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Level 1

11 points

iMac 5k screen glare renders it unusable

Hi,

I´ve just bought an iMac 5k. The glare from the screen is blinding and I can't focus. It seems to be really damaging my eyes. I´m not talking about a reflection but the light from the display itself. I´m not sure how to describe it - radioactive comes to mind! - like staring at the sun!

It has rendered it practically unusable for me and it´s not question of the light intensity. Whether the light dimmer is high or low I can't bare to work on it for more than five minutes.

I rang Apple but no solution could be found, nor did they really understand what I was experiencing. Unfortunately, I bought it at an electronics store where they don't accept returns on Apple products (I´m in Spain and this seems to be the norm when you buy in non-apple walk-in stores)

I´d be very interested to hear if other people are experienceing a similar problem. I don't have this problem with my iPad or any other displays. I´ve considered an anti-glare protector but I´m not sure if that will fix my problem, and they´re quite expensive so I´d need to be sure before I purchased one.

Any feedback would be really appreciated

iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 16, 2015 12:27 PM

25 replies

notcloudy

Level 4

1,252 points

Apr 17, 2015 6:37 AM in response to Stphnlgn

Stphnlgn wrote:

The stores are very bright so I never noticed any problem and I didn't spend very long looking. I should go to a store I check the iMacs out there. I´ve tried everything possible - changing the brightness, calibrating the colours and changing the resolution but it doesn´t help. It´s more like radiation! - it´s blinding. Maybe it would be best to say that it´s a glow.

Thanks for your ideas. I think going to a shop and checking them out there will show me if it´s a defect or if that´s just the build.

Delicate question - do you wear eyeglasses and if so are you nearsighted? I am and have a prescription setup that is for the distance give or take to the monitor -- and one as it is normally set up. Did this based on an article I had read where special cut eyeglasses may reduce the strain on ones eyes.

Sorry don't have the article - but the extra pair of glasses do work for me.

Stphnlgn Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 19, 2015 12:04 PM in response to notcloudy

I don't wear glasses but my eyes are quite light sensitive. I don't have this problem with looking at TVs or my iPad, though. I have come across a screen film that blocks out blue light:

http://www.reticare.com/shop/en/buy/37-reticare-para-portatil-apple-imac-217- I wonder if it will help. Not convinced as of yet.

I´ve put the original protective plastic that came with it on the screen and it actually helps, but very little.

notcloudy

Level 4

1,252 points

Apr 19, 2015 9:05 PM in response to Stphnlgn

Stphnlgn wrote:

I don't wear glasses but my eyes are quite light sensitive. I don't have this problem with looking at TVs or my iPad, though. I have come across a screen film that blocks out blue light:

http://www.reticare.com/shop/en/buy/37-reticare-para-portatil-apple-imac-217- I wonder if it will help. Not convinced as of yet.

I´ve put the original protective plastic that came with it on the screen and it actually helps, but very little.

An anti-glare screen may work -- they have been around for a long time including terminals - as many users were bothered by the glare.

poikkeus1

Level 4

2,454 points

Apr 19, 2015 10:00 PM in response to notcloudy

The problem is that, while I understand how the glare of an 5k iMac screen can be extremely irritating for some, there's very little useful information out there - from the user's point of view. I found this, for example:

http://www.healthycomputing.com/office/buyersguides/glarefilter_buyersguide.html

http://www.columbiavision.net/articles/computer-faq/

If you've found a solution, I hope you'll post your results here.

NajamQ

Level 1

1 points

Apr 20, 2015 12:54 AM in response to Stphnlgn

You seem to have high sensitivity for light. I am sure you can't go into sunlight without wearing sunglasses.

The display on iMac 5K (I own one) has very high brightness, much more than a normal monitor. That combined with increased contrast ratio of 1200(+/-):1 as compared to normal monitors with 1000:1.

What I understand is you are experiencing a glow like effect, which you are phrasing as glare. The whole screen seems to glow for you, like a light bulb or a candle. I have experienced two scenarios where glow can annoy you. 1: You wear glasses and lenses are of low quality or not anti-glare type. 2: You have just had your eye lens(es) changed due to cataract. Where is normal to have glares.

You may be used to Anti-Reflective monitors which have a matte coating, which drastically reduce the light and halo like effects. iMac 5K has the least reflective screen in glossy monitors, trust me I have saying that after using about 10 different models in last 15 years. This is the best display I have seen.

You may need to have some ambient light around your desk. Like a lamp. Or there are some off brand solutions like anti-reflective coating for iMac or Macbook. Which I do not recommend as they reduce the perceived contrast and colours will appear dull (I tried it on my iPad).

May be it's time for an eye exam. You may have developed light sensitivity for some reason. Tell your doctor/optometrist that you are experiencing glares, they may recommend some non-corrective computer glasses. Give it a try.

notcloudy

Level 4

1,252 points

Apr 23, 2015 6:16 AM in response to poikkeus1

poikkeus1 wrote:

The problem is that, while I understand how the glare of an 5k iMac screen can be extremely irritating for some, there's very little useful information out there - from the user's point of view. I found this, for example:

http://www.healthycomputing.com/office/buyersguides/glarefilter_buyersguide.html

http://www.columbiavision.net/articles/computer-faq/

If you've found a solution, I hope you'll post your results here.

Overhead lighting may help vs what is usually in homes to cut down glare. Apparently 3-M does sell anti glare/privacy screens for all of apples new devices - they use on version of them on teller monitors.

Apple does not take into consideration visual differences- that what works for one group - does not work for someone else. And its not some - its a definite group of people.

Stphnlgn Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 29, 2015 12:32 PM in response to NajamQ

Sorry for the late reply. I´ve been to have my eyes tested and I don't need glasses. I have samples of two blue light protectors but no luck - the problem persists.

My choice of words for describing the problem were completely off. Thankfully I´ve found a thread on the MacRumours´ forum about it - it´s described as ´flickering´. There seems to be a couple of people with the problem and the affects are exactly the same as mine. A video was recorded in slow-mo to capture the flickering and others tested their iMac 5K to see if they could capture the effect to no avail so maybe these are isolated incidences.

I really hope this is the case and if apple would replace it for another the problem would be solved - I´m hoping that is the case. I can't use it, it´s as simple as that :-(

here´s a link to the thread:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1835284

Stphnlgn Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 29, 2015 12:42 PM in response to poikkeus1

Sorry for a very late reply. I've been as busy as **** and at the same time looking for a solution. Also, sorry that I´m coping and pasting what I´ve just wrote on another comment here but I don't have time! The screen protectors/blue light blockers I sampled were Reticare and Photodon Blue Light Cut Screen protector. The latter has a grey tint and causes a bit of reflection whereas the former has a very yellow/sabia tint and more reflective. Neither solve the problem as it turns out blue light is not the problem.

Here´s what I wrote in reply to another comment:

Sorry for the late reply. I´ve been to have my eyes tested and I don't need glasses. I have samples of two blue light protectors but no luck - the problem persists.

I really hope this is the case and if apple would replace it for another the problem would be solved - I´m hoping that is the case. I can't use it, it´s as simple as that :-(

here´s a link to the thread:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1835284

Stphnlgn Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 29, 2015 12:47 PM in response to notcloudy

Hi,

I apologize that I´m cutting and pasting my reply but I´m short on time. I thought this might interest you:

I´ve been to have my eyes tested and I don't need glasses. I have samples of two blue light protectors but no luck - the problem persists.

I really hope this is the case and if apple would replace it for another the problem would be solved - I´m hoping that is the case. I can't use it, it´s as simple as that :-(

here´s a link to the thread:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1835284

unmarc

Level 1

0 points

Dec 23, 2015 10:02 PM in response to Stphnlgn

Looked at IMAC today.Beautiful

Too bad Glossy screens are Unusuable, even though the Dishonest manufacturers know it looks 10% better in the store than matte.

Too bad I'll NEVER buy a glossy screen.

Screw Apple.

iMac 5k screen glare renders it unusable