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Apple Europe and Cinema Displays BEWARE

realguppi said:
I think what Apple says about this might actually be true. Look at the Australian webpage for the ACDs, there the model number is M9178X/A, so it's X instead of ZM or LL. And Australia does happen to have a different power supply than the US and Europe, so the letters might really stand for power supply.
Click to expand...
Apple do use different model numbers in different countries, and it's not only limited to situations where power cords differ. They even do this with things like earphones. Some of the additional fun things they need to worry about are labelling that meets local regulations, national agency certifications, warranty language that holds up in each country, ad nauseam.

Do we even know that the new LCD panels have been determined to meet RoHS rules?
 
I think my 23" ACD was made in June 2006. I phoned Apple today and questioned this and the Support woman tried to put my off, but eventually put a request through to the manufacturer to get details for my monitor. I should have these details by tomorrow.

iMeowbot said:
Do we even know that the new LCD panels have been determined to meet RoHS rules?
Click to expand...
Regardless of this, if Apple were not ready to sell these in Europe they should not have updated the ACD section on the UK and other sites. People who bought these monitors have not received what was advertised.

Sean :)
 
For anyone following this thread, I have been in contact with Apple everyday since I raised this issue with them. I have now been told that they believe I have received an older model and they are doing final checks on this.

Sean :)
 
OP here. Apple has adressed this issue and sent me a new display with the new August 2006 specifications.

Brightness is very very noticeable. Contrast too but not that much. ZERO pink hue, perfectly calibrated. My only complain is the backlight leaking. It looks like it has way too many, check it out at http://www.cinemafraud.com/leaking.jpg

New model serial number started with 2A63 so I can safely say that anything with 2A62 were from previous one because my previous one, according to Chipmunk.nl was assembled in late July.

So this post also indicates that Apple Europe is now selling updated models. Your mileage may vary, but at least they solved my problem (partially, since I can barely stand the leaking problem now).
 
So they do come to Europe, probably in a short supply and hard to get. Thanks for all the work and complaints to Apple, hopefully it also worked for the rest of us! Do you really notice the backlight leaking whit normal use or playing a DVD?!?! Also which modelnumber and letters does it have? Still ZM/A?
 
It's not noticeable at all with normal use. It is with DVD and 4:3 movies. A lot. :( The only perfect screen I have seen from Apple have been from a Core Duo 20" iMac I sold. All my ACDs (two 20" and now two 23") always had leaking issues.

It's still ZM/A. I'd say ZM/A and B/A are for Europe. If you are looking for new models, consider serials starting with 2A63.

Now I'm thinking what to do. Backlight doesn't bother me that much since pink hue and low brightness are now gone. Decisions, decisions...
 
Apple have now finally decided that my 23" ACD is a late 2005 model and not one of the updated ones. They have told me that they can't simply swap it, as they cannot guarantee that I will get the updated model as they are still shipping the old ones. I now have to reorder and convince the Sales people to check the manufacture date before sending it out to me.

For cinemafraud:

Model number: (I assume you mean serial number) 2A622
Store: Apple Online UK
Buy date: August 2006
Problems: Image persistence, ghosting, tearing and backlight bleed!

Sean :)
 
Simply ask for a model who has serial equal or higher to 2A631 and don't accept the package if you receive a previous one since serial is also outside of the box. As far as I know they are shipping August models to me so far. :)

You can also ask for your serial before receiving your package by calling Apple Customer Service and giving them your invoice number. ;)

How current ACD Serial works:

2A - Made in China
6 - Year 2006
31 - Assembly week - In this case August.
ZM/A and B/A is the European power supply thing.

The rest can be safely ignored.
 
Got my third screen replacement today. It is a week 32 with pink hue and backlight bleeding. No dead pixels or ghosting yet.

I have recalibrated the sceen using SuperCal and I still get that pesky pinkinsh hue on light grays. There is a corner that looks dark green instead black when it's full black.

I can't believe how much better my ACD 20" was compared to this crap. Now I'm getting depressed. Thanks Apple. :(
 
Here it is a picture of the latest ACD.

leaking.jpg


Backlight leaking is so bad on this one that colors on one corner look wrong. Returning.
 
Edit: After calling my Consumer Protection Office I'm told I can ask for a replacement until I get a perfectly working screen. The second Apple Agent has agreed to send yet another one.

Now two agents confirmed they are not selling new models in Europe. However AFAIK new orders have screen serials starting from week 31 (August).
 
steve_hill4 said:
I'd prefer the new to old and turn brightness down if needed, but how could I tell before buying? It's really a bit of a con.
Click to expand...

Even the 23" ACD I got on 06 June 2005, I have the brightness down to the lowest as I find them so retna bright. It's not so bad during the day but at night I sometimes find it quite tiring on the eyes.
Best monitor I've ever had, the ACD. Sexiest thing ever created :D
Colour is fantastic though much better than the Dell 2405, and even that is at lowest brightness as well that has 1000:1 Contrast Ratio and hurts my eyes too!
 
vohdoun said:
Colour is fantastic though much better than the Dell 2405, and even that is at lowest brightness as well that has 1000:1 Contrast Ratio and hurts my eyes too!
Click to expand...
I think 24" Dell is using a S-PVA panel and Apple Cinemas (20 to 30") are S-IPS. I'd say S-IPS has the best color reproduction on LCD.
 
Received my fourth replacement today.

Correct built date. Week 33.
No pink hue. Perfect colors after recalibration.
Stand is firm this time.

But still has terrible backlight leaking. Calling AppleCare tomorrow. Sooo frustrating.
 
cinemafraud, don't you think it's getting a little bit silly now?

At first, I understood your concern, as I just ordered a 23" ACD recently as well. So yes, I is only okay to ask for a new model if they advertise its specifications.

But seriously: If you are asking for your 6th (!) ACD by now, you might just be kind of picky.
I mean, a burger at McDonald's also doesn't look exactly as on TV - that's life. At some point its take it or leave it. So if you're not satisfied with the quality of ACDs (and it seems you should know that by now), just buy another display...
 
hi cinemafraud

i have been quietly but closely following this thread.

in early 2005, i had terrible time dealing with Apple UK as well with regards to the 23"ACD

i had come across the 23" ACD with glaring stuck pixels, leaking backlight and pink cast. i know how frustrating it must have been for you.

i had to exercise my right and returned the 23" ACD twice.... the 3rd ACD had leaking backlight too... and it was very visible in DVD Player... but in the end i just try to overlook the flaw and take it...

i have to tell you one thing... that in life, especially with technology, the stuffs we pay so much for can also sometimes disappoint us greatly.... take it that nothing is 100% perfect and you will be better off with life... rather than spending large amount of time on Apple support website, or being put on hold on a call to Apple Support Line... i think it might be easier for you to try to overlook some flaws than to expect that the thing you pay for must be perfect, and always be so every single time...

i was worried too about Apple trying to clear old ACD in Europe while it is already selling the updated versions of the ACD in the US.... i think many of us appreciate that you ernestly pointed this out.

I was happy to see that Apple eventually offered to send you a replacement ACD which is the mid-2006 updated version. i must also tell you that you are very lucky that Apple had offered to first send you the updated ACD, then give you the opportunity to return the 2005-end ACD. Not many people, like in my case, had that luxury of keeping the ACD while the replacement is on its way... back in january this year, i had to first return the defective ACD, and wait for the processes at their warehouse and when i finally get my refund to my credit card... by the time, the refund process was complete, i'm already 3 and a half weeks without a monitor... i then had to place a new order again...in retrospect i had been spending one calendar month of my life wasting time on these silly things...i thought that in 10 years times, i wouldn't give a damn on what kind of display i was using in 2006 because by then the technology would have drastically changed....hence, i finally settled with the less-than-perfect-but-completely-functional 23" ACD which is still serving me well today.... everytime i play a DVD on my mac and seeing the leaking backlight on my present display, i remember those weeks wasting on explaining my complains, making angry calls... all for the fear of not getting the perfect 23" ACD

and you know what, this imperfect 23" ACD is still looking good and working well... really :)

you're not alone, cinemafraud... i must tell you there are many european cosumers who feel equally frustrated over the 23" ACD as you do... i know that Apple can sometimes be a bit poor on after-sales, especially on the european side... but hey, that happens with Dell too... i think if there are no glaring pixel problems, no pink cast but with a bit of leaking backlight..... then you should accept the ACD rather than returning it....

maybe it's time for you to rest and relax, enjoy the Mac experience and enjoy the beauty of your new display...
 
I went atleast 3 monitor already at the Apple Store where I live and still have issue. Getting it exchange is a pain because all the Apple Genius there deny the problem, and I have work so it hard to skip work to go there.

All 3 exchange I have backlight bleed issue, and now possible a pink contrast issue. Debating wehter to go through and exchange another one. I'm so envy people who get a perfect ACD. It's so messup Apple is not doing anything about it and sell you old spec. People with perfect one, they buy online or at Apple Retail store?

PICT0043.jpg
 
Hmm, I better not get a duff 23"!!

How do you tell with the pink hue? is it that noticeable? just asking as Im colourblind with red and green. So with the shades of gray, I might not pick up the fault.
 
So if i buy a display now from the UK, i'll still be getting the older model?
 
cinemafraud said:
Simply ask for a model who has serial equal or higher to 2A631 and don't accept the package if you receive a previous one since serial is also outside of the box. As far as I know they are shipping August models to me so far. :)

You can also ask for your serial before receiving your package by calling Apple Customer Service and giving them your invoice number. ;)

How current ACD Serial works:

2A - Made in China
6 - Year 2006
31 - Assembly week - In this case August.
ZM/A and B/A is the European power supply thing.

The rest can be safely ignored.
Click to expand...

2A631

This is the SN for my ACD. I got an email invoice with it on.

i take it this is the actual 'new' ACD... not the old ones Apple were shipping?
 
Hi Cinemafraud,
What happened? Your website says Apple has fixed the issue. I'm just wondering, because I also have sent one display back to my local Apple retailer and I have gotten word today that the new one will probably be received by my retailer tomorrow (after three months! I had given up hope!!), so I was looking with which number the serial has to start.

Best regards, Dreadnought
 
So, a small update. Even though my local reseller promised that it was a new one, it was made in week 20, so that's the old spec'ed one. Will be returning it on tuesday. Hope there will be new displays at MWSF and that they are sold all over the world. Then I know I have one with the new specs!
 
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