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because the return rate is probably high. there is a a lot of variance between screens. Apple QC stinks these days....

Proof:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1831739/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1814524/

I would have bought one already. but Apple continues to use crap LG LCD modules that have defects. just like the LG LCD's that had ghosting issues on the rMBP's..... should have just used samasung or sharp....

Can confirm. My 2012 15" rMBP has an LG panel and ghosting issues. I don't let it bother me and a replacement would have been a lucky dip. But Apple need to get better with their displays. I was really hoping the 5K iMac wouldn't suffer the same fate, clearly it has.
 
Now, make that size a MacBook Pro, so I can take it with me at night and we are good:)

Done with Desktop models!
 
Apple will have moved on to 8K no, I mean 9.3K (just to be different) calling it something like "super duper ultra magical retina" or similar. After all if "retina" was supposed to be the limit of what human eyes can resolve, going way beyond that is important for the superior-eyed Raptors that buy iMacs... or a higher resolution number just sounds better.

And waiting for thunderbolt 3 will just bump up against rumours of thunderbolt 4.

;)

Thought we're skipping 9.3K for 15K.

15 is a good number.
 
because the return rate is probably high. there is a a lot of variance between screens. Apple QC stinks these days....

I would have bought one already. but Apple continues to use crap LG LCD modules that have defects. just like the LG LCD's that had ghosting issues on the rMBP's..... should have just used samasung or sharp....

I'm happy with mine... never had an issue.

Tangentially, I've noticed that collectively, we apple geeks are so hyperfocused on these details that it can be a real problem when it comes to skewing perception. Honestly, what's the return rate? How many silent, perfectly happy people out there for every one who had an axe to grind because of a bad panel?

I'd say you're *far* more likely to get a perfectly good unit than the other way around. Apple couldn't do business otherwise.
 
I hear the low end retina imacs struggle pushing all those pixels during demanding tasks. Personally, I'm waiting for the 2nd or 3rd gen before I take the retina imac plunge. I saw the screen at the Apple Store tho, and it is stunning. I'm just gonna wait. I was also bummed that unlike the previous gen 27" imac, you cannot use the retina iMac as an external monitor, which decreases its future value in my opinion. I'd like to be able to extend its usefulness in the future.

I have a base model. It's not really the hardware but the software overall doesn't seem to be fully polished yet. My base model is very quick for most things but it lags in a few odd non intensive tasks which is leading me to believe it's software related.

I have no regrets on the purchase
 
I have a base model. It's not really the hardware but the software overall doesn't seem to be fully polished yet. My base model is very quick for most things but it lags in a few odd non intensive tasks which is leading me to believe it's software related.

I have no regrets on the purchase

Glad to hear that the setup is working for you...could you give us a hint of what tasks you use the imac for?

I am wondering because I am sceptical, that the combination of ultra high resolution and mobile hardware components is up to deal with editing high res video and images smoothly...plus (maybe as a bonusquestion), if you do any gaming on that maschine...how do scaled games look (as no games I play or know of support 5k resolution)?

You Feedback will be greatly appreciated :)
 
Apple will have moved on to 8K no, I mean 9.3K (just to be different) calling it something like "super duper ultra magical retina" or similar. After all if "retina" was supposed to be the limit of what human eyes can resolve, going way beyond that is important for the superior-eyed Raptors that buy iMacs... or a higher resolution number just sounds better.

And waiting for thunderbolt 3 will just bump up against rumors of thunderbolt 4.

;)

To make sure I buy the best computer with the newest stuff and the fewest bugs, I'm going to wait to make the purchase until just before I die.
 
because the return rate is probably high. there is a a lot of variance between screens. Apple QC stinks these days....

Proof:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1831739/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1814524/

I would have bought one already. but Apple continues to use crap LG LCD modules that have defects. just like the LG LCD's that had ghosting issues on the rMBP's..... should have just used samasung or sharp....

Though I'm not surprised to see this iMac in the refurb store already I highly doubt the return rate is high. This iMac is very expensive so it's not going to get a lot of sales right away.
 
Wow, who would buy a refurb (the one someone else didn't want for some reason or another) for $150 more than and a new one from a reseller, AND HAVE TO PAY TAX?

Apple know how to put up a showroom for their products in their stores but they have no idea how to offer incentives and deals.
 
While some of my clients have had tremendous success with refurbs more have had serious issues. Remember, it was refurbished usually for a SERIOUS problem to begin with and it really is a crap shoot in the end. Good luck if saving a few bucks up front is worth the potential headaches you might get with a refurb.

You know absolutely nothing about refurbs do you? They can come from customers simply having buyer's remorse. Nothing has to be wrong with them but once something is opened it has to be refurbished. Most companies that offer refurbs do business this way.

----------

Wow, who would buy a refurb (the one someone else didn't want for some reason or another) for $150 more than and a new one from a reseller, AND HAVE TO PAY TAX?

Apple know how to put up a showroom for their products in their stores but they have no idea how to offer incentives and deals.

A refurb in most cases is in better shape than a new one since bugs (if any) were taken care of. For $150 that savings can matter to a lot of people, Probably not you since you're so rich. :rolleyes:
 
My advice for anyone who doesn't want to shell out the relatively big bucks for a Retina iMac: Don't give one a test drive, it'll make your existing iMac seem inadequate by comparison (not that it will be, but it sets a very high bar in your mind).

That said, I'm holding out until the next Thunderbolt update. I'll want to be able to use a Retina iMac as a second monitor long after the computer inside has been lapped by future technology (CPU and graphics horsepower, storage/memory/bus speeds, etc.)

YMMV, but probably not.

I did. As best as I was able in the Apple Store I gave it and the conventional iMac a side by side A/B test. Sure, the Retina iMac looked fabulous in the Finder, but in reality the higher res won't do many users a lot of good in apps that don't support it. I discussed this with the Apple rep on the floor and he confirmed that, in reality, few apps do, so for most purposes the effective resolution of the Retina iMac is the same as the conventional res iMac.
 
Makes me wonder about the return rate - quality issues, etc.?

"What do you mean it won't run Word 5.1?"

"I changed my mind and want the i7."

"I wanted a heated trouser press, I must have clicked the wrong link."

"I turned out all the lights, turned the brightness up to max, filled the screen with a back rectangle, took a 5-second exposure with my camera and you can clearly see the light bleed."

"It doesn't work. No, I can't check that its plugged in because its dark and the power's out, you idiot!"

"The picture is upside down and I can't get the stand to work properly"

"My dog won't stop barking at it, and his analyst says that it is stressing him".

"I tried to deliver the package but the gate was shut and the box was too heavy to throw over the fence"

"Well, no, officer, its not technically my credit card, but after I found it a guy in the bar said that if nobody claims it after 30 days I could keep it."

"It was fine to start with but I read an article on Mac Rumors that said they suffered from fan noise and now I get a headache every time I use it."

"My partner found out."
 
"It was fine to start with but I read an article on Mac Rumors that said they suffered from fan noise and now I get a headache every time I use it."

That's the best one.

There is actually scientific evidence that while cell towers don't affect your health, the _belief_ that there is a cell tower turned on nearby _does_ affect it. So as stupid as it seems, it will happen in real life.
 
I did. As best as I was able in the Apple Store I gave it and the conventional iMac a side by side A/B test. Sure, the Retina iMac looked fabulous in the Finder, but in reality the higher res won't do many users a lot of good in apps that don't support it. I discussed this with the Apple rep on the floor and he confirmed that, in reality, few apps do, so for most purposes the effective resolution of the Retina iMac is the same as the conventional res iMac.

Retina MacBook Pros have been out for two and a half years... I'm surprised Retina support is still so rare.
 
There is a good chance it was returned for a poor screen. But should be fine for most buyers.

More likely Christmas gifts returned.

And a lot of times people get a 27" home and decide it is too big for the desk.
 
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because the return rate is probably high. there is a a lot of variance between screens. Apple QC stinks these days....

Proof:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1831739/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1814524/

I would have bought one already. but Apple continues to use crap LG LCD modules that have defects. just like the LG LCD's that had ghosting issues on the rMBP's..... should have just used samasung or sharp....

Using forum posts as evidence of proof

Wow, I've seen it all

----------

Retina MacBook Pros have been out for two and a half years... I'm surprised Retina support is still so rare.

MacBook pros aren't affordable for most people, MacBook air is still by far more popular so it will be some time before developers all bother to support retina
 
You're less likely to get a defective model through Apple refurbished

Apple doesn't consider most screen issues to be defects. You're probably more likely to get a bad screen on a refurb because they will represent many Macs returned for that reason.
 
Retina MacBook Pros have been out for two and a half years... I'm surprised Retina support is still so rare.

Not sure if it's rare, but certainly far from universal. Does someone keep a list? That would be a useful resource for anyone contemplating investing in a Retina iMac.

Edit: Answering my own question, this site supposedly does the deed, if you can stand to look at it:

https://retinamacapps.com
 
While some of my clients have had tremendous success with refurbs more have had serious issues. Remember, it was refurbished usually for a SERIOUS problem to begin with and it really is a crap shoot in the end. Good luck if saving a few bucks up front is worth the potential headaches you might get with a refurb.

That's kind of BS, to be honest. Refurbs go through a process to bring them back to factory specs before they're sold again. So any defects are addressed. Also, refurbs have a 1 year warranty, and are eligible for AppleCare.

I bought a 2010 27" iMac new, and a 2011 iMac refurbed in 2012. I have had no problems whatsoever with the refurb, and have basically had to have the entire interior of my 2010 replaced.
 
"What do you mean it won't run Word 5.1?"

"I changed my mind and want the i7."

"I wanted a heated trouser press, I must have clicked the wrong link."

"I turned out all the lights, turned the brightness up to max, filled the screen with a back rectangle, took a 5-second exposure with my camera and you can clearly see the light bleed."

"It doesn't work. No, I can't check that its plugged in because its dark and the power's out, you idiot!"

"The picture is upside down and I can't get the stand to work properly"

"My dog won't stop barking at it, and his analyst says that it is stressing him".

"I tried to deliver the package but the gate was shut and the box was too heavy to throw over the fence"

"Well, no, officer, its not technically my credit card, but after I found it a guy in the bar said that if nobody claims it after 30 days I could keep it."

"It was fine to start with but I read an article on Mac Rumors that said they suffered from fan noise and now I get a headache every time I use it."

"My partner found out."



More likely Christmas gifts returned.

And a lot of times people get a 27" home and decide it is too big for the desk.

Wish I could get a retina 5K iMac as my Christmas gift. :rolleyes:
 
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