TL;DR - A Monoprice MPLE27QPM monitor has the same panel used by Apple in their 27 iMac 2012
I recently bought a 27 inch later 2013 iMac with a broken screen. Same old story, the previous owner tried to take the screen off to replace the HD and inadvertently cut the flex-connectors to the panel. I looked for a new panel, but they are overpriced or damaged (eBay ~$500). It's still a good computer (especially with the upgraded SSD blade drive), so I wanted to put it to use. I searched for a 2K monitor (same native resolution of the 2013 iMac), so I can take the logic board, power source... and attach them to the monitor and voila, a weird-looking iMac. I found a used inexpensive Monoprice MPLE27QPM for $100, a sweet score. Once I got it home, I noticed a camera hole, but the manual did not say anything about a camera. Being inquisitive, I took the monitor apart to see what's going on. And low and behold, the panel is the same panel used by Apple for their 2012 27 inch iMacs. The connectors fit (the LED power connector has an adapter that needs to be removed), the model number is the same, and the glass fits perfectly. It even has a temp sensor plug (the actual sensor came from my old monitor). As for the different model years (2012 LM27OWQ1(SD)(F1) vs 2013 LM27OWQ1(SD)(F2), it is my understanding that the panel for 2012 will work in the 2013 iMac. I'm just waiting for the blade SSD before putting it all back together and testing it out.
Also, if you do use the Monoprice monitor as a display replacement, the plastic backing has yellow double-sided tape (can be seen in the pictures). Some heat is helpful.
I recently bought a 27 inch later 2013 iMac with a broken screen. Same old story, the previous owner tried to take the screen off to replace the HD and inadvertently cut the flex-connectors to the panel. I looked for a new panel, but they are overpriced or damaged (eBay ~$500). It's still a good computer (especially with the upgraded SSD blade drive), so I wanted to put it to use. I searched for a 2K monitor (same native resolution of the 2013 iMac), so I can take the logic board, power source... and attach them to the monitor and voila, a weird-looking iMac. I found a used inexpensive Monoprice MPLE27QPM for $100, a sweet score. Once I got it home, I noticed a camera hole, but the manual did not say anything about a camera. Being inquisitive, I took the monitor apart to see what's going on. And low and behold, the panel is the same panel used by Apple for their 2012 27 inch iMacs. The connectors fit (the LED power connector has an adapter that needs to be removed), the model number is the same, and the glass fits perfectly. It even has a temp sensor plug (the actual sensor came from my old monitor). As for the different model years (2012 LM27OWQ1(SD)(F1) vs 2013 LM27OWQ1(SD)(F2), it is my understanding that the panel for 2012 will work in the 2013 iMac. I'm just waiting for the blade SSD before putting it all back together and testing it out.
Also, if you do use the Monoprice monitor as a display replacement, the plastic backing has yellow double-sided tape (can be seen in the pictures). Some heat is helpful.
