Why I will not try to buy another iMac 27 - i7

[laff2]

Long time MacRumors Reader, first time posting...I read the posts and have seen the opinions on the 27" i7's...

I so wanted this to work out, but after six attempts to purchase a iMac i7 I am at the end of my rope. I write this as I am now online over two hours to set up a return with Apple (Support already decided it need to be returned). Waiting for store side.

As a long time mac user I have been through problems with some past iMac's and Macbook Air's...but this is amazing. Some of you have been very lucky (I wish I was one). Just want to share my experience so everyone else can take it for what its worth and try to get a good iMac (which you may on try #1) or wait.

Recap-

Unit #1: Refurb - Scratchy Hard Drive/ Fan would come on a lot/ Yellow was very bad through 1/3 of screen.

Unit #2: Refurb - Arrived with fully shattered screen and no damage to box.

Unit #3: Refurb - Hinge was so loose you could swing it extremely easily with one finger.

Unit #4: New - Apple said they are sorry and they replaced my refurb with a new one at no charge. Was working great then on day 3, the bluetooth hardware died in the iMac and a couple of the USB's went bad out of the blue. Apple said swap it out for another one.

Unit #5: New - The screen out of the box at the store was white on one side of the screen and dark on the other. The right bottom corner would light up about very bright on 1/3 of the corner of pitch black screen as if it was a xmas tree of white light. They were out of i7's - Returned.

Unit #6: Refurb - Came today, there are large pieces of dark black specks stuck between the screen and glass. The hinge is very loose so any vibration or minor bump to the desk makes the monitor move downwards.

So add my time on the phone with support at Apple, going to the Apple store and dragging in the brick of an iMac and tons of time...I think, for me, I am done.

[mtnDewFTW]

Wow.. it almost sounds like Apple were trying to mess with you.
I mean, how in the hell could you not get a single working machine. That's just ridiculous!

But, I think I would have done the same, just return it. But this is just amazing. You should post it on some blog or something for more people to know these issues, maybe then Apple will step up their game.

What're you gonna do now? Go for a different Mac, or are you done with Apple completely?

[Michaelgtrusa]

It's sad to see the once pristine quality go down hill from the best hi tech co. One thing is for certain, my imac days are over.

[Tom71]

Read this post just when I'm deciding of buying one...

[Omnigray]

me too, that's really disheartening

[124c41]

dayum, that sucks... i guess i should be happy with the one i've got in spite of the petty software aggro's...

[After G]

Wow, I was thinking of going iPad + iMac for my next hardware purchases too.

Nothing to add but to say sorry for your bad luck ... even the opened ones in the store ... :eek:

Maybe write Steve Jobs or something ... if only to fix the problems for anyone else who is going the same route you are.

[turugara]

that sounds like really really horrible luck.

[mocsharp]

that sounds like really really horrible luck.

I'm thinking to return my 3rd replacement as well. (this is actually the 6th unit i've own)
1) from MacConnection (i5)=> yellow
2) replacement from Apple store => yellow => refund due to low stock in jan
3) from MacConnection again (i5)=> yellow => returned to MC
4) from MacConnection (i7) => yellow in the center
5) replacement from Apple care => more yellow in the center
6) replacement from Apple store => current unit

I was actually going to accept the very minor yellowing on this one but boot camp just didn't work, not with any version of windows (xp, vista, 7), not even DOS. The screen just goes blank when i try to boot from windows/dos.

Has anyone updated their 27" imac with the latest firmware and having this issue?

Another issue is the yellow background on finder windows, as i've posted in the other thread. http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=227184&d=1274515180

[Labaguette]

so finally i can forget about getting a 27" iMac :(

@mocsharp The issue you got there with Bootcamp is windows-based. you have to delete the ATI driver for your graphics card included in windows (via Mac OS X) and after it has booted using a generic VGA driver you can install a new ATI Catalyst.
Let me know if this works
regards

[mrwonkers]

I guess I'm a lucky one then only 2 attempts, writing this on my iMac now. My first was purchased through an Apple reseller and had yellow screen, and DVD drive scratched the living crap out of all discs. Apple gave me a discount voucher 4 my trouble and co-ordinated a refund through the reseller 4 me. I purchased a refurb unit hoping that they would go through some sort of testing process as opposed to new machines which it seems are just built and shipped. The refurb is perfect and in the end using the discount voucher and a little charm I managed to purchase the refurb iMac 4 25% less than a new one costs. I have run the iMac extremely hard to see if I can make it cry/explode die and I'm pleased to say all attempts to date have failed. I think for the volume of units that are actually produced there will always be failures especially with a Gen 1 product. I know 2 others who have purchased new iMacs recently and they are also perfect. I think Apple have ironed out the majority of issues with both newly manufactured & refurbs units.
Older stock may still be in circulation and these units could well be the ones causing so many Mac lovers to cry:(
This is without doubt my fav Mac to date and I have had many.
Good luck to all would b imac purchasers out there...


Long time MacRumors Reader, first time posting...I read the posts and have seen the opinions on the 27" i7's...

I so wanted this to work out, but after six attempts to purchase a iMac i7 I am at the end of my rope. I write this as I am now online over two hours to set up a return with Apple (Support already decided it need to be returned). Waiting for store side.

As a long time mac user I have been through problems with some past iMac's and Macbook Air's...but this is amazing. Some of you have been very lucky (I wish I was one). Just want to share my experience so everyone else can take it for what its worth and try to get a good iMac (which you may on try #1) or wait.

Recap-

Unit #1: Refurb - Scratchy Hard Drive/ Fan would come on a lot/ Yellow was very bad through 1/3 of screen.

Unit #2: Refurb - Arrived with fully shattered screen and no damage to box.

Unit #3: Refurb - Hinge was so loose you could swing it extremely easily with one finger.

Unit #4: New - Apple said they are sorry and they replaced my refurb with a new one at no charge. Was working great then on day 3, the bluetooth hardware died in the iMac and a couple of the USB's went bad out of the blue. Apple said swap it out for another one.

Unit #5: New - The screen out of the box at the store was white on one side of the screen and dark on the other. The right bottom corner would light up about very bright on 1/3 of the corner of pitch black screen as if it was a xmas tree of white light. They were out of i7's - Returned.

Unit #6: Refurb - Came today, there are large pieces of dark black specks stuck between the screen and glass. The hinge is very loose so any vibration or minor bump to the desk makes the monitor move downwards.

So add my time on the phone with support at Apple, going to the Apple store and dragging in the brick of an iMac and tons of time...I think, for me, I am done.

[fhall1]

I was actually going to accept the very minor yellowing on this one but boot camp just didn't work, not with any version of windows (xp, vista, 7), not even DOS. The screen just goes blank when i try to boot from windows/dos.

Has anyone updated their 27" imac with the latest firmware and having this issue?


Are you by chance using a USB connected monitor with Displaylink drivers?

[kazmac]

Sorry you had to go through all that. I went through a few returns as well, but only my initial new iMac had serious problems.

While I'm happy with my refurb 20" and new MBP 13", I may just leave the iMac behind whenever I'm ready for a refresh (in this case, years from now since I'm continuing university).

Whenever I've rec'd a dud iMac (2 out of 4 in the 11 years I've been using them), I eventually move toward getting a refund (esp. if it's an immediate problem). Bummer the refurbs were awful. I've the best apple customer relations help with the refurbs.

I really hope Apple comes through for you laff2, bummer you had such a lousy experince.

[sadcamper]

Sucks you had to go through all that...I recently purchased my first iMac (21.5 refurb) and it had the yellow-screen issue. I read all the horror stories on here, so I asked for a refund instead of attempting an exchange.

I finally decided I would wait to see if the problem worked itself out, but I'm now beginning to think that won't happen. I *may* attempt buying directly from the Apple Store so I can easily return it (returning via UPS has proved to be a long and painful experience).

[Dont Hurt Me]

Apples made in China quality control isnt what it use to be, I went through 2 units and then quit but to go through 6 thats just amazing. I think a lot of the problems are caused by shipping it around the world and lets face it these things are getting banged up big time before they arrive. My second box had a hole all the way through both boxes and I think it was a plunger pushing this down another track at a Fedx plant. Another reason why I dont like the all in one because if one item has a issue your stuck taking the whole thing back. A separate computer and then monitor or HDTV seems to be a better choice and so im waiting for a better Mini or a new Macintosh thats not all in freakin one. Good Luck

[staralfur]

Some brutal experiences on here which I can see would put people off buying.
But then again, I got a 27 inch iMac a month ago which was perfect and hasn't skipped a beat.

[johnnymg]

Long time MacRumors Reader, first time posting...I read the posts and have seen the opinions on the 27" i7's...

I so wanted this to work out, but after six attempts to purchase a iMac i7 I am at the end of my rope. I write this as I am now online over two hours to set up a return with Apple (Support already decided it need to be returned). Waiting for store side.
snip.............

Ouch................. you should definitely give up on the imac. Sometimes the zen of the Apple product line just doesn't work for some people.

good luck with whatever computer you purchase in the future

[IndustrialSpace]

Unfortunately, there have been MANY stories similar to yours. Apple has really created a disaster with this new iMac line. The amount of problems are incredible!

It has become clearly evident that Apple quality has gone way down with regards to their computers. Their resources are more allocated towards their mobile line of products with the staple iMac being given ancillary consideration within their buisness model. Right now, they're seeding the mobile world with their devices amongst very strong competition for a mode of product determined to be a fixture in everyone' life. Apple is reinforcing their anchor in this consumer mobile world. To effectively capture this market and become synonomous with it (Apple is well on the road w/iPhone and iPad), one needs to divert and focus resources accordingly. iMac seems to be a casuality of this thinking.

I really don't understand how Apple can allow someone to receive several defective machines. For it to happen to one or two customers is one thing, but the sheer volume of reports from people who have had to return and replace multiple times (3-8 repalcements) is astonishing. It seems this problem is not really a "problem" per se, but the norm with these back-lit LED screens innovated by Apple. The defective yellow tint found randomly scattered throughout the screen is inherent in the desgin and stated as such in the iMac patent. See for yourself. THAT is why everyone seems to have some yellowing. It's not really "defective," but more a design flaw (or infancy) by the lack of precison in which this technology was implemented.

[alent1234]

wow, do you work for Adobe by chance? or Google?

[slicecom]

wow, do you work for Adobe by chance? or Google?

You have no response for his facts and logic, so you accuse him of working for the competition. You'd make a good politician.

[mrwonkers]

Unfortunately, there have been MANY stories similar to yours. Apple has really created a disaster with this new iMac line. The amount of problems are incredible!

It has become clearly evident that Apple quality has gone way down with regards to their computers. Their resources are more allocated towards their mobile line of products with the staple iMac being given ancillary consideration within their buisness model. Right now, they're seeding the mobile world with their devices amongst very strong competition for a mode of product determined to be a fixture in everyone' life. Apple is reinforcing their anchor in this consumer mobile world. To effectively capture this market and become synonomous with it (Apple is well on the road w/iPhone and iPad), one needs to divert and focus resources accordingly. iMac seems to be a casuality of this thinking.

I really don't understand how Apple can allow someone to receive several defective machines. For it to happen to one or two customers is one thing, but the sheer volume of reports from people who have had to return and replace multiple times (3-8 repalcements) is astonishing. It seems this problem is not really a "problem" per se, but the norm with these back-lit LED screens innovated by Apple. The defective yellow tint found randomly scattered throughout the screen is inherent in the desgin and stated as such in the iMac patent. See for yourself. THAT is why everyone seems to have some yellowing. It's not really "defective," but more a design flaw (or infancy) by the lack of precison in which this technology was implemented.

Assuming that the problem is wide scale on this particular model is absurd. For every person in a forum who got a "crap" iMac I'm sure there are 100's more people who got a perfectly functional iMac. Apple are producing more machines now than ever b4 so hence the failure percentage will increase in respect to total percentage of units manufactured. This is a Rev A product as with most Rev A products there will be initial production issues that need to be ironed out. People come to forums to complain when their machines do not work, I'm sure the numbers of complaints are severely disproportionate when compared 2 real world numbers of people who are very happy with their iMacs. Don't like it get your money back and wait for a Rev B or better still wait forever 4 a PERFECT computer....doh

I love my iMac and am very happy I decided to go with it as I'm sure many others are 2.

[laff2]

To Answer alent1234...no, I do not work for Google or Adobe, etc. I am a long, long time Apple user.

I do have to agree with the statement of increased growth and manufacturing. With growth comes greater number of problems or DOA's etc.

I want to have a iMac 27" i7 that is good...don't get me wrong. I will even deal with the yellowing of the screen to a certain point.

While many iMacs appear to be fine and people are enjoying them, I have not been so lucky and many more then usual (in regards to a specific model in this case) appear to be in the same boat.

[FoxyKaye]

It has become clearly evident that Apple quality has gone way down with regards to their computers... etc.
Which to me is a long-winded way of saying, "Remember the good old days, when Apple made computers?"

It's not just the latest round of iMacs, quality control and the iMac lineup has been variable for a long time.

I'm fascinated by the fact that my almost 10-year-old iBook G3 is still running, especially after it has been dropped (and really dropped, from like 4 feet) and modded, but my 2005 iMac is in its death throes. And it's not just mine - three of my friends with iMac G5s have all had their motherboards die slow and horrible deaths after the computer is between 4-6 years old.

I will say we bought a refurb 27" iMac Core i7 for our designer at work about a month ago, and so far, so good. But I'm starting to wonder if Apple's trying to pack too much into too-small of a form factor in the iMac lineup.

[ValSalva]

Maybe your Refurb #1 was the machine I returned ;) Seriously, I think the current model iMac is a lemon.

I'm waiting for a Mac Pro now. If Apple releases a 27" ACD I will skip it and go for the Dell U2711. I don't think Apple's screen supplier is doing them any favors.

[fearoftigers]

Maybe your Refurb #1 was the machine I returned ;) Seriously, I think the current model iMac is a lemon.

I'm waiting for a Mac Pro now. If Apple releases a 27" ACD I will skip it and go for the Dell U2711. I don't think Apple's screen supplier is doing them any favors.

Yea I agree.

I read the forums and thought all the problems had been fixed. Bought a 27" for music production, spent a day loading up the software (Logic=6 hours, Omnisphere=6 hours etc)

It worked perfectly for 2 weeks and the then I went to switch it on one day and nothing. Wouldn't boot up.

On the bright side I got my money back but I wasted several days and lost some of the data on the machine.

I'd love to buy another one but it seems foolish to spend £3000 on a computer that clearly has problems. I don't want to have to take it in to be repaired in 6 months time. I mean surely it should just work!

I want a solid, dependable computer that will last me several years. I don't think the imac is the right machine.

I'll wait for the Mac Pro. Any one want to speculate when it's out?
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=907279&page=19

[Btom]

Assuming that the problem is wide scale on this particular model is absurd. For every person in a forum who got a "crap" iMac I'm sure there are 100's more people who got a perfectly functional iMac. .......

A number of people reported replacing computers 3 - 6 times, and even that didn't guarantee a problem free computer (and I am talking a DOA kind of problem). This pattern suggests an extreme lack of luck of those individuals, or a high level of faulty units in the batch.

Tom B.

[Michaelgtrusa]

Yea I agree.

I read the forums and thought all the problems had been fixed. Bought a 27" for music production, spent a day loading up the software (Logic=6 hours, Omnisphere=6 hours etc)

It worked perfectly for 2 weeks and the then I went to switch it on one day and nothing. Wouldn't boot up.

On the bright side I got my money back but I wasted several days and lost some of the data on the machine.

I'd love to buy another one but it seems foolish to spend £3000 on a computer that clearly has problems. I don't want to have to take it in to be repaired in 6 months time. I mean surely it should just work!

I want a solid, dependable computer that will last me several years. I don't think the imac is the right machine.

I'll wait for the Mac Pro. Any one want to speculate when it's out?
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=907279&page=19




If the Mac pro is a redesign it has to be a monster! it's to far behind it's pc comp.

[StarTzar]

Long time MacRumors Reader, first time posting...I read the posts and have seen the opinions on the 27" i7's...

I so wanted this to work out, but after six attempts to purchase a iMac i7 I am at the end of my rope. I write this as I am now online over two hours to set up a return with Apple (Support already decided it need to be returned). Waiting for store side.

As a long time mac user I have been through problems with some past iMac's and Macbook Air's...but this is amazing. Some of you have been very lucky (I wish I was one). Just want to share my experience so everyone else can take it for what its worth and try to get a good iMac (which you may on try #1) or wait.

Recap-

Unit #1: Refurb - Scratchy Hard Drive/ Fan would come on a lot/ Yellow was very bad through 1/3 of screen.

Unit #2: Refurb - Arrived with fully shattered screen and no damage to box.

Unit #3: Refurb - Hinge was so loose you could swing it extremely easily with one finger.

Unit #4: New - Apple said they are sorry and they replaced my refurb with a new one at no charge. Was working great then on day 3, the bluetooth hardware died in the iMac and a couple of the USB's went bad out of the blue. Apple said swap it out for another one.

Unit #5: New - The screen out of the box at the store was white on one side of the screen and dark on the other. The right bottom corner would light up about very bright on 1/3 of the corner of pitch black screen as if it was a xmas tree of white light. They were out of i7's - Returned.

Unit #6: Refurb - Came today, there are large pieces of dark black specks stuck between the screen and glass. The hinge is very loose so any vibration or minor bump to the desk makes the monitor move downwards.

So add my time on the phone with support at Apple, going to the Apple store and dragging in the brick of an iMac and tons of time...I think, for me, I am done.

I will not repeat my horror stories.

Unfortunately, there will always be MacFans that will say that you are making everything up and that no one can be that unlucky.

I have already not recommended Apple to anyone that cares to listen.

[mrwonkers]

A number of people reported replacing computers 3 - 6 times, and even that didn't guarantee a problem free computer (and I am talking a DOA kind of problem). This pattern suggests an extreme lack of luck of those individuals, or a high level of faulty units in the batch.

Tom B.

Forums posts only represent a small portion of real world users and by no means can be used to determine any "overall" pattern with any real accuracy. Until the figures for iMac sales are made available by Apple and are correlated against the numbers of issues reported say at :
http://www.imac.squeaked.com/results.php
We are all just speculating as to how deeply these production faults are tied to the late 2009 iMac product line.

Can you show me a picture of your screen:rolleyes:

A-tom Bomb.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xasd5_wWCaI&feature=related

[IndustrialSpace]

Forums posts only represent a small portion of real world users and by no means can be used to determine any "overall" pattern with any real accuracy. Until the figures for iMac sales are made available by Apple and are correlated against the numbers of issues reported say at :
http://www.imac.squeaked.com/results.php
We are all just speculating as to how deeply these production faults are tied to the late 2009 iMac product line.

Can you show me a picture of your screen:rolleyes:

A-tom Bomb.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xasd5_wWCaI&feature=related

Dn't OD on that Kool-aid, son. :rolleyes:

[harpster]

I'm tired/bored of the whole iMac thing. I currently have a iMac G5 20" and it's still hanging in there but because it's non Intel and starting to show it's age (speed wise) I really want to upgrade. Unfortunately the new iMac's just don't do anything for me. I check them out at the Apple store all the time and then read about all the problems here and I'm just not sold.

I can't afford the Mac Pro but I do miss the days of being able to buy the box and display separately. And also having the ability to easily update things like graphics cards, HD's, etc. IMO Apple needs to make a more powerful and larger version of the mini.. more ports, and easily upgradable SSHD, Blu Ray or RAM, whatever you want.

Maybe $1200 to $1500 for a fast i7 machine and then I'll gladly buy the display I LIKE with the size and resolution and matt or gloss that I LIKE. Apple probably won't do this because by integrating they make money off the whole product but if I wanted to get a Dell Ultra Sharp monitor for example than I could... and I'd like that flexibility. I've been a Mac user since the 80's and used to get real excited about new releases but anymore.. Maybe something cool will come along, maybe the new Mac Pro base price will be under $2000 - now that would be nice!

[Cave Man]

Maybe $1200 to $1500 for a fast i7 machine and then I'll gladly buy the display I LIKE with the size and resolution and matt or gloss that I LIKE.

Sounds like you need a hackintosh. ;)

[harpster]

Sounds like you need a hackintosh. ;)

Nope I'm no hacker... I want Apple to make it. In case you don't remember (or are to young to remember) this is how it was done - separate CPU and Monitor. With the LCD came the iMac and desktop integration now rules! The Mac pro is great but overkill for me both power and price wise. Just give me a half mac pro and I'll be happy!

[cryer]

Forums posts only represent a small portion of real world users and by no means can be used to determine any "overall" pattern with any real accuracy. Until the figures for iMac sales are made available by Apple and are correlated against the numbers of issues reported say at :
http://www.imac.squeaked.com/results.php
We are all just speculating as to how deeply these production faults are tied to the late 2009 iMac product line.

Can you show me a picture of your screen:rolleyes:

A-tom Bomb.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xasd5_wWCaI&feature=related

You know, I would have believed this if it didn't happen to me. And I know that may be a spurious claim to make but I've been watching this whole iMac debacle since they first came out but didn't buy. Read about all the troubles and failures left and right - yellow screen, flickering, hdd noise, fan, etc. It made mainstream tech news and Apple even addressed it by releasing software/firmware update for the flicker and admitted to yellow screen issues. This tells me it's widespread.

Not to mention I just bought a refurbished iMac and have now gone through two. First one had some yellowing, hdd noise, and the airport card was entirely missing/not recognized. Second one has some yellowing (although i can live with it) but it's got two dead pixels, hdd noise (which I think is going to happen as frequently as yellowing now so may be normal), and possibly a fan issue.

If the odds are in my favor of getting a good iMac, it just doesn't seem so.

[Pachang]

Let's say the rate of failure on the 27" iMac is 1%

that would mean that there is a 1/10^10 chance of you having to go through 5 bad one's to get a good one.

Judging by the amount of people just on these forums who have had to take 5+ iMacs back a failure rate of 1% isn't possible.

5% failure rate?

1 in 3.2 million

10%?
1 in one hundred thousand.

You would have to say that the failure rate of these 27" imacs is in the order of 10%. I might guess greater.

[mrwonkers]

Let's say the rate of failure on the 27" iMac is 1%

that would mean that there is a 1/10^10 chance of you having to go through 5 bad one's to get a good one.

Judging by the amount of people just on these forums who have had to take 5+ iMacs back a failure rate of 1% isn't possible.

5% failure rate?

1 in 3.2 million

10%?
1 in one hundred thousand.

You would have to say that the failure rate of these 27" imacs is in the order of 10%. I might guess greater.



Guess away dude:rolleyes:

[Mike Macintosh]

DAAAAAMN, so far I have had no probs with my i5, so their is some good machines out there.

[mrwonkers]

You know, I would have believed this if it didn't happen to me. And I know that may be a spurious claim to make but I've been watching this whole iMac debacle since they first came out but didn't buy. Read about all the troubles and failures left and right - yellow screen, flickering, hdd noise, fan, etc. It made mainstream tech news and Apple even addressed it by releasing software/firmware update for the flicker and admitted to yellow screen issues. This tells me it's widespread.

Not to mention I just bought a refurbished iMac and have now gone through two. First one had some yellowing, hdd noise, and the airport card was entirely missing/not recognized. Second one has some yellowing (although i can live with it) but it's got two dead pixels, hdd noise (which I think is going to happen as frequently as yellowing now so may be normal), and possibly a fan issue.

If the odds are in my favor of getting a good iMac, it just doesn't seem so.



I must just be uberlucky as my refurb 27" iMac is perfect, sorry to hear of your problems. Your odds should be getting better daily if the stats at http://www.imac.squeaked.com/custom.php?condition=perfect&size=27&processor=&graphics_card=&harddrive=&week= are anything to go by.

[mocsharp]

The bootcamp problem on mine has nothing to do with ati drivers. The thing is it doesn't even "boot from the setup DVD", the screen goes black immediately I boot from the DVD and the SuperDrive stops spinning. I've tried xp, vista, win7 and pc-dos. I meant i have setup previous FIVE iMacs without any issue, get it?



Anyways, I got a refund since they couldn't figure out what's going on with the yellow background nor the bootcamp. The genius told me to wait for the next revision, lol, he said he's waiting too since there are way to many issues and no one ever figured it out.


Good luck to those who are still considering. I have friends at Cupertino campus told me not to get one but I didn't listen and ended up wasting all this time.

[Pachang]

Guess away dude:rolleyes:

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