [unpack, test screen, wait, test some more, call, call again, rebox, wait for shipping labels, lug over to UPS] process again.

[California]

Got a iMac 21.5 inch this week for my parents.

Ugliest screen I have ever seen. I mean it. Yellow, crappy.

Set it up next to their 20" iMac G5, which is exactly four years old.

iMac G5 screen: brighter, whiter, bigger type and the iMac 21.5" screen was only WIDER not TALLER.

Wider not taller.

Returned it for a mac mini and Cinema Display 24" which I pray to the good Lord will not be yellow and washed out and sickly looking.

It really was AWFUL looking. Especially next to the 20" iMac G5's LCD screen without any annoying reflections.