Before you buy an iMac, BE WARNED that the monitors have SERIOUS PROBLEMS

[macmee]

Many displays in imacs have image persistence problems

this is a very common problem. Typically the panel works fine for 6 months to a year and then they'll start leaking.

Either DONT BUY an iMac or buy extended apple care, otherwise if this happens to your panel (and its pretty common) then you're screwed.

This happens in all iMac models. Retina, non-retina, seems that LG makes terrible panels. It might not happen to EVERY iMac sold obviously, but it's a very common problem with iMacs.

 

[DeltaMac]

Hmmm.
Not THAT common where you need to create a general alarm for all iMac buyers.
("leaking"? )

How about renaming this thread to something like
"A few iMac users (and portable Macs, too) may randomly begin showing image persistence due to the nature of the display design."
There is no way to predict which panels will show the issue. There are some fixes that one can try, in the event that you experience display persistence. Some fixes work on some displays. Other times the panel will need to be replaced. Or, as some people do, you can choose to ignore your image persistence, as it is often hardly noticeable.

 

[varian55zx]

I think you're heavily exaggerating, macmee.

You're creating hysteria for no reason.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I've never seen this problem before, so "very common" is not accurate.

 

[Ainze]

It's a known issue for the type of panel they use (IPS), a built-in drawback of the underlying technology. And yes, can occur in desktops and laptops, and non-Apple computers too. I used to get this all the time in the first year on getting my iMac. Since then, I just leave the screensaver on a shorter time. The issue only occurs when the same image is left on the screen for a long time, made worse if the brightness is high. I haven't seen the issue in at all in the last year and a half. It's certainly not 'leakage' that starts after the display breaks down, or whatever you're claiming.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202580
http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/18/the-curious-case-of-the-persistent-image/

 

[navaira]

Our non-retina 2011 iMac is, well, five years old ("That's sad" – Schiller) and the screen is as good as when we bought it. Are those new iMacs?

 

[maflynn]

I've not seen too many reports on this and my iMac is fine. While I feel bad that you're incurring issues, I think its rather alarmist to conjecture its a major problem.

 

[happycadaver]

None of my iMacs had this problem since i bought my first in 2010. Haven't had this issue with all my IPS panels to be exact.

I love these attention seekers. Making a fuzz out of almost nothing or common (tech) knowledge.

 

[maflynn]

This happens in all iMac models

Can you back up your statement of fact that this occurs with every model.

 

[Sun Baked]

Avoiding image persistence on Apple displays

I tend not to leave my machines with the screens on all the time. They are set to go to a screen saver for a bit, and the sleep after inactivity.

But based on this thread, I should probably also set my desktop image to change every now and then.

 

[iMcLovin]

I had this issue with my previous iMac after two years of heavy usage. Apple fixed the iMac without a question asked. So, Im not concerned. No point trying to make hysteria over something thats completely normal and apple has one of the best customers care in the computer industry.
If I had a 2 year old PC on the other hand with a LG or Samsung monitor, I wouldn't expect to get anything replaced.

 

[mildocjr]

Yeah this is called ghosting and it happens on all IPS displays, I have a 27" iMac and no problems. The ghosting is normal behavior and goes away after 5 minutes. Stop pulling the fire alarm.

Also, who puts installers on their desktop? Jeez that's what the downloads and trash folder is for

 

[xmichaelp]

Many displays in imacs have image persistence problem.

No they don't. I've never once heard of this complaint. I remember complaints about the rMBP when it was new but even then it was massively overblown.

 

[varian55zx]

What did you watch OP, some sort of weird anti-Apple propaganda? Or are you one of those people where it happened to you and now you think it happens everywhere.

I've owned many iMacs this has never happened. In fact, I've gotten nothing but stellar, amazing and satisfactory performance from all of them. Apple has been nothing but good to me over the years, and that is in all facets.

Say a minor problem comes along, more often than not, they actually take responsibility and fix it themselves. I mean who else can you say does that?