I just spent a few hours on our last G5 at the office. The difference in colors and hues when moving your head just a few inches is quite noticeable. It's a 20" matte screen.
It looks dull and uneven compared to the 27". I cannot believe anyone would prefer it, though I accept that people with bright lights behind them would be too distracted from glare. But how fun is it to work on a matte monitor with its own drawbacks?
I still think it'd be preferable to organize your work area to minimize the glare and buy the much better monitor. I remember some of those old style CRTs had hoods and what not.
The difference is so incredible that I don't see Apple going back to matte on the iMac. Side-by-side, only people with serious beefs about glare and inability to devise a workspace to minimize glare would opt for matte.
In all fairness, the differences you are likely seeing are not so much between matte v. glossy, but a new LED backlight with 375 cd/m2 brightness v. a well used LCD backlight. And an IPS display with a 178° viewing angle and a 109ppi and contrast ratio of 1000:1 v. whatever your 20” has. If it’s the 20” ACD then it is an IPS with 178° viewing angle but it only has 99ppi, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 700:1 contrast ratio.
I also find it weird that these issues are only happening with the Core i7 iMacs. Kinda makes you wonder if they are opening up i5's once they're off the assembly line and upgrading them to i7's manually. Possibly rushing to get all this done and either forgetting to attach some cables or being careless when reassembling them?
I wonder how close the i5 & i7 assembly lines are in proximity? Close enough to make your supposition a reality, maybe? What you say might be possible, but wouldn't Apple have Q.C. people on site to stop them?
I wonder how close the i5 & i7 assembly lines are in proximity? Close enough to make your supposition a reality, maybe? What you say might be possible, but wouldn't Apple have Q.C. people on site to stop them?
Apple QC has been somewhat iffy this past year and they have trouble keeping up with demand as well... eg. iMac 27", iPhone 3GS.
In all fairness, the differences you are likely seeing are not so much between matte v. glossy, but a new LED backlight with 375 cd/m2 brightness v. a well used LCD backlight and an IPS display with a 178° viewing angle and a 109ppi and contrast ratio of 1000:1 v. whatever your 20” has. If it’s the 20” ACD then it is an IPS with 178° viewing angle but it only has 99ppi, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 700:1 contrast ratio.
Yeah, what he said.
Just kidding, I just wanted to say you are probably the most consistent and insightful poster on AI, the antithesis of resident AI heckler- aka Teckstud.
Just kidding, I just wanted to say you are probably the most consistent and insightful poster on AI, the antithesis of resident AI heckler- aka Teckstud.
Don't understand why this problem only would affect the iMac i7 and not the i5 (which I've ordered)...
i7 is a custom build Mac. When you order a custom build Mac, the order goes to China, they put your machine together and then TNT comes and picks it up from Shanghai and ships to to your door - usually dropping it or throwing it around several times on the way - like the man did on Monday with my i7 as he unloaded it from the TNT van (no damage luckily).
If you buy a non custom build machine, including the i5, TNT goes to some local place where Apple have stashed a load of machines that they brought over as a job lot. Presumably on a nice big palette wrapped in bubble/shrink wrap that no one can easily pick up never mind drop.
I just spent a few hours on our last G5 at the office. The difference in colors and hues when moving your head just a few inches is quite noticeable. It's a 20" matte screen.
It looks dull and uneven compared to the 27". I cannot believe anyone would prefer it, though I accept that people with bright lights behind them would be too distracted from glare. But how fun is it to work on a matte monitor with its own drawbacks?
For myself, glare isn't a mere distraction; it causes pretty serious strain and significant pain (and this coming from someone with a high pain pain threshold). If I wanted to suffer I'd be using a PC! And arranging a room specifically to eliminate glare isn't always an option. Heh I just might have to resort to an old CRT glare hood.
The bottom line: Would it really be that hard for Apple to offer a BTO matte option for those who need it?
I'm a newbie to Apple and I got an i7 for Christmas. You bet after reading the article I went and opened up the box and powered that sucker on. I was lucky, no cracks and it booted right to the set-up screens. I did notice a cluster of 5 - 10 pixels that were dark on the lower left hand side...maybe it needed to warm-up?
On a sidenote....it was pretty! (Repacked and back to the closet.)
I'm a newbie to Apple and I got an i7 for Christmas. You bet after reading the article I went and opened up the box and powered that sucker on. I was lucky, no cracks and it booted right to the set-up screens. I did notice a cluster of 5 - 10 pixels that were dark on the lower left hand side...maybe it needed to warm-up?
On a sidenote....it was pretty! (Repacked and back to the closet.)
A great way to be introduced to the Mac and OSX!
However, perhaps you were fishing for an excuse to get your Christmas present out again! The screen of my MacBook Pro was readily replaced for less than 10 dark pixels. With a month remaining until Christmas and to be sure of avoiding disappointment on the day, I suggest that you again unpack the system and go over it with a critical eye. Satisfy yourself that everything truly IS okay. Those 5 to 10 dark pixels don't need to warm up.
My MacBook Pro has also had the hard drive and main board replaced and wireless performance is flaky at best.
It seems to me that those components of the system directly under Apple's control, such as housings (and associated form factor) and specialised electronics are of the highest standard, whereas those components sourced from industry in general, such as hard drives, graphics cards, panels and most electronics, are of no higher quality that those employed in many other systems.
It is possible the boxes have fallen on their face or back. That would stress the corners of the screen and may lead to failures. All the Plasma boxes I have seen say to ship the screens vertically, the Apple box is not so marked. Apple may have to specify that in the future on the outer packaging. My i5 did arrive without any cracks.
I'm a Network Engineer for FedEx and have spent much time in the sort hub facilities and the local station facilities. It doesn't matter how you label a box. They will be handled roughly. It's the nature of a fast turn around shipping company. Between the automated sort belt systems, the airplanes, trucks, and the handlers, things are going to get bounced around. No avoiding it. You have to design your product and packaging to handle rough treatment, or they will never make it through a fast delivery system...
Got my new machine Monday the 16th. Would start up with no display. You could hear the start up program running, but the display only brightened up a little. First call to Apple told me to take it to the Apple store the next day (even though it was a custom telephone order). They confirmed the DOA but said they couldn't help me return it. Back to the phone, took an hour to get connected to someone from corporate telephone orders ( I used a corporate discount). He promised RMA info within 24 hours. 48 hours later, no RMA information. Called back, went through a bit of a run around until I got back to the guy who said 24 hours, and he got the RMA sent. Also, told me my replacement would ship as soon as FedEx picked up my busted machine on Friday. Didn't happen. Just checked and the 2nd day RMA delivered Apple in PA on Tuesday, 11/24, but no indication that my replacement machine will ship anytime soon.
I've been buying Mac's since the mid 80's and tons of other Apple equipment. Really disappointed in the slow response.
I purchased the iMac i7 on 10 Nov. It is departing Pampanga, Phillipines today according to UPS. Will let you know if it is damaged. If it is I will ask for my money back if that is possible. This unit is a Christmas gift to my wife and I need something the same that works. I'm feeling a bit rough right now not knowing if I will have a serviceable machine. Imagine, my first Apple computer and it's broken? That would really suck.
Also, told me my replacement would ship as soon as FedEx picked up my busted machine on Friday. Didn't happen. Just checked and the 2nd day RMA delivered Apple in PA on Tuesday, 11/24, but no indication that my replacement machine will ship anytime soon.
I've been buying Mac's since the mid 80's and tons of other Apple equipment. Really disappointed in the slow response.
It does suck to have any product not work when you get it, especially a high ticket item, but at least you know you won?t be losing your money so there isn?t much to worry about except for some inconvenience. I?d call back and threaten to have your money refunded. You?re likely to get some extra ?consideration? for your troubles if you go that route.
Shipping the replacement after they get the old one is standard procedure, but this issue seems to be more than the occasional problem with CE. It looks more like a factory issue so getting a new one shipped immediately isn?t going to happen if that is the problem. They?d have to find the issue and then resolve it satisfactorily. That could mean changing the packaging, retraining workers or forcing a factory manager to take his own life. Apsynknod said his just shipped today so maybe that is a good sign that problems have been resolved.
A bunch of computers with cracks on one corner and/or dead hard drives... sounds to me like someone dropped a shipping crate or banged a container a little too hard and didn't tell anyone.
A bunch of computers with cracks on one corner and/or dead hard drives... sounds to me like someone dropped a shipping crate or banged a container a little too hard and didn't tell anyone.
Could be since it seems to be only 27? iMacs with Core i7s, but how many 27? iMacs fit on a palette. The number of complaints seems to be more than the number I?d assume fit on a palette.
Could be since it seems to be only 27” iMacs with Core i7s, but how many 27” iMacs fit on a palette. The number of complaints seems to be more than the number I’d assume fit on a palette.
from what ive seen on these boards, it seems to inadequate packaging to go around the unit to help protect it against rough shipping conditions.
A bunch of computers with cracks on one corner and/or dead hard drives... sounds to me like someone dropped a shipping crate or banged a container a little too hard and didn't tell anyone.
I don't think such accident would create crack on the same place for them all.
If they go through automated packing (a machine packs them into boxes), I'd say maybe machine is not tuned well - maybe because of bigger unit size than previous units packed on same production line? - and in the process of packing is applying pressure/bump to that corner. That misbehaviour is outside of the limits, but probably not too much, so not every unit gets damaged.
I'm a newbie to Apple and I got an i7 for Christmas. You bet after reading the article I went and opened up the box and powered that sucker on. I was lucky, no cracks and it booted right to the set-up screens. I did notice a cluster of 5 - 10 pixels that were dark on the lower left hand side...maybe it needed to warm-up?
On a sidenote....it was pretty! (Repacked and back to the closet.)
Umm... unless you want to be let down on Christmas, I would say you have to open it back on and check those pixels. There's some "dead pixel tester" programs out there.
I know, ruins the Christmas feel somewhat but better safe than sorry right? Besides, Christmas is about more than fancy iMacs
All the best Consider making your first use of the iMac to make an online donation to a suitable charity of your choice.
Comments
I just spent a few hours on our last G5 at the office. The difference in colors and hues when moving your head just a few inches is quite noticeable. It's a 20" matte screen.
It looks dull and uneven compared to the 27". I cannot believe anyone would prefer it, though I accept that people with bright lights behind them would be too distracted from glare. But how fun is it to work on a matte monitor with its own drawbacks?
I still think it'd be preferable to organize your work area to minimize the glare and buy the much better monitor. I remember some of those old style CRTs had hoods and what not.
The difference is so incredible that I don't see Apple going back to matte on the iMac. Side-by-side, only people with serious beefs about glare and inability to devise a workspace to minimize glare would opt for matte.
In all fairness, the differences you are likely seeing are not so much between matte v. glossy, but a new LED backlight with 375 cd/m2 brightness v. a well used LCD backlight. And an IPS display with a 178° viewing angle and a 109ppi and contrast ratio of 1000:1 v. whatever your 20” has. If it’s the 20” ACD then it is an IPS with 178° viewing angle but it only has 99ppi, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 700:1 contrast ratio.
I also find it weird that these issues are only happening with the Core i7 iMacs. Kinda makes you wonder if they are opening up i5's once they're off the assembly line and upgrading them to i7's manually. Possibly rushing to get all this done and either forgetting to attach some cables or being careless when reassembling them?
I wonder how close the i5 & i7 assembly lines are in proximity? Close enough to make your supposition a reality, maybe? What you say might be possible, but wouldn't Apple have Q.C. people on site to stop them?
I wonder how close the i5 & i7 assembly lines are in proximity? Close enough to make your supposition a reality, maybe? What you say might be possible, but wouldn't Apple have Q.C. people on site to stop them?
Apple QC has been somewhat iffy this past year and they have trouble keeping up with demand as well... eg. iMac 27", iPhone 3GS.
In all fairness, the differences you are likely seeing are not so much between matte v. glossy, but a new LED backlight with 375 cd/m2 brightness v. a well used LCD backlight and an IPS display with a 178° viewing angle and a 109ppi and contrast ratio of 1000:1 v. whatever your 20” has. If it’s the 20” ACD then it is an IPS with 178° viewing angle but it only has 99ppi, 300 cd/m2 brightness and 700:1 contrast ratio.
Yeah, what he said.
Just kidding, I just wanted to say you are probably the most consistent and insightful poster on AI, the antithesis of resident AI heckler- aka Teckstud.
When do you get promoted to Global Moderator?
Keep up the good work!
DP
Yeah, what he said.
Just kidding, I just wanted to say you are probably the most consistent and insightful poster on AI, the antithesis of resident AI heckler- aka Teckstud.
Thank you.
Don't understand why this problem only would affect the iMac i7 and not the i5 (which I've ordered)...
i7 is a custom build Mac. When you order a custom build Mac, the order goes to China, they put your machine together and then TNT comes and picks it up from Shanghai and ships to to your door - usually dropping it or throwing it around several times on the way - like the man did on Monday with my i7 as he unloaded it from the TNT van (no damage luckily).
If you buy a non custom build machine, including the i5, TNT goes to some local place where Apple have stashed a load of machines that they brought over as a job lot. Presumably on a nice big palette wrapped in bubble/shrink wrap that no one can easily pick up never mind drop.
I just spent a few hours on our last G5 at the office. The difference in colors and hues when moving your head just a few inches is quite noticeable. It's a 20" matte screen.
It looks dull and uneven compared to the 27". I cannot believe anyone would prefer it, though I accept that people with bright lights behind them would be too distracted from glare. But how fun is it to work on a matte monitor with its own drawbacks?
For myself, glare isn't a mere distraction; it causes pretty serious strain and significant pain (and this coming from someone with a high pain pain threshold). If I wanted to suffer I'd be using a PC!
The bottom line: Would it really be that hard for Apple to offer a BTO matte option for those who need it?
On a sidenote....it was pretty! (Repacked and back to the closet.)
Thank you.
Are you writing posts to yourself again?
I'm a newbie to Apple and I got an i7 for Christmas. You bet after reading the article I went and opened up the box and powered that sucker on. I was lucky, no cracks and it booted right to the set-up screens. I did notice a cluster of 5 - 10 pixels that were dark on the lower left hand side...maybe it needed to warm-up?
On a sidenote....it was pretty! (Repacked and back to the closet.)
A great way to be introduced to the Mac and OSX!
However, perhaps you were fishing for an excuse to get your Christmas present out again! The screen of my MacBook Pro was readily replaced for less than 10 dark pixels. With a month remaining until Christmas and to be sure of avoiding disappointment on the day, I suggest that you again unpack the system and go over it with a critical eye. Satisfy yourself that everything truly IS okay. Those 5 to 10 dark pixels don't need to warm up.
My MacBook Pro has also had the hard drive and main board replaced and wireless performance is flaky at best.
It seems to me that those components of the system directly under Apple's control, such as housings (and associated form factor) and specialised electronics are of the highest standard, whereas those components sourced from industry in general, such as hard drives, graphics cards, panels and most electronics, are of no higher quality that those employed in many other systems.
Welcome to AI.
It is possible the boxes have fallen on their face or back. That would stress the corners of the screen and may lead to failures. All the Plasma boxes I have seen say to ship the screens vertically, the Apple box is not so marked. Apple may have to specify that in the future on the outer packaging. My i5 did arrive without any cracks.
I'm a Network Engineer for FedEx and have spent much time in the sort hub facilities and the local station facilities. It doesn't matter how you label a box. They will be handled roughly. It's the nature of a fast turn around shipping company. Between the automated sort belt systems, the airplanes, trucks, and the handlers, things are going to get bounced around. No avoiding it. You have to design your product and packaging to handle rough treatment, or they will never make it through a fast delivery system...
I've been buying Mac's since the mid 80's and tons of other Apple equipment. Really disappointed in the slow response.
Also, told me my replacement would ship as soon as FedEx picked up my busted machine on Friday. Didn't happen. Just checked and the 2nd day RMA delivered Apple in PA on Tuesday, 11/24, but no indication that my replacement machine will ship anytime soon.
I've been buying Mac's since the mid 80's and tons of other Apple equipment. Really disappointed in the slow response.
It does suck to have any product not work when you get it, especially a high ticket item, but at least you know you won?t be losing your money so there isn?t much to worry about except for some inconvenience. I?d call back and threaten to have your money refunded. You?re likely to get some extra ?consideration? for your troubles if you go that route.
Shipping the replacement after they get the old one is standard procedure, but this issue seems to be more than the occasional problem with CE. It looks more like a factory issue so getting a new one shipped immediately isn?t going to happen if that is the problem. They?d have to find the issue and then resolve it satisfactorily. That could mean changing the packaging, retraining workers or forcing a factory manager to take his own life. Apsynknod said his just shipped today so maybe that is a good sign that problems have been resolved.
A bunch of computers with cracks on one corner and/or dead hard drives... sounds to me like someone dropped a shipping crate or banged a container a little too hard and didn't tell anyone.
Could be since it seems to be only 27? iMacs with Core i7s, but how many 27? iMacs fit on a palette. The number of complaints seems to be more than the number I?d assume fit on a palette.
Could be since it seems to be only 27” iMacs with Core i7s, but how many 27” iMacs fit on a palette. The number of complaints seems to be more than the number I’d assume fit on a palette.
from what ive seen on these boards, it seems to inadequate packaging to go around the unit to help protect it against rough shipping conditions.
A bunch of computers with cracks on one corner and/or dead hard drives... sounds to me like someone dropped a shipping crate or banged a container a little too hard and didn't tell anyone.
I don't think such accident would create crack on the same place for them all.
If they go through automated packing (a machine packs them into boxes), I'd say maybe machine is not tuned well - maybe because of bigger unit size than previous units packed on same production line? - and in the process of packing is applying pressure/bump to that corner. That misbehaviour is outside of the limits, but probably not too much, so not every unit gets damaged.
I'm a newbie to Apple and I got an i7 for Christmas. You bet after reading the article I went and opened up the box and powered that sucker on. I was lucky, no cracks and it booted right to the set-up screens. I did notice a cluster of 5 - 10 pixels that were dark on the lower left hand side...maybe it needed to warm-up?
On a sidenote....it was pretty! (Repacked and back to the closet.)
Umm... unless you want to be let down on Christmas, I would say you have to open it back on and check those pixels. There's some "dead pixel tester" programs out there.
I know, ruins the Christmas feel somewhat but better safe than sorry right? Besides, Christmas is about more than fancy iMacs
All the best