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

[spcdust]

@poobear,

That comment was added when there were about 20 or so different people reporting that the effect had worsen, whether it was within a few hours, a day, or a week. Some even have swore that it did. If I were to count again now, there would have been at least over 50 different reports that claim the effect does indeed worsen. Some of these reports cite that they had made sure they could not see the yellow while doing the same test, and then later on they could see it clearly.

Here's an example from one of the more recent posts:



Of course whether this is really the case, or whether if it has to do with environmental factors (such as temperature, surrounding light sources, the colors displayed on the screen itself, etc) we could never really know for sure. Even if that is indeed the case for a particular display it would still be very difficult to deny so many reports.

While not entirely related, there were people that had a similar problem with the previous generation, 24" Aluminum iMac, also stated that their screens have gotten dramatically worse over year(s).

I am also aware of screens with the color temperature tinge remaining exactly the same in the span of over a month or two. In the end I would encourage you to read through the threads (and especially the threads over at Apple's support discussions) and then make your own personal judgement on this one.

I have updated the original post to reflect that the conclusion that I have came to previously isn't a very concrete one. I apologize that it was worded in such a way.

My experience of the "yellow peril" is that it worsens the longer the screen is active OR the computer has been doing some more intensive tasks. Indeed, when the iMac is fresh on, or the display has been asleep, the yellow, is far more subtle - dare I say almost within acceptable tolerances. However, when I check 45 minutes or so of using the screen then it can appear far more vivid and is far beyond what is acceptable tolerances. I cannot categorically say wether this effect of the yellowing getting worse is related to length of time the screen is active OR related to the tasks the iMac has been performing?

Have others noticed this coming and going of the yellow phenomena?

 

[PICART]

I recived my imac January 15. It has yellow tint.
Also screen is flickering, and there is "double" screen image.
Camera has 5 or more dead pixels.

week 51

Im will returne it today.

 

[FearlessFreep]

Week 51 21.5 iMac refurb. Sadly, it has the yellow tint, particularly on the lower 1/4 and lower right quadrant. I've kept it for two weeks deciding what to do, but it's too noticeable. Called Apple today and they are swapping for a brand new one.

 

[SkyFox244]

Week 51 21.5 iMac refurb. Sadly, it has the yellow tint, particularly on the lower 1/4 and lower right quadrant. I've kept it for two weeks deciding what to do, but it's too noticeable. Called Apple today and they are swapping for a brand new one.

so refurbed imacs aren’t checked either?!?

 

[banya95]

so refurbed imacs aren’t checked either?!?

My thoughts exactly!

 

[burningrave101]

I just got a week 51 as a replacement for my other one and it seems like the yellowing is even more apparent, especially the closer you get towards the lower right corner.

Have any of you received a new iMac i7 the last few weeks that has a display that is completely yellow tint free?

Also I don't know how many of you have an Apple iPhones 3GS as well but a whole lot of the 3GS's have this same problem with a yellowing tint usually towards the lower half of the screen. Could there be a relation between the two?

 

[09iMac=Fail]

I just got a week 51 as a replacement for my other one and it seems like the yellowing is even more apparent,....Also I don't know how many of you have an Apple iPhones 3GS as well but a whole lot of the 3GS's have this same problem with a yellowing tint usually towards the lower half of the screen. Could there be a relation between the two?

LG? Does anybody know who makes the screens for Apple for the 3GS? Seems like LG is making the majority of Apple's screens these days.

 

[bludodge]

All of this swapping is gotta be costing them. I am guessing they don't come out and admit an issue or everyone will end up seeing it. I have a friend that told me she wants to by an Apple finally and I had to tell her to stay away from the iMac, at least for now. I bought a mini a few months back and have regretted not getting the iMac, until I came across this thread.

 

[mocsharp]

I just got a week 51 as a replacement for my other one and it seems like the yellowing is even more apparent, especially the closer you get towards the lower right corner.

Have any of you received a new iMac i7 the last few weeks that has a display that is completely yellow tint free?

Also I don't know how many of you have an Apple iPhones 3GS as well but a whole lot of the 3GS's have this same problem with a yellowing tint usually towards the lower half of the screen. Could there be a relation between the two?

my first i5 and replacement are from week 52, both yellow while the 2nd one covers 2/3 of the screen.

And YES, my iphone 3GS screen is 100% yellow.

 

[burningrave101]

And YES, my iphone 3GS screen is 100% yellow.

I have an iPhone 3GS as well and mine has a noticeable yellowish tint that is more apparent towards the lower half of the screen.

Most likely LG is the maker of the 3GS screens as well and whatever they're doing during manufacturing is bringing out yellowish tints in their displays. Apple is going to have to switch to Samsung or some other manufacturer for their displays if LG is just going to keep putting out these yellowed displays on everything they make for Apple.

 

[Sir Cecil]

Have any of you received a new iMac i7 the last few weeks that has a display that is completely yellow tint free?

My Week 50 had a minimal, very light yellow tint at the very bottom of the screen, less than the height of the dock.
My replacement Week 53 i7 is fine. No yellow at all after two weeks of use.
Several others have reported non-yellow screens too. Trouble is, when they do so, they are confronted by the usual group of zealots who suggest they are either mistaken or lying, and demand "proof". So for many, it's easier to say nothing.

 

[FearlessFreep]

My Week 50 had a minimal, very light yellow tint at the very bottom of the screen, less than the height of the dock.
My replacement Week 53 i7 is fine. No yellow at all after two weeks of use.
Several others have reported non-yellow screens too. Trouble is, when they do so, they are confronted by the usual group of zealots who suggest they are either mistaken or lying, and demand "proof". So for many, it's easier to say nothing.

True. I tried very hard to determine whether the level of yellow tinge in my 21.5 was 'acceptable.' But after two weeks I found that it was quote noticeable, even in casual browsing. I'm not one to worry about every little thing and I do think there's a level of uneveness that's 'acceptable' in these displays. But there is also a higher expectation, brought on partly by Apple themselves, concerning these displays.

 

[treoguy]

My plan was to jump on a refurb, considering there will be an influx based upon returns. I'm not so sure know, after hearing those are shipping with yellow tinge. If Apple acknowledges it, they get slammed with returns even worse than they are now. What amazes me is that they continue to produce problematic iMacs, long after this became a "known issue".

 

[Btom]

True. I tried very hard to determine whether the level of yellow tinge in my 21.5 was 'acceptable.' But after two weeks I found that it was quote noticeable, even in casual browsing. I'm not one to worry about every little thing and I do think there's a level of uneveness that's 'acceptable' in these displays. But there is also a higher expectation, brought on partly by Apple themselves, concerning these displays.

No LCD screen is 100% uniform. The question is how much of the gradient observer can accept. It is a little bit disturbing, that some of the reports suggest non uniform aging (when parts of the screen are progressively becoming more and more yellow, for example).

Many users do not really care, unless it is really bad, but for some applications (digital photography) the user tolerance threshold is very low.

The way I understand it, everything starts with a uniform, stable panel, which is good for most applications. In those top of the line monitors the color uniformity can be additionally corrected by a "tint map" mask, which has to be preset in the factory and could be periodically calibrated afterwards (it would be like repeating calibration of the screen placing sensor in a number of different points). I hope uniformity of Apple production LCD panels will eventually stabilize.

Tom B.

 

[Btom]

My plan was to jump on a refurb, considering there will be an influx based upon returns. I'm not so sure know, after hearing those are shipping with yellow tinge. If Apple acknowledges it, they get slammed with returns even worse than they are now. What amazes me is that they continue to produce problematic iMacs, long after this became a "known issue".

Not every customer cares to the same degree, so the cheaper solution is to "refurbish", and sell for $150 less, rather than "refurbish", replace the screen and sell for $150 less.

Tom B.

 

[ttopp]

ok so this is my update.

called asking about my iMacs repair and the guy said he changed the screen and it wasnt fixed (still backlight bleed/yellowing) so he got a new back light board and this didnt fix the issue. He is now waiting for a new cable..(i cant se how this will fix it)

gonna have to call apple again.

 

[mrjoshzombie]

Just got my iMac from amazon, which i ordered yesterday and picked up from the UPS center a few hours ago.

Week 53, slight yellowing on the bottom. No dead pixels, no screening tearing, nothing of which I can tell (so far, it's only been on for an hour.)

However, I'm not going to return, as I don't want to be stuck in the same loop most on this website are in. If/When apple acknowledges a problem, then I'll call up apple and complain, until then I couldn't be happier so far. If I wasn't so addicted to the internet, I never would of noticed this yellowing.

Doing a system restore from time machine now on the computer.

 

[Rob1974]

perfect IMAC 27 i5

Have used my IMAC 27 i5 for a week now with no issues at all -
no dead pixels, no yellow screen, even after heavy use.

I do use fancontrol to keep the IMAC (and video card) a bit cooler.

Greatest computer I've ever had. super fast, incredible display.

cheers, Rob

 

[JimKirk]

My replacement seems ok

I haven't done extensive testing but so far I don't see much yellow like the prior units.

Backlight seems nice and even.

There aren't any dead pixels.

I may keep this one.

 

[iRukiri]

I'm seriously speechless.. No yellowing, no dead pixels, perfect lighting etc.. I've done extensive testing(1 Day & 3 Hrs) not at once but still.. no yellowing so I'ma happeh campah!

I received the awesome iMac that's been advertised, sorry for those unlucky people. However I did order from B&H Photo/Video and from what I heard they test the computer personally for the yellowing problem and ship back if it does(to apple) course this is just a rumor.

I'm happy!

 

[Sir Cecil]

II did order from B&H Photo/Video and from what I heard they test the computer personally for the yellowing problem and ship back if it does(to apple) course this is just a rumor.

Do they do this "test" with the customer present at the unsealing? I wouldn't want to buy a new computer that a shop has already unwrapped, pre-tested and re-boxed.

 

[toby23]

My experience with the 27" iMac

I have now had 3 different iMac models from Apple.
They were all the 27" model with the i7, 8gb ram and the ATI 4850 graphic card, sent from Shanghai to Switzerland with TNT.

- The first, Week 45, shows white as white but the bottom third of the screen has the yellow tinge problem.
- The second, Week 50, had yellow splotches over the screen and a very strong magenta tinge all over the screen.
- The third, from Week 03, had a strong yellow tinge all over the screen.

The machines have been compared side by side using a variety of tests, including those mentioned at the beginning of this thread.
It is refreshing to see some of you finally posting that you are receiving white displays. I look forward to receiving one too.
I have also checked over 20 machines in various stores in Switzerland and they have all exhibited some form of yellow tinge, unfortunately.

Otherwise, this is one of Apple's best desktop computers ever, quiet, fast and beautifully designed.
A more powerful graphic card would have made it even better.

 

[Kristine]

Well I got iMac number five yesterday afternoon (21.5"). It is a week 02 and finally it is perfect. Have had it set up for a day now and I think there may be just a slight yelllow tinge (maybe I am looking so hard for it). This one is a keeper for me. I love it.

 

[akakillroy]

Just recived my 27" iMac 27" from Powermax. Interesting story though.

I am in the process of trading in my Early 1st Gen Mac Pro, and rather than wait for the trade in process to be complete (6-8 weeks) I chose to go ahead and order a new 27" iMac (Core i7) with 8GB Ram. At the time I orderd I was told that there was a 2-3 week wait on the i7's I was in no real hurry so the wait was on.

About a week later they called me to let me know that they got a shipment in however they were models with wired keyboard and mice. I informed them that I wanted the wireless option with the Magic Mouse, they said no problem they would swap out the wired for the wireless, I agreed.

5 Days later I received my new iMac, and from what I can tell with the exception that the seal was broken for them to install the additional ram and swap out the wireless keyboard and mouse, it looks new.

After reading this topic, I though I would do the test. Look ok to me, although my eyes may be playing tricks its look yell more so in the middle of the screen from top to bottom. So I took a few picutres. Have a look and let me know what you think.

Let me know if you have any other questions or comments about my purchase through PowerMac please.

 

[tigereat]

Just recived my 27" iMac 27" from Powermax. Interesting story though.

I am in the process of trading in my Early 1st Gen Mac Pro, and rather than wait for the trade in process to be complete (6-8 weeks) I chose to go ahead and order a new 27" iMac (Core i7) with 8GB Ram. At the time I orderd I was told that there was a 2-3 week wait on the i7's I was in no real hurry so the wait was on.

About a week later they called me to let me know that they got a shipment in however they were models with wired keyboard and mice. I informed them that I wanted the wireless option with the Magic Mouse, they said no problem they would swap out the wired for the wireless, I agreed.

5 Days later I received my new iMac, and from what I can tell with the exception that the seal was broken for them to install the additional ram and swap out the wireless keyboard and mouse, it looks new.

After reading this topic, I though I would do the test. Look ok to me, although my eyes may be playing tricks its look yell more so in the middle of the screen from top to bottom. So I took a few picutres. Have a look and let me know what you think.

Let me know if you have any other questions or comments about my purchase through PowerMac please.
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I could not see it. I can live with that. Really