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New iMac screen giving me headaches

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retta283

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Jun 8, 2018
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I just got a late 2009 21.5" iMac to upgrade my 2008 20".(Not a huge jump but I got a good enough deal so I went for it anyway) Been trying to use it for a few days, but the screen is so hard to look at. I thought at first it was the brightness, so I turned it down. Still the same. Can't be the LED backlight because I use a MacBook with LED backlight almost every day and crank the brightness up fine. If I put my 2008 iMac next to it and turn up the brightness it's perfectly fine. I am the exact same distance from the screen as before, and have tried moving back, no change.

One thing I have noticed is that the screen of the 2009 iMac is a lot cooler and shows whites more. However even when on the desktop or playing games it gives me a headache. When I switch back to the 2008, I feel fine. I may end up returning it because of this. Just wanted to hear some feedback on why this could be.
 
Can you change the colour profile?
There is also an app you can download that will make the screen warmer. Can't remember the name, but if you google with various related keywords I'm sure you can find it.
 
Thanks to both of you for that. I'll check it out and post my results.

I remember using an app to calibrate my 2008 MacBook screen when it came out, but I don't remember the name of it nor how it worked... Not sure it would even be compatible anymore since it was a Leopard app
 
retta283 said:
I remember using an app to calibrate my 2008 MacBook screen when it came out, but I don't remember the name of it nor how it worked... Not sure it would even be compatible anymore since it was a Leopard app
Click to expand...
macOS has calibration built in:
Screenshot 2019-04-15 at 08.06.31.png
If you want a real calibrated display, then you'd need to reach out for a colorimeter, like ones from X-Rite or Datacolor.
 
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I just returned an iMac a couple of months ago for the same reason. Except it was a 2017. I still don't know what the reason was -- I use my Macbook Air for hours with no problem. I thought the fact that it was Retina might be part of it, but maybe it's something else. Please keep us posted with what you discover!
 
The built-in calibrator was always terrible for me. That's why I used another program to calibrate my MB.

So far the f.lux hasn't helped with the headache. It does make the screen look better to me, but doesn't change the headache part.
 
For me it is too much and too bright white. So changed all programs I use to colored background: For an editor yelow script on blue background is good.
Or black script on beige background.
If you install Mojave (see the Mojave on unsupported Macs thread) you could use dark mode. I have an 2009 iMac running under Mojave (with an SSD) and it is good for me under dark mode.
Terminal has many colored modes.
 
It’s a funny one this, but it happens to me every time I get a new screen, seemingly of any sort. I got my first iMac a few years ago (a 2014 27” 5k retina), and for the first few weeks suffered from eye strain/headaches when using it for any length of time. I didn’t make any changes; it just seemed to get better itself.

The same happened when I upgraded my TV; when I bought an iPad Pro last year, and again now as I’ve just upgraded the iMac to a 2019. Currently getting the aching eyes, and expecting it to get better of its own accord. Hope so anyway. I don’t know if it’s the brightness, but my eyes always seem to require running in with a new device...
 
Some of my apps don't work with Mojave and from my testing the unsupported rig is buggy. Don't think it'd make a huge difference, since it still gives me headaches when on lowest brightness.

This is the first time a screen has ever given me a headache. Doesn't take but a few minutes for me to feel sick
 
I'm gonna give it the rest of the week, if I still don't feel any better I will return it and buy something else. Thanks guys
 
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