27-inch iMacs reported to have Flash playback issues
If you were contemplating buying one of those shiny new 27-inch iMacs, maybe don't pull the trigger just yet: according to Engadget, many proud new owners of the computer have become annoyed new owners, reporting pronounced problems in particular with Flash playback.The problem doesn't appear to be a few isolated cases, as two separate threads (here and here) have popped up in the Apple support forums, nor is it a pandemic, as Engadget reports their iMacs are fine. The suggested causes have ranged from a corrupted Snow Leopard build, to a bug that spins down the hard drive, to the nebulous "bad permissions." In the meantime, though, those big beautiful 27-inch screens are playing video like a 128K trying to run Crysis.
A user on the first thread reported that Apple phone support said the problem was with the graphics card, and that it should be fixable in a software update, though another customer who opened a ticket was instructed to exchange the computer itself. Is Apple going to have to smack down another of its chip partners? We shall see.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Galley said 11:33AM on 10-30-2009
Uh, I thought all Macs had problems with Adobe's crappy Flash product.
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Moose said 12:24PM on 10-30-2009
Took the words right out of my mouth.
kiltbear64 said 12:59PM on 10-30-2009
DITTO, but don't limit it to Macs.
If something makes Safari Crash and Burn, flash is almost always involved.
basscadet said 1:38PM on 10-30-2009
why is it happening particularly on those 27" screen models? It's not some obscure app that no one uses anymore, it's everywhere you look like it or not. IMHO if so many problems show up all around this means not enough tests were made. Just run some video / flash files and do some testing before you ship such an impressive (and expensive) hardware. It seems this got postponed for later and they hurriedly shipped them hoping for a software update. You can't blame Flash for everything on this planet.
iGO said 2:24PM on 10-30-2009
For reference.
Flash works perfectly on my iMac 24, 3.06Ghz, 4GB RAM, Summer '09
On all three of my browsers, always, without ever an issue.
I use Firefox 90%, the new Chrome 8% and Safari 2%.
Never so much as a hiccup. And I use a LOT of Hulu, Youtube, CNN, Fancast, Netflix
Shunnabunich said 3:56PM on 10-30-2009
Yeah, I was just about to say...is this a running joke between the AOL tech blogs? Dismal Flash performance is a symptom of running the OS X version of Adobe's Flash Player plugin, not of having something wrong with your new iMac.
Silo said 11:38AM on 10-30-2009
Seems more like a selling point to me.
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Chris said 11:45AM on 10-30-2009
It's not just with flash. A user posted a video on youtube of them trying to play a 720p video and the iMac couldn't handle it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyfxP9XR7Zc
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Charli said 1:11AM on 11-02-2009
youtube is flash based.
adobe has been slow as heck on updating flash for the mac. and dealing with the issues the plugin has under Safari.
which might be part of why Apple isn't pushing to get Flash on the iphone
Spammerboy said 11:46AM on 10-30-2009
Same problems on my Macbook Pro...
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Robert McGregor said 1:22PM on 10-30-2009
How many retail "owners" have the new 27" iMac? I purchased a 27" online on the first day - and I have the now famously vague "November" shipping date.
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John said 1:33PM on 10-30-2009
The top-of-the-line 27" ships on an unknown November date...AFAIK the 27" model just under that (half the memory on graphics card and dual core, not quad) shipped right away.
Peter_T said 11:50AM on 10-30-2009
The iMac on display at my local Futureshop was playing extremely choppy video last night... it was awful PR.
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Aryeh said 11:52AM on 10-30-2009
Granted, some of our macs have played (Flash) video like a 128K trying to run Crysis for years.
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ken1171 said 11:59AM on 10-30-2009
I have a 27" .. This issue is much larger than stated in this post. It is happening after the 27 or 21.6" machines are brought back from sleep mode numerous times. It will slow down almost all video processes -- Youtube/Hulu/Safari (Scrolling is horrific), iphoto, imovie, idvd, I could go on, but I am sure that the point is there. When this problem is occurring, you will also notice that you HDD is working tremendously hard. The other symptom is that your CPU usage is through the roof. I had Safari and Ichat booted and the system was reporting 78% CPU usage. I have called and opened up a case with Apple and was told to do the normal Checks: Repair permissions, clearing vram (Reboot holding VR), Booting in 64 bit mode (Reboot holding down 64) and reinstalling SL.... none of which have permanently fixed this issue. I am waiting a few more dates till my 14 day return period is up, then its gonna have to go back till this issue is resolved. Apple - Send down an update!!!!
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Eideard said 12:01PM on 10-30-2009
Apple support lists an update for HDD stalls in Snow Leopard.
Cowicide said 2:25PM on 10-30-2009
> clearing vram (Reboot holding VR)
Weird, is that a new thing with newer Macs? I've always thought you held down Command, Option, P, and R to clear the PRAM & VRAM on Macs?
I don't see this VR keyboard combo through google or apple discussions. Can someone direct me to this info or is this just FUD?
wase4711 said 12:07PM on 10-30-2009
is this just on the Core2 Duo, or on the I5 and I7 chips as well?
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Mike said 12:28PM on 10-30-2009
Those iMacs have not shipped yet....
SpaceGoatPriest said 12:46PM on 10-30-2009
Could it be a 64-bit problem?
Sorta unrelated, but flash crashes my 64-bit version of Windows 7. It will play for a few seconds, then the whole system locks up.
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