It took since Sept 21 - this is actually my 3rd replacement (4th in total). And very preliminarily, this new Wk 41 looks much better than #3, a Wk 38.
Real tests will have to wait until I get to my comp and can put the same videos on it (why can't you transfer your own, non-DRM'd material off onto another comp?)
But simply going to the brightness settings screen, the difference is immediately obvious: the Wk 38 is darker at any level, and has a much more greenish cast to the screen. I showed them side-by-side to someone in my office who's never seen a Touch and didn't know which was the new one. He instantly said "that one's a lot brighter" - the Wk. 41.
...just put the Jay-Z pic on. The Wk. 41 has NO shimmers or negatives at any angle. Side-by-side to the Wk. 38 is striking.
FYI, both are running 1.1.1 firmware, and both are 1C7xx serial numbers. So I'd hope that helps conclusively answer two questions:
-It's not "just a software problem that got fixed by the firmware update," as some diehards continue to claim. Same factory, same firmware, obviously different screens = hardware issue in earlier models. The software patch really is just a crutch.
-Apple does seem to have retooled their lines to correct this issue - again, same factory, same firmware, different screens. I still think the long ship times on these (7-10 days), and numerous delays I experienced, are in part due to this.
My closing advice:
-If you have a defective Touch, raise holy hell (politely) until Apple replaces it with a satisfactory one. Good Touches do seem to exist, and no one should have to settle at this price point. Don't let anyone tell you (as one Genius tried to do with my bum Wk. 38) that it's "up to spec."
-If you want a Touch, try to order online from Apple & get one direct from the factories (newer) - or barring that, don't settle for an old serial #. I personally went through 2 Wk. 37s & a Wk. 38 that were no good. Now not all old serials are *bad*, but if you want the least hassle & most certainty, aim for a Week 40 or higher.
Real tests will have to wait until I get to my comp and can put the same videos on it (why can't you transfer your own, non-DRM'd material off onto another comp?)
But simply going to the brightness settings screen, the difference is immediately obvious: the Wk 38 is darker at any level, and has a much more greenish cast to the screen. I showed them side-by-side to someone in my office who's never seen a Touch and didn't know which was the new one. He instantly said "that one's a lot brighter" - the Wk. 41.
...just put the Jay-Z pic on. The Wk. 41 has NO shimmers or negatives at any angle. Side-by-side to the Wk. 38 is striking.
FYI, both are running 1.1.1 firmware, and both are 1C7xx serial numbers. So I'd hope that helps conclusively answer two questions:
-It's not "just a software problem that got fixed by the firmware update," as some diehards continue to claim. Same factory, same firmware, obviously different screens = hardware issue in earlier models. The software patch really is just a crutch.
-Apple does seem to have retooled their lines to correct this issue - again, same factory, same firmware, different screens. I still think the long ship times on these (7-10 days), and numerous delays I experienced, are in part due to this.
My closing advice:
-If you have a defective Touch, raise holy hell (politely) until Apple replaces it with a satisfactory one. Good Touches do seem to exist, and no one should have to settle at this price point. Don't let anyone tell you (as one Genius tried to do with my bum Wk. 38) that it's "up to spec."
-If you want a Touch, try to order online from Apple & get one direct from the factories (newer) - or barring that, don't settle for an old serial #. I personally went through 2 Wk. 37s & a Wk. 38 that were no good. Now not all old serials are *bad*, but if you want the least hassle & most certainty, aim for a Week 40 or higher.
, but the head-to-head difference was akin to Macworld's pics of Chinatown in their review -