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What is their spec then, where does it say that’s it’s ok to have this? Why don’t other iMac have this problem and what spec do they have?

It’s still worth reporting as a fault to Apple support and getting it logged on your account and so it becomes more apparent that more and more people are complaining. May make widespread news then and get exposure and then Apple might look more into it
I agree. But this didn't happen. Looks like most people don't care or don't notice. It's sad but as you can see we are very few complaining. Maybe it really is a computer bought by families with noisy houses..
 
I agree. But this didn't happen. Looks like most people don't care or don't notice. It's sad but as you can see we are very few complaining. Maybe it really is a computer bought by families with noisy houses..
My 2013 trash can Mac Pro made far louder coil whine sounds than my iMac M1.
 
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My 2013 trash can Mac Pro made far louder coil whine sounds than my iMac M1.

Did you report it or just accept it was part of it as such? Was it a common issue on those?

I agree. But this didn't happen. Looks like most people don't care or don't notice. It's sad but as you can see we are very few complaining. Maybe it really is a computer bought by families with noisy houses..
Maybe but the more coverage the better, maybe MR can do an article to highlight it?
 
Did you report it or just accept it was part of it as such? Was it a common issue on those?


Maybe but the more coverage the better, maybe MR can do an article to highlight it?
The whine started getting worse after the 2013 MP was out of warranty, so not much I could do about the noise. I don't know how common this issue was on those machines. Thinking back, my late 2013 MBP also had coil whine issues. That was annoying too, but got fixed when I had to get the logic board replaced under warranty due to failing video card while under warranty.

I can hear the squeal faintly when I hold my ear up to the front of my M1 iMac on minimum brightness, but I can't hear a thing from my sitting position 2 feet away from the screen. I must have gotten one of the good ones? I hope it doesn't get louder as the years go by.
 
The whine started getting worse after the 2013 MP was out of warranty, so not much I could do about the noise. I don't know how common this issue was on those machines. Thinking back, my late 2013 MBP also had coil whine issues. That was annoying too, but got fixed when I had to get the logic board replaced under warranty due to failing video card while under warranty.

I can hear the squeal faintly when I hold my ear up to the front of my M1 iMac on minimum brightness, but I can't hear a thing from my sitting position 2 feet away from the screen. I must have gotten one of the good ones? I hope it doesn't get louder as the years go by.

Thanks for reply. Well it’s good if can’t hear it from normal sitting distance. I think a lot of devices “buzz” if our ear right up but we don’t use them like that….apart from iPhone suppose!!

If it’s like that then I wouldn’t have an issue, but as you say if gets worse, it’s enviably going to be when out of warranty!! Do you have AC+ ?
 
Thanks for reply. Well it’s good if can’t hear it from normal sitting distance. I think a lot of devices “buzz” if our ear right up but we don’t use them like that….apart from iPhone suppose!!

If it’s like that then I wouldn’t have an issue, but as you say if gets worse, it’s enviably going to be when out of warranty!! Do you have AC+ ?
No, I don't buy AC+. I use the built-in VISA card warranty extension to double the basic AC from 1 to 2 years. I find that's the best balance between warranty protections and cost.
 
Not good if it is distracting to you. Have you reported it to Apple support anyway. Lots don’t report issues and live with them, but Apple should know, it may get worse over the years and it will show that you reported it at the start, and also make Appel aware there is a problem with more and more reporting it.
I reported it to Apple support. They scheduled me in for an appointment. Not sure if they can hear anything. Should I even bother bringing the iMac in?
 
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I reported it to Apple support. They scheduled me in for an appointment. Not sure if they can hear anything. Should I even bother bringing the iMac in?

If it’s not a telephone appointment then I would take it in but specify in the noisy shop it may not be heard and they may take it out the back or something to check?

Definitely worth reporting and the more that do something may be done.
 
I reported it to Apple support. They scheduled me in for an appointment. Not sure if they can hear anything. Should I even bother bringing the iMac in?
They definitely must check it in the back in a quiet room. Impossible to hear the buzzing with the music and the people and the noise.

Anyway, any replacement will have the same buzz. And possibly other new issues, like disuniform screen, out of focus camera, faulty speakers etc. Just be wary of that.
 
The one I returned had a more noticeable whine/noise than its replacement, so there seems to be some variation, but yes there is also the risk of getting some new problem. The one I returned also had memory leak issues, but I didn't have it long enough to get to the bottom of that.
 
I ended up cancelling the appointment. I'll live with the machine. Don't want to risk a replacement that's worse.
 
I'll wait for the new ones in spring. No point in having another exchanged with the same whine, but It could make sense having it exchanged with a new generation one. Maybe the new with M2s will have this fixed. On our ones, I don't think they'll ever be fixed.
 
I'll wait for the new ones in spring. No point in having another exchanged with the same whine, but It could make sense having it exchanged with a new generation one. Maybe the new with M2s will have this fixed. On our ones, I don't think they'll ever be fixed.

Nothing to say the new one won’t have any problems either though, and then a circle of waiting and waiting.


I ended up cancelling the appointment. I'll live with the machine. Don't want to risk a replacement that's worse.
Still would have been good for them to test it and acknowledge it though. You don’t have to then get an exchange you could say you need it for now, or can’t wait as still short supply, but still get Apple to look and test.
 
This issue is super annoying to me.. Fan noise is more pleasant to my ears than this noise.

Would also recommend you guys to really try open this page, as recommended by @coso.

After hearing the noise from opening that page I really think there is a bigger issue going in here.
 
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I received a replacement. There is still coil whine. I think it’s impossible to have one without any whine. I’m content now that I tried another machine.
 
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I received a replacement. There is still coil whine. I think it’s impossible to have one without any whine. I’m content now that I tried another machine.

Thanks, my theory is again confirmed
 
I received a replacement. There is still coil whine. I think it’s impossible to have one without any whine. I’m content now that I tried another machine.
Did you end up taking it in to Apple and they agreed,? Or was it just done over the telephone and a swap done by post?

Is there a way to tell when it’s manufactured via serial now? Be interesting to know if it’s just been built.

So is this new one exactly the same? Worse, better? Is it only on low brightness again?
 
Ask away, but don't worry, from the first one out of the production line to the latest, all of them buzzes. Some more, some less. There is no escape from this.
 
Apple store couldn't hear anything, which I wasn't surprised. So I called Apple support again as the whine was starting to give me headaches. Since I was still within the 14-day period, they asked whether I wanted a refund or an exchange. Overall very good service.

The exchanged unit is slightly less noisy. Perhaps the pitch is lower, or the whine is slightly quieter. It's not perfect, but I can live with it. The previous one I dreaded turning on the machine.
 
So no indication from Apple that they're going to address this? I returned mine due to the noise and am now living with a 2012 iMac. I had planned on looking into a Mac Mini setup but a couple of hours reading threads about people having problems with the Mac Mini really puts you off.
 
Nope, all is fine according to Apple. If you don't need a new computer I suggest you to wait for the M2 iMacs in a few months
 
Nope, all is fine according to Apple. If you don't need a new computer I suggest you to wait for the M2 iMacs in a few months
I havn't been keeping up with the rumours. Are they releasing new M2 24" iMacs? Or 27"?
 
I havn't been keeping up with the rumours. Are they releasing new M2 24" iMacs? Or 27"?
Well, the M chips are said to be on a 18 months upgrade cycle, and the new Airs are expected mid spring. Of course nothing certain, but it would make sense for them to update the iMacs too. Also new iMacs 27" with M1 Pro and Max, yeah, expected before summers. Of course, they're all rumors, but believable
 
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