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Apple Facing Class Action Lawsuit Over Lack of Filters in MacBooks and iMacs Causing Trapped Dust

MacRumors said:



Apple is facing a class action lawsuit that accuses the company of failing to install vent filters in MacBooks and iMacs, leading to lower processor speeds and screen smudges from trapped dust, which result in expensive repairs for consumers.

News of the lawsuit was published today by Hagens Berman, the firm handling the case.

imacscreensmudges.jpg
According to the lawsuit, some iMac, iMac Pro, MacBook Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Air users have experienced dark smudges and spots on the interior of the screens of their computers as well as excessive slowness due to heating issues because of the lack of a filter in these devices.Dust accumulating from the air allegedly impacts the screen and the motherboard, causing spots on the display and heat regulation issues.

Hagens Berman says that Apple has been charging customers with machines out of warranty upwards of $600 to fix these problems. The lawsuit says iMac and MacBook models from 2013 to 2018 are affected.

Several plaintiffs are named in the lawsuit, including a photographer who was plagued by dark spots on her Mac's display, a user who had smudges on his iMac who was required to pay $600 for a replacement after five months, and a third iMac owner who saw dark smudges soon after making a purchase and subsequently had his display and motherboard replaced multiple times, leading to high repair bills.

The class action lawsuit is seeking monetary compensation for Mac owners, including compensation for screens that "did not perform as advertised," reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair costs, and compensation for those who sold their computers at a loss due to dark smudges on the display or poor performance.

Article Link: Apple Facing Class Action Lawsuit Over Lack of Filters in MacBooks and iMacs Causing Trapped Dust
Click to expand...
Wow. Only had 50 days left on my Apple care and my iMac can’t turn on. Apparently the power chord inside the iMac is messed up but yeah we all need to get compensated.
 
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This happened to my late 2012 iMac twice. Both times the screens were replaced under AC. Even the genius’ couldn’t figure out what it was. They assumed it was due to Hugh humidity levels. I keep my place fairly clean and vacuum/dust weekly.
 
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Too bad... my 2011 iMac 27" has this exact problem. I watched videos how to remove the LCD and clean in-between the layers of it... didn't seem worth it to do at the time. Now I can't even run Mojave on it so will probably go in the trash within a year LOL.
 
Did any iMacs or MacBooks have dust filters in the past 10 years? I don't think my 2008 models have them
 
I keep my Macs pretty clean and have never experienced this personally; however, I've seen it on more than one occasion. Both were 2010/2011-era iMacs. Back then, the glass was held on by magnets. Honestly, I've never been a fan of there being glass in front of the LCD panel, I mean, my 30-inch Cinema Display would never have this problem. Oh, and it's antiglare.
 
Guys, the biggest problem is that you can not open your computer to clean dust inside or otherwise, your computer wont gonna work again due to T2 security chip since Apple officially confirmed about self-opening and repairing specific parts but never mentioned which parts. Also, without Apple service tool kit 2, you wont be able to activate your mac again after removing parts.
 
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I noticed that in Asia one of the first thing people do when they buy a new iPhone, iPad or MacBook is to get protection for it. Screen protector and Case are usually the first two things they get when they buy a new Apple product while in America very few want to buy thing for it and want it pretty much to be naked. When something goes wrong they start complaining about it..
 
MacRumors said:
a user who had smudges on his iMac who was required to pay $600 for a replacement after five months
Click to expand...

I'd be really surprised if Apple was charging a user for this after 5 months - surely it's covered under AppleCare? I've had displays on iMacs with this issue replace under warranty in the past (never seen it on a MacBook though)
 
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mattster16 said:
Are there any computers that have a dust filter? I don't think so. Next, Apple adds a dust filter and then there is a lawsuit about overheating computers due to clogged dust filters and lack of airflow.
Click to expand...
Both of my stationary PCs have large, nylon mesh type intake filter in front of the fans fitted from factory (easily removable for cleaning).

The HP laptop I still have (albeit a bit old now) also have an intake filter that stops dust from getting into the computers innards.
 
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MacRumors said:



Apple is facing a class action lawsuit that accuses the company of failing to install vent filters in MacBooks and iMacs, leading to lower processor speeds and screen smudges from trapped dust, which result in expensive repairs for consumers.

News of the lawsuit was published today by Hagens Berman, the firm handling the case.

imacscreensmudges.jpg
According to the lawsuit, some iMac, iMac Pro, MacBook Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Air users have experienced dark smudges and spots on the interior of the screens of their computers as well as excessive slowness due to heating issues because of the lack of a filter in these devices.Dust accumulating from the air allegedly impacts the screen and the motherboard, causing spots on the display and heat regulation issues.

Hagens Berman says that Apple has been charging customers with machines out of warranty upwards of $600 to fix these problems. The lawsuit says iMac and MacBook models from 2013 to 2018 are affected.

Several plaintiffs are named in the lawsuit, including a photographer who was plagued by dark spots on her Mac's display, a user who had smudges on his iMac who was required to pay $600 for a replacement after five months, and a third iMac owner who saw dark smudges soon after making a purchase and subsequently had his display and motherboard replaced multiple times, leading to high repair bills.

The class action lawsuit is seeking monetary compensation for Mac owners, including compensation for screens that "did not perform as advertised," reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair costs, and compensation for those who sold their computers at a loss due to dark smudges on the display or poor performance.

Article Link: Apple Facing Class Action Lawsuit Over Lack of Filters in MacBooks and iMacs Causing Trapped Dust
Click to expand...
 
stylinexpat said:
I noticed that in Asia one of the first thing people do when they buy a new iPhone, iPad or MacBook is to get protection for it. Screen protector and Case are usually the first two things they get when they buy a new Apple product while in America very few want to buy thing for it and want it pretty much to be naked. When something goes wrong they start complaining about it..
Click to expand...

What does this thread have ANYTHING to do with iPhones?? Are you expecting people to buy screen protectors and cases for their iMacs?? And how would those stop dust from getting into the screen?
 
Every computer since time began gets dust. Some users are ‘tidy’, others are not.

So - now a law firm will make millions because of how clean or dirty one’s work space is. Everyone will pay more for Apple products it the future.

Sounds like the law practice partners win big time! As usual!
 
brofkand said:
Strange issue, I'm not sure I can recall dust causing display issues. Overheating sure, but display problems?
Click to expand...
I've owned probably a dozen iMacs and have this on the 2011 27" which is still in use.
I know the fix, just not the time to perform it at the moment.
Which shows it isn't that big enough of a deal to me personally on a 7 year old computer, yet.


Do I wish there was no dust in the world of computers? Sure
Is there? Yes
What am I going to do? Sue somebody? Well, yeah
Who? How about Apple?, Yeah that sounds good.
/sarcasm

I just opened an older HP tonight to replace the hard drive with a solid state drive and the inside looked like a dirty old raccoon lived in it. The entire inside was covered in dust and hair like it was insulation. Just brown and smelled. Literally after vacuuming and spraying it out with air I have a softball size ball of dust.

It took maybe 10 minutes of work to correct the issue that had been forgotten about for probably 5-6 years or sue HP.
I promise, I will be ok getting my hands dirty.
 
Royksöpp said:
The old ones let you pop off the glass and clean it.

Click to expand...
My 2011 iMac is like that but that is not where the problem is... the dust is is in-between the LCD panel itself, not just behind the glass which is simple to remove with suction cup. One has to remove the LCD panel and take it apart which is much more work.

 
My 2014 iMac developed black spots and apple replaced screen. Now it is again developing same issue but I am out of applecare now. These machines definitely have faulty design. We have stopped buying them in our institute because this happens all the time. I initially though it was due to heat, the iMac does not have enough room to cool. If it dust, then surely we should be able to clean them.
 
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MultiMan said:
Both of my stationary PCs have large, nylon mesh type intake filter in front of the fans fitted from factory (easily removable for cleaning).

The HP laptop I still have (albeit a bit old now) also have an intake filter that stops dust from getting into the computers innards.
Click to expand...

I guess I believe you, it’s just odd because I’ve used probably half a dozen different high end laptops and several very expensive high-end workstation desktop towers throughout my career (all PCs) and not a single one of them has had any kind of dust filter at their intakes.
 
It's been many years since iMac users facing this problem. Google for "iMac smudged display" and you'll see how old and common this problem really is. The culprit is the fan and airflows behind the LCD of the iMac. I've been there, facing several iMac (including the one I had for home) with dirty display after only months of usage.
Now iPad and iPhone never experienced the problem, simply because it has no fans and no dust will get trapped into the LCD layers.

Four of 5 iMac in my office experienced the same problem, while the other 1 has really low usage. So the combination of airflow, electricity and heat behind the LCD somehow makes the dust trapped between the LCD thin layers. The solution from Apple? Replace the WHOLE LCD assembly of course, how practical? Yeah Apple loves recycling for environment you know LOL

Now I use my custom built PC for home. No more "smudged display" problem using a very expensive computer. Finally have a peace of mind and crystal clear display.

Wouldn't use iMac or any all-in-one in general for workstation, ever again. Way too expensive and unnecessary risks.
 
Last edited:
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mmomega said:
I've owned probably a dozen iMacs and have this on the 2011 27" which is still in use.
I know the fix, just not the time to perform it at the moment.
Which shows it isn't that big enough of a deal to me personally on a 7 year old computer, yet.


Do I wish there was no dust in the world of computers? Sure
Is there? Yes
What am I going to do? Sue somebody? Well, yeah
Who? How about Apple?, Yeah that sounds good.
/sarcasm

I just opened an older HP tonight to replace the hard drive with a solid state drive and the inside looked like a dirty old raccoon lived in it. The entire inside was covered in dust and hair like it was insulation. Just brown and smelled. Literally after vacuuming and spraying it out with air I have a softball size ball of dust.

It took maybe 10 minutes of work to correct the issue that had been forgotten about for probably 5-6 years or sue HP.
I promise, I will be ok getting my hands dirty.
Click to expand...

What you described isn't a screen issue, there is a massive difference.
 
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