iSamurai, thank you for the response. The only thing is the gray band issue seems very wide spread, I think the next replacement (if I go for this option) could be worse.
xingstar
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
27", 21.5" iMac Owners, test your screen for yellow tint issue here
- Thread starter tapplox
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
iSamurai, thank you for the response. The only thing is the gray band issue seems very wide spread, I think the next replacement (if I go for this option) could be worse.
xingstar
No harm intended, but how could it be software related?
Screenshots are -of course- OK. So it's not the graphics card
So, the "software error" must be within the display's controller. How would you fix some arbitrary pixels being more yellow than others, if you don't know them?
I guess, they do not distort the picture on purpose, like "ooo, make the background a nice gradient coming from the bottom right!"
. So, if the controller KNEW which pixels are too yellow - why isn't there a fix ready to teach the damn thing to make them al the same? My guess is, you don't get feedback to the controller how the actual picture looks like (pretty lame guess, I know).So, what could be a software fix? Shifting the white point of the whole display to something, the yellowing does not jump to your eye so much.
The "software fix" for the screen noise might be alike: Screen screams when dimmed? OK, don't dim it anymore, simply shade the graphics card (like the Shades Program does). Looks not colour correct (it's even stated in Shade's readme text) and uses the full energy all time.
No harm intended, but how could it be software related?
Screenshots are -of course- OK. So it's not the graphics card
So, the "software error" must be within the display's controller. How would you fix some arbitrary pixels being more yellow than others, if you don't know them?
I guess, they do not distort the picture on purpose, like "ooo, make the background a nice gradient coming from the bottom right!"
So, what could be a software fix? Shifting the white point of the whole display to something, the yellowing does not jump to your eye so much.
The "software fix" for the screen noise might be alike: Screen screams when dimmed? OK, don't dim it anymore, simply shade the graphics card (like the Shades Program does). Looks not colour correct (it's even stated in Shade's readme text) and uses the full energy all time.
I totally agree! I think they just say anything so they can just keep shipping these crap units out and hope the majority of people won't notice.
iMac #4 comes today.
This one was advanced replaced by Apple after 3.5 hours of back and forth and several supervisors.
At the start of the phone call (they called me), they wanted to send me a brand new one. That all sounded great until they wanted me to pay more.
I was like..."umm...didn't you call *me* and offer to send a new one"?
If I want to simply "buy a new one", I can do that without any silly handholding from a supervisor at Apple Online on the phone.
I don't really expect this 4th refurb to be any better.
I continue to be incredibly disappointed. The supervisor sort of leveled with me and indicated that the shipping may be a part of the problem. I echoed what he was saying, since 2 of my refurbs have arrived with cracked styrofoam corner holders in the box.
All that said....Just fix the damned problem! This has become beyond annoying.
I'm at the point where I'm ready to just get a laptop and go back to using the 24" cinema display...but...they still haven't updated THOSE either!
Tough spot at the moment.
This one was advanced replaced by Apple after 3.5 hours of back and forth and several supervisors.
At the start of the phone call (they called me), they wanted to send me a brand new one. That all sounded great until they wanted me to pay more.
I was like..."umm...didn't you call *me* and offer to send a new one"?
If I want to simply "buy a new one", I can do that without any silly handholding from a supervisor at Apple Online on the phone.
I don't really expect this 4th refurb to be any better.
I continue to be incredibly disappointed. The supervisor sort of leveled with me and indicated that the shipping may be a part of the problem. I echoed what he was saying, since 2 of my refurbs have arrived with cracked styrofoam corner holders in the box.
All that said....Just fix the damned problem! This has become beyond annoying.
I'm at the point where I'm ready to just get a laptop and go back to using the 24" cinema display...but...they still haven't updated THOSE either!
Tough spot at the moment.
Bingo~! We have a winner!
Apparently it's a lower cost to them to keep shipping out the same troubled units over and over again until they finally (hopefully) get some customers who won't notice.
It's truly a shame that Apple is treating its customers this way. I don't care if other companies do it, I'd always hoped Apple held a slightly higher standard.
4th one, same problem. Give up
Good idea. I'm due to have £1200 refunded on my credit card and Apple offered me £100 off another comp as a good will gesture. Ive spend so long sorting this yellow screen issue out ive saved up more money and am going to order a Mac Pro
Looked at the 2.93GHz quad core and it out performs ALL iMac models. Even if someone gets a good looking iMac screen, will it last?
Not more Apple until next iMac generation
Hello everyone,
After three failed attempts to receive a trouble-free iMac at the $1400 USD range they finally sent a technician over to my house to have the screen replaced. Sadly, I still see the same problem with my iMac. The Dock bar doesn't look white no matter what I try, it has an ugly gray-yellowish finish that makes me hate the machine. This is a problem for sure. I do not have this problem I have faced with the new iMac in any previous version of it.
I own a 20" iMac, a 24" Imac, 2 Macbooks and a hackintosh. The yellow tint issue is not longer a random problem. Apple knows that something is obviously wrong and they have not addressed the problem. For now, I honestly believe I have given them enough opportunities to fix the issue and we have been lied over an over about a problem that is becoming massive and more obvious. At the end I'm stuck with a computer that I hate to use on daily bases with passion. I'll take my business some place else because this situation is rather annoying. They do not deserve my money and I don't appreciate having to pay a premium price for an inferior product. Anyone interested in buying a 21.5" iMac, 2 months old with extended warranty, Apple Remote in its box for $900?
Good luck
Hello everyone,
After three failed attempts to receive a trouble-free iMac at the $1400 USD range they finally sent a technician over to my house to have the screen replaced. Sadly, I still see the same problem with my iMac. The Dock bar doesn't look white no matter what I try, it has an ugly gray-yellowish finish that makes me hate the machine. This is a problem for sure. I do not have this problem I have faced with the new iMac in any previous version of it.
I own a 20" iMac, a 24" Imac, 2 Macbooks and a hackintosh. The yellow tint issue is not longer a random problem. Apple knows that something is obviously wrong and they have not addressed the problem. For now, I honestly believe I have given them enough opportunities to fix the issue and we have been lied over an over about a problem that is becoming massive and more obvious. At the end I'm stuck with a computer that I hate to use on daily bases with passion. I'll take my business some place else because this situation is rather annoying. They do not deserve my money and I don't appreciate having to pay a premium price for an inferior product. Anyone interested in buying a 21.5" iMac, 2 months old with extended warranty, Apple Remote in its box for $900?
Good luck
DEFINITELY call and complain.
Mention all the time and energy you've put in, comment on all the issues being reported online everywhere and be persistent.
Don't give in as you shouldn't be saddled with a machine like that.
Mention all the time and energy you've put in, comment on all the issues being reported online everywhere and be persistent.
Don't give in as you shouldn't be saddled with a machine like that.
First replacement on LEFT
Current Machine (3rd overall) on RIGHT
I copied and pasted the Lower Bar on the new machine to compare to the rest.
Bars noted with the X are the SAME.
Ignore the duplicate picture on the far left of the frame.
I think I am keeping my new one, even though I have a faint thing gray BARS at the bottom. The color is much much better, although I must call them to tell them about flickering at low brightness.
Pics are taken FULL brightness.
Current Machine (3rd overall) on RIGHT
I copied and pasted the Lower Bar on the new machine to compare to the rest.
Bars noted with the X are the SAME.
Ignore the duplicate picture on the far left of the frame.
I think I am keeping my new one, even though I have a faint thing gray BARS at the bottom. The color is much much better, although I must call them to tell them about flickering at low brightness.
Pics are taken FULL brightness.
My iMac is a late 2007 20" model and I've noticed the screen colours are far lighter at the bottom and there's a yellow tint. Either I've just begun to notice it more or it's getting worse with age but it's bugging me.
I've still got Applecare on it, do you think they'd do much about it now?
I've still got Applecare on it, do you think they'd do much about it now?
First replacement on LEFT
Current Machine (3rd overall) on RIGHT
I copied and pasted the Lower Bar on the new machine to compare to the rest.
Bars noted with the X are the SAME.
Ignore the duplicate picture on the far left of the frame.
I think I am keeping my new one, even though I have a faint thing gray BARS at the bottom. The color is much much better, although I must call them to tell them about flickering at low brightness.
Pics are taken FULL brightness.
dude, both of those screens look defective. theres a fair bit of yellow from what I see. bummer.
What weeks?
Left one = Week 10
Right one = Week 11
The one on the right, really is not too bad, its not perfect like I wanted. But I guess I am scared at this point that I will never get a perfect machine.
I am sick of the back and forth frankly, but I still have time to make a switch.
Everyone tells me to get a MBP but I want an i7. If the i7 was out today, I would get a 17" MBP and a ACD to have a nice editing setup.
I am trying not to be too picky. At least I can look at the bottom corner and not see blatant yellow. There is a tiny bit of gradient creeping up from the bottom, but really not enough for me to want to return it immediately.
Then again, the camera doesn't lie.
No, it doesn't lie as long as its calibrated correctly. Very common issue with any digital camera is that the white balance is off on indoor pics. This usually causes a yellow cast of some kind unless the WB is calibrated off of a white card.
I wouldn't keep the one on the left, but the one on the right looks fine to me. Again, we have people in here that are not capable, or simply do not want to find a screen with no issues.
Uh, yes they can. 3 years Applecare on the late 07 means that the coverage is until Late 2010 at the least. I say it wouldn't hurt to at least call them and ask..
My Applecare runs until December 2010, so the iMac is covered. I assume they'd have to take it away for a week or two to look at it though which would be a pain.
Be aware the the AppleCare Protection Plan also entitles you to On-Site Service. So if you can convince them of a problem over the phone, then they can send a tech out to actually do the repair on the spot.
I am surprised that people don't tout this a major reason to get AppleCare, because it sure as hell beats carrying a giant computer into an Apple Store and leaving there for a week. I wonder what proportion of AppleCare customers aware of this.
Here is my story.
Bought my iMac from Mediamarkt in Feb it had yellow tingle so contacted Apple.
Apple said they would replace the screen so I was 2 weeks without a mac while they did this and it still didnt fix.
Next Apple said the only option was to send me a new iMac off the production line but first I had to return my current one.
Eventually got the new one about 5 days ago (strange thing was the batteries were already in the mouse) anyway still had the problem.
Contacted Apple and said I had had enough and wanted a refund and they agreed this was acceptable but would have to go to Mediamarkt to get the refund.
This is were it gets insane. Went to Mediamarkt and they are saying because Apple replaced my iMac and the serial number is different to the one i bought from them they will not refund me.
Contacted Apple again and they won't do anything to help all they will do it either repair or replace. But I asked how long would I be expected to keep going through this process. God knows what I will do now.
Bought my iMac from Mediamarkt in Feb it had yellow tingle so contacted Apple.
Apple said they would replace the screen so I was 2 weeks without a mac while they did this and it still didnt fix.
Next Apple said the only option was to send me a new iMac off the production line but first I had to return my current one.
Eventually got the new one about 5 days ago (strange thing was the batteries were already in the mouse) anyway still had the problem.
Contacted Apple and said I had had enough and wanted a refund and they agreed this was acceptable but would have to go to Mediamarkt to get the refund.
This is were it gets insane. Went to Mediamarkt and they are saying because Apple replaced my iMac and the serial number is different to the one i bought from them they will not refund me.
Contacted Apple again and they won't do anything to help all they will do it either repair or replace. But I asked how long would I be expected to keep going through this process. God knows what I will do now.
Alright, a bit of update to you mates:
Today (19/3) I received my replacement for the p!ssed-on screen. This new replacement is a week 11, Aussie iMac. On the box a "QTA Pallet Loading Sheet" was also attached, and said it entered Sydney on 15/3 along with another two computers.
The original iMac had a very yellow bottom half and had grey bands. This new replacement iMac also had grey bands -- two distinct bands in fact, gathering towards the bottom. The screen looked better this time but it still failed the grey bar test and the faults were visible on a white screen. It could be possible that the yellowing is dying down and the grey band issue is becoming more apparent.
EDIT: after reading up and down Mac Rumours I felt the bottom left part of the screen is also yellow. The grey background becomes warmer as looking at text becomes more visible and annoying... Seems like the yellowing isn't that intense anymore but rather lighter over a larger surface. The most visible place is still bottom right. Imagine the grey bands like looking at a badly photocopied paper...
I guess some people won't be bothered by this particular screen if they are not doing intense photo/video editing, browsing sites with solid background colours.
My question for now is that does anyone know what behind the bottom right quadrant of the screen? Some heat-generating stuff?
I called Apple and asked them about another replacement, and they said they'll come pick it up next Tuesday (23/3) and a new one should arrive on Thursday (25/3). I told them this will be my last replacement otherwise they'll have to take it back and refund. They were really friendly and helpful but still did not offer a compensation. They say they will only give out a "certain amount of voucher (Apple Store)" after receiving a problem-free replacement.
Unlike Apple US where they'll send one straightaway, Apple Australia needs the 1st machine back before despatching the replacement, so I can't compare them side by side. I won't be bothering putting up photos because it's so frustrating. Hopefully I'll be able to stick up some photos of a wonderful iMac with its perfectly white screen in the near future.
Today (19/3) I received my replacement for the p!ssed-on screen. This new replacement is a week 11, Aussie iMac. On the box a "QTA Pallet Loading Sheet" was also attached, and said it entered Sydney on 15/3 along with another two computers.
The original iMac had a very yellow bottom half and had grey bands. This new replacement iMac also had grey bands -- two distinct bands in fact, gathering towards the bottom. The screen looked better this time but it still failed the grey bar test and the faults were visible on a white screen. It could be possible that the yellowing is dying down and the grey band issue is becoming more apparent.
EDIT: after reading up and down Mac Rumours I felt the bottom left part of the screen is also yellow. The grey background becomes warmer as looking at text becomes more visible and annoying...
Seems like the yellowing isn't that intense anymore but rather lighter over a larger surface. The most visible place is still bottom right. Imagine the grey bands like looking at a badly photocopied paper...I guess some people won't be bothered by this particular screen if they are not doing intense photo/video editing, browsing sites with solid background colours.
My question for now is that does anyone know what behind the bottom right quadrant of the screen? Some heat-generating stuff?
I called Apple and asked them about another replacement, and they said they'll come pick it up next Tuesday (23/3) and a new one should arrive on Thursday (25/3). I told them this will be my last replacement otherwise they'll have to take it back and refund. They were really friendly and helpful but still did not offer a compensation. They say they will only give out a "certain amount of voucher (Apple Store)" after receiving a problem-free replacement.
Unlike Apple US where they'll send one straightaway, Apple Australia needs the 1st machine back before despatching the replacement, so I can't compare them side by side. I won't be bothering putting up photos because it's so frustrating. Hopefully I'll be able to stick up some photos of a wonderful iMac with its perfectly white screen in the near future.
Welcome to the club. Also bought there and went to a certified Apple Partner for 1st repair. Also bought AppleCare at this service partner. So, I can near safely rule out a refund and will never get a machine with a reasonable display. Btw, I'm waiting to get mine back from repair number 3 with display number 6 and LED inverter number 3.
Bought it on 26th of October 2009 and it now has been to repair service 6.5 weeks combined.
On-Site service depends on where you are located. In Germany, it's bring-in service. They promoted me to "pick-up" the third time....
Wow, I also heard apparently it's cheaper for Toyota before they underwent the 8mn worldwide vehicle recall that they saved $100mn. I've mentioned this a couple of times but... history, as recently as it may be, repeats itself. People never learn.
That is what I was trying to tell that phone person this has relevance. I told him this and he still didn't believe me until I updated the firmware whilst on the phone.
The nice PR (BS) part of the £100 is that they don't call this a "partial refund", but rather a "good will gesture", and that it's store credit instead of cash -- which to them does not hurt their profit directly. Also Apple Australia said they'll give me $100 as the so called "good will gesture". I guess you win on the exchange rates.
Mate, I really do feel sorry for you. I think it's still possible to return the entire computer and ask for a refund.