24" iMac Screens better in recent batches? One non-Apple store thinks so...

Question

I've been thinking about getting the Alu/Glass 24" iMac (waiting until at least Leopard's arrival) but after having read a number of threads here I thought I'd better go and check for myself...
I still use a PowerBook G4 15" at home and use a second cheapy (matte) monitor next to the latest white 20" iMac at work. I'm a web developer (not designer) but I would consider myself a pro user, so my standards may be higher than a typical home user, but not as high or finely tuned as a pro-photographer or graphic designer.
I visited a non-Apple store (in Stockholm, Sweden) and although I did not have a long time to play, I made a few basic adjustments to the screen settings (changed gamma from 1.8 to 2.2 and back) and the desktop background (white, light gray, dark gray, black).
Given the number and degree of negative comments I've read I was pleasantly surprised by the screen. Sure there were some colour imbalances (a little of the yellow/brown in the centre of the screen compared to the sides) but no obvious brightness differences from the left to the right side. I could not see any 'backlight bleed' issue at the bottom of the screen, nor any dark spots/corners.
The reflection however was something else! <insert your expletive of choice here>! Wow, the store itself was very brightly lit with many fluorescent tubes behind my standing position. I sure didn't need to turn around to see them, or my own reflection or that of the shoppers walking behind me.
My other concern is the screen brightness with reflection combined - I could imagine this causing eye strain and headaches. I'd need a longer trial to see if this is true for my (slightly less than middle-aged) eyeballs.
My home setting would obvious be very different to this, but opposite a window would be an absolute no-no. This may limit my options. But why should I have to think like this? Sure we had the same issue with CRT monitor way back when, but now? In 2007?
So, onto the subject...
The sales guy at the store saw me fiddling about with the demo model and came over to see what I was looking for. Without prompting from me he stated that this was the first 24" iMac he'd seen that he couldn't point to obvious display problems. This was the third batch of iMacs they had received. He said the first two batches both had dark spots or obvious brightness differences across the screen. I asked about the backlight bleed, explaining what it was, but he'd not seen it (probably because the store was too brightly lit). He agreed that there was a slight yellowing in the centre of the screen on light backgrounds, but otherwise this was by far the best he'd seen. I could probably live with it but not if I did a lot of heavy photography/design.
So have Apple have been quietly (so as to not admit a problem in the first place) making some improvements to later batches?
Personally, I'd have to trial one at home to be absolutely sure before parting with what I still consider to be a lot of money for a 'consumer' level computer (Apple or otherwise). I might try to find a supplier who can lease me a machine for a month to see if it would be ok in my situation, but quite frankly why should this be necessary?

Answer 1

I returned my 24"iMac today -- after receiving the long-awaited response from tech-support on their escalation of my issues/inquiries to the engineering department. The "final" (non)result is that Apple REFUSES to disclose the specific display quality standards alluded to in their claim that:
+"Apple designs, tests and certifies our displays to meet+
+stringent visual ergonomics (front of screen) criteria."+
_Apple engineering's response:_
+"The URL http://images.apple.com/environment/resources/pdf/APES24-in_iMac8-07-07.pdf+
+is for documenting the environmental requirements of the machine. For technical specifications+
+regarding the machine see http://support.apple.com/specs/imac/iMacMid2007.html.+"
_English translation:_
"+Certified? ...stringent criteria?+ You didn't really believe that BS, didya? ...BWAHAHAHA!"
They also flat-out REFUSED to comment (based on numerous screen photos and luminance measurements) on whether my iMac's display, would satisfy Apple's double-super-secret "stringent criteria."
_Apple engineering's response:_
+"Previous reports of luminescence and brightness non-uniformity+
+were found to be within the expected range for iMacs."+
_English translation:_
"Is yours within expected range? ...uh, see "+stringent criteria+," above. ...BWAHAHAHA!
I also asked repeatedly if any remedy was in the works. But of course, since the official corporate position is to deny that any problem exists, they can hardly admit to be working on a fix -- whether they are or not.
... specs?? ...we don't need no steeenking specs!!
Looby