iMac Daddy.
February 3, 2010 4:00 AM Subscribe
How might I best evaluate the risks of ordering a 27" iMac?
My iMac upgrade is long overdue, and I've had my eye on the new 27" model for months. But like most people, I'm concerned about the screen issues affecting the new models.
After weeks of dithering, it seems like Apple is officially acknowledging the existence of the problem and taking a proactive stance to fixing it. This makes me think that I might place an order next week, and--assuming that there's still a three-week lag in shipping--receive a problem-free machine near the end of this month.
Is this logic correct? If not, what Internet sites can I visit for up-to-the-minute, reliable information on the screen fix for the new iMacs?
My iMac upgrade is long overdue, and I've had my eye on the new 27" model for months. But like most people, I'm concerned about the screen issues affecting the new models.
After weeks of dithering, it seems like Apple is officially acknowledging the existence of the problem and taking a proactive stance to fixing it. This makes me think that I might place an order next week, and--assuming that there's still a three-week lag in shipping--receive a problem-free machine near the end of this month.
Is this logic correct? If not, what Internet sites can I visit for up-to-the-minute, reliable information on the screen fix for the new iMacs?
I would seriously advise you wait until Apple has this issue solved and revised units are in the stores. Buying one right now would almost certainly mean you stand a good chance of having display problems and, thus, having to mess with getting warranty repairs later.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:14 AM on February 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Thorzdad at 5:14 AM on February 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
ITA with Thorzdad. If it were something easily replaceable like RAM or a videocard issue, I'd go ahead and take a chance, but the display on an iMac? Do you really wanna go there? Warranty or not, I'd wait and see how they take care of their current customers first.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 5:22 AM on February 3, 2010
posted by LuckySeven~ at 5:22 AM on February 3, 2010
Another vote for wait, wait, WAIT.
Wait until you read about others getting a perfect one, and then jump into the pool.
posted by willmize at 5:31 AM on February 3, 2010
Wait until you read about others getting a perfect one, and then jump into the pool.
posted by willmize at 5:31 AM on February 3, 2010
Always check http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
Right now it's saying iMacs are mid-cycle, so it may be a few months before a new crop arrives. I'd listen to what the above posters say and wait. It's not worth the potential hassle.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:46 AM on February 3, 2010
Right now it's saying iMacs are mid-cycle, so it may be a few months before a new crop arrives. I'd listen to what the above posters say and wait. It's not worth the potential hassle.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:46 AM on February 3, 2010
I desperately needed a new computer so I gambled and bought a 27" during the Black Friday sale, got it in early December and I haven't had any screen problems at all. Since then they've released two fixes that address screen issues, one as recently as Tuesday. Also since that fix was released the shipping time dropped down to two weeks. I would perhaps wait another week to see what people are saying about the latest released fix and if it solved their issues.
Other than the whiplash I get looking from one end of the giant screen to the other, it's a great machine.
posted by FreezBoy at 5:47 AM on February 3, 2010
Other than the whiplash I get looking from one end of the giant screen to the other, it's a great machine.
posted by FreezBoy at 5:47 AM on February 3, 2010
I'd definitely wait - sure you can hang on just a little bit.
Also I was under the impression that proactive would be fixing something before people complained about it for weeks and weeks...
posted by zeoslap at 6:42 AM on February 3, 2010
Also I was under the impression that proactive would be fixing something before people complained about it for weeks and weeks...
posted by zeoslap at 6:42 AM on February 3, 2010
No. "Proactive" in the corporate world is fixing something before the class-action lawsuit is approved.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:00 AM on February 3, 2010
posted by Thorzdad at 7:00 AM on February 3, 2010
We bought a 27" iMac before Christmas, and haven't had a single problem with it. It replaced a 10 year old G4, so we'd probably put up with a lot, but we haven't seen any of the issues that have been reported, and have been super-happy with it.
posted by Read at 7:26 AM on February 3, 2010
posted by Read at 7:26 AM on February 3, 2010
I've seen 3 in three months - no reported problems so far. And mid cycle shouldn't be a deterrent - hopefully all the bugs get worked out...
posted by zenon at 8:15 AM on February 3, 2010
posted by zenon at 8:15 AM on February 3, 2010
I got an i7 production week 5, just a couple of days ago. No problems. But I did buy AppleCare. I have a sneaking suspicion that Apple won't update the iMac again until September, simply because not that much is happening chipwise from Intel... if they were to update within 3 months, what would they update to? Ordinarily I like to wait until Rev B., and these iMacs have had a lot of problems, but I desperately needed a computer and simply could not wait. So far so good. Of course, if you can wait, wait - that's always good advice when it comes to computers.
posted by VikingSword at 8:32 AM on February 3, 2010
posted by VikingSword at 8:32 AM on February 3, 2010
Crikey. What I was intending to say: by mid cycle most of the bugs should be worked out, so that's usually a plus - usually - your concerns about the reported issues with 27" are legit and FreezBoy's suggestion to wait a little bit for reports on this batch is excellent advice. Also, I would second VikingSword- the road map looks rather incremental, so you might end up waiting for a minor change, so my conclusion is different- don't wait. These new machines are very nice - I have to go back and forth between old machines & the new ones (which also have the benefit of much more ram) and it is tiring to use the old ones.
posted by zenon at 9:48 AM on February 3, 2010
posted by zenon at 9:48 AM on February 3, 2010
I've got a 27" iMac. I was a very early adopter and ordered it pretty much as soon as they were available. I have had zero screen issues. What you are probably witnessing is the extraordinary loudness of the wronged. Yes, something may be wrong but probably not on a massive scale. Probably not even on a significant scale.
I did have a bad keyboard but the Apple Store replaced it without even batting an eye. Boot Camp was finally updated so you can run Windows 7 now, even in 64 bit.
My advice is order now and get the Apple Care.
posted by chairface at 1:00 PM on February 3, 2010
I did have a bad keyboard but the Apple Store replaced it without even batting an eye. Boot Camp was finally updated so you can run Windows 7 now, even in 64 bit.
My advice is order now and get the Apple Care.
posted by chairface at 1:00 PM on February 3, 2010
the extraordinary loudness of the wronged
...or what Russell Crowe should have called his band.
You don't have a location in your profile. Do you live in a jurisdiction where you're entitled to just return faulty goods? I returned an iMac for a single stuck pixel, but then Australian law has very strong protection for consumers.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 12:08 AM on February 4, 2010
...or what Russell Crowe should have called his band.
You don't have a location in your profile. Do you live in a jurisdiction where you're entitled to just return faulty goods? I returned an iMac for a single stuck pixel, but then Australian law has very strong protection for consumers.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 12:08 AM on February 4, 2010
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posted by fairmettle at 4:07 AM on February 3, 2010