Do not buy an imac - bad screens

[Abazigal]

If I look closely enough, there are patches on the surface of my screen (some are probably from sneezing, others I don't know nor do I care). They can probably be wiped away if I could be bothered to. Thing is, when the screen is on and lit, I can't see anything of these smudges.

So just how bad will these smudges get anyways? Or is it simply one of those issues like backlit bleeds which people just like to nitpick for the sake of nitpicking?

 

[spcdust]

If I look closely enough, there are patches on the surface of my screen (some are probably from sneezing, others I don't know nor do I care). They can probably be wiped away if I could be bothered to. Thing is, when the screen is on and lit, I can't see anything of these smudges.

So just how bad will these smudges get anyways? Or is it simply one of those issues like backlit bleeds which people just like to nitpick for the sake of nitpicking?

If your issue is indeed the smudge / smokey screen it will likely get progressively worse as time goes on. Presently my 2011 iMac, purchased in June/July2011, has only recently started to exhibit the issue, however it's still very mild and not that bad - hence why I'm not getting it sorted out. However, from my experience of my previous 2009 iMac, I know it will get worse and worse until it's very noticeable indeed. You can't wipe it off and you can't remove the glass panel and wipe it on the other side - the discolouration seems to be in the rear of the LCD array.

 

[Bl0ckHe1d]

Looked at the Applecare protection plan and it quotes the following:

Apple hardware coverage

The AppleCare Protection Plan provides global repair coverage, both parts and labor, from Apple-authorized technicians around the world. Apple hardware coverage includes:

Your Mac computer
Included accessories such as the power adapter
Apple memory (RAM)
AirPort Express Base Station, AirPort Extreme Base Station, or Time Capsule2
Apple display purchased with your Mac

Source http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MD007ZM/A?afid=p228|GBUK&cid=AOS-EMEA-SHOPIP-GoogleBase-UK


Fail to see why Apple wouldn't replace your display if it is covered by Applecare unless it is buried amongst the small print!

 

[spcdust]

Looked at the Applecare protection plan and it quotes the following:

Apple hardware coverage

The AppleCare Protection Plan provides global repair coverage, both parts and labor, from Apple-authorized technicians around the world. Apple hardware coverage includes:

Your Mac computer
Included accessories such as the power adapter
Apple memory (RAM)
AirPort Express Base Station, AirPort Extreme Base Station, or Time Capsule2
Apple display purchased with your Mac

Source http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MD007ZM/A?afid=p228|GBUK&cid=AOS-EMEA-SHOPIP-GoogleBase-UK


Fail to see why Apple wouldn't replace your display if it is covered by Applecare unless it is buried amongst the small print!

Because Apple do not regard this as a fault of their making - they are blaming the environment the computer is located as the cause and therefore not covered by Applecare. To avoid them accepting liability and a whole heap of trouble, they are generally offering to repair the issue as a "One time only repair as a gesture of goodwill".

At the time I had the issue various posters suffering the same problem were asked, by Apple, questions such as wether they burnt Incense or candles in the same room, ludicrously wether I had ever had a hot drink on the desk near the computer (assuming steam from your coffee may affect the screen), wether direct sunlight through a window hit the screen etc.

 

[imanidiot]

21.5" mid-2010 iMac, same problem as others have described. No gaming, nothing ultra-intensive. Had to take it in last week, Genius diagnosed bad LCD panel, replaced under Apple Care. Picked it up two days ago. Hope it doesn't happen again? We'll see.

 

[Madmic23]

Whatever you do, do not publish recorded calls - unless given express permission by the person at the other end.

You don't need permission. As long as one party in the coversation is aware of the recording, you can do whatever you want with it.

 

[forty2j]

I also love how one person mocks that it is important to warn people about a WIDESPREAD problem with a particular product. It's not only one person to have it. Not one spoiled food of a million.

How do you know if it's only one's problem? Maybe you're indeed the minority? How can you tell an iMac with perfect screen is the majority?

And we're warning people here. It's up to them if they still want to buy it, just remember that you've been warned.
And as I said, once you spot the same problem on your so called perfect iMac, you'd flip side, go cry to mama and ranting about how bad an iMac is. Just the same story all iver again. You'll see.

Sorry, I can't buy your public service defense. You were hardly the first thread on the topic, and not even the only one on the first page. Reading through the others, you see that most people with a problem are finding one kind of resolution or another to the issue. You came in with alarmist "do not buy" declaration, as though every single system will experience the issue. It won't.

Of all the Macs I've bought in the past 15 years or so, I think the only one that ever had a problem that Apple didn't immediately correct was the one the PowerBook the cat peed on.

 

[beosound3200]

21.5" mid-2010 iMac, same problem as others have described. No gaming, nothing ultra-intensive. Had to take it in last week, Genius diagnosed bad LCD panel, replaced under Apple Care. Picked it up two days ago. Hope it doesn't happen again? We'll see.

jesus, now im really concerned about this, it just happens random...

im buying an imac (ivy bridge) when it comes out, in my country it costs around 5000$ and i want to keep it for at least 4 years so this is rather depressing...

maybe i should stop reading on forums...

 

[imanidiot]

jesus, now im really concerned about this, it just happens random...

im buying an imac (ivy bridge) when it comes out, in my country it costs around 5000$ and i want to keep it for at least 4 years so this is rather depressing...

maybe i should stop reading on forums...

I was somewhat taken aback to learn how prevalent the problem I encountered is. My feeling is that, as others have pointed out, it may well be a design flaw---insufficient heat dissipation due to the admittedly elegant design. I really hope they () get this sorted out before the next release, because I would seriously consider an upgrade. Love the iMac, save for this problem. In my case Apple was really good about replacing the panel, but it shouldn't happen with the frequency which it, apparently, does.

 

[iSayuSay]

jesus, now im really concerned about this, it just happens random...

im buying an imac (ivy bridge) when it comes out, in my country it costs around 5000$ and i want to keep it for at least 4 years so this is rather depressing...

maybe i should stop reading on forums...

Well i stop reading forum and went for iMac after all, hoping this issue would never crawl into mine.

Here I am, for trying to ignore it. Reality distortion field didnt work for me.

 

[imanidiot]

Well i stop reading forum and went for iMac after all, hoping this issue would never crawl into mine.

Here I am, for trying to ignore it. Reality distortion field didnt work for me.

I tried to ignore it as well, until it became un-ignorable. Once you know it's there, it's all you see.

 

[itsmeJD]

I tried to ignore it as well, until it became un-ignorable. Once you know it's there, it's all you see.

This depresses me to no end. I want an iMac and have forever, and now that I've got the money in hand, ready to do the deed, this ******** happens. I keep waiting for a response like "Oh **** everyone, Apple just sent out a press release and they fixed the problem! No more smokey-smudge!" Instead, I read about MORE issues and realize that post is likely never coming....

 

[imanidiot]

This depresses me to no end. I want an iMac and have forever, and now that I've got the money in hand, ready to do the deed, this ******** happens. I keep waiting for a response like "Oh **** everyone, Apple just sent out a press release and they fixed the problem! No more smokey-smudge!" Instead, I read about MORE issues and realize that post is likely never coming....

I'm sure it will come, eventually. It just hasn't yet. I mean, Apple isn't exactly turning a profit replacing damaged LCD panels under Apple Care, surely. And, in my case at least, they DO replace them without your having to fight them about it. They've got to know the issue exists. In fact, there are a couple of petitions circulating on the web to urge Apple to acknowledge the issue. And as much as I like my iMac, I signed one of them.

 

[Mac-Mac-McAfee]

Lame

Don't feed the trolls. They feast on 'bad monitor' reports.

Purchased a new battery for my car a few weeks back. Turns out the new one was just as bad as the old. Took it to the auto parts store, they tested it, then gave me a new one. Ish happen, it's electronics. Go find a spiral bound notebook and a pen if you're so afraid of defects.

 

[itsmeJD]

Don't feed the trolls. They feast on 'bad monitor' reports.

Purchased a new battery for my car a few weeks back. Turns out the new one was just as bad as the old. Took it to the auto parts store, they tested it, then gave me a new one. Ish happen, it's electronics. Go find a spiral bound notebook and a pen if you're so afraid of defects.

There's a difference between an occasional defect, and a widespread problem. Between reading this forum, and the 39 pages over at Apple, my concern is paying 2k for a piece of equipment that I'm going to have to repeatedly send out to have replaced. Applecare or not, time is money, and replacing multiple displays due to an unacknowledged error in design isn't worth it to me.

 

[imanidiot]

There's a difference between an occasional defect, and a widespread problem. Between reading this forum, and the 39 pages over at Apple, my concern is paying 2k for a piece of equipment that I'm going to have to repeatedly send out to have replaced. Applecare or not, time is money, and replacing multiple displays due to an unacknowledged error in design isn't worth it to me.

^This.
I'd love to believe it's just a random occurrence, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[spcdust]

Don't feed the trolls. They feast on 'bad monitor' reports.

Purchased a new battery for my car a few weeks back. Turns out the new one was just as bad as the old. Took it to the auto parts store, they tested it, then gave me a new one. Ish happen, it's electronics. Go find a spiral bound notebook and a pen if you're so afraid of defects.

???????????????????

No trolls here, just members of an Apple forum, many with countless posts over several years to their name, discussing an issue they have experienced. It's up to an individual wether it puts them off purchasing....personally I still believe the pro's out weigh the cons however it's useful to discuss Apple product short comings (and from experience there are a fair few). It would be helpful if people didn't put Apple on some pedestal.

 

[imanidiot]

???????????????????

No trolls here, just members of an Apple forum, many with countless posts over several years to their name, discussing an issue they have experienced. It's up to an individual wether it puts them off purchasing....personally I still believe the pro's out weigh the cons however it's useful to discuss Apple product short comings (and from experience there are a fair few). It would be helpful if people didn't put Apple on some pedestal.

Agreed.

 

[iSayuSay]

Yes ... funny .. some people just cant handle when fellow Mac users have some bad lemon. Acting tough and cocky just because their beloved Mac dont share the same problem.

This is not normal and random failure we're talking here. I don't mind bringing back my iMac in for some occasional failures. But this aint one of them.

 

[WilliamG]

I bought my 2009 27" iMac in December, 2009. I use it every single day, - it's barely been switched off since the day I bought it.

I have no issues with the display. So this clearly doesn't affect every iMac.

 

[itsmeJD]

I bought my 2009 27" iMac in December, 2009. I use it every single day, - it's barely been switched off since the day I bought it.

I have no issues with the display. So this clearly doesn't affect every iMac.

Curious question...if I were to decide to go ahead with the iMac, would it make more sense to buy it NEW assuming the refurbs may be refurbs due to this issue?

 

[WilliamG]

Curious question...if I were to decide to go ahead with the iMac, would it make more sense to buy it NEW assuming the refurbs may be refurbs due to this issue?

I'd say it likely doesn't matter either way. If a display had obvious blotches on it, Apple likely wouldn't sell it, and the warranty is the same if you buy it new or refurbished.

 

[itsmeJD]

I'd say it likely doesn't matter either way. If a display had obvious blotches on it, Apple likely wouldn't sell it, and the warranty is the same if you buy it new or refurbished.

Right, but if the display in a particular iMac has been replaced multiple times, odds of it happening again are high, so I wouldn't want that particular Mac. Whereas maybe with a new iMac I'd win the "lottery" and get a Mac whose display doesn't have that issue (like the one you currently own from 09)

 

[imanidiot]

I bought my 2009 27" iMac in December, 2009. I use it every single day, - it's barely been switched off since the day I bought it.

I have no issues with the display. So this clearly doesn't affect every iMac.

I envy you, and wish I could say the same thing. I don't think anyone who has experienced this issue means to imply that it affects every iMac, or most iMacs, or 25% of iMacs or whatever. But it would seem that it has affected a rather significant number of iMacs, if the number of complaints regarding the exact same problem is any indication, to make one wonder if perhaps this is not a design issue. I'm not saying it is, mind you, but I believe it very well could be. Or the occasional bad production run, or...

 

[WilliamG]

I envy you, and wish I could say the same thing. I don't think anyone who has experienced this issue means to imply that it affects every iMac, or most iMacs, or 25% of iMacs or whatever. But it would seem that it has affected a rather significant number of iMacs, if the number of complaints regarding the exact same problem is any indication, to make one wonder if perhaps this is not a design issue. I'm not saying it is, mind you, but I believe it very well could be. Or the occasional bad production run, or...

But see, I don't think there are that many people complaining about this issue. Thousands of people? Maybe. But that's a tiny percentage of the overall number of iMacs sold. I absolutely agree it's an issue, but it's certainly not an issue that affects the "majority" of iMacs. Don't forget, people are much more likely to go on the Internets to post about stuff that doesn't work, rather than to praise the product.