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27", 21.5" iMac Owners, test your screen for yellow tint issue here
- Thread starter tapplox
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update... here are some photos
Most significant yellowing towards the centre right, but more or less on the bottom third. There's a continuous horizontal grey strip about 2-3 cm from the bottom too.
more info: week 9 i5 27". Just had a 20+ minute call to apple and they'll come pick up on Thursday... should receive a replacement on Monday or Tuesday...
Waste of time.
Most significant yellowing towards the centre right, but more or less on the bottom third. There's a continuous horizontal grey strip about 2-3 cm from the bottom too.
more info: week 9 i5 27". Just had a 20+ minute call to apple and they'll come pick up on Thursday... should receive a replacement on Monday or Tuesday...
Waste of time.Attachments
here is my two week old.... week 53 27 inch imac...
I hadnt even noticed any issues with it until i saw this thread...
can you guys see any yellow in this image?
I did the finder window test and could see it go from white to a completely different shade as i moved it down the window...i also minimised the dock for the first time last night...and could see a darker line right across the screen where the dock used to be....maybe im just being paranoid..as i have seen much worse screens in this thread??
I hadnt even noticed any issues with it until i saw this thread...
can you guys see any yellow in this image?
I did the finder window test and could see it go from white to a completely different shade as i moved it down the window...i also minimised the dock for the first time last night...and could see a darker line right across the screen where the dock used to be....maybe im just being paranoid..as i have seen much worse screens in this thread??
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Your photo isn't very clear. Maybe you can make another shot from straight in front of the screen, instead of slightly sideways?
In general, if you didn't notice anything out of the ordinary before reading this thread it means it's hardly noticeable no?
If you noticed yellowness on your display right out of the box before even knowing there's some known issues (like I did) it's another situation.
My Experience
Hi all
I have been monitoring this forum with interest over the past few months. I thought I would share my experience with you now that things are almost at a conclusion.
I bought a 27 inch C2D iMac (Week 46) tax free at a UK airport Dixons store over Christmas. I soon noticed multiple problems with it: (1) very noisy HD (clicking) which I soon discovered was a Seagate; (2) DVD drive scratching disks badly; (3) 10 dead pixels in iSight camera; (4) and finally the dreaded yellow screen.
Buying tax free caused my additional difficulties because it is not so easy to address without losing the tax free benefit. Luckily I was at the airport at the end of January and they had at this point (not before) got quad core i5's in stock.
I struck a deal with them to buy a new i5, and then return my C2D to a local branch of Dixons/Currys (giving me 2 iMacs for a while). Returning the C2D was a nightmare as Currys forced me to unpack the iMac and test it in shop, and they were being really difficult about acknowledging any issues. They compared my screen to a shop model and said it was totally normal and the same as all the others. I had to fight really hard to get them to take it back as they were going to repair it, and leave me with 2 iMacs! I finally got them to acknowledge dead isight pixels and 2 hours later got my refund.
On getting my i5 home, 3 out of 4 problems were fixed (including a WD hard drive, which are clearly was way better). But the one that remained was, you gussed it, a yellow screen. The i5 was a week 52. The yellow screen was not so pronounced as the first one, in fact the problem was more that the top half of the screen was actually very cool blue compared to the bottom. Saying that, the far right corner was definitely yellow tinted. Plus there was the faint grey bar issue across the bottom of the screen as well.
After a few weeks I finally decided that I could not live with the gradient, as it was really obvious on web browser and finder windows. Faced with the nightmare of going back to the same people at Currys, with only the yellow screen issue, I decided to go for a screen replacement under Applecare. I waited until the delays on new imacs were down to 24 hours hoping that this meant the issues had been resolved.
Cribbs Causeway Bristol UK took only 4 days to order a new screen and replace it. They said it was a brand new screen and would definitley solve the issue. They didnt even ask me to prove the yellow in store, just ran some diagnostics which took so long they gave up and accepted the repair.
I've now got my repaired iMac back, and can report mixed success. The screen gradient from top to bottom is now consistent, and acceptable. Much better than the other two iMacs. However, there is still some yellow. The yellow is faint, but noticeable in an approx 15 cm stripe from top to bottom on the right hand side of the screen. In daylight (and in the Apple store) it is not really notieceable. But in my house under dimly lit lighting you can clearly see the tinting when maxmising a finder window.
Finally, despite saying they guaranteed no dust, I have 3 specks of dust in the bottom right hand corner, plus one dead pixel in the same area. My previous screen had one dead pixel too but right in the top centre. This is very annoying but not a total disaster as let's face it dust specks do settle on the iMac glass very quickly with day to day use.
So I am now deciding what to do. My iMac is basically perfect apart from this faint yellow stripe. To the level that if I had not got involved with this thread in the first place, I would probably not have been bothered. But like people say, once you notice it it is hard to let it go.....
To illustrate this point I tested my old Dell PC from 5 years ago with a 17' ultrasharp LCD. I had always been very happy with it, but on doing the test I now see that I have a bad magenta cast across the whole screen. On researching on the web, I see that this was a widely occurring problem with Dell ultrasharps. If I had not done the test I would never have realised but now I notice it all the time!
I am not sure if Apple will let me replace the screen again. On the phone they said it was a one time swap. I am now out of my 28 days to get a refund from Currys unless I can convince them it is a faulty machine (which will be tough).
It seems to me that it is very very difficult to get a perfect iMac screen, even with the new panels. Mine is one of the best I have seen in real life, but not perfect. What worries me is that in real life I have not seen one perfect iMac panel despite going to 3 different stores. The only perfect panel I have seen is the 24 and 30 cinema displays in the Bristol apple store. They were all noticeably better than all of their iMacs, which does make me think I am not just imagining this and it is a real problem.
When I tested my latest screen in store, the genius thought I was crazy when I claimed I could still see the horizontal grey bar at the bottom, and a slight tint. I am not confident of my chances to go back and claim it is still faulty, when under the apple store lighting it IS very very difficult to see or prove the problem.
What should I do?
Hi all
I have been monitoring this forum with interest over the past few months. I thought I would share my experience with you now that things are almost at a conclusion.
I bought a 27 inch C2D iMac (Week 46) tax free at a UK airport Dixons store over Christmas. I soon noticed multiple problems with it: (1) very noisy HD (clicking) which I soon discovered was a Seagate; (2) DVD drive scratching disks badly; (3) 10 dead pixels in iSight camera; (4) and finally the dreaded yellow screen.
Buying tax free caused my additional difficulties because it is not so easy to address without losing the tax free benefit. Luckily I was at the airport at the end of January and they had at this point (not before) got quad core i5's in stock.
I struck a deal with them to buy a new i5, and then return my C2D to a local branch of Dixons/Currys (giving me 2 iMacs for a while). Returning the C2D was a nightmare as Currys forced me to unpack the iMac and test it in shop, and they were being really difficult about acknowledging any issues. They compared my screen to a shop model and said it was totally normal and the same as all the others. I had to fight really hard to get them to take it back as they were going to repair it, and leave me with 2 iMacs! I finally got them to acknowledge dead isight pixels and 2 hours later got my refund.
On getting my i5 home, 3 out of 4 problems were fixed (including a WD hard drive, which are clearly was way better). But the one that remained was, you gussed it, a yellow screen. The i5 was a week 52. The yellow screen was not so pronounced as the first one, in fact the problem was more that the top half of the screen was actually very cool blue compared to the bottom. Saying that, the far right corner was definitely yellow tinted. Plus there was the faint grey bar issue across the bottom of the screen as well.
After a few weeks I finally decided that I could not live with the gradient, as it was really obvious on web browser and finder windows. Faced with the nightmare of going back to the same people at Currys, with only the yellow screen issue, I decided to go for a screen replacement under Applecare. I waited until the delays on new imacs were down to 24 hours hoping that this meant the issues had been resolved.
Cribbs Causeway Bristol UK took only 4 days to order a new screen and replace it. They said it was a brand new screen and would definitley solve the issue. They didnt even ask me to prove the yellow in store, just ran some diagnostics which took so long they gave up and accepted the repair.
I've now got my repaired iMac back, and can report mixed success. The screen gradient from top to bottom is now consistent, and acceptable. Much better than the other two iMacs. However, there is still some yellow. The yellow is faint, but noticeable in an approx 15 cm stripe from top to bottom on the right hand side of the screen. In daylight (and in the Apple store) it is not really notieceable. But in my house under dimly lit lighting you can clearly see the tinting when maxmising a finder window.
Finally, despite saying they guaranteed no dust, I have 3 specks of dust in the bottom right hand corner, plus one dead pixel in the same area. My previous screen had one dead pixel too but right in the top centre. This is very annoying but not a total disaster as let's face it dust specks do settle on the iMac glass very quickly with day to day use.
So I am now deciding what to do. My iMac is basically perfect apart from this faint yellow stripe. To the level that if I had not got involved with this thread in the first place, I would probably not have been bothered. But like people say, once you notice it it is hard to let it go.....
To illustrate this point I tested my old Dell PC from 5 years ago with a 17' ultrasharp LCD. I had always been very happy with it, but on doing the test I now see that I have a bad magenta cast across the whole screen. On researching on the web, I see that this was a widely occurring problem with Dell ultrasharps. If I had not done the test I would never have realised but now I notice it all the time!
I am not sure if Apple will let me replace the screen again. On the phone they said it was a one time swap. I am now out of my 28 days to get a refund from Currys unless I can convince them it is a faulty machine (which will be tough).
It seems to me that it is very very difficult to get a perfect iMac screen, even with the new panels. Mine is one of the best I have seen in real life, but not perfect. What worries me is that in real life I have not seen one perfect iMac panel despite going to 3 different stores. The only perfect panel I have seen is the 24 and 30 cinema displays in the Bristol apple store. They were all noticeably better than all of their iMacs, which does make me think I am not just imagining this and it is a real problem.
When I tested my latest screen in store, the genius thought I was crazy when I claimed I could still see the horizontal grey bar at the bottom, and a slight tint. I am not confident of my chances to go back and claim it is still faulty, when under the apple store lighting it IS very very difficult to see or prove the problem.
What should I do?
What a story...
Perhaps you can keep this one for some time and see if it's really disturbing you or not, and decide in a few weeks/months whether you want the display replaced? Would they accept that? To me it feels like there's currently no guarantee of getting a faultless display (meaning: without yellow), but I hope i'm wrong.
AppleCare offered me a full refund this morning since I've been having the same issues. We now agreed to try one more time, with a full replacement. Expecting new arrival end of week.
I would try to get an exchange. Ive been looking at every screen i pass in shops and at work. it is hard to find a perfect one, but most have much better consistancy than the imacs.
I'm seriously concidering a custom built PC.... same processor/graphics/ports/RAM/HDD..... but one difference... a good quality screen.
I'll still install snow leopard on it.
I'm seriously concidering a custom built PC.... same processor/graphics/ports/RAM/HDD..... but one difference... a good quality screen.
I'll still install snow leopard on it.
hell yeah, it's worse than mine (BTW I'm typing on this computer until the courier come pick it up sometimes later in the week -- I've paid for it anyway)ANDYMILLMAN said:
good on ya for minimising the dock... I spotted my grey band towards the bottom of the screen and it looked like a bad quality photocopied paper. terrible. you're not paranoid mate. send it back.
no, we all end up buying different anyway.
Send it back man, Apple Australia has agreed to take mine back after blasting the telephone rep that the first thing I do to a $2500 machine is to do "troubleshooting"!? They'll send a new machine next week but that just means I can't do any CAD work for these few days.
I'm fully expecting that the new one will still have the fault because it just will. They said they can offer a full refund + a AU$100 "good will" compensation in some form of apple store credit... blah... If my 2nd machine isn't working as it should be, I'll be demanding for a full refund. I'll send the iPod and the printer back too because I won't be claiming any rebate.
thanks for commenting mate.
I will take another photo tonight..
To be honest I stumbled across this thread when trying to search for other problems I think I have with my screen....
when watching movies in vlc or whatever...I have the standard black bars above and below the movie..as its widescreen....
however my eyes are drawn particualry to an area of the top "black" bar in which u can see patches of white back light coming through.... ?? its nothing drastic but its very annoying when watching films as my eyes keep being drawn to it and me thinking "i really wish that was just jet black"...
anyone else had similar issues? or is it just a common feature of LCD's ? brightness issue maybe?
I mean has anyone given up on the iMacs and bought a Mac Pro instead? Or even looked at non Apple computers??? We cant just sit back and keep sending computers back. By the time we find one that works the new Imacs will be out and our 'current' ones will be reduced in price.
Has anyone been tempted to move away from Apple computers???
Has anyone been tempted to move away from Apple computers???
After returning my 7th (yes 7th!) i5 replacement due to numerous iSight and LCD anomalies, I called it quits for this generation of iMacs.
I recently built a gaming computer which I haven't done in 3 years. I now have a Core i7 920, 6 gig 3-channel memory, Blu-Ray/HD-DVD recorder, 2X Radeon 5850 rig, encased in a beautiful Antec Nine Hundred case full of blue LEDs, Windows 7, all for a mere $1500. I have both Microsoft sidewinder gaming keyboard and mouse.
This baby runs Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Resident Evil 5, Dirt 2, Bioshock 1 & 2, Left 4 Dead 1 & 2 at 1680 x 1050 like butter with all settings maxed out, averaging 90 frames per second and never going down from 60 frames per second. Any other games made for 60 frames per second run amazingly as well.
I figure it's only a few months before the next revision. Besides, I have my trusty MBP 13" to get me through. And the iPad is coming soon too so, I really don't miss the Mac. I am happy at the moment.
I thought Apple fixed the yellow screen issue.
How are weeks 9 and 10 STILL plagued with this problem?
Does anyone think when the refresh comes later this year that the yellow tint problem will be solved or will Apple continue to sell defective screens?
How are weeks 9 and 10 STILL plagued with this problem?
Does anyone think when the refresh comes later this year that the yellow tint problem will be solved or will Apple continue to sell defective screens?
I thought Apple fixed the yellow screen issue.
How are weeks 9 and 10 STILL plagued with this problem?
Does anyone think when the refresh comes later this year that the yellow tint problem will be solved or will Apple continue to sell defective screens?
No one really knows. I myself believe Apple will just let this fizzle and concentrate on the next revision.
I have a 2010 week 2 21' imac. I can notice some yellowing on the screen. However the hassle of getting it repaired and the possibility of the apple technicians making it worse has prevented me for taking action. Plus the fact that I need the computer for work.
This is my first intel machine and overall I'm happy but any other purchases from apple will be looked at with more scrutiny.
This is my first intel machine and overall I'm happy but any other purchases from apple will be looked at with more scrutiny.
I really don't understand this mentality. Why would you settle for a defective screen? In essence, the message you send Apple is that it's okay to have a subpar product. That people will settle for blemished machines. That it's okay to produce poor quality machines. Deep within Apple's marketing dept., they rely on customers who are too apathetic to return or replace. You're giving them an undeserved pass.
If you need a CPU for work, have them send a replacement while you hold on to the current machine or use your old one while the replacement arrives.
If customers don't speak up, it will create a precedent for Apple to further skimp on their dwindling quality. Apple needs a wake up call. If no one makes a fuss then nothing gets resolved. By placing some deserved pressure on their company, you in effect train them to produce better quality machines in the future.
I thought Apple fixed the yellow screen issue.
How are weeks 9 and 10 STILL plagued with this problem?
Does anyone think when the refresh comes later this year that the yellow tint problem will be solved or will Apple continue to sell defective screens?
See my speculation here on why Apple hasn't fixed the yellow tinge/tint variability issue yet.
Thanks!
Very good analysis.
Ohters should read this as well who are concerend about yellow-tinted iMacs.
I didn't buy it pre-built. I bought the parts from 'Canada Computers' an awesome comp parts store here in Toronto with reasonable prices. I then built it at home in 3 hours!
I specificaly chose this motherboard (socket 1366) so I can upgrade to the Core i9 when it comes (and when it drops in price hehehe).
Forgot to add that that price does not include the Blu-ray/HD-DVD drive and 24" monitor I already have. Just add about $500 if you want these added. Heck, it's still cheaper than an i5 iMac!
I suggest picking and buying your parts if you want to get the best out of any of them. Make sure, though that the parts you're picking are compatible especially the memory! Some parts stores will charge you a re-stocking fee if you exchange or return to them.
Whoops....sorry to derail this thread...hehehe...
The thing is I didn't really notice it until I came on here and saw the threads, which was quite a while after I purchased it. I asked a mate for a second opinion and he thought I was mental. I haven't got the time/can't be bothered to carry my Imac to the local apple store but have raised a call with applecare and need to follow it up.
Make no mistake its not perfect, but you have to really look at it to see the yellowing. Is only slightly apparent when looking at the finder or a white background. Photos with and without hue/saturation adjustment
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I can see the yellowing clearly in the unsaturated image. Most of the bottom, especially the bottom right. Even though you can only see it on a white background, it's still present all the time and may affect any photo editing. I found i was putting more blue in the bottom of my images to compensate for the yellow tint. I'd send that back. But if your happy then keep it and enjoy it and dont worry what everyone else thinks.
I don't see any yellowing in the image to the right. Not sure what the image to the left is supposed to be showing. Either way, you didn't notice anything prior to coming to the forum, which is the point I was making before. I surmise that you could indeed show a perfect screen in this thread, and you'd still have a select few seeing some kind of yellow roaming around on the screen.
"It's on the right side, a quarter of the way down, half way between the 3rd and 4th quadrant with a slight hue of blue and possibly red mixed in with a very light shade of yellow....oh, and I can hear your drive grumble from here....I'd return that sucker".
For those of you who do have legitimate issues, I completely understand wanting Apple to make you whole again via a refund or exchange, but some of this has gotten a bit ridiculous.