27" iMac Black Dot of Death

crovali · Dec 13, 2012, 12:30 PM

My BTO 27" iMac came today. This is my first Apple computer and I'm loving everything about it. I inspected the screen and it looks perfect; no yellowing, no dead pixels. This is one problem though... there's a black dot on the front of the computer to the left of the apple logo. I cant stand it. Every time I look at my computer I see this dot staring back at me. Taunting me. Should I bring it in to an apple store and swap it out for a new model?

WilliamG · Dec 13, 2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crovali

My BTO 27" iMac came today. This is my first Apple computer and I'm loving everything about it. I inspected the screen and it looks perfect; no yellowing, no dead pixels. This is one problem though... there's a black dot on the front of the computer to the left of the apple logo. I cant stand it. Every time I look at my computer I see this dot staring back at me. Taunting me. Should I bring it in to an apple store and swap it out for a new model?
Image

Clearly a stuck pixel for the 21st Century.

Perhaps a silly question, but is it actually a defect, or just a piece of gunk that can be scraped off?

crovali · Dec 13, 2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamG

Clearly a stuck pixel for the 21st Century.

Perhaps a silly question, but is it actually a defect, or just a piece of gunk that can be scraped off?

It is a defect. It cannot be cleaned off. It's permanent.

----------

here is another pic

scruby · Dec 13, 2012, 12:39 PM

Most deff swap it for a new one. You paid big cash for this product so expect it to be 100% ok. Apple will be happy to swap anyways

FuriousGreg · Dec 13, 2012, 12:41 PM

I said the same thing in another post but call it in and you'll likely get an Apple store credit. The other poster got $150. It's very unlikely that whatever caused the dot will effect your machine (who knows though?) but Apple needs to know of these defects so they can see if it's an aberration or endemic and track down the factory/team responsable and fix the problem.

Arman · Dec 13, 2012, 12:43 PM

Oh god. I've heard about this black dot. Be careful. Most likely a fried flux capaciter transistor on the inside. U probably won't have any problems until it runs past it's warranty.

dwarnecke11 · Dec 13, 2012, 12:43 PM

'Tis but a beauty spot!

Seriously though, get it swapped.

niuniu · Dec 13, 2012, 12:48 PM

Sugar might work on it. Need to know what that silver coat is made from first though, is it silver paint like the first gen Intel Powerbooks/MBPs or just plain metal like the current MBPs?

Michaelgtrusa · Dec 13, 2012, 12:52 PM

Take it back.

WilliamG · Dec 13, 2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuriousGreg

I said the same thing in another post but call it in and you'll likely get an Apple store credit. The other poster got $150. It's very unlikely that whatever caused the dot will effect your machine (who knows though?) but Apple needs to know of these defects so they can see if it's an aberration or endemic and track down the factory/team responsable and fix the problem.

That was for an etching issue, not a black ... thing.

I agree, I'd take it back. Otherwise you'd have to stare at that thing for years.

sucramdi · Dec 13, 2012, 12:57 PM

Damn, that would annoy me so much. I'd definitely bring it in to the Apple Store

iohass · Dec 13, 2012, 01:02 PM

only drawback of taking it back is that this machine is perfect and byswapping it, you are risking receiving one with a defect

T'hain Esh Kelch · Dec 13, 2012, 01:05 PM

I'm amazed at the vanity if people would return a computer because of *that*.. Oh well..

crovali · Dec 13, 2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iohass

only drawback of taking it back is that this machine is perfect and byswapping it, you are risking receiving one with a defect

exactly...le sigh

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by T'hain Esh Kelch

I'm amazed at the vanity if people would return a computer because of *that*.. Oh well..

If I'm paying 2.7k for a computer I demand perfection!

53x12 · Dec 13, 2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T'hain Esh Kelch

I'm amazed at the vanity if people would return a computer because of *that*.. Oh well..

Why not?

Johnf1285 · Dec 13, 2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crovali

If I'm paying 2.7k for a computer I demand perfection!

I agree. I bet if you explain your situation to Apple, they'll ship out a new one and work it where you'll have to give the old one to the delivery person before you receive the new one. Essentially you're looking at minimal downtime. Hope this situation works out for you.

markie · Dec 13, 2012, 01:19 PM

I would say don't swap it. It's VERY tiny, and shows Apple's quality standards if that's what you notice. But, I'm not you - to me, it's not functional, it's not major, and it's not in the screen itself.

xgman · Dec 13, 2012, 01:20 PM

Try a damp Magic Eraser.

crovali · Dec 13, 2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markie

I would say don't swap it. It's VERY tiny, and shows Apple's quality standards if that's what you notice. But, I'm not you - to me, it's not functional, it's not major, and it's not in the screen itself.

If the dot was off to the side somewhere or on the back I wouldn't mind but this is dead center. It's very noticeable. I'll call apple up and see what we can work out.

bflowers · Dec 13, 2012, 01:22 PM

Use one of the Apple stickers included in the box to cover it up. Really, the people considering taking back a $2-3k machine because of a cosmetic blemish 1mm in size. First world problems I guess. Lets see how these people deal with the US government turning us into a third world country!

Chuckstones · Dec 13, 2012, 01:25 PM

Fine tipped silver marker pen!

Sorted!!

Mister Bumbo · Dec 13, 2012, 01:26 PM

Or you could become one of those people who puts post-its everywhere!

53x12 · Dec 13, 2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bflowers

Use one of the Apple stickers included in the box to cover it up. Really, the people considering taking back a $2-3k machine because of a cosmetic blemish 1mm in size. First world problems I guess. Lets see how these people deal with the US government turning us into a third world country!

It is new. Would you say the something about a new Honda or Toyota you are picking up at the dealership? "I don't mind that dent and scratch. It is only a $25k car after all. First world problems."

bflowers · Dec 13, 2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckstones

Fine tipped silver marker pen!

Sorted!!

I was thinking that after I posted. I have a silver paint Sharpie that would do it.

bflowers · Dec 13, 2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53x12

It is new. Would you say the something about a new Honda or Toyota you are picking up at the dealership? "I don't mind that dent and scratch. It is only a $25k car after all. First world problems."

Not really the same thing. At the dealership, it's your responsibility to look over the car you are buying. Hopefully take a test drive in it. Make sure it is to your satisfaction. With this computer, if mine shows up that way, I might report it, as others have suggested, so that Apple can track quality control issues. However, for a blemish that small, no, I wouldn't ask for, or accept a discount. I feel the same way about the minor scratch that was posted earlier. It was on the back, where it would likely rarely, if ever be seen. It has no impact on the function of the computer.

Besides, with cars, you are supposed to haggle over the price. Last I heard, only Saturns, now discontinued, had a no haggle price structure. For a car with a minor dent, I'd have them knock of a grand. After all, it's the car buyer's job to get as close to invoice pricing as possible, and the salesman's job to screw you as much as they can while still getting you to buy the car.

Dec 13, 2012, 12:30 PM	#1
crovali macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2011	27" iMac Black Dot of Death My BTO 27" iMac came today. This is my first Apple computer and I'm loving everything about it. I inspected the screen and it looks perfect; no yellowing, no dead pixels. This is one problem though... there's a black dot on the front of the computer to the left of the apple logo. I cant stand it. Every time I look at my computer I see this dot staring back at me. Taunting me. Should I bring it in to an apple store and swap it out for a new model?
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 12:39 PM	#4
scruby macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Netherlands	Most deff swap it for a new one. You paid big cash for this product so expect it to be 100% ok. Apple will be happy to swap anyways __________________ 13' MPB 2,4 8GB / iPhone 4 16GB / iMac 27inch i7 3.4 - 32GB - 1TB Fusion Drive - NVIDIA GTX 680MX
	1

Dec 13, 2012, 12:43 PM	#7
dwarnecke11 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2009	'Tis but a beauty spot! Seriously though, get it swapped. __________________ iMac 27" 2.93 Ghz i7 \| Samsung N150 iPhone 4S 32GB \| iPod shuffle 2GB 4G
	7

Dec 13, 2012, 12:48 PM	#8
niuniu macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: A man of the people. The right sort of people.	Sugar might work on it. Need to know what that silver coat is made from first though, is it silver paint like the first gen Intel Powerbooks/MBPs or just plain metal like the current MBPs? __________________ "Up yours, Jack, I'm okay' is not a tenable position, morally speaking." Guns
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 12:52 PM	#9
Michaelgtrusa macrumors 68040 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Everywhere And Nowhere	Take it back. __________________ iMACAll life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. TWITTER TUMBLR
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 12:41 PM	#5
FuriousGreg macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2011	I said the same thing in another post but call it in and you'll likely get an Apple store credit. The other poster got $150. It's very unlikely that whatever caused the dot will effect your machine (who knows though?) but Apple needs to know of these defects so they can see if it's an aberration or endemic and track down the factory/team responsable and fix the problem.
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 12:43 PM	#6
Arman macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SoCal	Oh god. I've heard about this black dot. Be careful. Most likely a fried flux capaciter transistor on the inside. U probably won't have any problems until it runs past it's warranty.
	8

Dec 13, 2012, 12:57 PM	#11
sucramdi macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Quebec	Damn, that would annoy me so much. I'd definitely bring it in to the Apple Store
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 01:02 PM	#12
iohass macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada	only drawback of taking it back is that this machine is perfect and byswapping it, you are risking receiving one with a defect
	5

Dec 13, 2012, 01:05 PM	#13
T'hain Esh Kelch macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Denmark	I'm amazed at the vanity if people would return a computer because of that.. Oh well.. __________________ "There's no bigot like a religious bigot and there's no religion more fanatical than that espoused by Macintosh zealots." ~Martin Veitch, IT Week [31-01-2003]
	3

Dec 13, 2012, 01:19 PM	#17
markie macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2003	I would say don't swap it. It's VERY tiny, and shows Apple's quality standards if that's what you notice. But, I'm not you - to me, it's not functional, it's not major, and it's not in the screen itself.
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 01:20 PM	#18
xgman macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2007	Try a damp Magic Eraser. __________________ {2012 27imac-3.4i7-680mx-32gb ram-768SSD+External TB Samsung840pro ssd + TB velociraptors-UAD Apollo/Marantz/Amphion/Bowers&Wilkins Sound-Impulse 61} {ipads}{iphones}
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 01:22 PM	#20
bflowers macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2006	Use one of the Apple stickers included in the box to cover it up. Really, the people considering taking back a $2-3k machine because of a cosmetic blemish 1mm in size. First world problems I guess. Lets see how these people deal with the US government turning us into a third world country!
	3

Dec 13, 2012, 01:25 PM	#21
Chuckstones macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2012	Fine tipped silver marker pen! Sorted!!
	7

Dec 13, 2012, 01:26 PM	#22
Mister Bumbo macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2012	Or you could become one of those people who puts post-its everywhere!
	3

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode