Complaints regarding Apple’s new iMacs have been piling up since the new models debuted last month. Alongside angry Apple Discussions posts saying that new iMacs arrived broken, users of the new Apple Magic Mouse also expressed deep dissatisfaction with the peripheral’s functionality. Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse for Apple with its new products, customers also began reporting flickering issues with the new iMacs.
The new 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs feature a fresh edge-to-edge glass design and a seamless all aluminum enclosure. Touted as the fastest ever with Intel Core 2 Duo processors starting at 3.06 GHz, and Core i5 and i7 quad-core processors for up to twice the performance, these iMacs now ship with a wireless keyboard and the new wireless Magic Mouse.
If the buyer has been lucky enough to have their iMac shipped in good condition, there is still a chance the computer will not function properly. Apple Discussions user Jan has just one such example, saying that "Screen distortion/flicker somewhere random in the screen (feels like it is more in the lower part) that looks like a horizontal bar of about 2-3inches just popping in and out of the screen. Screen will go completely black for a second and then come back on. Sometimes 2-3 times in a row." The Apple customer shockingly added that, "in the course of writing this post my screen has flickered 13 times and has gone black 2 times."
Still, users are reporting that Apple is offering its best support, replacing malfunctioning computers within 14-days of purchase. One Australian user, however, has reportedly been charged US$70 for not being close enough to an Apple store, according to Neowin. Some decided to post videos online showing how and when the flickering occurs.
Are you the buyer of a new iMac model? Have you experienced any issues with your computer?
I'm the owner of a brand new 21.5" iMac and a 27" iMac, the latter of which shipped in November. The 27" iMac runs fine, not a hint of trouble. The 27" DOES have a bit of screen flicker, intermittently. It occurs in the lower part of the screen; other symptoms I have seen included the one-inch wide band of blackness appear briefly once or twice, the whole screen wiggle briefly, and the screen go entirely black for an instant accompanied by a "click" sound from within.
Apple Tech Support knows about my screen's symptoms, and helped me through the hardware disk test that came on the original iMac Mac OS X Install DVD (install the DVD and press D on restart). No problems found. Last resort they suggest: Archive & reinstall the system, which I haven't done yet.
The new iMacs are new, so it's a given that there will be problems with the early models. Apple will get the whole thing sorted out, and I'll enjoy a trouble-free iMac soon enough.
". . . replacing malfunctioning computers within 14-days of purchase."
That's simply not true. I was promised a replacement within 14 days, but Apple has postponed the ship-date twice without even notifying me. By their current projections, I will finally receive my computer 2 months after I ordered it.
Unless they delay it again.
I think it's clear that the problems with the product are much more severe and widespread than any of the media are reporting yet.
I am also a buyer of an iMac 27" i5. I was just fetched again by TNT and I am awaiting to get my replacement iMac delivered next week (hopefully). Reason for exchange was the same flickering issue as mentioned in the article: flickering, black-outs and even sometimes the whole desktop became disarranged by everything (incl. the menu bar) being offset by ca. 5-10 cm from the top.
Apple care was willing to exchange this iMac after short discussion but stated that they were not aware of this problem - believe it or not.
Comment #4 by: David Gellman on 06 Dec 2009, 14:51 GMT
We are on our second 27 inch iMac quad core going on three! We bought the first unit in mid November, within a few days the screen would go black for a second or two at random intervals. Exchanged that machine at our local Apple store, and the replacement's screen began flickering within a day! Apple sent a technician out to replace the display, and he damaged the Bluetooth hardware in the process. Today we are returning machine number two, hoping that the third one will be trouble free. Apple support and store personnel have been very friendly and helpful throughout this process.
Comment #5 by: Steven Keating on 14 Dec 2009, 20:27 GMT
I just received my new IMAC 27" and I am having the issues with the screen flashing black as well as a horizontal bar flash across the middle of the screen.
Comment #6 by: kurcobolja on 14 Jan 2010, 09:01 GMT
Same here, it is very frustrating to work like that, beside heat my screen is going black for a second followed with horizontal bar, very very annoying , probably will return it, i didnt pay for that!
