iPod Touch: 'Negative Black' Screen Issue

[joemama]

This is well said. Having wanted a video player, I'm very happy with my Touch (and its non-bad screen, lucky!). So far, it seems to excel for this purpose, which is clearly its intended use.

Now that there's no longer a price difference, if you want a swiss army web widget (more than a video player), get an iPhone and either register or unlock it. If you want video primarily, get a Touch. If you want music, get a Classic. If you want to not spend a lot, get a Nano. Seems to be fairly good market segmentation.

...If the iPhone was still $599, I could see complaining that the Touch isn't "everything but the Phone." But at $399, there are options.

I think you are missing the point. If people wanted to just play video, they would get the iPod Classic.

The iPod Touch was designed to be so much more...but it's not. The problem is Apple doesn't even know what the iPod Touch is supposed to be. It's an in-between device until storage prices come down. It will eventually be the "real" iPod, but for now it's stuck in limbo.

 

[MonkeyHugger]

The problem with the iTouch is they designed an excellent product but purposely made it worse, for silly market rubbish. How can anyone buy a product they know's been purposely made worse? Coupled with the woeful screens and ridiculous quality, it's an awful buy.

Cheap labour, cheap products.

 

[gkarris]

Alright, I've heard enough - my order has been cancelled. Until I can come to this forum and see that people are happy with the QC on the touch, I'm not going to buy it. I also don't want to buy it from the apple store because of their ridiculous return policies. I'll wait for it to come to future shop...they have a great return policy.

Good decision. I waited until now to get an iPhone - and way glad I did. They should have the Touch bugs worked out within a month... in time for the holiday shopping season.

 

[whiteboytrash]

quality control in general you mean.

i've never seen so many apple products that were of such low quality as these days. i would gladly pay more money for better quality...

Maybe because they sell more products these days that there is more chance of some failures/defects ? i.e. if they sell 100,000 macs a quarter with 100 failures - thats ok (0.1%).... but 60 million iPods with 100,000 failures doesn't read as well... although the ratio of produced v failure is there about the same.....

 

[queshy]

Good decision. I waited until now to get an iPhone - and way glad I did. They should have the Touch bugs worked out within a month... in time for the holiday shopping season.

Yeah...I just don't feel like playing a lottery, hoping that I get a good screen with no dead pixels or black issues and that the audio quality is just "okay" and not hissing like mad.

To add to that, I don't want to have to deal with snarky apple employees to get my money back. The crippled-nature of the iPod didn't really bother me...what bothers me a lot is how some users are actually having trouble returning these things, when the screens are clearly busted.

This reminds me of the macbook pro yellowing issue.

I'm starting to think Apple really does have some bad QC issues. Their stuff looks nice, but is often riddled with defects.

If you are lucky enough to get a "good" one, then their stuff is pretty good. Hopefully the Leopard CD I order will load once I put it in my computer...but then again Apple always surprises me!

 

[macmagoo]

New itouch

I was able to get one in Alaska saturday, very impressed, wifi works great, video is fantastic no problems. Have noticed a little issue with dark videos. Every bit as good as my 80g, except much larger screen.
Could'nt be happier.

 

[Rogzilla]

You know, I noticed a VERY slight shimme in my black areas...but I just checked and they actually look pretty good. Nothing compared to what some people seem to be getting. Actually, to check, I watched some "Ask a Ninja" podcasts on here. Looks fan-fricking-tastic. I would think it would be very obvious if there were issues with black and dark areas during one of those.

I guess I just got lucky.

 

[i0Nic]

When I first decided to switch to Apple, I had heard statements such as 'never buy gen 1 apple products'. After reading forums, many said that these were just myths and that Apple has very high quality assurance and even if there were some bugs they would be quickly fixed in software updates.

So I took the plunge on a gen 1 macbook, amidst early claims of 'mooing' macbooks. After purchasing and the initial exciting stage of owning my first mac, it quickly became apparant that my macbook was displaying some issues. Firstly, the mooing was loud and interuptive in a library setting. My screen had a purple tinge that could not be removed with calibration. It also became very very hot under normal operating conditions on a table. Add to all this, it started to have the discolouring problem on the wristpad.

Jump forward to this point in time. I want an iPod touch. With these screen and audio issues, not to mention my annoyance at Apple for removing some software features they didn't have to, I am definately, definately not going to buy a gen 1 iPod touch.

Not sure what is up with Apple Quality Assurance, but it would be wise to stay away from any 1st gen Apple products from now on. I'm going to give it at least give it a couple of months before I get a touch.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Couldn't agree more... I've posted several times on these forums regarding my issues with several MBP's that I no longer own - RETURNED! There seem to be so many problems with screens these day's - what is going on here?

Am I glad I got the "old" 24-inch iMac in White!

You mention returning several MacBook Pros and then being glad you got an "old" 24-inch iMac in White.

Is this a dig at the new iMac since you don't mention returning a single unit of this line? Or do you not see how disjointed this analogy appears to be?

 

[goosnarrggh]

The answer is arrogance.
I am switched to Mac from Win 98 and started to use again Win Xp a year ago. Guess what? Despite all insinuations it works. No viruses, nothing collapses, nothing jams. I didn't restart for 2 month already.After it when I compared specs I saw that usually all comes from Apple is overpriced. Lets remember the Mac Mini. Probably there is no any PC at the market today using such ancient hardware. Of course, Apple products are user-friendly, but should I pay twice only for elegance?
Last years Apple spends a lot of efforts trying to persuade people how their competitors are bad, and how Apple good and innovative. They'd better put more on a quality control an lower the price

This is not meant to be taken as argumentative, or any form of personal attack. It's posted out of genuine concern for the safety of your valuable or personal information on that Windows XP computer.

If you don't have an anti-virus program and incoming/outgoing firewall installed on your Windows XP machine, install them.

Now.

With a reputable anti-virus program and all the latest service packs, I agree that Windows XP is a very solid platform.

But the fact remains that, on an unprotected Windows machine, it's not a matter of "if" you'll pick up a virus, but "when".

 

[matttrick]

When I first decided to switch to Apple, I had heard statements such as 'never buy gen 1 apple products'. After reading forums, many said that these were just myths and that Apple has very high quality assurance and even if there were some bugs they would be quickly fixed in software updates.

So I took the plunge on a gen 1 macbook, amidst early claims of 'mooing' macbooks. After purchasing and the initial exciting stage of owning my first mac, it quickly became apparant that my macbook was displaying some issues. Firstly, the mooing was loud and interuptive in a library setting. My screen had a purple tinge that could not be removed with calibration. It also became very very hot under normal operating conditions on a table. Add to all this, it started to have the discolouring problem on the wristpad.

Jump forward to this point in time. I want an iPod touch. With these screen and audio issues, not to mention my annoyance at Apple for removing some software features they didn't have to, I am definately, definately not going to buy a gen 1 iPod touch.

Not sure what is up with Apple Quality Assurance, but it would be wise to stay away from any 1st gen Apple products from now on. I'm going to give it at least give it a couple of months before I get a touch.

but according to most mac afficianados, apple stuff just works, and microsoft is the devil for any errors you encounter. funny how this double standard is.

 

[O and A]

Most comments I seem to remember regard the 16GB models, could this mean it only affects them... Post above states he has a good screen on this 8GB model.

thats becase the 16 gig ones are shpping first. I dont' think i've heard of any 8 gigs out in the wild... i could be wrong though.

 

[i0Nic]

but according to most mac afficianados, apple stuff just works, and microsoft is the devil for any errors you encounter. funny how this double standard is.

Oh I forgot to mention, that when I took my macbook into the store to get it looked at, I was treated as if I was an idiot for thinking my mac had any problems. He listened to the macbook for mooing, looking up at me as if I was a retard 'computers make noises Sir, it's normal, it's not broken'. After the discolouring, 'maybe you should try washing your hands before using the macbook?'.

Luckily, I was able to get it replaced after complaining loudly to management and making a big scene in the store.

All in all, I like Apple products, the design is superb, but there are obviously some areas which need careful attention. Those early experiences with my macbook almost made me switch back to Windows, and I'll be damned if I'll let the same **** happen again by buying a touch as this point in time.

Honestly people, DON'T take a chance with the touch. Wait it out and see what happens with the screen, don't settle for products that are 'good enough' in quality.

 

[queshy]

Oh I forgot to mention, that when I took my macbook into the store to get it looked at, I was treated as if I was an idiot for thinking my mac had any problems. He listened to the macbook for mooing, looking up at me as if I was a retard 'computers make noises Sir, it's normal, it's not broken'. After the discolouring, 'maybe you should try washing your hands before using the macbook?'.

Luckily, I was able to get it replaced after complaining loudly to management and making a big scene in the store.

All in all, I like Apple products, the design is superb, but there are obviously some areas which need careful attention. Those early experiences with my macbook almost made me switch back to Windows, and I'll be damned if I'll let the same **** happen again by buying a touch as this point in time.

Honestly people, DON'T take a chance with the touch. Wait it out and see what happens with the screen, don't settle for products that are 'good enough' in quality.

Typical apple store happenings. It's almost as if apple tells them never to acknowledge any problems! I've seen (or shall I say heard) mooing macbooks...it's definitely not normal!

 

[S_S]

Apple Quality...

If you want to go back to the "Golden" time of Apple quality you need to go way back to the days of the PowerMac 7500. That thing was a brick house. Every thing I had before that (LC, Centris, etc..) was flawless and overbuilt. Everything after that seemed to have some kind of anoying design flaw or component faliure. Current Apple stuff is still pretty darn good but those were the days...

 

[chicagostars]

exhale. pause. repeat.

While there is value in just about every view, it is worth noting that people who are posting scathing comments at MacRumors, iLounge, et al are a very vocal MINORITY with often very extreme passions about the brand they support. Many of us were around to evangelize for Apple when it was a misdirected laughing-stock of a company . . . maybe we should pause to think about this in between our current rants. Doesn't make difficulties easier, just something to think about.

Should have save a little extra for the IIci instead of getting the IIsi, but I think my heart has sufficiently healed. Now my 190cs is a different story . . .

 

[dal20402]

But the fact remains that, on an unprotected Windows machine, it's not a matter of "if" you'll pick up a virus, but "when".

I don't like seeing statements like this because they rob credibility from the very true argument that it's *easier* to keep a Mac virus-free.

I've run Windows machines without AV software since XP SP2 came out without a single malware or virus problem. You just have to be careful about where you surf, what browser you use, and what you download. (For pre-SP2 Windows OSes your statement is true.)

The dirty little secret here is that people really *want* to visit dodgy sites and download dodgy software for a whole host of reasons... it's certainly easier to protect yourself on a Mac when you do so.

 

[artalliance]

Yes, later model iPhones have the same "negative black" problem -- I have one. Here is a good test video -- watch the last 30 seconds and you'll know if your iPod touch or iPhone has this problem. If you click this link on your iPod touch or iPhone, the YouTube application will open and play the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuBoAPFRlDA

Which screen series are you talking about? I haven't read any reports of the negative black issue on the iphone.

 

[dal20402]

If you want to go back to the "Golden" time of Apple quality you need to go way back to the days of the PowerMac 7500. That thing was a brick house. Every thing I had before that (LC, Centris, etc..) was flawless and overbuilt. Everything after that seemed to have some kind of anoying design flaw or component faliure. Current Apple stuff is still pretty darn good but those were the days...

The only Mac failure I've ever had was a Plus that, as many others did, lunched a power supply. Older is not always better...

Macs have been failing for a long time. I don't believe they fail now in significantly greater numbers. What has changed is that Apple is more willing to cut costs in areas easily perceived by the user, especially displays, which should be the last place where costs are cut.

Using a TN screen on a high-end AIO (the 20" iMac) is ridiculous. Not using the iPhone screen on the high-end iPod touch (if that is what's happening) is equally ridiculous. And, now that IPS laptop screens are available (as used by Lenovo), using TN screens on MacBook Pros is ridiculous. There's only one thing people stare at all the time on a piece of electronics... the screen. Cut costs in other places first.

 

[gkarris]

Yes, later model iPhones have the same "negative black" problem -- I have one. Here is a good test video -- watch the last 30 seconds and you'll know if your iPod touch or iPhone has this problem. If you click this link on your iPod touch or iPhone, the YouTube application will open and play the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuBoAPFRlDA

Whoa, good thing I went with the older, 4Gig, "closeout" model....

 

[Unspeaked]

What amazes me is Microsoft/Dell/Sony hasn't figured this out yet. It's Apple's achieles heal. If I were working at one of those companies, I would position Apple as the "Ferrari" of the IT world. Beautiful, sure, but expensive and so riddled with quality issues, that the car is in the shop most of the time.

See, this makes the assumption that Microsoft/Dell/Sony really care about Apple.

Sure, we get the occasional sound bite from an executive or CEO commenting on Apple (usually when directly prompted by the media and not just out of the blue) but the fact of the matter is, Apple is still a small fry compared to the three companies you quoted (with a third as much annual revenue as any of them) and they're not as likely to stage the kind of smear campaigns that Apple is fond of (Redmond, start your photocopiers...)

 

[Unspeaked]

If you want to go back to the "Golden" time of Apple quality you need to go way back to the days of the PowerMac 7500. That thing was a brick house. Every thing I had before that (LC, Centris, etc..) was flawless and overbuilt. Everything after that seemed to have some kind of anoying design flaw or component faliure. Current Apple stuff is still pretty darn good but those were the days...

It's funny, but you're so right.

Around the time Jobs came back and the iMac was introduced, things have slowly gotten worse and worse.

And I do mean slowly. Slightly cheaper parts with each generation, slightly more problems with rev A's... the machines from '92-'97 or so were solid as a rock. I still know people who run PowerMac 9600s as daily machines!

 

[powderblue17]

It's funny, but you're so right.

Around the time Jobs came back and the iMac was introduced, things have slowly gotten worse and worse.

And I do mean slowly. Slightly cheaper parts with each generation, slightly more problems with rev A's... the machines from '92-'97 or so were solid as a rock. I still know people who run PowerMac 9600s as daily machines!

Oh yes those were the days. Everything Apple produced was perfect back then. Especially the famous PowerBook 5300. If only Apple could produce hardware like that now. Those were the days.

 

[Unspeaked]

I don't like seeing statements like this because they rob credibility from the very true argument that it's *easier* to keep a Mac virus-free.

I've run Windows machines without AV software since XP SP2 came out without a single malware or virus problem. You just have to be careful about where you surf, what browser you use, and what you download. (For pre-SP2 Windows OSes your statement is true.)

Wait, so it's not easier to keep a Mac virus-free as long as you are careful about where you surf, what browser you use and what you download?

Um, you don't think you contradict yourself a little there?

 

[Unspeaked]

Oh yes those were the days. Everything Apple produced was perfect back then. Especially the famous PowerBook 5300. If only Apple could produce hardware like that now. Those were the days.

You mean the one with the *Sony* battery that caused problems?




PS - Sorry for my 50 posts in a row... I've just been replying as I go...