27 inch imac problems universal?

No. Obviously not. If every 27-inch iMac had problems, Apple Discussions would have tens of thousands of new topic posts in this category. Actually, Apple's servers would have crashed before that happened.

And if you look at some of the replies to the existing topics, you will actually see some people taking the time to log in and post that their iMac has no problems. But since most customers would not bother to post that their iMac is working great and they are happy, for every problem post you read, you have no idea how many people (100, 1000, 10,000) are having no issues.

So I think your odds for a positive experience would have been very very good.

This problem could very well be universal. This is what is going to happen... At first, we're not really sure what is up. Some people say it's serious, while the "experts" tell us nothing is wrong and that it's all curable. Then more people start get infected. The next thing we know we're all quarantined on Manhattan while our wife and child die in a horrific helicopter crash!!!

And yes, my computer is plagued by these performance issues.

Did you try restarting from the included Mac OS X installation disc, erasing the internal drive using Disk Utility, and reinstalling a fresh default Snow Leopard system onto the blank drive?

I'm just curious to see if doing so resolves the problem or not...

+So,anyways, back to my first question: Is this problem universal?+

Yes, the problem of lots of complaint posts is universal - it happens every time a new product is introduced.

However, you should read through a few of the threads. As always, there are plenty of users posting amongst the complaints by others - that they have perfectly operating 27-inch iMacs. Has there ever been a new product introduced where we have not seen lots of these kinds of threads, with almost the same remarks each time?

Every product is too slow; or it doesn't connect; or it results in kernel panics; or it uses too much RAM or too much processor; or it's made from the wrong material; or it makes a noise never heard before; or the instructions are nowhere to be found; or its screen looks scratched/discolored. It's always something ..... isn't it?

It's simply the sour taste of a really big-ticket purchase not panning out as well as hoped by everyone. It's an awful lot like failing to win the lottery after you've already spent half the prize. Most of those with the sour taste come here, but most of those with the sweet taste are too busy to come here, or don't want to waste their time, or are too modest to crow. So, what's new?

my biggest fear, besides those quasi-zombies from I AM Legend, is that my iMac is a lemon. Should I be worried if my brand new machine is already acting the fool?

Did you try restarting from the included Mac OS X installation disc, erasing the internal drive using Disk Utility, and reinstalling a fresh default Snow Leopard system onto the blank drive?

I'm just curious to see if doing so resolves the problem or not...

+Should I be worried+

Not to my mind. You have a warranty from one of the financially strongest companies in the world, one which has millions upon millions of satisfied, even ecstatic customers. The worst that can happen is that Apple will agree it's a lemon and replace it and you'll have to do the setup and data transfer all over again.

If you already disposed of your previous system, I hope you have a good copy of all your prior data, hopefully left over from before you committed it to the safekeeping of this new system.

That said, if you have the urge to return the iMac, wait until the fix is made, then try again, no one here or anywhere else will fault you for it.

how can i convince apple that my 27" is a lemon. i want my money back, then i'm going to buy a quad core with a little more money saved up. will i have to pay that $100 restocking fee of which i've heard?

http://www.apple.com/legal/salespolicies/retailus.html

(if you purchased it at a retail Apple Store)

Erasing the hard drive and reinstalling the default Snow Leopard installation would be one what to show that it is "a lemon." If the reinstall resolves the problem, you don't have to return it.

The problem is with the ATI HD 4670 and the Airport.
Next Snow Leo update will hopefully fix this.
Had problems from the start with my 27", until I read on a forum that earlier when Macs with the ATI HD 4850 were released they had the exact same problem.

Temp. solution: Disable wireless and use cable until fix is released!
All my perf. issues are gone now.

i don't see how airport causes every single app to run like molasses.

Try turning OFF AirPort in System Preferences Network pane. Select AirPort in the sidebar and click +Turn AirPort Off+ button. You may want to Shut Down (power off) and restart. Even if you are not connected using an Ethernet cable, you can at least note if this resolves the general performance issue. If it does, in your case, the cause was this AirPort issue that others are reporting.

Still, others are reporting other potential causes (such as RAM or the need to erase and reinstall), and many others (the ones who bothered to post when they are not having any problems) are reporting no performance issues.

I can personally verify after experimenting myself that turning off airport and using a hardwired ethernet clears all the issues up. Go ahead and exchange to your hearts content people, until there's an update they're all going to do it.

Sorry chaps but I have a wired connection and no wireless in my house at all. My new 27 inch mac has a white line from top screen to bottom, keeps flashing white in different parts of the screen, goes dim whilst I am using it, goes black while I am using it, and various other niggle things wrong.

I phoned apple and went through ALL the above steps. Nothing has changed.

It also does this while I'm doing nothing and running no software as well as when I am usinfg the word processor or whatever.

I am on my second 27" IMac and having problems with it too.

This morning Applecare had me reinstall the OS
The only programs I have open are ITunes and ICal
I threw a folder 3.14 GB in the trash "preparing to empty" took 15 sec and took almost another 15 to actually empty.
I had another folder to trash the exact same size and when I clicked the OK to trash button it emptied so fast I didn't see or hear anything! I opened the trash can to make sure it was gone.

This new computer sure is wasting a lot of my time!

unhappy camper