14 DAY TRIAL // The newly released iMac line is suffering from a number of display issues, one of which has been somewhat addressed by Apple via two firmware updates. One issue appears to remain in place: yellow tinted screens. It looks like customers experiencing this issue have a hardware problem on their hands. As such, Apple has reportedly decided to fully refund these people, throwing in an extra 15% of the purchase (around $300).
Gizmodo has been able to confirm the yellow-screen issues with a UK-based Apple Authorized Service Provider/Reseller, which has revealed some interesting information. The tech site also informs that the flickering screens have been addressed recently, although there doesn’t appear to be a lot of positive feedback. Readers and owners of the respective systems are encouraged to share their experience in the comments.
The site could also confirm that, “27-inch iMacs are still being delayed in what is allegedly a complete halting of their assembly line,” based on recent findings, “though Apple has denied it.” Apple’s website has reduced the three-week delay to a two-week wait time. But the most important piece of information comes from the aforementioned UK-based Apple Reseller, which tells the site that Europe, or at least the UK, appears to be totally out of 27-inch panels to repair these faulty iMacs. After sharing some inventory lists, the Apple Reseller has revealed the following:
“The short of it is that Apple doesn't have any 27" LCDs in Europe and there is a backlog of 230 machines that are waiting on this part, with no eta on shipping. So to keep customers happy(ish) they're paying them. That's right Apple is now (quietly) offering people a full refund and 15% of the price extra, and they are arranging a free pick up of your machine. I'm not 100% if this is the case in the US, but it's happening over here in the UK.
“As far as i know it's both Apple stores and 3rd party retailers, but the refund itself comes from Apple not the 3rd party retailer. We've had two customers that have both gotten there machines' refunded plus the 15%.”