Here is what Apple says, not specific to SSD:
You will receive a “like new” device with genuine Apple replacement parts (as needed) that has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Refurbished iOS devices will come with new battery and outer shell. Every device will come with all accessories, cables and operating systems.1 All Apple Certified Refurbished products are packaged in a brand new white box and will be sent to you with free shipping and returns.
SEE:
Discover the Apple Certified Refurbished promise.
You can call Apple for additional clarification: 1‑800‑MY‑APPLE.
My 8-core/16/256 in silver is just fine. My opinion is that there were three things going on. 1) Yes, a very small number of units had an out-of-tolerance issue; 2) As is typical of the Forum, dozens of people commented, most of whom don't own a new iMac; 3) The new iMac, for the vast majority, falls well within the limits of generally accepted manufacturing tolerances for being level.
The only reason why I'm even commenting on it is that MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and AppleInsider all noticed it with their review units (leading me to believe that it was probably more widespread than a really small number. While it's not super common with iMacs (at least not compared to products in the iPhone and MacBook Pro product lines), this does seem to be a classic case Rev A sickness. But again, the whole point of asking was to see how widespread this actually is.
I've heard that Apple can count the number of owners of an M1 who have this problem on one hand. The number of non-owners who have this problem is considerably higher.
Again, given that MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and AppleInsider all noticed this with their review units, I'm thinking it's probably more than single digit numbers. I'm sure it's not EVERY case, but certainly it sounds like it's at least a bit widespread. But again, this post is to specifically take that temperature with M1 iMac owners on these forums.
Firstly, it isn't an issue. We know this because even as and when an Apple product with a fault reaches a consumer, a call to Apple or a trip to the store will result in a replacement. Problem solved.
That's not always the case. In fact, there are several cases that I've had personally where replacement devices continue to exhibit issues. There have also been numerous quality repair extension programs wherein the replacement part is inevitably going to fail in the same way that the original part failed.
Secondly, if this was an actual problem, as opposed to an imagined one,
It seems actual enough for Mac news sites to report on it...
Apple would have sought to resolve it in the manufacturing process or plant where it was happening. After all, it is not cost-effective in any way to mass produce faulty goods that then have to be exchanged at the company's sole cost.
I would think that Apple would do this mid cycle as well. Certainly they do this with iPhones. One would imagine that they'll do it with a Mac, let alone an iconic one that they hope will result in more sales of Apple Silicon Macs.
Thirdly, all it takes is one person posting here about 'an issue' and the responses all then serve to show there's an issue, even if all the responses are that nobody else has experienced it.
Again, this was first reported by MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and AppleInsider. Forums users may have posted about it, but it was substantial enough for Mac news sites to cover it and verify that their units exhibited the issue.
Fourthly, if this were 'an issue' a large number of systems, likely all those from the plant responsible, would be affected.
Yes, that stands to reason.
Since that is clearly not what is happening
I don't know that you have enough data to suggest that. Again, NEWS SITES ARE COVERING THIS. Not just forum posters.
, this is/was/might be/potentially could be/isn't, a matter of a defect in individual systems during build or packaging. Sadly, but inevitably, the reality is mass production methods cause this kind of thing.
Right. This is standard Rev A sickness. New designs for Apple products tend to bring this sort of thing about in ways that more mature designs don't.
Fifthly, I have squinted sideways at my iMac while standing on my head, at the same time shining a very bright flashlight at it, in a totally darkened room, and I can't see any problems with the level of the screen at all. If this was 'an issue', I'd have seen a problem because I'm now looking for it.
THAT's the kind of data I'm looking for!
Rather than put even a shred of faith in the internet to provide guidance, if I were considering recommending a computer, I would personally look at what would best suit the user's particular needs. Things like the system's functionality, suitability to the tasks being required of it, general performance standards, etc. And since Apple are known for standing by their products and for excellent customer service, the risk of an individual defect would not be a determining factor in what I would recommend.
Of course, that's just me.
Reliability is a huge concern here. My mom will be upgrading from a lower-end non-Server 2011 Mac mini and, while she didn't get the model with the AMD dGPU, my stepfather, who bought his at around the same time, did. They're both wary of such an issue happening with either Mac that they intend to buy. I know that for both of them, they'd prefer to not have to take their computers to the Apple Store if at all possible. They'll both be getting AppleCare+ on them (at my insistence if not otherwise).
