Apple sucks.

[fastlanephil]

I don't know what this is all about but you cannot replace the video card on an iMac because it is built into the logic board.

In fact I am in the process of replacing the logic board on my old iMac G5 because of a bad GPU. I managed to find a used one with a warranty.

Maybe that's what the repair shop did. $300 sounds about right on price. If Apple replaced it it would be much more.

 

[rixax]

I went through multiple re-installs of Lion, deleted all power pc apps,disk warrior, all kinds of diagnostics until one tech told me they could see very slow degrading of the drive (in this case an SSD). It was a kensington drive in a plastic case. Swapped it out for a 300 gig intel, sold metal enclosure and it works like a dream. My bet, your drive is faulty.

 

[Roller]

Quick update. Apple had my iMac for almost two weeks. They couldn't get it to fail a hardware test but were able to duplicate the issue. They finally told me it was video card and replaced it for $330. Only been using it an hour or so, but I don't see any of the random flickering yet. Hopefully it's fixed. Time will tell.

Glad you got it fixed. Based on your opening post, it looks like you lived with this problem for almost a year. I guess the lessons are to take video of problems like this, especially when they're intermittent, and that going to Apple directly for help is good. The authorized service center probably could've taken care of it too if they had the video showing what was going on.

 

[kfscoll]

I don't know what this is all about but you cannot replace the video card on an iMac because it is built into the logic board.

Not true. The video cards on 2009 iMacs plug into the logic board via an MXM (Mobile PCI Express Module) connector. They can be relatively easily replaced, but the cards sure aren't cheap!

 

[Lancer]

Just goes to confirm that I WILL be buying an AppleCare protection plan when I get a new iMac.

ITA, but I'll wait 10-11 mouths and get it sometime next year... just waiting on Apple to update the iMac now.

 

[iSayuSay]

Geez, guess that Apple doesn't suck imagine that

I can understand OP's feeling. Well yes maybe Apple replaced the graphic card, for a fee. Well how kind of Apple is it, huh?
But I would expect it never happened. For a premium-priced computer, one would expect it to have longevity and trouble-free.

I own an iMac and the AppleCare. And I have my screen replaced twice within the first year due to smudge problem. Excellent service and all, but I certainly don't want my iMac to have problems, I lose time, and energy. It's no longer as reliable as you thought it would once your machine have problems, no matter how good their services are.

 

[sectime]

I can understand OP's feeling. Well yes maybe Apple replaced the graphic card, for a fee. Well how kind of Apple is it, huh?
But I would expect it never happened. For a premium-priced computer, one would expect it to have longevity and trouble-free.

I own an iMac and the AppleCare. And I have my screen replaced twice within the first year due to smudge problem. Excellent service and all, but I certainly don't want my iMac to have problems, I lose time, and energy. It's no longer as reliable as you thought it would once your machine have problems, no matter how good their services are.

You Never owned an Audi or Benz I'll bet

 

[cocky jeremy]

$330 for a GT 120? Man o man...I love my Apple stuff, but that's just highway robbery, even if it does include installation.

Sadly enough, the labor was free. They didn't even charge the $39 for it. That video card is probably worth $100 now, if that. I wouldn't mind the $330 if it weren't for the fact that the video card was a total guess (they admitted this) because they couldn't figure anything else out.

Not true. The video cards on 2009 iMacs plug into the logic board via an MXM (Mobile PCI Express Module) connector. They can be relatively easily replaced, but the cards sure aren't cheap!

You're right. I asked what the next step was if the video card didn't fix it, and they said to replace the entire logic board, and i pay the difference between the video card and logic board. So basically, i'd get the video card and logic board for the price of the logic board. They aren't one piece on 2009 iMacs.

 

[fastlanephil]

Not true. The video cards on 2009 iMacs plug into the logic board via an MXM (Mobile PCI Express Module) connector. They can be relatively easily replaced, but the cards sure aren't cheap!

Your right.

I checked out the repair procedure at iFixit and it's a not a simple repair. You have to tear it down to the logic board and it's a GPU assembly which includes a large heat sink.

Replacing my iMac G5 logic board looks easier than this repair.


http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iMac-Intel-24-Inch-EMC-2111-GPU-Assembly/5214/13

 

[antistandard]

f#!@ Apple

The first 'genius' I saw was unhelpful and had a negative attitude from the start.
The second 'genius' I saw was brought out to me because no other 'genius'' had the knowledge to understand my problem and concern and needs. I was calm and polite through out the whole ordeal/process in case you were wondering.

I hate to admit it, because I love apple products, but I simply can not stand the way apple has become.
- Smug
- Egotistical
- Unaware of customer needs although they will fight to the death that they know everything about the customers and how to keep them glued to the brand.
- Cheap labour in China yet ridiculous price tags on products designed by some dude in California and repair rates are outrageous.
- Using parts from salvaged logic boards to repair my logic board but charging me premium price for it. F you! I pay over $600 for a logic board that is not 'new'. I simply hate apple.
- Selling of a useless product called apple care. $300 odd bucks for 2 years of warrantee which makes 3 years on top of the original 1 year. 3 years is about the life span you will get from an apple device if you are extremely lucky and it will totally die.
My logic board damaged itself. $600 odd with tax. New mac $1200. That's half the price. Why ? because everything important and expensive is solder onto one part. Why ? $$$$$$ for apple.
Why do you need a genius bar if your products worked the way you advertise them to?
Why does it take over an hour to see a 'genius'? Are all your products breaking ? yes, they are.
Was every customer at the genius bar confused, angry and dissatisfied? Yes, they were. Is it apples fault at all? no of course not. customers are just irrational and illogical. Apple is the giant genius that knows all and does everything right. What BS.

Will I contemplate buying a PC in the future. Unfortunately I have thought about it which is sad. Replacement costs of parts is cheap, you can customise your machines easily and experiment with different parts and features. cool. Yes they break the SAME amount of times as apple stuff but they are a third of the price and upgrading in the process is easy. ever tried to upgrade a mac? "oh you can't put that onto this it's not compatible anymore. (after 6 months of it being released)" lol.

My strategy.
I think i'll by a kick ass PC and run some version of windows that doesn't suck as much as most of them. then keep my mac until it dies again in a year or less in which case it'll go into a computer recycling bin. then just keep running the PC at home and use my company bought and repaired MAC at work. F apple.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Old post, but to you I say goodbye, and good riddance
If you HATE , you'll triple hate PC, YOU WERE WARNED!!!!