Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP March 31, 2008 press release verbatim:
Apple deceptively marketed its new 20-inch iMac in a way that grossly inflated the capabilities of its monitor, which is vastly inferior to the previous generation it replaced, according to a federal class action lawsuit filed today by Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP.
According to the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California in San Jose, Apple is deceiving consumers by concealing that the new 20-inch iMac monitors are inferior to the previous generation’s and those of the new 24-inch iMac. In addition, the monitors are incapable of displaying “millions of colors,” despite Apple’s marketing claims.
Apple’s newest iMac — an “all-in-one” desktop computer that combines the monitor into the same case as the CPU — was unveiled in August 2007.
“Apple is duping its customers into thinking they’re buying ‘new and improved’ when in fact they’re getting stuck with ‘new and inferior,'” said Brian Kabateck, Managing Partner of Kabateck Brown Kellner. “Beneath Apple’s ‘good guy’ image is a corporation that takes advantage of its customers. Our goal is to help those customers who were deceived and make sure Apple tells the truth in the future.”
Apple told consumers that both the 20-inch and 24-inch iMacs displayed “millions of colors at all resolutions.” Indeed, the new 24-inch iMacs display 16,777,216 colors on 8-bit, in-plane switching (IPS) screens, as did the previous generation of 20-inch iMacs. But the new 20-inch iMac monitors do not even come close, displaying 98% fewer colors (262,144).
While Apple describes the display of both the 24-inch and 20-inch iMacs as though they were interchangeable, the monitors in each are of radically different technology. The 20-inch iMacs feature 6-bit twisted nematic film (TN) LCD screens, the least expensive of its type.
The 20-inch iMac’s TN screens have a narrower viewing angle, less color depth, less color accuracy and are more susceptible to washout across the screen.
Apple’s Web site tells consumers that “No matter what you like to do on your computer — watch movies, edit photos, play games, even just view a screen saver — it’s going to look stunning on an iMac.”
In fact, the inferior technology of the 20-inch iMac is particularly ill-suited to editing photographs because of the display’s limited color potential and the distorting effect of the color simulation processes.
“Apple is squeezing more profits for itself by using cheap screens and its customers are unwittingly paying the price,” Kabateck said.
Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP is one of the nation’s foremost consumer law firms. Its clients have won more than $750 million against Google, Farmer’s Insurance, Eli Lilly and other major corporations. As a plaintiff’s-only firm, Kabateck Brown Kellner is always on the consumers’ side.
Source: Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP
<< As always – caveat emptor – buyer beware. >>
So that’s it huh- buyer beware. So we need to use the same mentality shopping at Apple as opposed to… i don’t know- shopping at eBay????
I have the original 20″ Intel iMac- the display is beautiful and remains that way- but I too notice a dramatic difference with the 20″ Alums. Sorry Apple… busted. There is NO WAY your eyes can predict future or uneven washout. So going to the store and letting your eyes be the judge is fine for that moment- but what about a year down the road. If there have been compromised in quality both the specs and the price should reflect this. This is why there was a big problem with the 20″ Alums from the get go.
I love Apple but they need to comment on this.
If the 20″ displays look like crap, one can always boot up Vista.
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#1. My wife’s 20″ AliMac screen is gorgeous. Is it not as “perfect” as the screen on the 24″ AliMac? Do I care? Honestly, HECK, no! The screen looks good, VERY good, even from a bit of an angle.
#2. The quality of the screen aside, anyone processing pictures at more than the consumer level on an iMac is trying to cheap out. Even the 24″ AliMac. So, now they are complaining that they can’t use the less expensive models for professional strength photo editing? Maybe I should sue over the fact that my Acura sports coupe can’t keep up with the top of the line NSX!
Even if the basics of the suit are technically correct, this is a dumb suit. My opinion.
Dave
Glad I’m color blind.
I have a 20-inch iMac (G5) and I can’t complain at all and I do everything with this awesome machine
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Most of you are….well idiots.
Seriously, if Apple spec’d out a system and they delivered something less than what was advertised, they need to pay up.
Pisses me off all you sheep can’t understand this. Pretend it’s NOT Apple. Pretend it’s Toyota and you bought a new Prius with power windows. Only, when you got it, it didn’t have power windows. Are you telling me you wouldn’t be pissed and sue? Sure all you sheep would say “But the windows still go up and down”.
I’m as big of an Apple fan as you could meet but if they pull this stuff, they deserve to lose the lawsuit. If they did wrong, let justice take its course but arguing against this makes you look like silly little spoiled children.
Why do you think MDN didn’t provide their own take? If Apple misled people, they need to fix it. If they didn’t they will have nothing to worry about.
I have one of the 6bit MBPs and while I tend not to notice this deficiency I *know* its there. This is b.s. on Apple’s part. I thought it displayed millions of colors.
I also remember when Apple and others were guilty of incorrectly specifying sizes of their monitors too. They used the tube size not the viewable one – at least until that case went to court. They deserve to hauled over the coals and forced to explain the dithering.
I also think we need a rev A Mac Pro case too, since its video card is not upgradable to newer ones.
Basically to sum up: If you think this is a dumb suit, then you are dumber.
As I type this on m MacBook, with it’s awful (narrow view angle, glossy, crap brightness) screen, I assure you that this is a for real issue. The crappy screens is exactly why I haven’t replaced my 20″ Core Duo with one of the new iMacs.
Apple needs to stop cheapening down it’s stuff to keep it’s outrageous 20-20% margins at a given price point. Raise the damn price but don’t compromise the HW.
arguing against this makes you look like silly little spoiled children.
…and/or attorneys who’d put getting a win for their client over establishing facts and seeing justice.
I have a bad feeling this one’s gonna end up in the la-la land of “meaning of ‘is'” technicalities.
MW: clear
If what the attorneys are saying is true, Apple should pay. Frankly I don’t understand this site — why does a love of Apple computing mean you have to defend everything they do, including those things that are likely wrong and unjust? The tolerance for dissent on this site is reminiscent of the Soviet Union under Stalin. Most of you are no more than Lemmings.
“As a plaintiff’s-only firm, Kabateck Brown Kellner is always on the consumers’ side. “
Translated, that means “We sue people. That’s all we do.”
1) Making Apple pay for blatant bullshitting at least in theory lowers the chances that Apple will do so again. So tough shit for Apple.
2) If displaying 200,000 is as good as displaying 18 million, then why doesn’t Apple brag about displaying 200,000 colors? Oh yeah, BECAUSE IT ISN’T AS GOOD, AND EVIDENCES CHEAPER COMPONENTS. Evidently it was important enough for Apple to lie about.
The 20″ display on the Aluminum iMac is very washed out indeed. I wouldn’t get one.
To all those who think that this only results in the attorneys winning:
1) Yes, that’s true; the attorneys will make out like bandits and we’ll all get coupons, $10, or something like that. One of the big problems with class action suits these days.
2) Apple will think twice before either cheaping out on monitors or in making claims which are clearly not true (assuming the complaint is accurate). Apple will have to pay someone many millions of dollars, and while Apple has plenty of money (and insurance) to cover it, no one wants to pay a judgment or have the negative publicity surrounding it.
3) Apple will be more accurate in their tech specs. Frankly, these lawsuits get a LOT of publicity when the complaint is filed, and then our media moves on to the next headline. They never follow up with the settlement, or who was found liable, etc., except for a page 35 mention. The damage to Apple has been done, now all that remains to be seen is how much Apple needs to pay to make it go away.
Did they claim the displays were 8-bit when they’re actually 6-bit? Maybe I missed that part. The method by which the millions of colors are produced for the human eye is immaterial, because all displays only produce three colors. How is dithering more ‘deceptive’ than normal color mixing? It’s still an illusion, and your eye is still fooled.
I also fail to understand how Apple’s decision to move to a cheaper screen type between revisions constitutes a deception. Did they produce ads claiming ‘same screens as last version’? Did they claim that the 20s and the 24s were the same, either?
There is an old saying, “buyer beware.” It use to be the law of the land.
The bottom line is that you wouldn’t purchase a car with out test driving it would you? Then if the quality of a monitor is that important to you, why would you purchase a monitor (or a computer with a built in monitor) without testing it out first?
I know that if my job (or the quality of my job) depended on the quality of a monitor then I’d be there in the Apple store testing it out from top to bottom before I laid down the green-backs. I’m very sure the Apple Geeks there in the store would have no problem helping you test out a monitor’s quality before you shell out the bucks to buy one!
I Have a Late 2006 17 inch 2 Ghz Core 2 Duo iMac with the X1600 card.
I maxed out the ram to 3 Gb and frankly, I’m happy with it still despite it being an all in one and it’s small screen.
I love the New Style of the iMacs, but at my college which has 30 new 20 inch Aluminum iMacs, I saw from distance the glare into to screen. They had the bunch mixed with older G5 & early Core Duo’s and the screens looked better at angles and no glare.
So after seeing that, I appreciate my 17 inch iMac more than ever. Though, after this in 5 years, I’ll go for a Mac Pro so I can put what ever monitor I want.
Though, anybody know about the LCD Specs of the Late 06 17inch iMac’s.???
I’m shocked that any monitor is sold now that doesn’t support millions of colors. I thought this change occurred back in the 90’s. What the hell is Apple thinking?
I’ve got a PowerMac G5 that I want to replace, but I have no interest in an iMac. I’m running dual 24″ Dell flatscreens right now. My only choice is a $2799 Mac Pro.
I switched from Linux machines to my Mac but I’m not afraid to go back.
@ Galen from NY.
Yes, I WOULD buy a computer without “test driving” it.
I do all the time.
I rely upon 23 years of buying Apple products to trust them.
So, your analogy BLOWS.
You obviously can’t see beyond your Jobs-licking tongue on this one.
I work as IT support in a printing company and one of the prepress workers bought a new 20″ imac for home and returned it instantly. You can really tell the color isn’t that great. It’s darker up top then fades to lighter on the bottom. But is this really gonna go anywhere?? they will probably just make a new imac update without the shitty screens and problem solved.
@ Me in LA
From the sounds of it you’re how old, 12? You sound like a kid in junior high. Does anyone really say “blows” anymore?
If your silly enough to shell out $1,500 on a product without even looking at it then you get what you deserve. Quit being a snot nosed juvenile and actually think for yourself instead of throwing insults at people.
@ Galen,
“Used to be the law of the land…”
Um, please sir, I must have missed that one in business law classes…
Can you show me that one?
What, are you old enough to have traded horses at the OK corral?
12, no. And nobody’s job depends on my iMacs, they’re personal for home.
Does that mean Apple can sell crap?
I guess by your logic, yes.
And sorry NY dude – yeah, dude – blows is still common.
Mabye not in your ‘hood, homey.
TAKE THAT, APPLE!!
You’re no longer the top quality product I once knew. You settle for maximum profits – mediocre quality combo ala Microsoft. And you never listen to your customers about the glossy screen complaints.
I call BS!