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

[vin]

Got my 5th replacement custom built in China, problem just as apparent.

Now Apple are saying due to the number of returns the will offer a full refund and nothing else, no compensation no money off nothing.

Great, they have messed me around for more than a month sending me crap machines and now just telling me well tough, refund and thats it.

I, for a long time have said great things about Apple, my opinion about them as a company is going down hill rapidly.

Not going to bother with an iMac anymore.

Exactly the same here.

I've been struggling with this bloody issue for almost two months now (see my previous posts). I'm currently on my 4th iMac and it's all the same again. The displays quality is absolutely horrible again, and it's not getting any better at all.

I've been talking a lot to AppleCare in Ireland (I'm in the Netherlands, Apple HQ Ireland took over my case after I sent an email to HQ). They have been very helpful and kind, and I've been equally as helpful in sending them photos of my 2nd, 3rd and now 4th iMac for them to have a look at. But now all they offer is a full refund, period. No compensation for all the lost hours and not to mention weeks of frustration and doubts.

Apple's position is that they believe these iMacs are OK. It's truly unbelievable. I'm simply shocked by this.

Readers, be warned if you ever plan on purchasing an iMac 27".

Attached photo is of iMac 4 (week 13).

 

[treoguy]

I decided to jump back into iMac roulette. I had ordered a new i7 back in December and it had the yellow tinge. At the time, I opted for a refund instead of having them repair it.

I ordered a refurb and hoping for no signs of yellow. I know that I'll probably be kicking myself next week thinking I should have just stuck with my ACD 30" (which I won't sell until things are perfect).

 

[IndustrialSpace]

Exactly the same here.

I've been struggling with this bloody issue for almost two months now (see my previous posts). I'm currently on my 4th iMac and it's all the same again. The displays quality is absolutely horrible again, and it's not getting any better at all.

I've been talking a lot to AppleCare in Ireland (I'm in the Netherlands, Apple HQ Ireland took over my case after I sent an email to HQ). They have been very helpful and kind, and I've been equally as helpful in sending them photos of my 2nd, 3rd and now 4th iMac for them to have a look at. But now all they offer is a full refund, period. No compensation for all the lost hours and not to mention weeks of frustration and doubts.

Apple's position is that they believe these iMacs are OK. It's truly unbelievable. I'm simply shocked by this.

Readers, be warned if you ever plan on purchasing an iMac 27".

Attached photo is of iMac 4 (week 13).

That iMac has some serious yellow in it. I've seen a few of these screens and yours seems to have the yellow more diffused than other screens. Most are located in the lower right corner.

Being that every iMac you were sent has this yellow tint, I'd have to say that they all have some yellow to a degree. Its inherent in the LED backlight design.

 

[iSamurai]

Hey guys, just a bit of update:

My 4th iMac was shipped out a few days ago before the Easter holidays and should arrive sometimes next week. I guess it'll still be likely to have the problem, though with a slight improvement.

Also... I'm currently transiting in Singapore, and if you're also able to pass by sometimes, go check out the iStore in terminal 3. There are two iMacs (both sizes), and none of them have yellow screens AT ALL. NO grey bars towards the bottom either. I've checked these two units from all angles possible and dim them and relit them, then the grey bar test and what not... just perfect screens... no compromise with any sort of slight tint...

I checked the serial and they both begin with W8 and are week 43. Very early build, but I didn't ask if they have stock with the same batch. They're able to check it in free for you if you fly Singapore Airlines (or let you take it on the plane if they can't check in. And the best part is that it is at least AU$250 cheaper then what I have paid for in Australia and mine's on already on uni student discount. You just don't get a printer or an iPod (for uni student) but who cares if the screens are so bl00dy perfect? Wow I'm geed. Dunno what I should do... return the Aussie iMac and pick up the Singaporean one??

 

[swee5420]

Got my 4th imac, week 13, same yellow all the way, and the high pitch sound is killing me.

Should I just go for a repair instead of replacement, coz it seems all the replacements are just same.

Vin, mind telling what is your plan? refund?

 

[cathy88]

Here is my week 12 made replacement. On snow leopard background bottom right corner which should be pure black I see some yellowness without having to see any white image there. It might be due to back light bleeding really bad there + yellow tinge on vertically on the right.

What you guys think about this one, Im just gonna exchange until one with little yellow tinge enough for me to accept.

edit:

Ive had 2 imac 21.5" both had yellow tinge so refunded.
This is my 2nd i7 27" iMac it will be collected next Tuesday, so I should get my new one in another week. Yellow tinge on vertical right bar is really obvious in that first picture taken from the centre. But when I move the camera infront of that section its not as obvious, but I can still see a tiny yellow tinge. This is when brightness is at 100%

 

[Sir Cecil]

bottom right corner which should be pure black I see some yellowness without having to see any white image there.

You see the yellow tinge on pure black? Congratulations on your remarkable quality of vision.

 

[lialoon]

yellow tint

Hi, I have my i-mac 27" about 3 months now and recently I was informed by a friend by the problems of the new imacs. When I made the test I couldn't believe it ( i haven't noticed it because it is not so obvious in colorful backgrounds). I have attached a photo taken via my mobile and then I cut and paste in photoshop the top and the bottom of the test and i was so disappointed...
My imac is produced in the 51 week and I purchased it in Athens, Greece. I think I should wait a little so the new productions which will come hopefully are with no defect and I will ask for my replacement. I don't want service on my new imac which I have given so much money to take. Another problem also I will have to face is that in Greece we buy them from resellers and not from mac stores and it is a little harder to make the replacement... any tips about this???

thanxs

 

[Sir Cecil]

I don't want service on my new imac which I have given so much money to take.

It's not "new". It's three months old. You'll need to get it repaired under warranty.

 

[vin]

Got my 4th imac, week 13, same yellow all the way, and the high pitch sound is killing me.

Should I just go for a repair instead of replacement, coz it seems all the replacements are just same.

Vin, mind telling what is your plan? refund?

Sorry to hear this. And you're right, any new replacement will have the same issues (more or less).

I've come to the sad conclusion that the only option left is to get a full refund. I absolutely hate this since I'm using this machine to make a living, and it would mean switching back to my 20" iMac while having lost many valuable hours. My good will has evaporated.

If we accept these faulty machines after so many replacements, and without any form of compensation, it's like saying: "Right Apple, it's o.k. for you producing and sending out iMacs as if someone has peed on them during assembly, enjoy my €2000".

I believe everyone else who has these issues should ask for/demand a full refund. I know it's tough but I think at this point it's the only way of sending out a signal to Apple to tell them they've seriously screwed things up.

And maybe (just maybe) some genius will sort out these iMac issues in the future.

Good luck.

 

[cathy88]

You see the yellow tinge on pure black?

Yes I do, this is only from an angle. I have also got a 20" imac and a macbook pro 13", when I look at them from an angle the wallpaper at the bottom right corner is suppose to be black with a few white dots (the stars). Its normal on those 2 to be only black but on this one I really do see yellow.

 

[IndustrialSpace]

Sorry to hear this. And you're right, any new replacement will have the same issues (more or less).

I've come to the sad conclusion that the only option left is to get a full refund. I absolutely hate this since I'm using this machine to make a living, and it would mean switching back to my 20" iMac while having lost many valuable hours. My good will has evaporated.

If we accept these faulty machines after so many replacements, and without any form of compensation, it's like saying: "Right Apple, it's o.k. for you producing and sending out iMacs as if someone has peed on them during assembly, enjoy my €2000".

I believe everyone else who has these issues should ask for/demand a full refund. I know it's tough but I think at this point it's the only way of sending out a signal to Apple to tell them they've seriously screwed things up.

And maybe (just maybe) some genius will sort out these iMac issues in the future.

Good luck.

You're probably right.

Do you think this will ever be fixed?

 

[Btom]

Yes I do, this is only from an angle. I have also got a 20" imac and a macbook pro 13", when I look at them from an angle the wallpaper at the bottom right corner is suppose to be black with a few white dots (the stars). Its normal on those 2 to be only black but on this one I really do see yellow.

You obviously have the yellow tinge, not excessive, but clearly visible (probably up to ~5% of the blue missing). If it bugs you - replace it.
Some guys out there are claiming perfect screens, wish you the same bragging rights.

Tom B.

 

[vin]

You're probably right.

Do you think this will ever be fixed?

I wish I knew. AppleCare Ireland told me that my faulty iMacs (I have two of them here now) are going to be sent to their engineering department. I've also sent them photos and my detailed findings which were also forwarded to engineering. If this is in fact true, it would suggest they are working on it. Probably scratching their heads trying to figure out how to fix the issues.

I imagine the costs of replacing all these iMacs (including shipping costs etc) must be considerable. And if many people ask a refund Appe will have to do something. But their current position is: you can have up to X replacements or get full refund. I asked Ireland if it wasn't time to recall all 27" iMacs. The answer was simple: there will not be a recall. That implies that Apple has decided they will deal with the replacements and refunds and hope the storm blows over while engineering tries to sort out these issues.

I read that Dell, who's selling 27" and 30" displays, is using another (older) backlight technique but it seems to work much better in the end. I mean, what's the point in using the latest and greatest LED + IPS technologies if the result is crap? My guess is these problems are probably the reason why there are no 30" or 27" stand-alone Apple displays yet either.

 

[Btom]

..........
I read that Dell, who's selling 27" and 30" displays, is using another (older) backlight technique but it seems to work much better in the end. I mean, what's the point in using the latest and greatest LED + IPS technologies if the result is crap? My guess is these problems are probably the reason why there are no 30" or 27" stand-alone Apple displays yet either.

There is a Samsung series of very flat HDTV LED sets with really very uniform background color, so it can be done. I really hope that Apple will refresh the iMac line some time soon and fix the problem once and for all. My personal plan is to wait and see and eventually buy a HDTV set as my main display if Apple insists on producing yellow screens.

Tom B.

 

[lialoon]

It's not "new". It's three months old. You'll need to get it repaired under warranty.

thank you very much for the correction, it was really_really helpful.

 

[iSamurai]

I think Apple should change their iMac site's picture to something like this:

though it could be a good april fools prank...

 

[jaforres]

Will be glad when this thread is no longer on the first page of this forum.

 

[clearyjp]

Will be glad when this thread is no longer on the first page of this forum, because Apple fixed the problem.

Fixed it for you

 

[IndustrialSpace]

I think Apple should change their iMac site's picture to something like this:

though it could be a good april fools prank...

LOL

It would be a good one!

 

[jonnymorris]

Hi,

I seem to detect some yellowing throughout the screen. If it doesn't bother you keep it. I just hope this problem doesn't worsen with age. Any reports of those who kept a yellow screen, seeing it worsen with time?

My opinion is that all of them have yellow in varying degrees. Some more acceptable than others. How much yellow is acceptable is up to you. If you dont see it than keep it.

Based upon some cogent speculation after reveiwing the iMac patents, it seems that the LED backlit screen is known to have some color inconsistency which is normal. Perhaps this technology will get better. Who knows.

Many are just going to wait and see whether this problem is fixed in the next revision. Let's hope so.

Good luck, if you do plan on keeping this unit.

I suspect the next time the iMac's screen is revised will be when OLED technology is mature enough to be made into a large screen format. Hopefully the manufacturing process will also have improved or be somewhat different to TFT with LED backlight by that time, so the current yellow tinge problem will just go away. I give it at least a year, probably two or three, before OLED replaces TFT at 27".

 

[Btom]

I suspect the next time the iMac's screen is revised will be when OLED technology is mature enough to be made into a large screen format. Hopefully the manufacturing process will also have improved or be somewhat different to TFT with LED backlight by that time, so the current yellow tinge problem will just go away. I give it at least a year, probably two or three, before OLED replaces TFT at 27".

Maybe in the meantime Apple should simply buy large display technology from Samsung?? They got it kind of right...

Tom B.

 

[SoCalRich]

Maybe in the meantime Apple should simply buy large display technology from Samsung?? They got it kind of right...

Tom B.

+1... It seems as though other manufactures have gotten it right. The longer Apple insists this on making these sub par screens, the lower their reputation sinks.

But Stevie boy is in 7th heaven with the success with the iPad launch. His attention has been diverted away form the issues with the iMacs and Mac Book Pro updates. Much to the disappointment of some loyal users. I think there are many people that will decide to buy else where.

I am not one of those people. I am totally hooked on OS X. I've gotten "Mac'd and I can't go back." I have actually looked at Sony's Tochiba's and HP's. The minute I see the MS logo I get the creepy crawly's. I'm retired IT and I've worked 1 too many of MS screw ups. I just can't bring myself to go back.

I'm getting tired of waiting. I WILL NOT buy a Rev 1 iMac. I'm tempted to go ahead and buy a current MBP or a Mini and just get on with my life. We'll see.

 

[xyndz]

Another fustrated mac user

Hi all,
Just bought my iMac yesterday (am from Singapore) damn tech help desk ask me to call the reseller, and damn reseller ask me to take it back to their store for the yellow tint check (friggin' 14 kg!). =.= i spent 2k(sing dollars) on it (the new led 21.5 with discrete graphics) man! and all this trouble. quite disappointing for a first time mac user...shd i jus ask for a refund n dont bother with the repair?

just needed to vent, apologies.

 

[SuAlfons]

Hi all,
...shd i jus ask for a refund n dont bother with the repair?

.

We can feel your pain. Hard question. My iMac 21.5 actually received an acceptable panel (number 5). This is still not a display having the quality I expected from Apple, but it's OK for me now. (Look at other fully integrated machines, they are either more expensive as an iMac or much much slower)

But, sometime while the 3rd repair, dust got caught under the glass. So it went away 4th time and came back --- only partially cleaned. I am horrified when thinking about my next telephone call with "my" Apple Care guy. I guess, he will not give me one more try (to clean it), because the repair company's receipt states "panel within specs" and "whining noise is common with other iMacs" and so on.

So, if you don't want anymore trouble, get yourself another computer. If you can, get some compensation and buy a Mini (less, horsepower, I know) and a display from any manufacturer of your choice.

PS: I found the iMac with discrete graphics being a underperformer in terms of Windows & games. I also do no manage to get a proper ATI graphics driver installed (with advanced adjustments). With the default install, you cannot even choose if you want your low-resolutions spread, centered or scaled correctly to the actual panel size (it is always spread 16:9 to ratio fullscreen). Also, I found ATI drivers to produce buggy output ("white fog") in older games. Guess, that could be adjusted when I had a catalyst settings-dialog availablé - which I have not managed to install.
So, finally, the "small" config would have just been OK with me :-(