The New 2010 iMac's and Poor Quality Control

[archipellago]

Actually I do think some people have an obsession that is a sort of perverse enjoyment.

Apple should sell a version of each product for a 25% surcharge that includes extensive Q/A and documentation.

every Apple product has a 25% surcharge anyway...

 

[chrono1081]

You think I've come here just to bash the Mac? You really have very little idea about me then.

Also just managed this moment to pick up an i7 in store in Cambridge UK - they ran it for us after we spoke about all the problems we had with the last 3. The guy was great

No dead pixels
Hard drive is even a WD 1TB
Buzzing was hard to tell as the store was so loud but fingers crossed

So you think I'm bashing macs you really need to open your eyes sometimes. I love Apple's stuff and have done for years - our house is full of it, I even got my wife from Windows to her Macbook which she also loves. I guess I'm just not a fanboy as I see the good and bad everywhere, and I still feel that Quality control lacks badly. I'm not coming here and telling everyone who says they have a good machine is wrong am I? So why assume those who come in with problems are just trolling.

Oh and I agree about Dell

I've reviewed and written about hardware and software for 15 years I'm not here to bash Mac's for no reason

Oh and as a footnote - the genius in the store also said that they were aware of lots of customers returning the latest and older iMac's due to the seagate drives, and although they agreed it wasn't a good option to have in an iMac it was out of their hands.

Sorry I didn't mean to bite. This post was the last one I read in a string of mac bashing posts and I let loose without fully reading the post. My apologies

Mac rumors is just filled with so much mac hate anymore its hard to differentiate the trolls from the legit posters. After seeing your membership date I realized you're a legit poster.

Again, my apologies

 

[glxyjones]

Because the more people return Macs 4+ times for stupid noises which are on every model, the more Apple has to "eat" by selling as a refurb...which over time, will effect the cost of their products...which will effect my wallet....

Not to mention all the negativity in the iMac forums while the 98% of happy consumers just want to have normal and productive iMac threads to read. Not some schmuck blabbering about how much he hates Apple QC as he continues to buy more Apple products...

If they suck so much, go get a nice shiny PC all-in-one, because they are so awesome and free of noises...

So my 2007 iMac didn't have a noise issue, but my brand new 2010 iMac does and I should just accept that because returning it MIGHT raise the prices down the road? Even if prices did rise, I can't believe you would put the blame on the buyers rather than on Apple for not fixing the issues in the first place.

 

[Btom]

Apparently, mine is not one of those. Perhaps, Seagate has QC problems? Apple doesn't make most of the components in these machines, merely assemble them. Perhaps, a little finger pointing at LG would be wise (are they not the ones who MAKE the screens?).
.....

Here it comes again, it is not Apple fault, it is LG, Seagate, little Dwarf Man and too sensitive buyers.
And who is mindlessly putting all these substandard parts into a product without control and charges us a premium for, if I may ask?

Tom B.

 

[webpoet73]

Here it comes again, it is not Apple fault, it is LG, Seagate, little Dwarf Man and too sensitive buyers.
And who is mindlessly putting all these substandard parts into a product without control and charges us a premium for, if I may ask?

Tom B.

I have had many hard drives fail in different brand machines. Gateway, Dell... I didn't blame them when my hard drive failed. I blamed WD. They made the drive, not Dell/Gateway. So, why should we blame Apple or anybody who just assembles?

Dell is certainly not at fault for my hard drive failing, but they could have replaced it, if the machine was still in warranty. Gateway did replace my drive since that computer was still in warranty. I am sure Apple will replace parts, if defective just as anybody else.

 

[dagomike]

Or maaaaaybe, just maybe, people just like to get what they pay for. The irony is that those who accept the inferior products are the one's who empower Apple (and other companies) to continue to spend less and less on QA.

Just out of curiousity, how does the fact that other Apple users are demanding a defect-free machine affect you negatively in any way?

It unnecessarily raises the costs of the products, but I was responding to something else.

Any mass-produced product will have manufacturing tolerances and design compromises. Some expectations are reasonable, others are not. Either way, if someone demands perfection it's pretty foolish to buy just released products sight unseen.

I don't want to discount anyone's problems, but I think people should be happy Apple tries to make people satisfied even though it may not be possible.

 

[glxyjones]

It unnecessarily raises the costs of the products, but I was responding to something else.

Any mass-produced product will have manufacturing tolerances and design compromises. Some expectations are reasonable, others are not. Either way, if someone demands perfection it's pretty foolish to buy just released products sight unseen.

I don't want to discount anyone's problems, but I think people should be happy Apple tries to make people satisfied even though it may not be possible.

Like I said before, I've been a long time Apple user and every computer for my 2010 iMac I was "satisfied" (actually loved) with. Specifically, my 2007 iMac did not have any of the issues I am seeing with my 2010. I do not think it's reasonable for someone to demand PERFECTION in anything, but I do think it's reasonable to demand the same level of quality as I previously received from the same company.

Also, the few people out there who are demanding PERFECTION cannot and will not raise the price on future products, they are too small of a group. Apple knows what they're doing, they've run the numbers and they know it'll cost them less in the long run to deal with the constant returns than it would for them to completely correct the issue with their manufacturers.

 

[byron_hinson]

Sorry I didn't mean to bite. This post was the last one I read in a string of mac bashing posts and I let loose without fully reading the post. My apologies

Mac rumors is just filled with so much mac hate anymore its hard to differentiate the trolls from the legit posters. After seeing your membership date I realized you're a legit poster.

Again, my apologies

ahh its ok - I was just very very annoyed about the whole thing. I feel better about to today seeing I now have a working machine (4th time lucky touch wood) but as a long time mac user I just feel that maybe quality control is lacking due to the increased sales they are getting now adays

 

[Btom]

I have had many hard drives fail in different brand machines. Gateway, Dell... I didn't blame them when my hard drive failed. I blamed WD. They made the drive, not Dell/Gateway. So, why should we blame Apple or anybody who just assembles?

Dell is certainly not at fault for my hard drive failing, but they could have replaced it, if the machine was still in warranty. Gateway did replace my drive since that computer was still in warranty. I am sure Apple will replace parts, if defective just as anybody else.

I am not talking of HD failing, I am talking of installing a faulty (like: noisy) HD in a premium product. Can't you see the difference?

Tom B.

 

[webpoet73]

I am not talking of HD failing, I am talking of installing a faulty (like: noisy) HD in a premium product. Can't you see the difference?

Tom B.

Hard drives make noise. My external drives make a lot of noise, but they aren't faulty. I hear them spin up. I hear them when the heads are reading/writing data. I hear them spin down. Same noises come from the HDD in my new iMac. I am not worried because these are normal sounds.

There are certain sounds that may indicate a failing drive. If the iMacs were completely silent, you would never hear that sound.

Where is the issue?

 

[Btom]

....
Where is the issue?

How about a false advertising for starters. In Apple own words:

Cool, quiet components.
The widescreen iMac display allows more room to separate the two hottest components, the CPU and the GPU. This keeps things cool inside the iMac enclosure. Apple engineers also implemented an intelligent control system that monitors temperatures and delivers just the right amount of airflow to critical components. And the three fans inside iMac have been tuned to be ultraquiet. The result of all this tinkering with heat and sound? A system that operates at 18 decibels when idle — so quiet, you hardly know it’s on.*

You can find it here.

Tom B.

 

[webpoet73]

How about a false advertising for starters. In Apple own words:



You can find it here.

Tom B.

Heh... I barely know it's on. It has to be really quiet in the room before I notice the HDD working. I never hear any fans or anything. Just a little noise of the hard drive working, which I feel is normal for a mechanical hard drive. Of my externals (3 WD and 1 Seagate), the Seagate is by far the most quiet.

Has there been anybody who has measured the dB of a "noisy" hard drive? If this is such an issue, where is the class action lawsuit to sue Apple for false advertisement?

 

[dagomike]

Like I said before, I've been a long time Apple user and every computer for my 2010 iMac I was "satisfied" (actually loved) with. Specifically, my 2007 iMac did not have any of the issues I am seeing with my 2010. I do not think it's reasonable for someone to demand PERFECTION in anything, but I do think it's reasonable to demand the same level of quality as I previously received from the same company.

Also, the few people out there who are demanding PERFECTION cannot and will not raise the price on future products, they are too small of a group. Apple knows what they're doing, they've run the numbers and they know it'll cost them less in the long run to deal with the constant returns than it would for them to completely correct the issue with their manufacturers.

I agree, but there are design compromises. IPS displays for examples, deliver well on a number of specs, but appear susceptible to LCD bleeding when displaying dark images with high brightness. That's not a defect, it's a trade off for better overall image and viewing. Some people may not like that trade off, but it is what it is.

There's no denying that if any number of people didn't seek a remedy on something that's working as intended, whether to specs or within design tolerance, Apple would have lower support costs.

 

[mlblacy]

AMEN, brother. Here are some facts...

Sorry I didn't mean to bite. This post was the last one I read in a string of mac bashing posts and I let loose without fully reading the post. My apologies ...Mac rumors is just filled with so much mac hate anymore its hard to differentiate the trolls from the legit posters...

The trolls are out en masse, or at least those who enjoy stirring the pot.
Claims of false advertising, shoddy quality control, yadda... yadda... yadda.
While legitimate issues may exist, the reality that is being portrayed is far off the mark in my opinion. On another thread someone was still whining after Apple replaced his HD with a SSD (which makes it sound like he was just after a spec change after he placed his order). I don't really know what folks expect, but I guess an awful lot... so much so that they spend hours with magnifying glasses trying to find a single "dead" pixel.

The main fact is this. IF a product is really defective, Apple will make every effort to make it right. It seems that many issues are a result of rough shipping and handling, and not necessarily an issue of quality control. Buy AppleCare, and you will be good for 3 years. If you are thinking about making a purchase but are now "scared" from reading the doggy-pile threads, remember that is EXACTLY what some of these folks want.

It is a free world. Go buy a Dell if you think that will make you happier. Just don't lecture us on how Apple is the "man", or how they have no quality control, or how you can build a better machine for less out of sticks, tape, and balsa wood. Or, how we are "fanboys". Factually... Apple is at the top of the heap (and this is not I have a friend, who cousin's neighbor was in an Apple store, and he heard an Apple guy say that...). If anyone expects perfection they will be disappointed, no matter what brand they choose to buy.

2008...2009 & 2010


Click for full size - Uploaded with plasq's Skitch



Click for full size - Uploaded with plasq's Skitch

peace...
michael

 

[mlblacy]

but wait... there's more...

2010 Consumer Reports...


Click for full size - Uploaded with plasq's Skitch

 

[PatriotInvasion]

^^^ditto

 

[glxyjones]

The trolls are out en masse, or at least those who enjoy stirring the pot.
Claims of false advertising, shoddy quality control, yadda... yadda... yadda.
While legitimate issues may exist, the reality that is being portrayed is far off the mark in my opinion. On another thread someone was still whining after Apple replaced his HD with a SSD (which makes it sound like he was just after a spec change after he placed his order). I don't really know what folks expect, but I guess an awful lot... so much so that they spend hours with magnifying glasses trying to find a single "dead" pixel.

The main fact is this. IF a product is really defective, Apple will make every effort to make it right. It seems that many issues are a result of rough shipping and handling, and not necessarily an issue of quality control. Buy AppleCare, and you will be good for 3 years. If you are thinking about making a purchase but are now "scared" from reading the doggy-pile threads, remember that is EXACTLY what some of these folks want.

It is a free world. Go buy a Dell if you think that will make you happier. Just don't lecture us on how Apple is the "man", or how they have no quality control, or how you can build a better machine for less out of sticks, tape, and balsa wood. Or, how we are "fanboys". Factually... Apple is at the top of the heap (and this is not I have a friend, who cousin's neighbor was in an Apple store, and he heard an Apple guy say that...). If anyone expects perfection they will be disappointed, no matter what brand they choose to buy.

2008...2009 & 2010


Click for full size - Uploaded with plasq's Skitch



Click for full size - Uploaded with plasq's Skitch

peace...
michael

I am NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECTION!!! I am looking for Apple to match the QA I'VE SEEN IN THE PAST FROM THEM. My 2007 iMac had ABSOLUTELY ZERO problems. My 2010 iMac had yellow tint + gray band + noisy hard drive!!!!

How is this not getting across?

 

[Btom]

I am NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECTION!!! I am looking for Apple to match the QA I'VE SEEN IN THE PAST FROM THEM. My 2007 iMac had ABSOLUTELY ZERO problems. My 2010 iMac had yellow tint + gray band + noisy hard drive!!!!

How is this not getting across?

Sigh,... another troll....

Tom B.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

I've returned my electric toothbrush to CVS 4 times because it was just so goddam noisy. On my 5th time, the guy behind the counter told me it was supposed to make noise because it was electric and that's what electric toothbrushes do...I felt dumb

 

[dagomike]

I am NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECTION!!! I am looking for Apple to match the QA I'VE SEEN IN THE PAST FROM THEM. My 2007 iMac had ABSOLUTELY ZERO problems. My 2010 iMac had yellow tint + gray band + noisy hard drive!!!!

How is this not getting across?

I have a "yellow screen" and if mine is representative of others, I don't see what the big deal is. I only know of it from reading here and it's undetectable unless using a test pattern. Apple says the hard drive is normal. Maybe return it and buy one with a 2TB drive. I don't hear anything out of the ordinary. I don't know what the gray band is.

 

[mlblacy]

the past? Actually you have been pretty consistent with your posts...

I am NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECTION!!! I am looking for Apple to match the QA I'VE SEEN IN THE PAST FROM THEM. My 2007 iMac had ABSOLUTELY ZERO problems. My 2010 iMac had yellow tint + gray band + noisy hard drive!!!! How is this not getting across?

Please don't yell...

Looking through your posting history I see an interesting pattern. How happy have you really been with all of your previous purchases? You make it sound like previously everything was great, but now Apple just produces junk, and you can't get "satisfaction". Are you saying that Apple is not willing to replace a defective product? If they are willing to send you a 100 computers in succession to find that one rare, non-piece of crap for you, why does this not make you happy? How is this an indication of poor customer service?

From what I have gathered the yellowing seems "possibly" related to shipping issues. However I have no idea how prevalent, or how "real" this issue is. Do you know how many iMacs are made/shipped? Do you KNOW what the percentage of defects really is?? Frankly, if I had 2 successive bouts of shipping issues, I would opt to try something different (like a pick up at a local store). If I was concerned about grumbly hamsters on a wheel in my hard drive, maybe I would opt for a SSD... or a 2Tb drive instead. ETC. ETC.

The customer may always be right, but I don't doubt that there are some customers who can never be pleased, no matter what a business tries to do.

The implication some of you are creating is not just that there are issues, but that Apple won't address them. One also gets the idea that it must be really hard to find working samples to fill an Apple store, lol.

In a few weeks I will have my 27" i7 in hand. I guess I will need to say "if" everything is ok after I set it up. I have ZERO fears though. If I have issues I am confident I will get it worked out, but like Ivory Soap, I am sure it will be 99.44% pure. Feel free to look through my posting history to see what it says about me...
cheers,
michael

 

[glxyjones]

Please don't yell...

Looking through your posting history I see an interesting pattern. How happy have you really been with all of your previous purchases? You make it sound like previously everything was great, but now Apple just produces junk, and you can't get "satisfaction". Are you saying that Apple is not willing to replace a defective product? If they are willing to send you a 100 computers in succession to find that one rare, non-piece of crap for you, why does this not make you happy? How is this an indication of poor customer service?

From what I have gathered the yellowing seems "possibly" related to shipping issues. However I have no idea how prevalent, or how "real" this issue is. Do you know how many iMacs are made/shipped? Do you KNOW what the percentage of defects really is?? Frankly, if I had 2 successive bouts of shipping issues, I would opt to try something different (like a pick up at a local store). If I was concerned about grumbly hamsters on a wheel in my hard drive, maybe I would opt for a SSD... or a 2Tb drive instead. ETC. ETC.

The customer may always be right, but I don't doubt that there are some customers who can never be pleased, no matter what a business tries to do.

The implication some of you are creating is not just that there are issues, but that Apple won't address them. One also gets the idea that it must be really hard to find working samples to fill an Apple store, lol.

In a few weeks I will have my 27" i7 in hand. I guess I will need to say "if" everything is ok after I set it up. I have ZERO fears though. If I have issues I am confident I will get it worked out, but like Ivory Soap, I am sure it will be 99.44% pure. Feel free to look through my posting history to see what it says about me...
cheers,
michael

If you went through my previous posts I assume you found the one where I listed the 3 (that I can remember) problems I've had with Apple products in the 6 years I've been an Apple customer prior to the iPhone 4. I know it's unrealistic to expect perfection from any electronics manufacturer. However, like I said, I am not someone who has every returned an Apple product prior to the 2010 iMac. I am extremely satisfied with their customer service, but I am disappointed in their quality control, two completely different things.

If you're referring to the post in my history about my 2008 MBP display being worse than my 2007 iMac display than I can assure you that I am writing this post from that exact same MBP. I did not return it and once someone explained to me that a laptop display would be slightly inferior to a desktop display, I was fine.

Also, I cannot pick up in stores since mine is BTO. Therefore, I'm stuck with Fedex. I did order the SSD + 2TB hard drive and the 2TB hard drive clicked (almost like it was failing) when it started doing its time machine backup.

 

[Irishman]

fair point but in mitigation, the only recent products were the iPhones and the iPad.

The iPhones were work supplied (luckily I have a berry now) and the ipad I bought for the wife.

lovely hardware, awful software.

Awful software? Compared to what and in what ways?

 

[WestcoastAkita]

So far so good, no issues with my iMac i7 2010. Maybe it's the folks in California, or the ones in Alabama that put things together better then the ones in China! I've had a number of mac's over the past 15 yrs and the only flaw that I had was with my MacBook 2006, defective bluetooth card. Apple sent the part and I installed (yes I was an Apple tech) I've fixed hundreds of Apple computers over the years. I really hate to say it but a large % of issues where created by the end user.

 

[caderousse]

It's difficult to take an article like this seriously when the writer doesn't know the difference between "iMacs" and "iMac's" in the very first sentence.