Apple has delayed shipping new 27-inch iMacs until it can figure out the cause of flickering screens and other display problems, according to reports from authorised resellers. The UK Apple Store is currently showing '2 weeks' for delivery.
The move came just days after a Web designer created a site that tallied issues with the 27-inch iMacs, including screens broken in shipment, on-again-off-again flickering displays and screens that showed a jaundice-yellow tint.
Two Apple resellers - independent dealers approved by Apple to sell Macs - contacted the Apple iMac (Fall 2009) Issues site to report that all shipments of iMacs had been pushed back at least two weeks as Apple replaces the machines' graphics cards.
Canadian Web designer Scott Pronych built the tracking site after he received a 27-inch iMac with a shattered screen, saying he wanted to document the display problems.
By digging through Apple's support forum and taking reports directly from others via a form on his site, Pronych has identified more than 600 users who have had issues with their new machines.
A thread on Apple's support forum dedicated to the flickering screen problem boasts nearly 1,200 separate messages and has a view count of over 173,000, making it easily the most-read of those on the iMac forum.
The resellers who contacted Pronych are in Europe. "I think they are feeling a bit frustrated as a lot of customers are blaming them for slow delivery, and likely they see my Web site as proof that there are some real problems with the graphics system of the new iMacs," Pronych said in an email on Friday.
On Saturday Pronych reached out to the resellers on Computerworld 's behalf, but both declined to comment on the record. "I don't want to hurt my ties with the Mac community," one of the resellers said in an email to Pronych that he forwarded in part to Computerworld .
"As you may or may not know, Apple is strong-arming resellers since opening their own Apple Stores," the reseller continued.
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Comments received
An said on Mon, 14 Dec 2009
And its downhill from here for Apple. Still think it would be a good move for Apple to port Mac OSX on other branded machines, especially as PCs these days are even made better than Macs are now, this is solid proof. Blaming graphics for poor design
@an said on Mon, 14 Dec 2009
Back under your PC Trolls' bridge since you haven't anything intelligent, sensible or accurate to say.
VJ said on Mon, 14 Dec 2009
They were rushed out to coincide with M$ releasing Windows 7 and are now paying for a hack job. Nothing to do with "trolling", Apple are slipping.
John said on Mon, 14 Dec 2009
Was my comment removed because I said mine was shipped on Friday?
Mark Hattersley said on Mon, 14 Dec 2009
@John
AFAIK no comments have been removed from this story. There's nothing on our system either.
Are you sure it was this one? Maybe you didn't click the Post Comment button?
Mark Hattersley said on Mon, 14 Dec 2009
It did appear briefly. Bit like the 27" iMac's.
VJ
Ricardoric said on Mon, 14 Dec 2009
I ordered an i7 and in the interim read all the posts re screens cracked/flickering/yellow tinge. Mine has none of these and is a fantastic machine!
Chris said on Mon, 14 Dec 2009
My iMac 27" is working fine, screen is clear and in perfect order. No issues to report. It's fast and looks amazing, its does dominate the desk mind you
Bryan said on Tue, 15 Dec 2009
Checked my iMac i7 order, which was shipped 9 December, this morning and reads -- "Current Delivery Status Preparing handover to final carrier 14 Dec 2009".
So living (calmly) in hope for the delivery person to arrive.
Dean said on Thu, 17 Dec 2009
I have now returned two of the New 27" Imac's both with the same flickering and black screen problem ( back to the PC for me )
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