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

I've been lurking here for a while, waiting for the right indications it is time to buy a 7i. What's kind of funny is that even though I have perfectly good machines for work and play, I'm seriously tempted to take a gamble and place an order. It really reflects my poor impulse control and out of control techno-**** that I can't manage to wait another month for the dust to settle.

I'm inclined to agree with pazuita that in fact, the odds are quite low of getting a defective machine - he's done the legwork in reviewing the postings here and elsewhere, rather than just speaking from a frustrating personal experience.

The i7, as a BTO machine, is not strictly speaking eligible for a refund. I think that were it, I would be more inclined to pull the trigger and order. But the flip side is, because I don't really need the machine, it's not THAT painful to go through an exchange process.

I'd be curious to hear from other lurking fence sitters what "signal" they are waiting for and their thinking is. I think the prudent approach, and the only meaningful "signal" to buy will be the release of Rev. B. But I think I may end up being imprudent nevertheless.

Wishing those facing the frustration of a defective machine a speedy and pain-free resolution.

WOW! ... no comment here.

When I was recently in an Apple Store I asked one of their sales people about screen problems with the iMac 27 in and they said that they had not heard of any recent problems. From the looks of this message board it would seem that they are still problems. Any ideas or comments on when it will be safe to buy a new iMac 27?

Maybe Apple tells us tomorrow, Jim. I'm in the same situation as you are, but we invited Apple to give us some informations
Jan 13, 17:00 GMT

Stay tuned!

Count me in as another lurker. I was originally planning on buying an iMac 8gb 2tb 27" before December but that's when I heard about the yellowing and flickering from fan sites. So I waited. And ever since around Christmas, I've been reading this thread at whatever page it was at back then til now, along with other threads like the "Yellow Tinge" thread.

My conclusion? I'm waiting. I hate waiting but Apple can't get my money unless they fix this problem and fix it now. As many others have stated, I'm not going to fork over nearly $3k on a computer and have to deal with these issues and possibly be forced to repair like I bought something refurbished. It simply isn't right.

Some have leaned either way on how prevalent the issue is, but I just can't fathom how the same exact people are getting repeat replacements with the same or worse defects. If it's not widespread and the odds are low that you'll get a bad machine, then how are the same people getting 2, 3, or even 4-5 replacements with the issues each time?

And if Apple doesn't fix this problem, then I'm gone. Simple as that. Oh, and I'm sure to tell all my friends and acquaintances about this too. Apple, please get it together.

By the way, a writer at Gizmodo is mad as **** too and needs our help in getting the word out. He has promised to write weekly updates on the matter publicly on the gadget blog. If the earlier suggestion that Apple is paying off sites to stay silent is true, they certainly haven't done so with the following site:

http://gizmodo.com/5436442/apple-has-thwarted-my-efforts-so-i-need-your-help

Yeah, Mark hasn't been updating as often as he said he would, but he did leave this short message on the site on Saturday:

"Worry Not Crusaders, I Haven’t Let Broken iMacs Off The Hook!
By Mark Wilson on January 9, 2010 at 11:46 AM

I promised a weekly update on yellow iMacs. But at CES, I haven’t been able to comb submissions enough to offer a proper rant. Know that I’m still on the case. And, from a quick perusal, iMacs are still shipping with yellow freggin screens."

From: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/01/worry-not-crusaders-i-havent-let-broken-imacs- off-the-hook/

After two computers, I went with a refurbished one and had the same problem.

Apple finally said that they have "found the problem" and told me to bring it in. They replaced the following:
Display, LCD Panel, 27 inch
Card, Video, ATI Radeon HD
Cable, V-Sync, LCD
It also says Harware Repair Level 2

So far I haven't had a problem (3 days). I want to forget about this huge MESS Apple has put us in...so I won't be back unless the flickering/blackouts appear again. God help us all.

I just want to add I think those that think this is just on a "small amount" of computers are both naive and a little crazy. In all respect though, there is just no way. I hope my little bit of information helps someone out there! Good Luck!

Yep, I too have been lurking for a month or two waiting to see what happens. I've been wanting to finally upgrade to an I7 but have been very hesitant because of my experience with Apple in the past. I have long suffered from the all too common defective memory slot problem which occurred about a year after purchase. That and other issues such as display artifacting, bad light sensors etc. Don't get me started on Ipods.....

I love the tech and every time I walk into the local Apple store I'm tempted to get it, but always walk out empty-handed because I've been burned so much in the past. I've got cash in hand waiting for a green light, but as usual all I hear is the persistent silence Apple is famous for. Good luck to all you early adopters. I really can't wait much longer, but will do whatever I can to avoid the typical screw job one gets from Apple.

HiFiRobbie wrote:
For the rest of the world...

That's 17:00 GMT or Zulu.

If you're still uncertain, go here:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html

Just be aware, that if the trolls are aware of this they may be circling like vultures.
They would gain much pleasure from pretending to be an Apple Rep, or by sabotaging any discussion with a legitimate Apple Rep by hurling abusive posts at the Rep. If I were Apple, I'd be steering well clear of such an invitation. It would feel like walking into an ambush.

Good luck to you though. I hope it works.

Stephanie,

So which cable are they replacing or is it all of them?

Russel

Got my iMac 27" at Christmas. Have had two problems with flickering and blacking out:

1) when I use the trial version of iWorks I've installed. It's fine when I shut down and reboot.

2) when I plugged in an external card reader. Again I had to reboot to stop the flickering.

Hope this helps someone put the pieces together. Was interested in buying iWorks, but not now.

How many of you having a negative tech support experience have purchased AppleCare?

I'd just like to know if that is a factor. I've heard that people with AppleCare get preferential treatment.

Thanks

Russel

I've been waiting to see if the smoke clears but I am being driven by my failing G5 Tower, which is ominously circling the drain. Were it not for this, I would be inclined to wait until this all sorted itself out, but because of the imminent demise of my main work computer, I am very close to ordering a 27" iMac i7. The criteria that I am using to justify this to myself is that there seems to be a pattern of users indicating success when the LCD and cable are replaced. Given this, my thinking is that I might either 1) simply get a good machine on the order or 2) at worst have to take it into my Apple store for those replacements. Since my Apple store is only a few miles away, this isn't a drastic option.

Of course, there is no guarantee that Apple will authorize that particular fix, as some have reported that Apple is still swapping out the graphics cards, but it seems like this fix is becoming the de facto standard and is being implemented with success.

I may take this leap in the next few days and if so, of course, I will report my situation when the iMac finally arrives.

I have AppleCare, and no preferential treatment; they only offer for me to send in my imac for repair, not replacement.

(Though, they did not hesitate to immediately ship me out a new wireless keyboard, as the one packaged with my imac did not work at all; the replacement arrived the next morning, a saturday delivery no less, and worked right away. So, they DID do a direct replacement for that piece of hardware; why not the other piece - the imac itself? what is the policy then?)

One Hundred & Eighty Three Pages & Counting. Is this not the the World's Guinness Book of Forum Posts? Jeez, Of all the times I pick to buy a Computer & then the one I pick. The stupid thing is I ordered it first & then I researched the Problems. But when I ordered it in November, the posts were not so plentiful.