27", 21.5" iMac Owners, test your screen for yellow tint issue here

[teerexx52]

My machine is otherwise perfect, but I can't seem to make a decision about whether to return or repair my iMac over this yellowing issue...

I've seen this issue before in the 2008 MBPs... I didn't like the issue then and I don't like it now.

I'm curious if there is any kind of utility that will allow me to overlay a gradient in the opposite direction, meaning since this screen's color temperature shifts from bluish to yellowish (from top to bottom) I could apply a yellow-to-blue gradient to normalize the color temperature.

Then I'd be happy about this and not care about the underlying issue. I've dealt with the same problem for years on my Dell 2407WFP, which was infamous for a darkening issue to one side. It was unacceptable for a while, and then it was just a nag, and then I ended up forgetting about it entirely.

So I'm wondering if this problem will go the same with me, and maybe I should just accept it and forget it.

I got a second imac yesterday. The first had the yellowing and dust under the screen. The second one is just a bit better. All of the displays in the store look the same. So, I decided if I wanted one how much did it really bother me. Not at all until I read it on these forums

 

[ugokutana]

Apple store's iMacs

My i7 (45th week) suffers serious screen uniformity problem and has some black stripes running along the bottom of the screen. I went to Apple store shibuya yesterday and checked all their 21.5 inch and 27 inch iMacs. Their iMacs' screens are all acceptable and hard to notice a difference in colour temperature. The core 2 duo iMacs there are built in the 41th week while the i5 iMac is in the 46th. I also checked other stores nearby and the machines made in the 41th week are all okay but one 46th week i5 suffers severe yellow tinge problem.

So I called Apple today and they agreed to send me a replacement for my i7 iMac (45th week built).

 

[Xtremehkr]

My i7 works as sold.

 

[ayeplussjr]

Below are some pics of my screen. I took a pic with a white colored background, and some gray colored ones too. Maybe I don't have a trained eye for this, but I don't notice anything, but does anybody see some yellow tint on my screen with the pictures I have. This is not too important to me right now, but I do want to do some photo editing in the near future, and the color discoloration may throw me off, but then again I don't see any difference right now. I spent over 2000.00 on my show and even though I really don't see a difference I still want a machine that has no defects.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/ayeplussjr/Screenshot2009-11-28at84657PM.png

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/ayeplussjr/Screenshot2009-11-28at90951PM.png

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/ayeplussjr/Screenshot2009-11-28at85516PM.png

 

[tapplox]

Below are some pics of my screen. I took a pic with a white colored background, and some gray colored ones too. Maybe I don't have a trained eye for this, but I don't notice anything, but does anybody see some yellow tint on my screen with the pictures I have. This is not too important to me right now, but I do want to do some photo editing in the near future, and the color discoloration may throw me off, but then again I don't see any difference right now. I spent over 2000.00 on my show and even though I really don't see a difference I still want a machine that has no defects.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/ayeplussjr/Screenshot2009-11-28at84657PM.png

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/ayeplussjr/Screenshot2009-11-28at90951PM.png

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/ayeplussjr/Screenshot2009-11-28at85516PM.png

Forgive me if I am mistaken, but if you are taking screenshots using software everything will look perfect as this is a hardware issue so you would only be able to see it through your screen. So you'll have to take photographs using your cameras (carefully) in order for us to examine the issue for you.

However though, if you ran the test provided on the first post here, and you can't tell the difference at all, then I could almost assure that your screen is a perfect one. Gratz!

 

[twas]

I have a simple question: Does Apple know this problem?? and if yes, are they trying to fix before dispatch more faulty stocks. If no, what we can do to let them notice this problem ASAP.

 

[kheops]

just tested my screen... yellow tinge on the bottom and left side of the screen. The top is doing fine.

My 27" i5 iMac problems so far:
- high pitched noise depending how i set the screen brightness
- more or less noisy HD
- yellow screen tinge

besides that my iMac runs flawlessly

The best i think is to wait a few more weeks so apple can sort out the problems and then ask for a replacement. What do you think?

 

[SwiftLives]

Apparently, the yellowing only occurs at the bottom of the screens.

Also, from what I hear, replacement machines are having the same issue.

 

[sfmountainbiker]

Very Upset

Apparently, the yellowing only occurs at the bottom of the screens.

Also, from what I hear, replacement machines are having the same issue.

This is not true.

I just replaced my i5 this weekend. New i5 is fine on the bottom but has a band of yellow tinge running vertically covering the second quarter of my screen. On top of that, new i5 has TWO dead pixels. When I transferred my data to the new computer, I lost the pics of my new baby's first Thanksgiving (despite running Time Machine just before returning the old i5).

I'm pissed.

 

[53x12]

When I transferred my data to the new computer, I lost the pics of my new baby's first Thanksgiving (despite running Time Machine just before returning the old i5).

I'm pissed.

Did you not keep backup pictures by themselves on an external drive seperate from the time machine backups?

 

[sfmountainbiker]

Did you not keep backup pictures by themselves on an external drive seperate from the time machine backups?

I am not in the habit of making mulitple backups of photos every time I upload new pics (which is almost daily). I expect Time Machine to work, and make backups of my photos every month or so.

I did email out some of the photos to family, so the best ones were not lost, but they are not in full-res.

 

[tapplox]

Hi all just some info I have been gathering around. It seems that most of the iMacs with this yellow tinge issue are from week 45/46/47. That includes a lot of i5 and i7s.

You can read more on this thread which is equally active.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2218213&start=45&tstart=0

Some people are even to say that this issue goes way back to the 24" iMac displays. And the issue apparently does get worse over time. Though, I can speak for myself that I don't see this uneven color temperature issue with the 24" iMacs I have worked with personally.

 

[gabor]

Third time's the charm

I just picked up my second 21.5" base model, and unfortunately both have the same issue (I think the second one is even worse). The left third of the screen is white, while the rest has a significant yellow tinge. I'll have another go, if nothing changes on the third one, I'm taking the refund. By the way my second one is from week 48.

 

[drakezero]

first time mac

27" core i7, week 47 batch - just received it last morning FedEx expedited shipping. this is my first ever apple product.

definitely got yellow tint lower third of screen, most noticeable lower right corner

in addition, i seem to have either one dead pixel or it's some kinda dust particle trapped under the glass in upper right area of screen. used "neutral gray" background image from google search, and in that same area, i notice there's a slightly darker circular "splotch" surrounding that dust particle/dead pixel. as if the screen has a "bruise" or something.

i believe there is a customary 1 year warranty. im thinking of just following the forums on this issue and if/when the yellow tinting is resolved in later batches, i would then go back up my files, then have the core i7 system exchanged before the warranty is up. im a bit wary to act on it now as this is the holiday shopping season, maybe deliveries being extra busy or something, and seems the yellow tint problem is still common even with recent replacements.

Or is there more reason for me to contact Apple sooner rather than later? Not sure, I'm new to the apple world...

 

[neonkru]

no yellow tinge. yes yellow tinge

hi just got today my imac core 2 duo base model from week 48 with no yellow tinge no screen flicker. working perfect. also have another guy in my college that got a core 2 duo with upgraded graphics card with no yellow tinge. unfortunately the third person got an i5 with yellow tinge. i don't know their batch but they had the imacs 1 week ago so my core 2 duo imac may be on a new batch from week 48. some people are saying that the problems get worse so if i get a yellow tinge i will update you here. good luck

 

[teerexx52]

27" core i7, week 47 batch - just received it last morning FedEx expedited shipping. this is my first ever apple product.

definitely got yellow tint lower third of screen, most noticeable lower right corner

in addition, i seem to have either one dead pixel or it's some kinda dust particle trapped under the glass in upper right area of screen. used "neutral gray" background image from google search, and in that same area, i notice there's a slightly darker circular "splotch" surrounding that dust particle/dead pixel. as if the screen has a "bruise" or something.

i believe there is a customary 1 year warranty. im thinking of just following the forums on this issue and if/when the yellow tinting is resolved in later batches, i would then go back up my files, then have the core i7 system exchanged before the warranty is up. im a bit wary to act on it now as this is the holiday shopping season, maybe deliveries being extra busy or something, and seems the yellow tint problem is still common even with recent replacements.

Or is there more reason for me to contact Apple sooner rather than later? Not sure, I'm new to the apple world...

I had dust as well. Returned it to the store and they exchanged it. They were able to see it under the screen with the machine off. Did you try that?

The yellow tint I can't say if I see it on mine or not. I didn't until I read the forums but now trying to figure out if I do or not. My wife is disgusted with me and says that she does not see it. Oh well

 

[tapplox]

The yellow tint I can't say if I see it on mine or not. I didn't until I read the forums but now trying to figure out if I do or not. My wife is disgusted with me and says that she does not see it. Oh well

If you have followed the instructions on the first post of this thread carefully and still not notice anything apparent, then your monitor is great.

Do you recall what was the week number?

hi just got today my imac core 2 duo base model from week 48 with no yellow tinge no screen flicker. working perfect. also have another guy in my college that got a core 2 duo with upgraded graphics card with no yellow tinge. unfortunately the third person got an i5 with yellow tinge. i don't know their batch but they had the imacs 1 week ago so my core 2 duo imac may be on a new batch from week 48. some people are saying that the problems get worse so if i get a yellow tinge i will update you here. good luck

That's some really good news. And congratulations. This is such a common issue that most of us are starting to speculate that it may very well be part of most of the new iMacs. Do keep us posted.

 

[miki66]

i don't really understand the test. up to what i've understood and tested, there's no problem with color

 

[Sir Cecil]

Week 46, iMac i5.
Did the test a couple of times, once in natural (day) light and once this evening, and see no problem.
No dead pixels or flickering either.

 

[Stupider]

OK, I just did the test on my week 46 i5.

First time, I thought there was a really faint yellow tinge at the bottom corner. Then I realised that I'm looking at the screen with my eyes level with the top. So I tilted the screen so I was looking directly at the middle and perpendicular to the screen, and the yellow vanished completely.

I would recommend anyone else doing the test to do it at different viewing angles.

 

[uuaschbaer]

OK, I just did the test on my week 46 i5.

First time, I thought there was a really faint yellow tinge at the bottom corner. Then I realised that I'm looking at the screen with my eyes level with the top. So I tilted the screen so I was looking directly at the middle and perpendicular to the screen, and the yellow vanished completely.

I would recommend anyone else doing the test to do it at different viewing angles.

Would be a good joke if that was the cause of all the anxiety, especially since I proposed that possibility a month ago before the entire yellowscare:

Could it be because you're looking at it from above?

(Yes, boasting a little. : )

 

[r47z]

Perfect screen in my eyes No flickering, no funny pitch sounds, no dead pixels. This is an i5 unit from Week 46.

 

[teerexx52]

This is my second one. Still not sure about the yellow tint. Hate taking it back again. I'd just get one worse. How many of these are out there? Some people talk like this has been going on for several years. If so, why hasn't Apple dealt with it?

 

[ugokutana]

OK, I just did the test on my week 46 i5.

First time, I thought there was a really faint yellow tinge at the bottom corner. Then I realised that I'm looking at the screen with my eyes level with the top. So I tilted the screen so I was looking directly at the middle and perpendicular to the screen, and the yellow vanished completely.

I would recommend anyone else doing the test to do it at different viewing angles.

That is backlight bleeding. The reason you didn't see the faint yellow tinge at the bottom corner after you tilted your screen is just because you couldn't see the gloomies. Actually, the LCD panels in the new imacs don't work as Apple advertised, no 178 degree viewing angle because of the severe backlight bleeding. You can test it by displaying a full screen black image and look at the screen at different angles, then you'll know how crap the LG panel is.

 

[jonwd7]

Actually, the LCD panels in the new imacs don't work as Apple advertised, no 178 degree viewing angle because of the severe backlight bleeding. You can test it by displaying a full screen black image and look at the screen at different angles, then you'll know how crap the LG panel is.

That's not backlight bleed! What would make you think backlight bleed could change with angle? It's a property of ALL IPS panels in existence.

You need an A-TW Polarizer to get rid of the "black glow" at extreme angles. They're very expensive and only in the highest-end screens.

If you see it while staring straight at your monitor, you're too close. Back up and watch the "bleed" vanish!

Anyway, DESPITE the "black glow" of IPS panels, they are still far better in every regard than TN or PVA... Why would you view your screen at extreme angles anyway???

FYI, I think the viewing angle numbers come from an ACCURACY standpoint, as do all viewing angle numbers. Colors shift at oblique angles in other panels, but not on IPS. The brightness of some shades may shift, yes. Like black becoming brighter.