I think the screens are getting cracked from the inside or slight flexing of the whole assembly is stressing a corner. If it is just supported at the corners, that would allow the whole thing to flex slightly when jolted. It could also be due to something on the inside shifting slightly and cracking it.
It would seem to me that the reduced styrofoam is all part of Apple's "going green" mission. Less styrofoam = less trash and waste that will hang around forever in landfills. That said, it is a little concerning that if people are paying well above $2000 for a top of the line iMac, Apple should at least be taking extra caution to provide ample cushioning that protects the computer during transit.
There are types of foam packaging materials that will dissolve upon coming in contact with water. Why not use one of those?
..The thick layer of glass on the iMac should be far less susceptible to breaking...
You would think, but that's not the case. Glass is strong but brittle to sudden shock, much like a rock (which glass really is just rock), and the thinner glass with a backing of plastic might be more resistant to shock, even though it's not as strong.
Additives can be added to glass during forming, to make it less brittle, but most likely effects the clarity. God knows we have enough issues with the reflections.
Got mine yesterday. ... Migration of my account from Macbook went well (had to create a faux account on iMac because you can't transfer same named users running as that user).
Did you not do the 'target disc' account transfer bit? I'm hoping that's still working...
"....... and by content I mean your entire room behind you. It gives you a whole new perspective on how to re-arrange your furniture. Beyond that you can gaze at your reflection while contemplating your next content revision or addition."
27 inch i7. Booted up fine but fans were running at full speed - sounded like a vacuum cleaner running. No cracked screen though and except for the fan issue - seemed to work fine. Packaging seemed adequate as well. Screen is awesome. Return with Apple went ok at first - arranged for return shipping and the day after Fedex picked it up my account showed the replacement - but not shipping until Dec!
This is where it gets a little weird. I called Apple and they said my machine was actually already awaiting shipment (yay!) that it was given priority status and they would provide upgraded shipping - they even refunded my original shipping charges since I had paid for the 2-3 day shipping on the original. Very happy camper at this point. However...
It's been nearly a week and the status is still sitting at a ship date of Dec 2. I spoke with a rep again last night and he said it was NOT put on priority status and that it was in the queue like all the other orders. He did offer to "upgrade" my shipping to 2-3 days - odd since that should have been in the system already.
Bottom line - Apple doesn't appear to be doing anything special to get my replacement iMac to me and I'll just have to wait until Dec even though I originally placed the order on Oct 27.
All this sounds pretty typical for this type of fault. The i7s have only started shipping and there seems to be an excessive number of DOAs and other issues. This is likely a problem going back to the factory and those assembly issues will have to be worked out before it can ship. Good luck getting it shipped in a week if they problem is as large I think it is. usually I?d say BTO aren?t as common and so the queue is small but with the iMac just now moving to desktop-class CPUs and the Core i7s offering a lot of future-forward performance I think they may very popular BTO machines.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cranky
There are types of foam packaging materials that will dissolve upon coming in contact with water. Why not use one of those?
Is it safe to have these foams potentially dissolve into the aquifer?
I remember that video as well and I was struck by the same thing. Though I do have a glossy screen and love it.
Glad you like it! I'll buy my first glossy screen Mac soon too. The statistic is simple, 100% of all new iMacs purchased have a glossy screen - guess it is the one to buy then!
Well, I just ordered one yesterday. Now I've got to cross my fingers
No matter what is released, there will always be people that have problems. and some of those people will talk and some blog will pick it up and often make it sound worse than it is. and that will be picked up by yet more blogs, blah blah. vicious cycle.
Folks that believe that Apple's stuff is always 100% perfect are just dumb. A computer, phone etc is a complex device. Faults happen. That's why Apple has to have protection coverage. If you get a lemon, you can get a new one. yes because this is a custom item it will take a tad longer cause they have to build you a new one, but they will do it. Because if they don't, they know they will be sued for all they are worth, including Steve's new liver.
But in the end, there are no facts being given. Are we talking 10 people out of 10, out of 100, out of 1000 etc. The greater the base number the greater that it is a fluke and not a design flaw.
Might be Apple's trend of reducing packages' size more and more each generation. A big machine like this needs padding and sturdy boxing--not measly packaging--shipping companies aren't known to handle packages with care.
Before u know it they will get rid of all packaging--perhaps wrapping your new computer in reynolds plastic wrap and that's it.
Got mine yesterday. The foam blocks are quite large (9"x9"x7"). No cracks. No boot problems. Fastest out of box to up and running experience I've ever had. Still need to mount the VESA adapter to it and hang it from Ergotron arm.
The screen is gorgeous. And I think I like the mouse. Migration of my account from Macbook went well (had to create a faux account on iMac because you can't transfer same named users running as that user).
In that case, more styrofoam would be a prudent step.
I'd wager that it's the ham-handed gorillas from UPS that are causing the problems, not the packaging. Have you ever seen those goons just chuck big boxes onto the ground or back into the truck? It's mind-boggling.
Indeed. The stores probably have the clout to file claims and such but unless the box is dented or ripped its hard for Joe Q to do that. And it doesn't help with getting a replacement when it's a build to order. It does make me wish that we could pick them up at the stores (still build to order but it goes there in the regular delivery pre-paid etc) but I get why that's not really an option. Too much hassle for the staff etc. Especially this time of year.
Might be Apple's trend of reducing packages' size more and more each generation. A big machine like this needs padding and sturdy boxing--not measly packaging--shipping companies aren't known to handle packages with care.
Before u know it they will get rid of all packaging--perhaps wrapping your new computer in reynolds plastic wrap and that's it.
I don't think anybody at Apple knows about starch-based, water soluble foam packaging. Using a material like that would give them an even "greener conscience", wouldn't it? That way they could use more packing material and still keep their"Al-Gore Environmental Activist Approval Rating".
While I don't doubt that some machines have shown up with problems, mine arrived in perfect condition. The only issues I've been facing are those associated with the Draconian copy protection routines that some software vendors choose to put on their software (e.g., Genuine Fractals -- still waiting for them to release the license to my new machine).
I wish those who've experienced problems well; it's got to be frustrating after the seemingly long wait...
I'd put more blame on UPS/FEDEX for their lousy handling of shipments before Apple. Let's face it Apple designs the fastest and most reliable products on the planet so I wouldn't put the blame on them.
One of our local Best Buy's has one of those cracked iMacs on display. I wonder what moronic manager decided that it's best to show a damaged iMac instead of a nice, clean one.
Comments
It would seem to me that the reduced styrofoam is all part of Apple's "going green" mission. Less styrofoam = less trash and waste that will hang around forever in landfills. That said, it is a little concerning that if people are paying well above $2000 for a top of the line iMac, Apple should at least be taking extra caution to provide ample cushioning that protects the computer during transit.
There are types of foam packaging materials that will dissolve upon coming in contact with water. Why not use one of those?
..The thick layer of glass on the iMac should be far less susceptible to breaking...
You would think, but that's not the case. Glass is strong but brittle to sudden shock, much like a rock (which glass really is just rock), and the thinner glass with a backing of plastic might be more resistant to shock, even though it's not as strong.
Additives can be added to glass during forming, to make it less brittle, but most likely effects the clarity. God knows we have enough issues with the reflections.
Got mine yesterday. ... Migration of my account from Macbook went well (had to create a faux account on iMac because you can't transfer same named users running as that user).
Did you not do the 'target disc' account transfer bit? I'm hoping that's still working...
"....... and by content I mean your entire room behind you. It gives you a whole new perspective on how to re-arrange your furniture. Beyond that you can gaze at your reflection while contemplating your next content revision or addition."
Ha! You got the tone exactly right.
27 inch i7. Booted up fine but fans were running at full speed - sounded like a vacuum cleaner running. No cracked screen though and except for the fan issue - seemed to work fine. Packaging seemed adequate as well. Screen is awesome. Return with Apple went ok at first - arranged for return shipping and the day after Fedex picked it up my account showed the replacement - but not shipping until Dec!
This is where it gets a little weird. I called Apple and they said my machine was actually already awaiting shipment (yay!) that it was given priority status and they would provide upgraded shipping - they even refunded my original shipping charges since I had paid for the 2-3 day shipping on the original. Very happy camper at this point. However...
It's been nearly a week and the status is still sitting at a ship date of Dec 2. I spoke with a rep again last night and he said it was NOT put on priority status and that it was in the queue like all the other orders. He did offer to "upgrade" my shipping to 2-3 days - odd since that should have been in the system already.
Bottom line - Apple doesn't appear to be doing anything special to get my replacement iMac to me and I'll just have to wait until Dec even though I originally placed the order on Oct 27.
All this sounds pretty typical for this type of fault. The i7s have only started shipping and there seems to be an excessive number of DOAs and other issues. This is likely a problem going back to the factory and those assembly issues will have to be worked out before it can ship. Good luck getting it shipped in a week if they problem is as large I think it is. usually I?d say BTO aren?t as common and so the queue is small but with the iMac just now moving to desktop-class CPUs and the Core i7s offering a lot of future-forward performance I think they may very popular BTO machines.
There are types of foam packaging materials that will dissolve upon coming in contact with water. Why not use one of those?
Is it safe to have these foams potentially dissolve into the aquifer?
I remember that video as well and I was struck by the same thing. Though I do have a glossy screen and love it.
Glad you like it! I'll buy my first glossy screen Mac soon too. The statistic is simple, 100% of all new iMacs purchased have a glossy screen - guess it is the one to buy then!
Is it safe to have these foams potentially dissolve into the aquifer?
That, I would not know.
Never buy a first batch of any machine on Earth.
Well, I just ordered one yesterday. Now I've got to cross my fingers
No matter what is released, there will always be people that have problems. and some of those people will talk and some blog will pick it up and often make it sound worse than it is. and that will be picked up by yet more blogs, blah blah. vicious cycle.
Folks that believe that Apple's stuff is always 100% perfect are just dumb. A computer, phone etc is a complex device. Faults happen. That's why Apple has to have protection coverage. If you get a lemon, you can get a new one. yes because this is a custom item it will take a tad longer cause they have to build you a new one, but they will do it. Because if they don't, they know they will be sued for all they are worth, including Steve's new liver.
But in the end, there are no facts being given. Are we talking 10 people out of 10, out of 100, out of 1000 etc. The greater the base number the greater that it is a fluke and not a design flaw.
Is it safe to have these foams potentially dissolve into the aquifer?
Here is some information on your inquiry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam_peanut
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=get...fier=ADA016127
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-11155414.html
Here is some information on your inquiry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam_peanut
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=get...fier=ADA016127
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-11155414.html
Thanks. Always love learning about new tech.
Before u know it they will get rid of all packaging--perhaps wrapping your new computer in reynolds plastic wrap and that's it.
Got mine yesterday. The foam blocks are quite large (9"x9"x7"). No cracks. No boot problems. Fastest out of box to up and running experience I've ever had. Still need to mount the VESA adapter to it and hang it from Ergotron arm.
The screen is gorgeous. And I think I like the mouse. Migration of my account from Macbook went well (had to create a faux account on iMac because you can't transfer same named users running as that user).
What model Ergotron are you using?
Thanks
In that case, more styrofoam would be a prudent step.
I'd wager that it's the ham-handed gorillas from UPS that are causing the problems, not the packaging. Have you ever seen those goons just chuck big boxes onto the ground or back into the truck? It's mind-boggling.
Indeed. The stores probably have the clout to file claims and such but unless the box is dented or ripped its hard for Joe Q to do that. And it doesn't help with getting a replacement when it's a build to order. It does make me wish that we could pick them up at the stores (still build to order but it goes there in the regular delivery pre-paid etc) but I get why that's not really an option. Too much hassle for the staff etc. Especially this time of year.
Might be Apple's trend of reducing packages' size more and more each generation. A big machine like this needs padding and sturdy boxing--not measly packaging--shipping companies aren't known to handle packages with care.
Before u know it they will get rid of all packaging--perhaps wrapping your new computer in reynolds plastic wrap and that's it.
I don't think anybody at Apple knows about starch-based, water soluble foam packaging. Using a material like that would give them an even "greener conscience", wouldn't it? That way they could use more packing material and still keep their"Al-Gore Environmental Activist Approval Rating".
I wish those who've experienced problems well; it's got to be frustrating after the seemingly long wait...
Greg
Wrong?
Here's another: http://www.bang-olufsen.com/beovision10-pr
How much pwnage can you stand?