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

[newuser2310]

I had a PM from a member of these forums who asked me if purchasing a new or refurb Imac was a good idea.

I said yes, the new Imacs are good machines and many thousands of people are perfectly satisfied. So go for it, at least apple have a top notch service if there is a problem.

If you want to find a fault with any new product you will. Its a well known fact that new cars come with poor quality paint finishes. If you look carefully enough you will see bad paint and swirl marks on 99% of cars on the road. What should be so different with a mass produced computer? Quality will go down as a product is produced in ever increasing numbers.

Some people have received a faulty product which should be returned, but the hysteria about this issue is silly.

I imagine some casual readers are put off buying a perfectly good computer because of some members bad experiences posted in every ****ing thread.

Its like you guys want to tell the whole world about your piss ant experience with a few crap computers.

I even posted about my own Imac, however on reflection the 'slight' yellowing is so slight I didn't even notice it it until I read this thread.

 

[spcdust]

Apple have set up a replacement for my 5th machine. This time they have decided to do it as a custom build from China. The Apple rep seems to think there are obviously a lot of bad batches sitting around pre-made in warehouses.

He says all the new machine don't have this problem so he has got me one built directly from China using all new parts.

Should be here in a few days so fingers crossed.

Alas, I think this is not a solution. If you read through the thread there are users reporting week 10, 11, 12 etc. iMacs, shipped directly from China, all displaying the yellow hue. My last "custom built" and pre-screened ("to ensure the screen is completely yellow free") week 10 iMac was more yellow than my week 50 iMac. I hope you get lucky but I suspect this will have little to do with receiving your iMac from "new parts" as the issue is still is still current / ongoing.

 

[SuAlfons]

Alas, I think this is not a solution. If you read through the thread there are users reporting week 10, 11, 12 etc. iMacs, shipped directly from China, all displaying the yellow hue. My last "custom built" and pre-screened ("to ensure the screen is completely yellow free") week 10 iMac was more yellow than my week 50 iMac. I hope you get lucky but I suspect this will have little to do with receiving your iMac from "new parts" as the issue is still is still current / ongoing.

I received an acceptable panel the 5th time they tried, so I guess, the new machines have a higher chance of being acceptable. In the shops there may be lots of old machines waiting for you.
Screen whistling is another issue that is inherit in the machine's design and cannot be eliminated 100%.

So, I keep on warning people about this generation of iMacs but generally recommend Apple for their good support and OSX. Most of my colleagues I talked to about Apple computers are interested in laptops anyway (did not hear of anything severe with the current line up there, but I did not search either).

 

[ascender]

Replacement is on the way from Apple now, they've been very good about it all, hopefully this one will be yellow-free....

 

[mdewberry]

Ok, so after having returned (and finally refunded) four iMacs late last year and into January, I went to the Apple Store to test the Mac Mini/24 ACD combo, as I am getting inpatient waiting for the next iMac revision to see if the issues get resolved and wanted to get a new mac..

In talking to a few store employees, they really implored me to go with an iMac as the 2.53 mini + 24 ACD came very close in price to the iMac and the iMac has stronger specs..

So I told him about the issues I had and he stated that the yellow issues were resolved and I am safe to get an iMac. He then stated that I could purchase an iMac, open it in the store and check it out and if it is yellow he can refund on the spot or we can try another... So, I thought why not...

We fired up an i5, and it did indeed look great! No yellow tinge, and I was excited. So I took it home on the agreement that if I notice ANY issues (with display or noise) I can bring it back and return it and get the mini/24 ACD combo without a restocking fee.

So I got it home and the first thing I noticed is that the HD was much quieter than my previous 1tb iMacs - SWEET, scored a Western Digital drive... Looking good...

Then I began using the iMac in my office at home away from the bright lights of the store, and yep, there is it... Right down the center of the screen (like my previous iMacs).. If it was a little yellow at the bottom I could get by, but geez, right in the middle!! Definitely did not show up in the store but showing at home...

And here is the funny part, I checked the serial number, and it is a week 51!! I think that is from end of December! So even though the employees stated it was fixed recently, I got a December machine!! (-:

I am so torn, as everything looks GREAT if there is no white, but I spend a lot of time on the web, so don't know if I will keep or return...

Also, fan is noticeable on this, but not bad.. a quiet steady hum, but can get a bit annoying as sometimes it is not steady and I hear it fluctuate on and off... Also Western Digital drive is not grumbly like Seagate, but noticeable at times.. Again, I can live with that...

Also, not sure if this is just the case with the new Macs in general, but when I wake it up I have to wait 5-10 seconds for the iMac to find my Airport signal... My previous i5 iMacs did this as well, however my 7 year old G4 Powerbook has no problem getting me to the internet immediately upon waking...

Anyway, I have two weeks and getting an iMac with the Western Digital HD is like winning a lottery... just don't know if I can live with the yellow area down the center of the screen...

Btw, EVERYONE at the Apple store were great to work with, and were so flexible with me bringing this back if I want.. The service is amazing, and two guys I worked with were experienced with hardware and had iMacs/G5s of their own... Cheers to the Apple store...

 

[okotoker]

Update?

Don't know if anyone caught this article http://www.redmondpie.com/27-inch-imac-fixed-9140543/

I have had 3 LCD replacements and 1 system replacement. I talked to apple again Friday and the guy said they had just released a new revision on the panels that would start being sent out for repairs. I am having one sent out for one final try. Hopefully if the above article is true it will be acceptable.

The apple rep also told me that this screen revision is the final one they will do for the imac as LG said in the price range Apple is paying this next revision is as good as its going to get.

If it doesn't fix it, they apple rep is going to do a replacement with a Mac Pro and I will have to buy a decent 24" screen as the 27" screens are just too much.

Then it comes down to, how long until the release the new Mac Pros. Seems imminent.

 

[peejack]

Don't know if anyone caught this article http://www.redmondpie.com/27-inch-imac-fixed-9140543/

I have had 3 LCD replacements and 1 system replacement. I talked to apple again Friday and the guy said they had just released a new revision on the panels that would start being sent out for repairs. I am having one sent out for one final try. Hopefully if the above article is true it will be acceptable.

The apple rep also told me that this screen revision is the final one they will do for the imac as LG said in the price range Apple is paying this next revision is as good as its going to get.

If it doesn't fix it, they apple rep is going to do a replacement with a Mac Pro and I will have to buy a decent 24" screen as the 27" screens are just too much.

Then it comes down to, how long until the release the new Mac Pros. Seems imminent.

Is he doing you a deal on the Mac Pro?

 

[okotoker]

We will cross that bridge when we come to it. I have already received a upgrade from the 1TB to the 2TB drive so if I make the transition I will take that rather hefty upgrade price and add it to my exchange. With the specs I have now trading to the Mac Pro would pretty much be a even monetary trade. The screen would of course be extra.

 

[peejack]

We will cross that bridge when we come to it. I have already received a upgrade from the 1TB to the 2TB drive so if I make the transition I will take that rather hefty upgrade price and add it to my exchange. With the specs I have now trading to the Mac Pro would pretty much be a even monetary trade. The screen would of course be extra.

Cool keep us updated. If my 5th one is an oddball ill probably go Mac Pro as well, so will be interesting to know what deal they might do.

 

[SoCalRich]

Ok, so after having returned (and finally refunded) four iMacs late last year and into January, I went to the Apple Store to test the Mac Mini/24 ACD combo, as I am getting inpatient waiting for the next iMac revision to see if the issues get resolved and wanted to get a new mac..

In talking to a few store employees, they really implored me to go with an iMac as the 2.53 mini + 24 ACD came very close in price to the iMac and the iMac has stronger specs..

So I told him about the issues I had and he stated that the yellow issues were resolved and I am safe to get an iMac. He then stated that I could purchase an iMac, open it in the store and check it out and if it is yellow he can refund on the spot or we can try another... So, I thought why not...

We fired up an i5, and it did indeed look great! No yellow tinge, and I was excited. So I took it home on the agreement that if I notice ANY issues (with display or noise) I can bring it back and return it and get the mini/24 ACD combo without a restocking fee.

So I got it home and the first thing I noticed is that the HD was much quieter than my previous 1tb iMacs - SWEET, scored a Western Digital drive... Looking good...

Then I began using the iMac in my office at home away from the bright lights of the store, and yep, there is it... Right down the center of the screen (like my previous iMacs).. If it was a little yellow at the bottom I could get by, but geez, right in the middle!! Definitely did not show up in the store but showing at home...

And here is the funny part, I checked the serial number, and it is a week 51!! I think that is from end of December! So even though the employees stated it was fixed recently, I got a December machine!! (-:

I am so torn, as everything looks GREAT if there is no white, but I spend a lot of time on the web, so don't know if I will keep or return...

Also, fan is noticeable on this, but not bad.. a quiet steady hum, but can get a bit annoying as sometimes it is not steady and I hear it fluctuate on and off... Also Western Digital drive is not grumbly like Seagate, but noticeable at times.. Again, I can live with that...

Also, not sure if this is just the case with the new Macs in general, but when I wake it up I have to wait 5-10 seconds for the iMac to find my Airport signal... My previous i5 iMacs did this as well, however my 7 year old G4 Powerbook has no problem getting me to the internet immediately upon waking...

Anyway, I have two weeks and getting an iMac with the Western Digital HD is like winning a lottery... just don't know if I can live with the yellow area down the center of the screen...

Btw, EVERYONE at the Apple store were great to work with, and were so flexible with me bringing this back if I want.. The service is amazing, and two guys I worked with were experienced with hardware and had iMacs/G5s of their own... Cheers to the Apple store...

"....yep, there is it... Right down the center of the screen..." So much for the "...he stated that the yellow issues were resolved..."

I really wanted to buy a iMac myself. With all the problems that I have seen I am DEFIANTLY NOT buying Rev 1. Between the screen and other hardware issues it's like a crap shoot. I don't like odds like that.

I also have been thinking about a Mini and a BIG monitor. I've been looking at the Samsung p2770h down at Costco for $350 and the Dell u2711 at about $1,000. The upgrade path being a Mini for now moving to a Mac Pro later.

I am not going to do anything though until I see what the new MBP are like. Might just do a MBP AND the big monitor. What a Combo. Best of both worlds.

I would take this one back. The problems with the iMacs are totally inexcusable!!! Promise me you won't buy another iMac until Rev 2...

 

[SuX0rz]

Well I thought I had a good panel. Woke up today and turned on the machine and found gray smudges and banding in the top right section of the display. Really really disappointing.

It's harder to see via the picture, but it is glaring sitting here looking at it with the naked eye. It almost looks like marbling. Veins of gray branching out from the corner.

 

[SoCalRich]

Well I thought I had a good panel. Woke up today and turned on the machine and found gray smudges and banding in the top right section of the display. Really really disappointing.

It's harder to see via the picture, but it is glaring sitting here looking at it with the naked eye. It almost looks like marbling. Veins of gray branching out from the corner.

Take it back and wait fro Rev 2...

 

[mdewberry]

"....yep, there is it... Right down the center of the screen..." So much for the "...he stated that the yellow issues were resolved..."

I really wanted to buy a iMac myself. With all the problems that I have seen I am DEFIANTLY NOT buying Rev 1. Between the screen and other hardware issues it's like a crap shoot. I don't like odds like that.

I also have been thinking about a Mini and a BIG monitor. I've been looking at the Samsung p2770h down at Costco for $350 and the Dell u2711 at about $1,000. The upgrade path being a Mini for now moving to a Mac Pro later.

I am not going to do anything though until I see what the new MBP are like. Might just do a MBP AND the big monitor. What a Combo. Best of both worlds.

I would take this one back. The problems with the iMacs are totally inexcusable!!! Promise me you won't buy another iMac until Rev 2...

Yeah, I probably will... I hate to give up an iMac with a (quieter) Western Digital drive, but my eyes go right to the yellow area everytime.. My original plan was to wait until Rev 2, but I am getting impatient! (-: Should have known better, and it didn't help the Apple store gave me a machine from December (made before my 3rd and 4th replacement macs..)

I may check in with the Apple store this week regarding the post by okotoker above stating that there is a new possible revision of LCD for replacement.. If the Apple store could get one, and we could attempt a replacement on my iMac (with the expectation if it is not good I could still get a refund if the screen is not acceptable) I would be open to that..

Otherwise I will get the reliable and quiet mini, and a 24 ACD, and call it a day...

 

[SuX0rz]

Going to take it in on Tuesday. Really sucks, I thought I had gotten away with one. I've had it for about a month.

 

[iSamurai]

Quick update.

Got my 3rd iMac today, and when I pressed the power button and that "dummm" sound came on, as expected, the screen was yellow again.

This is a week 13 computer with a Seagate HD ST31000528ASQ.

There is yellowing towards the right while the bottom was actually okay, compared to the previous two units (edit: well, that's because now I realised the tint extends to the entire right side instead of just being concentrated). There was also a grey band about 3cm from the bottom. It is lighter than the first model but still clearly visible.

I'm thoroughly disappointed and will refund it. I hope the next revision will have it improved. So for the meantime I'll be back on my MacBook. I'm in desperate need of a new computer with the amount of work I am doing now, and work that requires precise colour.

edit: added 2nd screen shot.

 

[iSamurai]

Alright, Apple call centre guy has called me back after speaking to his "supervisor".

First he went on to say about the yellow screen is normal since they were like that on all three iMacs I've received.

I stopped him halfway and told him I know exactly what he's gonna say, and that it's really unethical to tell customers that the screen is normal. How do you justify AU$2500 buys me a screen that's been p!ssed on, especially when I'm aware that some iMacs have this issue and I study engineering at uni so I have got computer background. You just don't lie to customers. I just want a screen that doesn't have this crazy problem. How difficult is that?? I guess, very.

I said I saw the memo and how they're supposed to explain to customers that way or get a refund. I also told him it's not within thresholds or tolerance levels as the screen is clearly off colour, and the fact that the yellowing appeared at different places with the three units. If it were within threshold or the yellowing is consistent across the screen I can at least calibrate it.

Then he went on to say that as compensation they will dish out $50 store voucher that will expire 3 months. I asked him what happened to the promised $130 and he said that was only if I keep the computer and was actually considered as partial refund. It wasn't like that when I first called about the first computer. $50 doesn't even get you a keyboard on the Apple store.

I told him that I've been using Apple for years and this problem is just forcing me back to Windows. He offered alternatives like the 21.5" but I know some of them also have problems and I'll pass that since I need a big screen to work with.



Oh well. Honestly I think the iMac range is gonna be like this for some time until a fresh redesign. For the next update they it is impossible to do so, and would only be a specs upgrade. That means the screen panels are here to stay.

I also wonder why the majority of screens suffering from the yellow tint happens towards the right. Are there any components generating significant heat on that side or are there more pressure when the screen is fixed to the body on that side, i.e. warping? It'll be interesting to see if the upcoming 27" cinema display will have this problem. If not, then it's definitely got to do with how they cram the entire machine together in the iMac.



Edit: Should I rather call Apple and tell them I will give replacement #4 a shot? After thinking over again I find it's difficult not to use it. I'm doing some work now on the iMac before I pack it up and I really am relying on the screen real estate. Or rather wait for a few weeks then buy it again?

It's really pointless getting a Windows computer for a replacement with such a screen size and similar specs. I just hate PCs (bulky and dumb-looking, nevermind it's got Windoze on it -- I would mind less if it's got hackintosh on it but I won't bother doing that, reminds me of the looooong and "fun" time I had when jailbreaking my iPhone), a Mac mini + screen wouldn't be comparable to the iMac anyway. MacBook Pros are similar to the mini one way or the other, and they're due for a refresh soon. Mac Pro, too expensive. I think I'm out of options.

 

[SoCalRich]

Alright, Apple call centre guy has called me back after speaking to his "supervisor".

First he went on to say about the yellow screen is normal since they were like that on all three iMacs I've received.

Unacceptable...!!!!!!! I can't believe that someone from Apple would even say something like that. It's scary to see people in customer service that dumb.

 

[clearyjp]

I'm in the same situation as you iSamurai. I'm on my 3rd iMac, and each one has had some sort of problem. I'm tempted to get a refund, then wait until the new MacBook Pros are released, and go back to using my old iMac in the meantime. I'm a Uni Nursing student, so I really don't need a big screen, I just like it. It really bothers me that these problems are forcing me to a computer I don't want!
I should mention I called the Sydney store last Friday asking me to speak to a manager about all of this, and was told I should write an email instead. So I did that, and no reply. Does anyone know who next I should contact if I can't get a hold of a store manager?

 

[iSamurai]

I'm in the same situation as you iSamurai. I'm on my 3rd iMac, and each one has had some degree of yellowing. I'm tempted to get a refund, then wait until the new MacBook Pros are released, and go back to using my old iMac in the meantime. I'm a Uni Nursing student, so I really don't need a big screen, I just like it. It really bothers me that these problems are forcing me to a computer I don't want!
I should mention I called the Sydney store last Friday asking me to speak to a manager about all of this, and was told I should write an email instead. So I did that, and no reply. Does anyone know who next I should contact if I can't get a hold of a store manager?

...well at least you've got an existing iMac... I have a MacBook X__X

Call the Sydney store again, and ask to speak to the manager directly. Say you will hold while they transfer you. If the manager's away that means he doesn't want to speak to you or he's bl00dy lazy and should get fired.

Otherwise call 133 622 (best to do it on Skype, last time I called on my cellphone they drained my credit by putting me on hold). I think then press 2, then 3. You should be connected to some American person. Then you tell him the problem. Have your order number ready. Be concise and also note the Sydney store manager did not bother replying. Express your honest opinion about the defect. Tell him that you have updated the firmware (last time they told me to do so and I did it right on the phone to prove to this dude that it's actually a hardware problem), and the screen is still yellow from all angles, including looking straight on. Also say the where the yellowing/grey bar is.

Say you want a refund or a replacement sent to you. Ask for the case/incident number and his full name. You will be placed on hold and an Asia-Pacific call centre person will speak to you. This person is in Singapore and he'll tell you when you can arrange a pick up or bring it back to the store yourself for a replacement or refund. Ask for full name. Ask for compensation and when the new iMac should arrive. Say you are a loyal Apple customer and they're just wasting time and you're forced to use Windoze. If they say the yellowing is acceptable because it's like that in all your previous replacements (mentioned in my previous post), say NOOO, I read all about it and you're just following the memo to tell me it is acceptable, and that you think you can lie to a customer like that? Say you want to stick to your plan.

Also if you've got the time to play with Apple you should refund your current machine then order it online. This way there's no bugging around with bringing it back and from to the store. If you choose to swap for a replacement at the store, ask to inspect it in-store. DO NOT FEEL UNDER PRESSURE TO BUY AT ALL if they are unboxing all their stock and everyone of them are defected. DO NOT ask for a screen replacement (they do not take back repaired machines) nor buy Apple Care.

Good luck o__O

 

[highflyer]

Re. yellow on right vs left

I think it is really interesting to see the comments regarding the yellowing being mainly on the right side of the screen.

I have not seen a perfect imac despite looking in 3 apple stores and being on my 3rd iMac.

All have had the yellowing to some degree and all have been primarily on the right side.

If I sit to the left of my imac and look at the screen, the yellowing gets worse on the right, and the left appears more blue-ish. In this position the yellow is really really bad. However if I sit to the right of my imac (we are talking a foot or so), then the right side of the screen looks good (white) but the left appears very very blue.

The fact that I can get my right side looking white by sitting to the right, makes me think that this is definitely a back-light or filter problem rather than the screen itself.

I have another iMac coming in a couple of days (custom build pre-screened) but based on recent posts I have little or no confidence it will be any better. I agree with others that the design is inherently faulty and we will not see a perfect iMac in this model. I do think that the degree of yellow does vary markedy so in saying that it is possible to get a pretty good vs pretty bad screen. But never perfect.

 

[clearyjp]

Thanks for that reply iSamurai! I've decided to send this one back, working in Pages all day has really highlighted the problem. I'll be asking for a custom built one in hope a later made one won't have the problem, but honestly I'm not that optimistic. When I was at the store last Wednesday, the latest builds they had were Week 6's, I would have thought they'd have something later?
highflyer, I saw 3 27" iMacs at retail stores last week, and to my picky eyes, they looked perfect. I looked at them from all different angles, adjusted the angle of the screen, adjusted the brightness and did the grey bar screen tests, and I couldn't find a problem. They were all built around week 40-45.

 

[iSamurai]

Thanks for that reply iSamurai! I've decided to send this one back, working in Pages all day has really highlighted the problem. I'll be asking for a custom built one in hope a later made one won't have the problem, but honestly I'm not that optimistic. When I was at the store last Wednesday, the latest builds they had were Week 6's, I would have thought they'd have something later?
highflyer, I saw 3 27" iMacs at retail stores last week, and to my picky eyes, they looked perfect. I looked at them from all different angles, adjusted the angle of the screen, adjusted the brightness and did the grey bar screen tests, and I couldn't find a problem. They were all built around week 40-45.

My uni's Apple store has 6 units on the floor and one on display. They were from the same batch, week 48. The screen was perfect. I should scoop one up soon. But it's stupid because the back to uni iPod rebate expires today. Thanks, Apple.

However I felt that's not the best choice because having spent a month with replacements, this model is in its mid life cycle already and soon there will be an update and it's really not worth the money. (I bet you the new model will come out on 20 July, clued from printer rebates) A newer model is better than an iPod since I have a nano and an iPhone already. If so I would probably have to hold out until next semester.

So I was thinking maybe I should get a compromise -- a 20" refurb iMac, previous generation, just for these few months as I desperately need a new computer that has a decent screen. But then again that was being cornered by Apple to come up with such an idiotic thought.

Custom built ones are no good either. Mine is custom built just last week (week 13), sent out on Friday and received on Monday. Of course this one has the issue. I guess it's a safer bet to go with the earlier models.

That applied to the previous replacement which was week 11.

Just remember if you will be selling one of these iMacs when you upgrade in the near future and you happen to settle on a compromise because you got tired of replacement hassles, then you probably will lose quite a bit on resale value.

 

[Kavik]

Don't know if anyone caught this article http://www.redmondpie.com/27-inch-imac-fixed-9140543/

I have had 3 LCD replacements and 1 system replacement. I talked to apple again Friday and the guy said they had just released a new revision on the panels that would start being sent out for repairs. I am having one sent out for one final try. Hopefully if the above article is true it will be acceptable.

The apple rep also told me that this screen revision is the final one they will do for the imac as LG said in the price range Apple is paying this next revision is as good as its going to get.

So I guess this might prove the adage...you can have it good and fast (but not cheap), good and cheap (but not fast), or fast and cheap (but not good).

I've updated my speculation thread with similar thoughts from others here on how LED stabilization time in production may be part of the issue.

 

[IndustrialSpace]

So I guess this might prove the adage...you can have it good and fast (but not cheap), good and cheap (but not fast), or fast and cheap (but not good).

I've updated my speculation thread with similar thoughts from others here on how LED stabilization time in production may be part of the issue.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/872918/


Very good write up. It appears that this yellow tint problem is NOT going away anytime soon.

Thanks for the analysis. More people should be aware of this before pruchasing this new Apple technology. Maybethe next revision will have better screens if not maybe a few years from now.

It's either live with it or return it for refund. Doesn't seem like Apple will do much else right now.

 

[semiotic]

i bought an imac today because i need a computer for work asap and the new mpbs still aren't out, thinking the screen issue must be resolved by now, and lo behold, the screen is yellow. it also has a dark horizontal shadow above the dock. i'm taking it back tomorrow (edit) it's a week 7, and the hard drive grumbles and constantly drones.