World of Apple

Image courtesy of Apple

Owners of 27-inch iMacs which have been suffering screen flickering issues have been given 15-percent refunds on their purchase price according to a new report.

Gizmodo reports that U.S. and UK customers have noted that Apple has been paying out cash refunds to those who have been affected by the display issues on the new 27-inch iMacs. Gizmodo writes “From the handful of reader anecdotes we’ve received thus far, it sounds like you need to be a repeat iMac returner who’s dealt with multiple 27-inch iMacs that have been busted in some way (but they may accommodate first time buyers as well, we don’t know),” adding “One reader had multiple yellow screens, then received another new model with broken Bluetooth. He took the 15% and just returned it.”

The refund is said to be for “tax and shipping” purposes and is offered at a flat rate to offer a small bonus to those with display issues.

Apple has today issued new firmware aimed at fixing intermittent display flickering in 27-inch iMacs.

Updates the display firmware on 27-inch iMac systems to address issues that may cause intermittent display flickering.

Apple previously issued a graphics firmware update in December in an attempt to fix the issue.

Boot Camp Software Update 3.1 for Windows 32/64-bit

This update adds support for Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate), addresses issues with the Apple trackpad, turns off the red digital audio port LED on laptop computers when it is not being used, and supports the Apple wireless keyboard and Apple Magic mouse.

This update is highly recommended for all Boot Camp 3.0 users.

Boot Camp Software Update 3.1 for Windows 32 bit
Boot Camp Software Update 3.1 for Windows 64 bit

iMac Late 2009 Windows 7 Drivers

This download the contains the necessary drivers to implement Windows 7 on the iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) and iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) computers.

Download the Windows 7 Installation Enabler, which contains the required drivers for the iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) and iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) computers.

Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 (iMac and Mac Pro) compatibility with Windows 7

Download and install the Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 if you run Windows 7 using Boot Camp on your iMac (with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 or 7600 GT) or Mac Pro (with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT or Quadro FX 4500) computer.

27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 – 683K

Updates the graphics firmware on ATI Radeon HD 4670 and 4850 graphics cards to address issues that may cause image corruption or display flickering.

The iMac Graphics Firmware Update will update the graphics firmware on your iMac.

Apple has acknowledged and apologised for slipping ship times on new 27-iMac orders although did not official identify any issues.

A number of 27-inch iMac owners have reported recently that their displays flickered or distorted with reports of the issue growing over the last week. When quizzed on the issue by Digital Daily Apple responded, “The new iMac has been a huge hit and we are working hard to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience or delay in delivery this may cause our customers.”

Resellers and Apple’s own online stores have begun to report shipping times on the 27-inch iMac of up to 2 weeks.

According to NPD data Apple grabbed 47.71 percent of U.S. retail desktop revenue during the month of October. The data which comes from Joe Wilcox who spoke to Stephen Baker, NPD’s vice president of industry analysis.

Baker attributed this impressive number down to the release of new iMac models and a decline in PC desktop sales ahead of the October 22nd release of Windows 7.

“Apple gets a huge bump out of new products that no one else gets,” Baker said. “Those [share increases] haven’t tended to be sustainable in the long term.”

iFixit has posted complete galleries of tearsdowns for all the Apple products released earlier this week.

As with most teardowns, iFixit has discovered some key points about the products released this week.

27-inch iMac

• 27-inch iMac must be fully powered on to make use of the video in feature
• CPU and GPU situated on opposite sides of the machine, both with large heatsinks
• AirPort antenna is routed towards the large plastic Apple logo on the back, giving better signal strength
• Power supply is 310 watts, the largest used in any iMac ever

MacBook

• Battery offers 9% more capacity than previous generation 60wh vs 55wh but Apple claims a battery life of 7 hours versus the previous 5.
• Hard drive is no longer easy to replace, but can still be done.
• Bluetooth antenna is routed through the display housing.

Magic Mouse

• Touch area is from the Apple logo forward.
• Top of mouse is translucent.
• Uses the Broadcom BCM2042 “Advanced Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Bluetooth Chip.”

Mac mini

MacminiColo offers several side by side shots of the new Mac mini and Mac mini server introduced on Tuesday.

Apple today released and updated multiple products, often when this happens certain important details or announcements slip under the radar. In this post those details will be made clearer and more concise.

Magic Mouse

• Only available in wireless, Apple suggests that one set of batteries will last 4 months.
• Only two “virtual buttons” no third and fourth button.
• No Exposé or Spaces functions.
• When scrolling pages have momentum much like scrolling on iPhone.
• Shipping end of October.

iMac

• Engadget has posted a hands-on review with video.
• iMac now supports up to 16GB of RAM due to double the number of slots.
• Audio is massively improved, Gizmodo describes a “noticeable difference” over the previous iMac.
• The inclusion of quad-core i5 and i7 processors in the 27-inch iMac represents Apple’s first foray into desktop class processors in the iMac line. Historically Apple has used mobile processors.
• 27-inch iMac supports video in via DisplayPort adapters, effectively making the iMac a 27-inch display to external sources.

MacBook

• Engadget hands on, claims the new MacBook feels more solid that its predecessor.
• New MacBook loses any form of FireWire, also utilises a Mini-DisplayPort in play of Mini-DVI. New MacBook includes a combined in/out port.
• Has a MacBook Air style magsafe connector.

Apple today revealed new iMac models featuring LED-backlit 21.5-inch and 27-inch displays in a new edge-to-edge glass design and seamless all aluminum enclosure.

The new iMac line, starting at $1,199 (£949), is 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.

“The iMac is widely praised as the best desktop computer in the world and today we are making it even better,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With brilliant LED displays and the revolutionary Magic Mouse, the new iMac delivers an amazing desktop experience that we think customers will love.”

The new 21.5-inch iMac features a high resolution 1920-by-1080 pixel display with the 27-inch model featuring 2560-by-1440 pixel display that offers 60 percent more pixels than the previous 24-inch model. Both the 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac models use IPS technology in their displays to deliver consistent color across an ultra wide 178 degree viewing angle.

The iMac comes standard with a wireless keyboard and the new Magic Mouse featuring Apple’s revolutionary Multi-Touch technology.

AppleInsider points towards a post on its own forums from a source who has historically offered accurate information prior to product launches. The information comes hot on the heels of rumours about iMac and Mac mini updates today.

The source claims that three models of Mac mini will be introduced, one with no optical drive, a 21.5-inch iMac featuring a 16:9 ratio widescreen display and updated Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme base stations.

MC207LL/A – K84 BEST BTR- USA
MC238LL/A – MAC MINI 2.26/2×1GB/160/SD/AP/BT-USA
MC239LL/A- MAC MINI 2.53/2×2GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT-USA
MC340LL/A – AIRPORT EXTREME (SIM DUALBAND) – USA
MC343LL/A – TIME CAPSULE 1TB (SIM DUALBAND) -USA
MC344LL/A – TIME CAPSULE 2TB (SIM DUALBAND) – USA
MC408LL/A – MAC MINI 2.53/2×2GB/1TB/NO ODD/AP-BT-USA
MC413LL/A – IMAC 21.5″/3.06/2×2GB/1TB/4670-256MB-USA
MC434LL/A – APPLE VESA MOUNT ADAPTER
MC461LL/A – MACBOOK 60W MAGSAFE POWER ADAPTER – USA

Engadget also points towards a filing with the U.S. Federal Communications commission which has revealed documents that could suggest updated AirPort base stations.