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Graphics glitch "halts" 27in iMac shipments

By Barry Collins

Posted on 14 Dec 2009 at 07:50

Apple has apologised to customers for delays in shipping its new 27in iMac, amid reports of problems with the computer's display.

The 27in iMac first went on sale back in October, but the Apple store is still showing a two-week delay in shipping orders. By contrast, the 21.5in model is listed as shipping within 24 hours.

In a statement sent to CNet.com, Apple claims it's struggling to meet demand. "The new iMac has been a huge hit and we are working hard to fulfill orders as quickly as possible," a company spokesman says. "We apologise for any inconvenience or delay this may cause our customers."

However, there are growing reports online of problems with the super-sized iMac's display. An enormous thread on Apple's own support forums contains dozens of reports of the screen "flickering", with many claiming that they've had their iMac replaced by Apple.

Meanwhile, two Apple resellers have told Computerworld that all shipments of the 27in iMac have been suspended for a fortnight, while the company replaces the graphics cards in the machines. The 27in models contain either ATI Radeon HD 4670 or 4850 cards.

The delays could hardly come at a worse time for retailers, with the Christmas rush in full swing.

Apple was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

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User comments

It had to happen

The whole Apple "high price = high quality" argument is developing holes.
Unless you swap "quality" for "profit".
That's fine when their hardware works, but leaves a sour taste when it doesn't.
My experience of Apple support was "Oh, yeah that works - what? - Oh, no my friend here says it doesn't!" end of my free support call. Nice.

By cheysuli on 14 Dec 2009

Oops

"The 27in models contain either ATI Radeon HD 4670 or 4850 cards. "

At least AMD have $1.25 billion spare for replacements. This could end up costing them.

By JStairmand on 14 Dec 2009

@cheysuli

" Apple "high price = high quality" "

I think in this case low price is the problem. the 27" OLED display, with a computer tacked on the back of it costs less than most other comparable displays on their own...

By big_D on 14 Dec 2009

It might be more down to Apple's cooling of the graphics card

By TimoGunt on 14 Dec 2009

Not just the 27...

I've had more reports of unreliability about the metal-backed iMacs than any of their predecessors - though converselyt, the people reporting to me have been very impressed by the level of service Apple deliver while a bit of kit is in-warranty. Timo's comment about cooling is interesting - one of my high-altitude Alpine clients has been having a hard time with newish iMacs struggling with a 20% reduction in air density...

By Steve_Cassidy on 14 Dec 2009

It won't cost AMD a penny

"At least AMD have $1.25 billion spare for replacements. This could end up costing them."

Nope, AMD licenced the usage and production of the GPU to Apple in the same way the do to graphics card and mainboard manufacturers such as Sapphire and XFX.

Apple integrated the GPU into the system via their own specifically designed circuit boards. The costs of fixing any faulty units will lie solely with Apple.

Until the flickering is diagnosed properly it is pointless laying the blame on the GPU anyhow.

It could be down to any number of contributing factors.

By mr_chips on 14 Dec 2009

@ big_D - Just for clarity, it's not a OLED screen, just an LCD with LED backlight. So it's still heaps more than a comparable display on it's own - as you'd expect.

By Grunthos on 16 Dec 2009

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