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Smokey Screen
- Thread starter Tobster3
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Mine is 2011 model, 3.4GHz i7 ... only 2.5months old before I realize it builds up a smokey defect on the display.
I'm having the same problem with my 2009 24'' iMac (Core 2 Duo). I paid a lot of money for it, like 2100 euros (Applecare, GPU and CPU upgrade).
I have the smokey screen problem that's getting worse every day. It's all over the upper side of the screen, and on the lower side it has some smokey blobs. The stains are very noticeable under a white or gray background. I removed the glass and wiped the dust, but the stains didn't disappear, so the stains are on the actual LCD.
My idea is to wait until the very end of my Applecare warranty (it expires in June, so maybe I'll call Apple on March), get the screen replaced then, keep the machine another 2/3 years (if the machine still run apps moderately well), and then update to another computer or wipe the LCD myself opening it as per some online guide I found on how to clean the LCD. It's a bit scary, opening the iMac and dismantling the LCD, but it's been done and with a 5 year old machine it's not going to be a huge loss if I kill the computer. If my next computer will be an iMac, reamins to be seen. Apple has to fix this and other issues, and maybe then they'll get my money again.
Cheers and good luck all.
I have the smokey screen problem that's getting worse every day. It's all over the upper side of the screen, and on the lower side it has some smokey blobs. The stains are very noticeable under a white or gray background. I removed the glass and wiped the dust, but the stains didn't disappear, so the stains are on the actual LCD.
My idea is to wait until the very end of my Applecare warranty (it expires in June, so maybe I'll call Apple on March), get the screen replaced then, keep the machine another 2/3 years (if the machine still run apps moderately well), and then update to another computer or wipe the LCD myself opening it as per some online guide I found on how to clean the LCD. It's a bit scary, opening the iMac and dismantling the LCD, but it's been done and with a 5 year old machine it's not going to be a huge loss if I kill the computer. If my next computer will be an iMac, reamins to be seen. Apple has to fix this and other issues, and maybe then they'll get my money again.
Cheers and good luck all.
Apple Engineer visited yesterday and told me it was dirt under the Glass initially, which I knew it wasn't as I had already removed the glass and cleaned it.
The Engineer removed the glass, and then said OOO, seems like we have a hardware problem.
To cut a long story short, they have replaced my screen with a new screen. I did numerous tests on the new screen with the Engineer checking for Light Leakage, yellow tint, dead pixles and smokey screen. The new screen is perfect.
Happy that Apple resolved the problem so quickly, concerned in case this happens again after the Warranty or Apple Care protection expires.
Good to hear, this is such an awesome after service
Once again, Apple really do need to solve all the problem on the iMac
This is again stopping me of buying one now
No. But it was on a desk in front of floor to ceiling windows. So between leaving windows open, direct sun, dust from outside, etc there is a chance it caused issues
And for people trying to clean the screen, it won't work. Apple needs to replace the entire screen
Problem is: On many cases, the symptom will come back a few months later after replacement.
Yes, it would be perfect as new after it has been replaced, just to know that the screen would be smokey again in 3 or 4 months later. Will Apple replace the panel again? And for how many times?
It's not a problem about panel replacement, it's a tiring process. My home is not exactly close to AASP. and we're talking about gigantic iMac here, not some MBA, MBP or MacMini which can be packed up and brought in easily when some problems occur.
And my local AASP refuse to check my iMac on location, they refuse and said they couldn't do it if only for one Mac. I mean WTF?? Do I have to buy 5 iMac to get on-site repair?
Shouldn't apple replace the screen as many times a it breaks? Within your AppleCare.
Or is there some sort of limit?
I only got mine replaced because I didnt remember I bought apple care, so I wanted to replace it within the year. The problem hardly bothered me, as I never have a very light screen
Or is there some sort of limit?
I only got mine replaced because I didnt remember I bought apple care, so I wanted to replace it within the year. The problem hardly bothered me, as I never have a very light screen
21.5" iMac purchased right after the mid-2010 refresh (August), started noticing the smoky/smudge problem a couple of months ago (in upper left quadrant only). Finally took it into Apple last week and it was diagnosed as a bad LCD panel which was replaced under Apple Care. Brought it home yesterday and so far, so good. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Really love the computer, it's my first Mac, but this problem seems to be so common (with iMacs) as to be disconcerting. Hope I have better luck with this one.
Note: the problem seems to be SO common that there are a couple of petitions circulating on the web to get Apple to recall all 2008-2011 iMacs, or at least acknowledge the issue. Good luck with that, but I signed it anyway.
Note: the problem seems to be SO common that there are a couple of petitions circulating on the web to get Apple to recall all 2008-2011 iMacs, or at least acknowledge the issue. Good luck with that, but I signed it anyway.
"Apple Engineer visited yesterday and told me it was dirt under the Glass initially, which I knew it wasn't as I had already removed the glass and cleaned it.
The Engineer removed the glass, and then said OOO, seems like we have a hardware problem."
Obviously, part of the problem _is_ "hardware", but the REAL "problem" with the current iMacs is one of _design_.
That is, they've taken a component (LCD display panel) that is very susceptible to damage from heat and dust, and squeezed it into close proximity with a power supply -- which normally produces a lot of heat (and some dust with fan movement).
The end result is that over time, there is a good possibility that the portion of the display panel closest to heat sources, is going to exhibit some effects from that problem.
Thus, the cloudiness and "smokey spots" on the display panel.
You can replace the clouded panel with a "fresh one", but you still have NOT fixed the fundamental cause of the problem. And this is why even "replaced panels" start to cloud up again. Too much heat immediately behind them.
The only true "fix" will lie in a re-design that REMOVES THE HEAT SOURCES from behind the panels.
My "solution" would be an external power supply that could sit on the floor, thus re-locating much of the heat production OUT OF the iMac case. Of course, this runs anathema to Apple's "elegant design" paradigm -- even if the paradigm favors stylish design over long-term reliability.
I have a white Intel iMac that, so far, seems to be OK, but perhaps the design of these older enclosures dealt with heat dispersion a little better.
When it's time to replace this 8-year-old g4/MDD, I think I'll take a really close look at the Mac Mini (perhaps wait for the release of the next version)....
The Engineer removed the glass, and then said OOO, seems like we have a hardware problem."
Obviously, part of the problem _is_ "hardware", but the REAL "problem" with the current iMacs is one of _design_.
That is, they've taken a component (LCD display panel) that is very susceptible to damage from heat and dust, and squeezed it into close proximity with a power supply -- which normally produces a lot of heat (and some dust with fan movement).
The end result is that over time, there is a good possibility that the portion of the display panel closest to heat sources, is going to exhibit some effects from that problem.
Thus, the cloudiness and "smokey spots" on the display panel.
You can replace the clouded panel with a "fresh one", but you still have NOT fixed the fundamental cause of the problem. And this is why even "replaced panels" start to cloud up again. Too much heat immediately behind them.
The only true "fix" will lie in a re-design that REMOVES THE HEAT SOURCES from behind the panels.
My "solution" would be an external power supply that could sit on the floor, thus re-locating much of the heat production OUT OF the iMac case. Of course, this runs anathema to Apple's "elegant design" paradigm -- even if the paradigm favors stylish design over long-term reliability.
I have a white Intel iMac that, so far, seems to be OK, but perhaps the design of these older enclosures dealt with heat dispersion a little better.
When it's time to replace this 8-year-old g4/MDD, I think I'll take a really close look at the Mac Mini (perhaps wait for the release of the next version)....
It's quite maddening. The theory of the design flaw/heat issues is one I've seen before, and it makes sense. It makes one angry, especially because as I said, I love the machine. I really hope I don't have to deal with the same problem again, as others have, and I am glad I got Apple Care at the time of purchase. I really hope they get this sorted-out before the next itineration of iMacs, because if they do I will not hesitate to purchase a new one. But if not...Mac Mini + monitor anyone?