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

[tapplox]

Side by side photo of Yellow vs Yellow-free.
Optical illusion or not, you decide.

I think looking at this photo suggests that some people's screens' yellow can stretch nearly all the way across the entire screen. The ones I have tested certainly wasn't like that. But nevertheless, there's an obvious and significant warmer color towards the bottom of the screen for the iMac on the left, and uniform on the right.

See this image:

Well, you can add me to the yellow camp... bummer

I got a 27" and after about 2 weeks, the DVD drive went south... so apple agreed to replace my iMac with a new one. I set it up that they'd charge me for a new iMac because I didn't want to be without a computer for 2+ weeks. So I was going to ship them the old one once I got the new on set up

well, I've had the new one set up for a couple of days (Christmas kept me busy) and today, I set them up side by side so I could delete the data from the old one before shipping it back... low and behold, I was shocked to see the difference in the two screens. I admit it wasn't blatantly obvious at first (mainly because I've not been really using my machine, I've been doing family stuff)... but side by side it is quite a difference.

edit: had to change my previous theory on the defect to avoid some possible confusion because these displays have light coming through the 4 edges and not of the 4 corners.

 

[eric.nino]

3rd One, same Issue.

Hi to all, hope you guys had an awesome X-mas.

It's my third iMac replaced, same issue, actually worst than the 2nd replacement, took it to apple, outstanding costumer service, the Store manager opened a new one for me that did not have the yellow tinge, but I explained him that the one I was returning, when the computer spends 3 hours or more on you start to see the warm spot on the bottom half of the screen, the apple genius was able to see it.

So the store manager asked me if we could open the replacement to make sure it was good, I agreed, the opened box was a week 48, I ask the store manager for a more recent produced iMac, he was nice and found me a week 51, the store was full, so I decided to open it at home, and found out that this one, has the yellow tinge more pronounced on the bottom right.

Will take it tomorrow and hopefully they replace it because I am tired of this back and forth BS!

 

[iDocism]

See this image:

What app/program is that color check tool?

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Sounds like a reasonable explanation vs displays and graphics card, you may have nailed this problem. I also have my 3rd coming, both machines have been terrific except for this yellow tinge. for me week 41 and week 44 so far, who knows what week I get next. Im guessing this is a very very common issue and would almost bet my 3rd unit will have the very same issue.

 

[Vandium]

Yellow tint and a professional opinion.

I have a professional digital animator staying with me for part of the Holidays. Let me clarify professional--works for Pixar Animation Studios, name appears in movie credits, color rendering is her "thing", she sits in front of a screen all day working with color. I feel she knows a thing or two about the subject of color.

I sat her down in front of my 21 inch iMac with a solid grey screen without any explanation. I simple asked her "is the color uniform?" Without any hesitation she said the lower part of the screen, especially the the lower right hand corner, is yellower. End of story for me. Anyone who keeps saying the color issue "imaginary" or an illusion can stop talking. True, some may not be able to see it but the discerning eye seems to be able to. Sadly this is my second try (my first replacement--first iMac week 44, this replacement week 49.) The brightness buzzing/whistle is not happening with this one but the yellowish tint is still there--also there is smudging of some sort BEHIND the glass and wipe marks! Apple what is happening?!

I do not think I will play the for every replacement game. I am going to return this iMac and wait a few months until(?) there is a behind the scenes correction. (I don't think Apple say there is a problem officially--to expensive.) I cannot say just how disappointed I am. I have waited so long for this new system. Like getting a car license and not being able to drive.

I should also add after identifying the yellow and hearing my iMac sad story she said why I want a non-matte screen anyway. You can find more on that subject in other threads. (My guess offering only gloss screens with the new Macs is a way to force certain professionals to buying only the high end Apple systems.)

 

[iDocism]

I'm just curious, why do you guys keep getting replacements? If after the 2nd or 3rd replacement its still broke you cant get your money back?

 

[spcdust]

I'm just curious, why do you guys keep getting replacements? If after the 2nd or 3rd replacement its still broke you cant get your money back?

I would say just returning iMac after iMac is currently just a waste of time - it appears Apple have not yet acknowledged the "yellow tinge" as an issue, therefore no steps have been taken to address this at the manufacturing stage. Currently you are just as likely to receive a replacement iMac showing this "yellow tinge" even worse than the previous unit.

My view on it at this stage is either:

A. Return for full refund and re-order at a later stage.
B. If your iMac displays the "yellow tinge", log it with Applecare as an issue and get a case number and then sit it out for a few more weeks. In that time Apple may have sorted out the manufacture and you could then opt for a replacement OR get your current iMac repaired (new screen) with a non faulty LG flat panel unit. The advantage of the repair option is one would hope that as it's a local repair the supplied LG units may be completely out of the supply chain of the LG units being fitted at the Shanghai factory, also the repair technician would be specifically looking to address the "yellow tinge" issue when completing the repair.

By the way, I would say that my particular iMac has a very subtle yellow tinge in the bottom right, however I would go along with the fact that the overall screen has a warmer colour hue - whites seem not as "cold" as some monitors may display them as - The comparison photos of the screens in Taplox post 654 demonstrate this.

 

[Sir Cecil]

I sat her down in front of my 21 inch iMac with a solid grey screen without any explanation. I simple asked her "is the color uniform?"

Why sit her in front of a grey screen?
As a professional of the stature you suggest, just asking her if she considered the screen of professional quality might have been more meaningful as it wouldn't have prompted looking for a specific case of non-uniformity which she may or may not have spotted if you hadn't mentioned it. Surely she could recognize a sub-standard monitor through her own experience and know-how?

 

[ScottFitz]

Why sit her in front of a grey screen?
As a professional of the stature you suggest, just asking her if she considered the screen of professional quality might have been more meaningful as it wouldn't have prompted looking for a specific case of non-uniformity which she may or may not have spotted if you hadn't mentioned it. Surely she could recognize a sub-standard monitor through her own experience and know-how?

Because the only way you'll quickly and easily see the non-uniformity issue is when the entire screen is supposed to be the same color.

Welcome to my ignore list.

 

[ugokutana]

Side by side photo of Yellow vs Yellow-free.
Optical illusion or not, you decide.

See this image:

Well, if judging only from the photo, the screen of the unit on the right has the upper part darker than the lower part, at least to my eyes although it seems yellow free.

UPDATE: I wanted to add some thoughts into this. Looking at the side-by-side photo closely, I think I might know be able to explain how this defect might have happened.

Forgive me if I am not correct about this, I think these edge-lit LED displays have 4 light sources in the 4 corners of the screen. So, one for top-left-corner, one for top-right-corner, one for bottom-left corner, and one for bottom-right-corner.

Probably the panel inside the imac is similar to this.

http://jp.lge.com/prodmodeldetail.do?actType=search&page=1&modelCategoryId=030102&categoryId=030102&parentId=0301&modelCodeDisplay=W2486L-PF&model=NOTHING

As shown, the LEDs are only situated on the bottom. And of course, the LEDs may not uniform. So the non-uniformity is probably due to the unevenness of LEDs, defective or low qualities of the reflector and polarizer.

 

[Vandium]

I know, I know why feed the a troll....

As a professional of the stature you suggest

I was not "suggesting" I was hoping to impress fact--I thought my blatant boasting of my friend's job made that clear. What, did I just say "Toy Story 3"? Oh no, I may have gone to far! Cecil may just full-on call me a liar now rather than just imply it. You know how we "yellow tint" seeing Appleheads are, we'll say and make up anything to perpetuate this fiction.

Why sit her in front of a grey screen?

ScottFritz gave the obvious answer to this already in his previous post. Thanks Scott

...as it wouldn't have prompted looking for a specific case of non-uniformity which she may or may not have spotted if you hadn't mentioned it.

My friend wanted me to convey her apologies in advance to everyone. If you see Buzz Lightyear's uniform shift from white to yellowish (especially when he exits screen lower right) you will know who to blame. Because of Cecil she now has learned she has either a week mind or has issues with her rods and cones. She has made an appointment to see a doctor on Thursday.

She also suggests that all of us rod and cone challenged people my have fun with this color identifying site:
http://spectralcolor.com/game/huetest_kiosk

 

[sparkie1984]

is there any way of us finding batch details for our lcd panels??

maybe we could start working out what batches are faulty?

surely the panels must be identifiable somehow!!

 

[knewsom]

Week 52's are still crap.

new one on the right, old one on the left. Here's some pictures.

http://gallery.me.com/knewsom#100016/IMG_0522&bgcolor=black

 

[JimKirk]

The week 52 on the right looks much better to me than the one on the left

I will be getting my replacement today.

It too is week 52.

Hope it has a decent enough screen.

 

[sparkie1984]

is there any chance that apple are warming up the displays to hide the yellowing????????


also anyway of checking batches on the panels as i asked above?

 

[knewsom]

I will be getting my replacement today.

It too is week 52.

Hope it has a decent enough screen.

LOL - it does until you know where it is. It's a yellow streak running vertically down the center of the screen. Now which one looks better?

The screen IS actually bluer than the old one though, which makes me wonder if the yellow tinge is less noticeable in the week 50 iMac because there's less difference between "white" and "yellow".

 

[lexvo]

new one on the right, old one on the left. Here's some pictures.

http://gallery.me.com/knewsom#100016/IMG_0522&bgcolor=black

The one on the left has an huge amount of yellow tinge. The right one little. Did the left (old) one had this amount from the start or got it worse over time?

 

[knewsom]

The one on the left has an huge amount of yellow tinge. The right one little. Did the left (old) one had this amount from the start or got it worse over time?

The beginning - but look at the overall tone of the display - it's warmer as a whole, making the yellow harder to see. It's also NOT in the middle, just on the right side, and the bottom right. The new one came with a yellow stripe.

 

[tigereat]

I have some questions. I'm worried that if I return my 21.5 inch right now,the replacement will have the same issue or even more issues. I only have the yellow tint problem. no other issues. I got it on December 14. So this will be the last day for me for getting a replacement. (14 days policy)

My question is that If i keep it until all issues has been solved, can i return it to get the replacement at the moment? or only within 14 days policy?

Do you need to return the problematic one before getting the replacement?

Moreover, my 3.33GHz model is a CTO model So Can I get the full refund? I thought BTO or CTO cannot be returned.

I would like to know if my HD on my 21.5 (1TB) is from Hitashi or WD or Seagate. How can i check it ? I went to System perference and it didn't tell me the name of the company but Model number and Serial Number only

Thanks

 

[sparkie1984]

i believe returns are extended until jan mate as its the christmas season

 

[dagored]

Just got off the phone with Apple. I have an appointment with my local store next Monday. I did not want to go anywhere this week. They are going to replace the screen or video card or both.

Upper level tech wanted to replace my unit. I only have the off white (yellow) on the right side. I requested a repair instead and he said he understood. He said it was my decision. He also stated that Apple engineers were aware of these problem screens and were looking to solve or remedy it.

So, Apple knows. Are willing to replace or repair it. I should be happy after next week.

 

[knewsom]

I've heard it mentioned that the extended return period is only for UNOPENED products. You may want to check with Apple on that. Whatever your CTO option, you should be able to get a refund.

HD info - you found your model number. Google is your friend.

In other news: I've contacted AppleCare again about the new iMac - I know the yellow isn't terrible, but it's right in the middle, and bugs the shnikeies outta me. If I can get it repaired later, I will. Based on Tapplox's original post which has been continually updated, this is supposed to be a known issue. Have there been reports of Apple denying any sort of action on it SINCE he made that update? If I can't get this repaired right in the future, I'll have to return the machine.

UPDATE: my yellow has faded. it's still there, but it's very difficult to notice. What's actually more noticeable is the slight desaturation in that part of the screen. This may now be acceptable. We'll see if it holds.

 

[wesleyh]

How long are you without the machine if you choose to repair instead of replace? If you choose repair, will they check the new screen first to make sure it doesn't have the same yellow tinge first? I don't want to go through the lottery again by getting a replacement unit.

 

[dagored]

How long are you without the machine if you choose to repair instead of replace? If you choose repair, will they check the new screen first to make sure it doesn't have the same yellow tinge first? I don't want to go through the lottery again by getting a replacement unit.

That is why I chose the repair. They are specifically looking for the off white on the right side on mine. My machine runs great. No noise, etc. Everything is fine except the yellow tinge on the right side. I was not about to give it up.

I will be running this unit a great deal in the next week. If it gets worse, as stated in the first post. Good. I was told it takes an hour to replace the screen. If it is not in stock, no more than 5 days. I have a laptop. I can wait. I want a clean clear not yellow screen.

I have used Apple equipment for about 20 years. They will make it good. I have never had a problem with Apple and my equipment in the few times I had to seek repair.

 

[paulyras]

She also suggests that all of us rod and cone challenged people my have fun with this color identifying site:
http://spectralcolor.com/game/huetest_kiosk

OK- That was kinda fun. Got a 6. I'd have probably gotten a 0 if it weren't for all of the fun I had in College.