WHAT THE....&*$%#@!

What's that grey blob creeping across my screen? It gets worse as the day goes on. In fact right now, (3 hrs after I shot this image), its a full 3/4 of the way across the screen

Ok, so here's what happens.

You call Apple support and they confirm who you are then do a little troubleshooting. The guy is pretty sure its a monitor issue and not a computer issue so he then sends you to the next tier. That guy may possibly do a little more troubleshooting...he asked me to plug the monitor into my laptop which conformed it was a monitor issue. He then sends me to a sales type who explains how the switch will happen. They email a courier label which I print and take to UPS. As soon as the label is scanned for shipping back to Apple, another monitor is automatically shipped to me.

All in all a pretty painless experience.

There is a full one year warranty and a 30 day return policy even on the refurbs. Buy the extended warranty on monitors for a full three years.

Apple 30inch display!

GEEK SPEAK....

Got an Apple 30", lots of real estate here! Don't know how I lived without it. Running both monitors from a G5 with the original GeForce 6600 LE graphics card. Calibrating both monitors with an eye one display for good color, gamma, luminance etc.

Seen here with my 24" monitor on the left with the 'eye one' calibration device.

Setting luminance is tricky and very important. 120 is recommended but I'm running at 90 and I think that may be a little too bright. Its about matching what's on the monitor to what comes out of the printer. I've got both monitors looking pretty good after calibrating a few times. 6500k, 2.2 gamma, luminance 90. The eye one calibrates color very very well. If you decide to calibrate w/an 'eye one display', make sure you download the latest 'eye one match 3' software from xrite.

Here's a tip: get a refurbished display and save a bundle but be sure to buy the applecare warranty. It gives you 3 full yrs. In fact, I'd get the apple care if I had purchased a brand new monitor.