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Apple Engineering dept called me...

Stealthipad said:
Not to worry, Apple adds a couple hundred dollars to each of out devices due to OCD caused by this forum. It is just built into the price.
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LOL

I took back a Mar7 preordered iPad that had some black spots under the glass but everything else perfect. This iPad I'm typing on seems to have some slight yellowish compared to my iPhone at least, and especially when slightly tilted, but not sure if this forum is causing me to see things or not. Ahh, I guess if Apple is just going to give me new iPads until I'm 100% satisfied maybe I should go get a different one?
 
mac jones said:
These people are getting calls from some sort of 'special case' advisors/analysts. They say they are from the 'engineering' dept, but that's not really what this is.

In others words. If you are a compulsive returner, Apple knows and will explore the situation. Of course their stance will be accommodating, but it's curious that this is happening. Many companies will just ban you. Yes they can do this, it's legally within their rights, but Apple is taking a more hands on approach it seems.
Click to expand...

Those are some pretty interesting accusations, there.

Anyway, I got the same call due to a few exchanges, and spent just under an hour chatting with the guy. He was extremely polite, fun to talk to, and almost insisted I go exchange my "reasonable" iPad 3 for a new one in a few weeks when new batches arrive.

Apple support is good stuff when it wants to be.
 
xak said:
LOL

I took back a Mar7 preordered iPad that had some black spots under the glass but everything else perfect. This iPad I'm typing on seems to have some slight yellowish compared to my iPhone at least, and especially when slightly tilted, but not sure if this forum is causing me to see things or not. Ahh, I guess if Apple is just going to give me new iPads until I'm 100% satisfied maybe I should go get a different one?
Click to expand...

You should switch to Android
 
xak said:
LOL

I took back a Mar7 preordered iPad that had some black spots under the glass but everything else perfect. This iPad I'm typing on seems to have some slight yellowish compared to my iPhone at least, and especially when slightly tilted, but not sure if this forum is causing me to see things or not. Ahh, I guess if Apple is just going to give me new iPads until I'm 100% satisfied maybe I should go get a different one?
Click to expand...
\

Have you tried smelling it. Smell each corner and edge and let us know!:p
 
mac jones said:
These people are getting calls from some sort of 'special case' advisors/analysts. They say they are from the 'engineering' dept, but that's not really what this is.

In others words. If you are a compulsive returner, Apple knows and will explore the situation. Of course their stance will be accommodating, but it's curious that this is happening. Many companies will just ban you. Yes they can do this, it's legally within their rights, but Apple is taking a more hands on approach it seems.
Click to expand...

I've spent probably over 15k on Apple products in the past 2 years, I seriously doubt they are looking to "ban" me from purchasing their products.. I never returned anything from Apple for defects until the ipad3. Yes, obviously i'm just a "buyer's remorse" case lunatic to Apple, ban hammer me.
 
LanEvo said:
What does a single dead pixel look like? Any pictures? I have never seen one.
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It just looks like a (generally) white dot on the screen that doesn't go away no matter what you do. It is actually incredibly annoying, to be honest I'd be more amped to return it for a dead pixel than I would a "yellow" screen.

Those who are complaining about him returning it, not everyone here has cash to just throw around. At the asking price for the tablet I would expect it to be in perfect working order.
 
iEvolution said:
It just looks like a (generally) white dot on the screen that doesn't go away no matter what you do. It is actually incredibly annoying, to be honest I'd be more amped to return it for a dead pixel than I would a "yellow" screen.

Those who are complaining about him returning it, not everyone here has cash to just throw around. At the asking price for the tablet I would expect it to be in perfect working order.
Click to expand...

A dead pixel would appear as a black or dark spot. A stuck sub pixel would appear as a red, green, or blue dot. A stuck pixel (I don't think I've ever see this since you would need three stuck sub pixels for this) would appear as white spot.

I hate these arguments about "perfect". You can buy a $100,000 car and it still won't be "perfect". Give the pixel density of the iPad 3 display, I just don't see how anyone can see a dead pixel without a magnifying glass.
 
Yr Blues said:
Cool, the fanatics want to dismiss the problems. Apple takes 'em seriously.
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I don't think it's that fanatics want to dismiss the problems. I think the general consensus is that it's a bit ridiculous to turn off all of the lights in the room, turn your iPad backlighting up to full brightness, and then look at the screen from extreme angles and then cry fowl when there is a small amount of bleed. No one uses their iPad in that manner.

Modern manufacturing is indeed a marvel, but there is a range of "perfection."

Some people have legitimate problems with their units, but those who find problems by putting the iPad through a series of tests that have no basis in real-world usage...it's kind of ridiculous.
 
bcaslis said:
A dead pixel would appear as a black or dark spot. A stuck sub pixel would appear as a red, green, or blue dot. A stuck pixel (I don't think I've ever see this since you would need three stuck sub pixels for this) would appear as white spot.

I hate these arguments about "perfect". You can buy a $100,000 car and it still won't be "perfect". Give the pixel density of the iPad 3 display, I just don't see how anyone can see a dead pixel without a magnifying glass.
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I can see mine about 10" away from the screen - of course, it's hard to see and easy to lose it at the same time. I could have more than 1 side by side.. It looks like 1 pixel, could be a cluster I don't know.. But I don't see it during normal use and it's definately not interfering with my eyes..

I had a stuck red pixel on my iPad2 and my eyes would track towards it during anything I did because it was that obvious. Having 1 dead pixel isn't a huge deal.. Even if the OCD part of me wants a perfect screen, I come to realize that if it's not taking away from my enjoyment of the iPad, I might as well keep this one because otherwise the screen has no other issues.
 
Stealthipad said:
Not to worry, Apple adds a couple hundred dollars to each of out devices due to OCD caused by this forum. It is just built into the price.
Click to expand...

It seems a lot of these people find an issue by using their iPad.
Then they search the web regarding their issue and find that it's not an isloated issue.
Then they sign up here & the apple forums to let it be known even the casual apple iPad owner finds these defects unacceptable.

OCD has nothing to do with.
The majority of owners are finding them by using the iPad and find something wrong, which they then find out are defects.
 
Engineers just want to confirm you're at home so they can egg your house...
Seriously...

If you're having color temp problems on the screen, you should use a calibrator so you can view images professionally. If you don't need professional color calibration, you don't need color calibration. Color is the result of ambient light, backlighting, any distortions between your eye and the screen, and the accuracy of the display. If you have a yellow tint on the screen, it could mean that the screen coating is still curing and will require a few days to disappear. However in about 90% of the cases of a "yellow tint" it's from people reading the forums and assuming they have yellow tint like a hypochondriac. There are color calibration methods besides the app such as http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/. If you find that you cannot perform these tests, you're a hypochodriac that thinks their screen has a problem and you should seek counseling. You're just looking for an excuse to find fault with a product that's supposed to make you happy. If that is the case, return the product and don't buy it again. It's pretty simple.
 
whtrbt7 said:
Engineers just want to confirm you're at home so they can egg your house...
Seriously...

If you're having color temp problems on the screen, you should use a calibrator so you can view images professionally. If you don't need professional color calibration, you don't need color calibration. Color is the result of ambient light, backlighting, any distortions between your eye and the screen, and the accuracy of the display. If you have a yellow tint on the screen, it could mean that the screen coating is still curing and will require a few days to disappear. However in about 90% of the cases of a "yellow tint" it's from people reading the forums and assuming they have yellow tint like a hypochondriac. There are color calibration methods besides the app such as http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/. If you find that you cannot perform these tests, you're a hypochodriac that thinks their screen has a problem and you should seek counseling. You're just looking for an excuse to find fault with a product that's supposed to make you happy. If that is the case, return the product and don't buy it again. It's pretty simple.
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Where did you get this 90% figure?
 
I thought this "yellow tint" thing has been discussed many times before and the conclusion was that it's the glue and it will go away in a short period of time. Some heat and drying time is what it needs. :confused:
 
bawbac said:
It seems a lot of these people find an issue by using their iPad.
Then they search the web regarding their issue and find that it's not an isloated issue.
Then they sign up here & the apple forums to let it be known even the casual apple iPad owner finds these defects unacceptable.

OCD has nothing to do with.
The majority of owners are finding them by using the iPad and find something wrong, which they then find out are defects.
Click to expand...

Exactly. There ARE issues with these new screens folks. I went through 3 of them. I have lots of Apple gear and have been buying their products since 1990. This is the first time I've had to return anythying. Their QC isn't up to snuff. When you look at the screen and the left is a different color than the right, there's an issue. No OCD required, it's as plain as day.

Also, these "internet doctors" that are diagnosing others as having OCD simply have lower standards IMO. If you got a good screen, pat yourself on the back and consider yourself lucky. Cool, you got a good one. Those that are dealing with defective ones should keep returning them until they also get a good one. We all paid the same price for these expensive devices. That or just get a refund and wait a bit which is my plan.
 
If customers don't complain, quality will decrease


If Tim cook decided to forgoe quality in pursuit of quantity to satisfy demand and took the gamble that 80-90% of the customers wouldn't notice a defect he would be doing a disservice to the apple brand

My wife and I went through 4 new iPads before she decided to keep her iPad 2 And I got a proper blue/white screen

We had yellow screens with dead pixels etc
 
I went through three iPhone 4's until I got one that didn't have either:

a) a dead pixel
b) multiple flecks of dirt/dust under the screen.

If I'm going to use this phone for three years (the duration of my contract) I'll be damned if I settle for something defective right out of the gate. I remain unconvinced that the 'yellow screen' issue really exists, but I'd never question anyone for returning a product due to dead pixels. They're a flaw that, once you see them, are all that you see when the screen is on. It's incredibly distracting.
 
ericrwalker said:
I thought this "yellow tint" thing has been discussed many times before and the conclusion was that it's the glue and it will go away in a short period of time. Some heat and drying time is what it needs. :confused:
Click to expand...

People suggest that as a reason but it hasn't been proven.
 
ericrwalker said:
Gotcha. Thanks, I have no first hand experiance with an iPad, but have had 3 iPhones....no screen issues on those yet.

If I get an iPad with a yellow tint I will probably give it a week or so, to go away.
Click to expand...

Probably a good idea, I personally don't buy the glue reason myself. Not for screens that have a yellow tint all over.

My friend has has a yellow tinted iPhone 4s for around 2 months and it hasn't changed one bit...
 
seadragon said:
Exactly. There ARE issues with these new screens folks. I went through 3 of them. .....

Also, these "internet doctors" that are diagnosing others as having OCD simply have lower standards IMO. ....
Click to expand...

It's the OCD crowd vs the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" folks.

I personally feel all complaints are valid; where there's smoke there's fire.

A company who wants to produce quality products needs a closed loop system. One of the key components of the "system" is feedback. I would be disappointed if Apple lower the priority of seeking feedback. And I would be equally disappointed if the Apple user community, through intimidation from the see-no-evil crowd, held back some of their complaints and accepted sub-quality products.
 
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Diversion said:
I've spent probably over 15k on Apple products in the past 2 years, I seriously doubt they are looking to "ban" me from purchasing their products..
Click to expand...

Sounds more like they knew you were a good customer, and wanted to find out what you were unhappy about.

As far as how such items get through QC, it's pretty clear there isn't a lot of QC at the factory:

  • They're just now starting to add automated X-Ray checking of solder joints.
  • People put the devices together, not robots, so there will be mistakes.
  • Apparently the air filtering isn't very good if dust gets between screen panels.
  • Bad pixels aren't being caught before the device goes out.

With such obvious mistakes getting through, one gets the feeling that Apple saves a lot of money by letting the customer do most of the quality checking on their own.

It's a lot easier to let the customer decide if they can't stand yellow screens, bad pixels or dust, and to take the trouble of returning the device to Apple.

Apple then cheerfully replaces the device(s)... which should never have been sold in the first place... which ironically makes the customer feel extra special and thus even more loyal, instead of being angry about being the final QC step.

Finally, Apple refurbs and sells the bad devices again.

Edit: an alternative is that Apple _is_ paying for better QC, but not getting the right results. Hard to believe that Apple would put up with that very long, though.

Another possibility is that they let QC slide during a new model launch, just to get more product out the door.
 
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