Q: New iMac 27inch screen flickering/tearing/shutoff

According to chipmunk.nl/cgi-fast/applemodel.cgi the serial number says:

Name: iMac Intel (mid 2009-i7)
Group1: iMac
Group2: Intel
Generation: 8
ModelCode: imacmid09
CPU speed: 2.8GHz
Screen size: 27 inch
Screen resolution: 2560x1440 pixels
Memory - number of slots: 4
Factory: W8 (Shanghai China)
Model introduced: 2009
Production year: 2009
Production week: 52 (December)
Production number: 5095 (within this week)

Looks, like they didn't change much (if anything at all) to the units made towards the end of 2009.

Hi Dino!

My idea is not a joke. This is a very special situation and we have here a very special thread with very special persons. Apple can only win, when they take us a little bit serious. We hope for some answers:

Jan 13 ... 11.00 AM ... and please don't forget us!

citrus 101, no way was I taking what you said as a Joke. If it's happening, I will be there. But 11 am in what Time Zone ? People are in different Time Zones. Yea let's do it!
I'm US Central time. I can go to my iPod & find out. Thanks.

Seems there are still a ton made last year floating around. I'm hoping for some 2010, Week 02.
But I've even seen a couple from Week 02 with defects also.

Clear ... US central time, so they have exactly two days for us. I don't know, but I feel Apple will be here!

Ciao Dino

i would hold much hope!!

what times that for us brits??? its 8.33pm here

My 27" iMac (2.8GHz Quad i7/2TB with ATI Radeon HD 4850 - Week 47) presented with the screen flickering/black screen problems after 5 to 6 days of use. Using the greycheck image, I can confirm that it also has the yellow tint problems on the bottom of the screen.

Firmware update does not sort out the issue, and screen flickering problems disappear after shutdown/restart. Display has exactly same behaviour as youtube link in the initial post. I am waiting to hear from my authorized reseller whether they will repair or replace the mac. Has anyone had a repair that resolved the issue?

Hi sparkie,

let's do it!!!

Citrus101, your in Italy. So are you saying 11 AM US Central Time? Sorry I'm comfued! It's 2:35 PM Right Now Where I live in Florida, US.

Back in December I was looking forward to purchasing a 27 inch iMac, but then heard about the screen problems and held off. I thought Apple would clarify the extent of the problem and what they were planning to do to fix it. However Apple's silence and the consumer nightmares I am reading about on this thread have convinced me NOT to buy an iMac and to stick with my PC. It is disgusting to read about Apple being awash in billions of dollars, while such problems in Apple's flagship computer are being swept under the carpet by the "secretive" PR people at the company. I suppose they have someone who has figured out that Apple can bear the reputational damage and thrive just fine. I would have preferred however a company that treats every customer with the respect deserved.

Has anyone seen an update on the issue on any of the major review websites or print media? They all seem to have gone quiet on the issue since around December 21, even though there are reports that Apple's fix does not necessarily correct the screen problems. Maybe it is that the forthcoming iSlate is absorbing everyone's attention...?

No problem for us in Europe,

we meet Jan 13 ... 11.00 AM ... US Central Time

Yea, Apple will talk to us!

oooh im 6 hours in the future to you!!! i think anyway

you should make it around 12pm so its tea time here and the brits can tune in..

ill be so so so surprised if apple come on here though, maybe someone should email that email address stating that it would be good for them to go on here?

It sounds like citrus101 already has people lined up for us to talk to.
I guess we'll all just post back & forth. Kind of like IMing but not in real time.

I agree that it would be nice if Apple gave us some official statements on known problems with their new computers. I doubt; however, this will happen anytime soon here.

As I have said before here, IMO sending the units back is an option before the 14 day deadline, might be good for many here. To me after viewing various comments both here and on MacRumors I have noted that at least one person sent nine 27 iMacs back, only to get another with the same problem (Flickering, Yellow Tinge or HD problems.) (I really wonder about this person and if it is true.) I think I would have given up if it happened to me!

Any way, I chose to not send my flickering 27 iMac back to Apple and instead to deal with with both the Tech at Apple and the local Apple store. The Tech called the local Apple store and made all the appointments, etc. I'm not going to repeat all the details again; however, after two visits my iMac had the firmware applied and the screen and cable replaced. This apparently cured my flickering problem. (The Firmware didn't.)

Any way, depending on your location and the availability of an Apple store, etc. I think in most cases, one might be better off going the same route I took, rather with playing 'Russian Roulette' sending your machine back and getting another problem child in return.

In any case, I think it's a good idea given this 27 iMac's track record so far, to invest in Apple care. I did and will keep doing it!

BTW: 01/04/2010 (New screen & Cable) to 01/11/2010 Still no flickering or blackouts!

Tom, great to hear your still chugging along. The Screen & Screen Cable is the Fix. There are other people on here having success with that fix. It's going to cost Apple a lot of money to replace all these defective screens & cables. You know, I still have not exchanged mine since I got it but I might take a chance at one exchange, after that if that one is bad, I'll get a Refund.