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

Simon (UK) wrote:

DrummerGS wrote:

I am about to order a 27" i5 iMac. Should I wait until that problem gets fixed or should I just go ahead and get it? What do you guys think? I was really going to order it tomorrow morning but I get on the forums and see this topic... Really freaking me out.

Whatever may be going on with the iMacs at the moment, Apple's customer service isn't affected. So don't worry, be positive. If you want a new iMac then go ahead and order one. Should you receive anything less than a faultless computer then it will be replaced. I should be receiving my i7 replacement within the next few days. I'm not worried. I've had many Apple products over the years, all of which have been faultless. I don't have to assume this one won't be too.

Simon, while your intentions are good, I think your logic is a bit off. I'm not sure if it's the sheer volume of posts here or bluebermuda's continual browbeating of the simple fact: these computers are suffering from multiple systemic display issues which are likely caused by multiple quality issues.

Connecting the flicker issue to the yellow tint issue is unlikely, same for the horizontal lines. Some unlucky owners are having to deal with one, two, or all three of the reported problems, and the odds of getting lucky by dodging the issues are getting lower and lower it seems.

DrummerGS: You have every reason to be freaked out, and as I've said in other posts, am itching to pull the trigger on a new i7 with most of the trimmings. But as bluebermuda has said, the time penalty, patience testing, and increased frustration to have to receive, diagnose, ship back, and repeat just to get a working iMac just isn't worth it for me. Nor should it be for anyone.

Dirty Harry summed it up best: You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?

atlatnesiti wrote: +947 iMac i7 (received on 23rd Nov.) and NO problems at all+

ditto. (arrived on the same date too)

mtwhitley wrote:
27" i7 W8947 Has the same flickering and tearing.

Here is my proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tp4VkO761s

Freeze frames have been added to make the tearing easier to see.

Yikes. This is the first flicker report I recall seeing that involved a week 47 model (which I have).

Hi GSears,

Looking just at your screen pics - specifically, the pics that don't have the levels increased (first, third, and fifth, right?), your screen looks pretty good too me. I think I can see a slight bit of "warming" in the bottom bar of the third screen shot, but I'm not sure that's a flaw in a system not being sold as a professional, color accurate setup. Although it's tough to tell by looking at a picture of a screen, on another screen, I think the condition of your screen looks much like mine. I believe other folks that report the yellowing are having much more noticeable yellow patches or areas.

will have a I7 27inch 8gig ram and 2 tB HD , arrive any min via UPS. Probably around 11:00 EST and will check in again with batch number and status,...

I would expect Apple to find whats happening and keep on standing behind their products, and nothing less

Ryan Smith13 wrote:

Simon, while your intentions are good, I think your logic is a bit off. I'm not sure if it's the sheer volume of posts here or bluebermuda's continual browbeating of the simple fact: these computers are suffering from multiple systemic display issues which are likely caused by multiple quality issues.

That's a fair point Ryan, and perhaps you're right, but we should still keep things in perspective here. This still appears to be a relatively minor problem, in comparison to how many new iMacs have been sold, although it does seem to be a somewhat 'larger' minor problem than has been around previously. Were it any more than that it would have certainly blown up in Apple's face, and as far as I can tell it's not done so. I have every faith that the newly built machines shipping from China shortly, of which one is mine, will have no problems. If it turns out that I'm wrong, I will of course let you all know.

I guess Im just the unlucky one. It's definately a 947 and I received it on 11/23 too.

mert wrote:
Hi GSears,

Looking just at your screen pics - specifically, the pics that don't have the levels increased (first, third, and fifth, right?), your screen looks pretty good too me. I think I can see a slight bit of "warming" in the bottom bar of the third screen shot, but I'm not sure that's a flaw in a system not being sold as a professional, color accurate setup. Although it's tough to tell by looking at a picture of a screen, on another screen, I think the condition of your screen looks much like mine. I believe other folks that report the yellowing are having much more noticeable yellow patches or areas.

Hey Mert,

I hear you... it's no doubt subtle. And I probably could get over the yellowing areas, but the dirty spot in the center of the screen is what's really getting me. Plus, $2K on an item that is calling out it's screen to be the best in the industry, shouldn't be doing this. Oh well, maybe it's just not meant to be. As for the flickering, day two on the 947 and no signs.

I don't doubt you see something you don't like, but I just can't see it on your (non-level-increased) screen pics. I'm looking at them using an Apple aluminum 20inch (matte) Cinema Display.

+"Plus, $2K on an item that is calling out it's screen to be the best in the industry, shouldn't be doing this."+
It might be the best in the industry for a +consumer, all-in-one system+.
See the goal posts moving

+"As for the flickering, day two on the 947 and no signs."+
Ah. Silver lining?

Just got my 2nd iMac 4 hours ago. Production Date Week 46. Result: 3 dead pixels and instant flickering right after first boot. Nice Quality management Already called Apple for the next replacement. Third try, will keep you informed.

11:11 here and no Imac,..will post what I see

My first and second with flickering problem was W8943 Still haven´t got my 3rd as promised in the shop where bought it?
(The second one also started to get "dead" pixels after flickering!!!)

But i got one at work, wich has W8942 , it has been working with no kind of problems for almost a month!

I hope that I get one at home that works the 3rd time!

Mine had very intermittent flickering.. it would only occur after a day or so after I reset the iMac by unplugging everything from the back and reconnecting after 60 seconds. The 4th time I got tired of having to do that so I called Apple and they are sending a replacement. I have an W8945 serial...expect the replacement in about 2 weeks so I'm hoping it's a late enough batch where they'll have corrected the issue, and any others out there.

There are now reports of a frozen screen and pixel blotch screen contamination across the iMac screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVHCn9VSyIA

Didn't you mean "a report"