I just bought and received a new 21.5'' iMac and love it but the screen is making a high pitched noise, similar to a dog whistle. It's that sound that isn't loud but pierces through your brain. And the brighter the backlight is, the louder is gets.
What do you guys think? I love this machine but I don't think it should be doing this and it bothers the heck out of me. Maybe a call to Apple is in order?
I had Apple on the phone yesterday and they told me they are not aware of a global issue. But apparently some series have this problem. My store is currently checking if they can find one without the issue, until now they weren't lucky on that.
Let us know what happens
What do you mean by 'some series?' my third replacement will be here on Monday, directly off the production line in China. If that has it, then it's safe to assume that they're aren't different series.
Icant see apple discovering the problem then having production in china change the defective parts in a matter of two weeks.
Hi guys. I am in the UK and I have notice exactly the same problem! High pitched whining sound decreased by reducing the brightness. Sound is quiet and you have to listen for it. This is my third Imac. Swapped one because of dust under the screen and one because two days later they released the 21.5". I really cannot be bothered to go back to the apple store. However, is this a problem that is going to get progressively worse?
Also I see little point in trading it for a new one because you guys are from USA and Germany, meaning there must be 1000s of units affected. Also no one has managed to have the issue solved by swapping your machines?
I think I shall be calling apple to make them aware about the problem and if they decide to officially recognise the problem and provide solution for it get it fixed then!
Hello!
I'm from Vienna, Austria and got my new 21.5" iMac (bought in the Apple online store) on Friday. It has exactly the same problem as described in the first post. I will speak to an Apple Service Center here in Vienna next week ... let's see what they will do with my iMac ... This noise is not loud but it's really disturbing.
Same problem here with my 21.5". At full brightness and the very lowest brightness settings, the sound goes almost entirely out of my range of hearing but in between, it becomes rather prevalent. It does not seem to be worsening though and I can imagine there are some people who don't even hear it at all due to loss of frequency range in their hearing with age.
For the record, the Magic Mouse that came with my system makes a high pitched sound as well but only when you hold the bottom to your ear. 🙂 Amusingly, it's when the green LED is on - if you cover the lens to shut off the green LED, the sound lessens/goes away.
I also have the problem with my 21.5". However, the noise level goes down when you rise the brightness, and it disappears totally if the brightness level is under half. I'm not sure if I should return this model. It does not seem as bad as it could be when reading other users problems.
Just got a replacement and have the same issue as well. I got an upgrade though to the better video card, but still have the issue. Anyway... perhaps there will be a firware update some time for this. It doesn't seem to bother me all the much and I got the shades program that can dim the screen with no pitch problems!
Has anyone noticed any backlight leakage when they have a fully black screen? I have two points at the top of the screen and when the screen is all black it appears a little grey?
Latest news is that Apple is apparently working on a new replacement procedure for all the units having the display problem. My reseller told me he's awaiting a phone call from Apple this afternoon. They did some further checks in their other shops and ALL the 27inch displays have the issue. Apparently their 21.5inch displays are fine.
I'm awaiting further news...and I'm about to return the unit and wait a few months before getting a new one.