Less i7 issues being reported now?

[joshuapending]

Hi all, I'm looking to get a new i7 but had shelved that plan while all the issues were shaking down. Is is me or have there been less complaints as of late? Are people finding the new machines having better build quality or are they just not speaking out as much now.

I'm anxious to get one as the old G5 is really giving me issues now (have to run off external, takes multiple boots to actually work). But I'm also aware of getting a first generation machine such as i have now with issues.

Thoughts?

[slicecom]

The issues are still there, just most of the people who were bothered by them have returned for a refund or learned to live with them.

[mattpol]

Hi all, I'm looking to get a new i7 but had shelved that plan while all the issues were shaking down. Is is me or have there been less complaints as of late? Are people finding the new machines having better build quality or are they just not speaking out as much now.

I'm anxious to get one as the old G5 is really giving me issues now (have to run off external, takes multiple boots to actually work). But I'm also aware of getting a first generation machine such as i have now with issues.

Thoughts?

I just got a Week 13 i7 and it's perfect! Go for it!

[atomsapple]

ive had my iMac 27inch i7 for about a month now.. and i haven't had any of those screen flicker issues many have spoke of in the threads of the web. i even kept the fedex box jus incase due to the many youtube scares i watched prior to making the purchase.. haha. but apple really cracked down on the matter.. i congratulate apple for fixing the issues when it was presented with it. man.. i am never going to windows again.. even now my old gateway is collecting dust as i type this post.. haha. but in all seriousness.. iMac is the ish.. all that and a bag of baked potato chips:D

[slicecom]

ive had my iMac 27inch i7 for about a month now.. and i haven't had any of those screen flicker issues many have spoke of in the threads of the web. i even kept the fedex box jus incase due to the many youtube scares i watched prior to making the purchase.. haha. but apple really cracked down on the matter.. i congratulate apple for fixing the issues when it was presented with it. man.. i am never going to windows again.. even now my old gateway is collecting dust as i type this post.. haha. but in all seriousness.. iMac is the ish.. all that and a bag of baked potato chips:D

Yes, the flicker was fixed long ago. I assumed he was talking about the issues that still exist like yellow tinge, display buzzing and hard drive grumbling.

[xSPRINTERx]

I have just set mine up. Perfect so far !!!! Screen looks fantastic and no noise from the hard drive.

[jaycee520]

i had a week 12 I5...very slight yellow tinge i could live
with but the rumbling noise from the HD i cant take...shipped it
back

[trjwv]

mine's perfect....in fact apple is still producing and selling thousands of iMac's a week and the complaints are few....hum.......go ahead and buy.....

[xSPRINTERx]

Not sure what week mine is but the serial is VM014***** is that week 14?? I will post some pictures once I have set everything up....

Very Very happy with it. I have done all the tests and can not find anything wrong. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

[tigereat]

Just gto week 14 as my 4th replacement. I still have my 3rd one too. So i will compare both side by side and let you guys know

[TMRaven]

I'd very much like to see some pictures of weeks 13 and later! My current i7's screen is pretty good, just some minor gradient issues and yellowing at only the very bottom half inch of the monitor. I might get it replaced if new iMacs all look good.

[Badger^2]

i had a week 12 I5...very slight yellow tinge i could live
with but the rumbling noise from the HD i cant take...shipped it
back

You could have had the drive replaced in an hour if you could have lived with the screen. A $1900 return for a $75 drive.

Did you reformat the drive and do a complete reinstall of the system just in case it was something simple like that?

Dont get me wrong, I think these things should be 100%, but it sounds like a lot of these "returns" didnt really need to happen.

[xSPRINTERx]

Not sure what week mine is but the serial is VM014***** is that week 14?? I will post some pictures once I have set everything up....

Very Very happy with it. I have done all the tests and can not find anything wrong. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Is mine a week 14 ? I have tried MROOGLE and can not find out. Why is my serial VM not W ??

[iSee]

As of about a month ago, I got a good one. I went through three others to get there, though. I previously had various issues: yellow tinge, screen buzz, dead pixels, fuzzy black lines.

I can't really say they problems are fixed, but they are fixed for me.

Is mine a week 14 ? I have tried MROOGLE and can not find out. Why is my serial VM not W ??

Yours is week 14. The fourth and fifth digits determine the week. I forget what digits/letters in the other positions mean. I thought the first one or two indicated the factory, maybe, or the country of manufacture?

Here's a web site that says it will decode it for you: http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

Not sure if there is any particular downside to posting your serial number to random web sites, though.

[SaSaSushi]

The issues are still there, just most of the people who were bothered by them have returned for a refund or learned to live with them.

Yeah, that makes sense, because those people who had problems were the last ones to ever buy 27" iMacs. :rolleyes:

[Breezy2000uk]

I've had 4 27" imacs since January.

My personal observations are that the majority of flickering issues have been addressed so shouldn't be a real worry any more, and that although I doubt the yellowing had been addressed, the units that are shipping now seem to be less likely to have yellow tint, and when they do, the yellow is less exaggerated than it was in 2009 (maybe a slight improvement in quality control?).

My advice is to give it a go if you have the time to look into it properly. Even if you do have a problematic machine, apple's "goodwill gestures" and high level of customer service are sure to make it up to you.

My checklist is -

Yellow Tint
Grey Line
Dead Pixels (screen and isight)
Scratching CD drive

Good luck with the purchase, and I look forwards to hearing what you decide to do :)

[Dansk]

My checklist is -

Yellow Tint
Grey Line
Dead Pixels (screen and isight)
Scratching CD drive


Very helpful thanks

[jaycee520]

I've had 4 27" imacs since January.

My personal observations are that the majority of flickering issues have been addressed so shouldn't be a real worry any more, and that although I doubt the yellowing had been addressed, the units that are shipping now seem to be less likely to have yellow tint, and when they do, the yellow is less exaggerated than it was in 2009 (maybe a slight improvement in quality control?).

My advice is to give it a go if you have the time to look into it properly. Even if you do have a problematic machine, apple's "goodwill gestures" and high level of customer service are sure to make it up to you.

My checklist is -

Yellow Tint
Grey Line
Dead Pixels (screen and isight)
Scratching CD drive

Good luck with the purchase, and I look forwards to hearing what you decide to do :)

How about that annoying rumbling HD noise...thats what made me return my I5....

[jaycee520]

You could have had the drive replaced in an hour if you could have lived with the screen. A $1900 return for a $75 drive.

Did you reformat the drive and do a complete reinstall of the system just in case it was something simple like that?

Dont get me wrong, I think these things should be 100%, but it sounds like a lot of these "returns" didnt really need to happen.

I did a reinstall and didnt change anything. I then called Tech support and asked them if theres any solution to the the problem but I was told they dont have any fix to it... Had they told me that the HD can be replaced, I should have gone that route.At this point, im not sure if I want to try another refurb but just dont have the patient for returns after returns.....

[Rizvi1]

Thanks for this thread. I'm checking out a still sealed 27" iMac i7 tomorrow actually from a craigslist seller and seems there's a lot to look for. I saw week 13 mentioned by a poster or two in this thread and it seems those were good?

Seems the one I'm looking at is week 13 too. He gave me the serial and I found it in http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com. Thought I'd attach a modified version of the printout (I took out the serial) in case anyone had any thoughts.

[Sir Cecil]

I'm checking out a still sealed 27" iMac i7 tomorrow actually from a craigslist seller and seems there's a lot to look for.


Still sealed? Is he going to unseal it for you to carry out the epic Macrumors-gleaned list of faults to look for?
I hope he knows what he's letting himself in for. Once he's unsealed it and fired it up, he's unlikely to get the same price for it when you reject it.
If he has any sense, he'll sell the item still sealed or not at all.

[Rizvi1]

^ well I wouldn't buy anything from a craigslist user without first going through it and making sure it was perfectly ok. I'm not sure anyone else would either.

Anyways, I'm going through this thread to finalize my list on what to go through. Let's see what happens, I've seen my fair share of craigslist sales fall through for any reason. If it goes through, it would be a pretty good deal for me since he's selling it to me at $1760 which I believe is cheaper than what it would run in the refurbished store (it's not there right now for me to check)

[IndustrialSpace]

Bad move to buy an iMac from CL. Too many scammers. I wouldn't even consider such a transaction if I were you. Seriously.

[auero]

Mine just shipped out, should be here by thursday. I called Apple though so I could get a shipper release form because it wasn't allowing me to see it online. While I was on the phone I asked if she happened to see what the serial number is and she provided it to me.

Model: - iMac (27-inch Late 2009) (CTO)

Codename: - ?

Build Country: - Your Mac was built in the USA.

Build Year: - Your Mac was built in 2010.

Build Week - Your Mac was built in week 14 of that year (March).

Production Nr.: - Your Mac was number 447 to be built that week.


We'll see Thursday what happens. Hoping I don't have to go through the PITA process of returning it.

[IndustrialSpace]

Mine just shipped out, should be here by thursday. I called Apple though so I could get a shipper release form because it wasn't allowing me to see it online. While I was on the phone I asked if she happened to see what the serial number is and she provided it to me.

Model: - iMac (27-inch Late 2009) (CTO)

Codename: - ?

Build Country: - Your Mac was built in the USA.

Build Year: - Your Mac was built in 2010.

Build Week - Your Mac was built in week 14 of that year (March).

Production Nr.: - Your Mac was number 447 to be built that week.


We'll see Thursday what happens. Hoping I don't have to go through the PITA process of returning it.

Odd it's coming from the USA.

[auero]

Odd it's coming from the USA.

Yes I found that weird as well. Its shipping from California. The only reason I can think of is that they carry them in stores now but it still took 3 days to 'build' as she said on the phone. It is a week 14 too so it would make sense it was just built.

[IndustrialSpace]

Yes I found that weird as well. Its shipping from California. The only reason I can think of is that they carry them in stores now but it still took 3 days to 'build' as she said on the phone. It is a week 14 too so it would make sense it was just built.


Good luck. Let us know how it is. Week 14 is fairly new. I dont think there's been reports of anything more recent so far.

[skh]

My week 14 i7 also shipped from California yesterday, I was #357 =P.

I was also curious about the USA factory SN. I ordered mine through the Developer program, thought there was a long shot that was the reason why, but I guess its for some other reason.

[xSPRINTERx]

Good luck. Let us know how it is. Week 14 is fairly new. I dont think there's been reports of anything more recent so far.

MY week 14 came this week. Its perfect to my eyes. When I get my SLR back I will take some photos an post them

[IndustrialSpace]

MY week 14 came this week. Its perfect to my eyes. When I get my SLR back I will take some photos an post them

Yes! Please do. This is very encouraging to hear. Perhaps it took up to week 14 to get it right.

[Rizvi1]

Bad move to buy an iMac from CL. Too many scammers. I wouldn't even consider such a transaction if I were you. Seriously.

well I've bought my last two mac mini computers from craigslist and those experiences were good . I actually most comfortable looking for something that's been used a few months and the seller just wants to sell for whatever reason. The guy I was buying from sold to someone else which I'm pretty happy about actually because I wasn't fully comfortable going sealed route.

No other quad-core iMacs right now in DC or Baltimore on craigslist. I could get the i5 iMac from the refurbished store but it seems people are saying the i7's worth it for the extra $200 so kind of want to hold out for that. I'm going to do some more research tonight and see if the i5 could be good enough for my needs

[auero]

My week 14 i7 also shipped from California yesterday, I was #357 =P.

I was also curious about the USA factory SN. I ordered mine through the Developer program, thought there was a long shot that was the reason why, but I guess its for some other reason.

Mine was ordered through an Apple terminal which she acknowledged because a friend let me use her friends and family discount so she had to order it in store, from the back. Maybe thats why?

[Xtremehkr]

Yes! Please do. This is very encouraging to hear. Perhaps it took up to week 14 to get it right.

Week 14 means that the iMac was made in the 14th week of this year. Apple has been making the new iMacs for much longer than 14 weeks. My iMac is a week 43, made in the 43rd week of last year. It arrived in flawless condition and has worked flawlessly since. Derp.

[Sir Cecil]

My week 14 i7 also shipped from California yesterday, I was #357 =P.


What is the serial # prefix/identifier to look for, to confirm a unit is made in USA?
Also, can anyone please confirm which 1T drives are shipping in the most recent USA-made models? Something other than the gurgling Seagates?

[mattpol]

What is the serial # prefix/identifier to look for, to confirm a unit is made in USA?
Also, can anyone please confirm which 1T drives are shipping in the most recent USA-made models? Something other than the gurgling Seagates?

My recent week 13 i7 came with a WD Caviar Black drive, but it came from China.

[skh]

What is the serial # prefix/identifier to look for, to confirm a unit is made in USA?
Also, can anyone please confirm which 1T drives are shipping in the most recent USA-made models? Something other than the gurgling Seagates?

The prefix QP means the US factory. You can check more info by putting in your serial number here (http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com).

[IndustrialSpace]

Week 14 means that the iMac was made in the 14th week of this year. Apple has been making the new iMacs for much longer than 14 weeks. My iMac is a week 43, made in the 43rd week of last year. It arrived in flawless condition and has worked flawlessly since. Derp.


I know. You misread what I wrote.

[lexvo]

Looks like not all week 14 units are problem free.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=9630845&postcount=2284

[jaycee520]

..returned my I5 last week due to HD noise and ordered a refurb I7 today...trying one more time and hopefully get lucky this time:)

[PsyD4Me]

Bad move to buy an iMac from CL. Too many scammers. I wouldn't even consider such a transaction if I were you. Seriously.

we all can't be paranoid, i've had many fine $$$ CL transactions

[xSPRINTERx]

Photo of my i7.

No issues that I can see. I'm sure some on here will see a problem I can not. My friend who is a semi professional photographer tells me he would be happy with it. But I am so happy days....

[mystikjoe]

Photo of my i7.

No issues that I can see. I'm sure some on here will see a problem I can not. My friend who is a semi professional photographer tells me he would be happy with it. But I am so happy days....

looks sweet. the only thing i can't stand is the mouse and keyboard i guess my hands are too big. the mouse makes my hand cramp up when playing poker for any extended time.

[xSPRINTERx]

looks sweet. the only thing i can't stand is the mouse and keyboard i guess my hands are too big. the mouse makes my hand cramp up when playing poker for any extended time.

Funny, I really like it. I have the old magic mouse and keyboard with numeric pad for my mac mini. I really like the new form factor.

[kazmac]

The prefix QP means the US factory. You can check more info by putting in your serial number here (http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com).

Thanks for this, I suspected my 2006 iMac was US, but that's great to know.

I'm so undecided about what Mac will replace my fudgy iMac...it probably won't be an iMac (weird to consider since that's all I've used for 11 years) given the issues so many have had.

I'm just too paranoid to go the route that so many here have and risk getting another problematic machine. I really hope the current gen iMacs get sorted soon. They are gorgeous and seem like a great machine.

[auero]

Thanks for this, I suspected my 2006 iMac was US, but that's great to know.

I'm so undecided about what Mac will replace my fudgy iMac...it probably won't be an iMac (weird to consider since that's all I've used for 11 years) given the issues so many have had.

I'm just too paranoid to go the route that so many here have and risk getting another problematic machine. I really hope the current gen iMacs get sorted soon. They are gorgeous and seem like a great machine.

Thursday cant come soon enough. If there is a single thing wrong with my i7 imac, i'm returning and ordering a 17" macbook pro.

[cliffm]

Thursday cant come soon enough.

I have an i7 iMac coming on Thursday as well too :D

[jaycee520]

I have an i7 iMac coming on Thursday as well too :D
Ordered a refurb I7 Imac yesterday and got it an hour ago
really suprised for this very fast delivery...doing migration
right now....hopefully no issues like the I5 that i returned...

[Paulyboy]

Ordered a refurb I7 Imac yesterday and got it an hour ago
really suprised for this very fast delivery...doing migration
right now....hopefully no issues like the I5 that i returned...

Wow that was fast! I'm guessing you live on the West Coast somewhere?

I ordered an I7 refurb last Friday and the expected delivery is Thursday. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm keeping my 2006 iMac until I'm sure there are no issues with the I7.:)

-PN

[auero]

I have an i7 iMac coming on Thursday as well too :D

Is it an i7?

I hate that Im some what hoping that there is something wrong with it. Then again, I don't. I should have waited for the i7 macbook pros :( would have been a cheaper route for me.

[jaycee520]

Wow that was fast! I'm guessing you live on the West Coast somewhere?

I ordered an I7 refurb last Friday and the expected delivery is Thursday. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm keeping my 2006 iMac until I'm sure there are no issues with the I7.:)

-PN

...its a week 13 and so far looks good to me..look hard on the screen if it has any yellow tinge in it but i could not tell...lol..my main concern is the Seagate HD same HD i had in my I5 that was returned ...annoying rumbling noise..so far its dead quiet and hopefully it stays this way...happy for now

[rnb2]

Mine was a Week 9 i7, built in the US, and other than a bad DIMM, has been pretty fantastic for the month + that I've had it. Mine also came with the 1TB WD Caviar Black - I don't think I've ever heard the drive, though I do boot off of an Intel SSD in an external FW800 enclosure.

[jaycee520]

My recent week 13 i7 came with a WD Caviar Black drive, but it came from China.

Mine arrive today I7 week 13 from China..Seagate HD..crossing my finger :mad:

[mtnDewFTW]

Sounds like week 14 is the most problem free.
I just sent in my broken iMac to get it replaced, what are the chances of me getting a week 14?

I really hope I do.

[spcdust]

Sounds like week 14 is the most problem free.
I just sent in my broken iMac to get it replaced, what are the chances of me getting a week 14?

I really hope I do.

Took delivery of a week 14 last week - still not a consistent screen although yellow is less pronounced than previous iMacs - I'd actually speculate that the screen has an overall warmer (some might say yellow) hue all over. This one does suffer from more pronounced backlight bleed than the other iMacs but I actually can live with that. Personally I still think it's pot luck on your screen - week of manufacture seems irrelevant.

This is my fourth iMac and I've neither the willingness or time to do any more exchanges so it's a keeper. Think we all all have to accept that the screen technology is still in it's infancy and the manufacturing variance of the panels is wider than one would have hoped for.

Throughout Applecare have been excellent allowing me to keep previous iMacs until replacement is sent etc. For me this whole saga has dragged on since November and now it's time to draw a line under it.

[mtbdudex]

Well, my i7 iMac (2TB HD + 8GB RAM) is due 4/16/10 here in SE Mich, I've been waiting and waiting these iMac issues to mostly settle down.
Hopefully mine is good to go, I'll post here results.

[alanwong]

This is my fourth iMac and I've neither the willingness or time to do any more exchanges so it's a keeper.

Have you thought about getting a refund and then getting one of the new MacBook Pros? :p

[spcdust]

Have you thought about getting a refund and then getting one of the new MacBook Pros? :p

I'm a bit old fashioned and like my desktops:D

[cliffm]

Is it an i7?

I hate that Im some what hoping that there is something wrong with it. Then again, I don't. I should have waited for the i7 macbook pros :( would have been a cheaper route for me.

Yep, i7 refurbished. Tracking says out for delivery so 1 day early :)

I took a gamble knowing all of the problems they have been having. I really need a fast desktop now and if there is a problem, Apple will sort it out.

The i7 Macbook Pros are only dual core, the iMac is quad and with a bigger screen. I think its a great deal.

[cliffm]

Just got my refurbed i7 iMac yesterday. So far its flawless. No display issues, hard drive noises, A very beautiful machine.

[Paulyboy]

Just got my refurbed i7 iMac yesterday. So far its flawless. No display issues, hard drive noises, A very beautiful machine.

Likewise. The display looks perfect to me and also two of my friends, one of which is a photographer. That's good enough for me. :)

I don't know if the serial number means anything with a refurbished unit but it's a week 13 of this year. It also looks like it has the Seagate hard drive in it but it's totally silent.The manufacturer origin is "YD". I have no idea what that means.

In any case I'm extremely pleased with this beautiful machine and the deal I got on it. I'll try to remember to report back in a week, after I've used it for more than a few hours, to say whether it's still working fine or not.

This is awesome! :)

-PN