The first Teardown pics are here!

[tubbymac]

From the iMac warranty @ Apple:

This is pretty much the big sticking point right now. Sure, we can take the 2012 iMac apart and replace the RAM and HD ourselves... but nobody has figured out how to put it back together again SUCH THAT it doesn't look as if it's been put back together again with a different adhesive tape compared to the factory adhesive.

So right now, if you take your iMac apart, you are very likely to be denied Applecare if you do take it in for repairs - as it will be immediately obvious to any technician who opens it that the tape being used is not the one that came with the machine.

Once enough time passes by and somebody uncovers the exact tape used from the Apple factories this will no longer be a problem.

 

[Yeroon]

...to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions)...

Does this count even when the defect (such as a bad GPU) has nothing to do with a performed upgrade, such as a HDD->SSD replacement?

 

[FreemanW]

Does this count even when the defect (such as a bad GPU) has nothing to do with a performed upgrade, such as a HDD->SSD replacement?

I can guess exactly how a lawyer representing Apple would answer this question.

From the position of Apple, once it is determined that the unit has been opened by unauthorized personnel, they've lost any and all control on the components, all bets are off, and they will walk away from any and all obligations.

. . . and I would not blame them one iota.

 

[Fatboy71]

Here is the best picture i could get with my crappy camera.

Did you use a heatgun like what iFixit did to aid removal of the screen, or did you just use the credit card cut into a circle?

From the look of the picture it looks a pretty good re-apply. Is there any more of a gap after re-applying the screen to what they was when before the screen was removed?

----------

Wonder if one could replace with thin magnet tape...would it be strong enough magnet and thin enough?

http://www.amazon.com/Magnet-Tape-Adhesive-Brown-DO-735001/dp/B000NNQ1CK

I was thinking the other day that it would be really useful if there was some sort of adhesive magnetic tape available. This would make future repairs/upgrades much easier.

I expect in time that they will be a few options which will be either some sort of magnetic tape that will be up to the job of the original factory used adhesive tape or the same tape used in the factory.

Personally I hope they will be some magnetic option for ease of access. I'll be getting Apple Care when I get my 27 inch, but after this has expired, I would be wanting to do repairs if I could/wanted.

 

[NVRENUF!]

http://www.signriteonline.com/vhb-tape-12mm-05mm-clear.html

would this tape be the right size ?

 

[MetalCooper]

According to our rights as consumers - as long as the part that you upgraded or replaced is not the cause of the problem them it is still the responsibility of the OM to repair/replace if unit is still under warranty.

Please make yourself aware of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act if you are not familiar with it.

 

[pubjoe]

I've long ago given up on arguing with people who think you can legally void a warranty by making an unrelated repair or upgrade on your own property. Those warranty terms are in place for lunatics who might try to repair an imac with a hammer. A simple upgrade performed properly such as this is fine.

I've once brought an imac in for a screen replacement (the infamous 2006 imac lines) which I had previously and competently upgraded the hard drive in. My warranty was fine - as of course it should be.

I wonder if some people live on the same planet sometimes. Corporate lawyers haven't taken over the world and abolished all reason just yet I'm afraid.

 

[THOPMedia]

Did people make a huge fuss like this when the iPad 3rd gen came out? It uses the same method and adhesive tape is available to put it back together.

The iMac looks to me significantly easier to do then that.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+iPad+3+Wi-Fi+Front+Panel+Assembly/11104/1

 

[R.OG]

Did you use a heatgun like what iFixit did to aid removal of the screen, or did you just use the credit card cut into a circle?

From the look of the picture it looks a pretty good re-apply. Is there any more of a gap after re-applying the screen to what they was when before the screen was removed?

I only used the cut credit card, the best location to start from is the bottom left or right just like the owc video.

From the look of the picture it looks a pretty good re-apply. Is there any more of a gap after re-applying the screen to what they was when before the screen was removed?

The area where the adhesive tape should be applied is slightly recessed, so as long as you use a tape that is thinner that the recess (16mil) you will not have a gap.

 

[Fatboy71]

I only used the cut credit card, the best location to start from is the bottom left or right just like the owc video.



The area where the adhesive tape should be applied is slightly recessed, so as long as you use a tape that is thinner that the recess (16mil) you will not have a gap.

Thanks for that R.OG

 

[Tri-stan]

In most cases users that understand their computers are going to be better qualified than the people running the repair centers. Far more care and attention to detail is going to be used by the guy's on this thread than the people in the repair centers. There is a good chance if you send it to them it will come back with a scratch on it somewhere.

Just shows that after every device repair they get a little bit more board and start doing a lousy job in the end.

 

[Arman]

I only used the cut credit card, the best location to start from is the bottom left or right just like the owc video.



The area where the adhesive tape should be applied is slightly recessed, so as long as you use a tape that is thinner that the recess (16mil) you will not have a gap.

FYI: 16 mil = 0.4064 millimeters

----------

I only used the cut credit card, the best location to start from is the bottom left or right just like the owc video.



The area where the adhesive tape should be applied is slightly recessed, so as long as you use a tape that is thinner that the recess (16mil) you will not have a gap.

3M sells 15mil tape. Product number/description is 3M VHB 4926. It comes in variable thickness and lengths but it seems 1/2" would do the trick.

 

[R.OG]

FYI: 16 mil = 0.4064 millimeters

Yeah, my previous post showed 1mil = 0.0254 so 16mil is 16*0.0254=0.4064.

 

[WilliamG]

R.OG your posts are the only ones that interest me on the message boards right now. Please keep us posted how you get on with the new strips when you get 'em!

Thanks for all your info so far!

 

[R.OG]

Hey guys here are my observation so far.

Warranty
I am not an expert in this area but I’m sure apple can deny your warranty claim if the iMac is not put back together correctly. That said, I recently had the screen replaced on my 2011 27” imac, which had a diy CPU and SSD upgrade. My guess is that they did not care since the LCD problem had nothing to do with my upgrades but YMMV.

SSD install
You can replace the factory HD with an SSD without the fan running at the max RPM but AHT will report a hardware error related to the HD sensor. I don’t like the idea of a fusion drive since I love using symbolic links but I’m currently testing the machine with a diy fusion install consisting of the a Samsung 830 SSD(internal) and the original 1tb HD in an external usb 3.0 enclosure. I having been monitoring the system with IOSTAT and everything seems to be running perfectly. Personally, I would not risk running fusion with an external drive.


CPU Upgrade (This will defiantly void the warranty on the logic board)
I decided to buy this machine from my friend and I am going to attempt to install an intel i7 3770s very soon. If the cpu upgrade works I will cancel my order for a maxed out 27”. This was my first experience using a 21.5 imac, I thought I was going to be disappointed with the lower resolution but I was very pleased. I guess after 8+ years of using apple 30” and 27" displays my eyes need a break.

Adhesive tape
-Do not use 3m 465 tape, it leaves a messy residue that’s easy to clean up but you might end up scratching the paint on the back of the glass while cleaning it up.

-VHB tape peels off like the original tape but I’m concerned that the bond might be too strong if used to seal up the entire bezel. I am currently holding the lcd in place with four 3” strips of 3m 4926 tape.

I don’t plan to seal the iMac up completely unless i have to take it to the apple store for repair. I am very satisfied with using small strips of the 3m 4926 to hold the display in place, it still looks brand new with no gaps and the lcd will not come off the frame without some deliberate effort. Eventually OWC or iFixit will post the correct tape to use.

FOR THE CRITICS
Your opinion means nothing to me. It’s my money and I will destroy any apple product that comes my way.

 

[Arman]

Hey guys here are my observation so far.

-VHB tape peels off like the original tape but I’m concerned that the bond might be too strong if used to seal up the entire bezel. I am currently holding the lcd in place with four 3” strips of 3m 4926 tape.

I don’t plan to seal the iMac up completely unless i have to take it to the apple store for repair. I am very satisfied with using small strips of the 3m 4926 to hold the display in place, it still looks brand new with no gaps and the lcd will not come off the frame without some deliberate effort. Eventually OWC or iFixit will post the correct tape to use.

Good to see the 4926 works well. Working too well may not be a bad thing.

 

[tuccillo]

According to our rights as consumers - as long as the part that you upgraded or replaced is not the cause of the problem them it is still the responsibility of the OM to repair/replace if unit is still under warranty.

Please make yourself aware of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act if you are not familiar with it.

While you might be correct, the onus will be on you to force Apple to do a repair if they refuse on the grounds that the system has been opened. This could conceivably take some time and/or money. Generally, you are dealing with one person - honesty and politeness go a long way when you are in a grey area. I have had Apple and others go beyond what they needed/should have done but it does depend on the person you are interacting with.

 

[Arman]

While you might be correct, the onus will be on you to force Apple to do a repair if they refuse on the grounds that the system has been opened. This could conceivably take some time and/or money. Generally, you are dealing with one person - honesty and politeness go a long way when you are in a grey area. I have had Apple and others go beyond what they needed/should have done but it does depend on the person you are interacting with.

Agree, from personal experience, I have seem them go the extra mile. When I dropped my out of warranty iPhone 4 and jacked the lcd they replaced it for FREE. When I ordered my new 27" iMac they gave me a free Magic Trackpad and pushed up my order. Both times, I wasn't expecting anything but I was super polite and honest.

 

[ThirteenXIII]

apple has provided a tool to open the iMac and if you cant get it from Apple its nearly identical to a pizza cutter.

such as:

and

its been the easiest way to open the newest iMacs and doesnt destroy the adhesive much.

 

[hfg]

Haha ... I used to use a small circular pizza-cutter to open the old Mac Mini cases ... much easier than with the suggested paint spatula thing.

 

[Tj1234]

Hey guys here are my observation so far.

Warranty
I am not an expert in this area but I’m sure apple can deny your warranty claim if the iMac is not put back together correctly. That said, I recently had the screen replaced on my 2011 27” imac, which had a diy CPU and SSD upgrade. My guess is that they did not care since the LCD problem had nothing to do with my upgrades but YMMV.

SSD install
You can replace the factory HD with an SSD without the fan running at the max RPM but AHT will report a hardware error related to the HD sensor. I don’t like the idea of a fusion drive since I love using symbolic links but I’m currently testing the machine with a diy fusion install consisting of the a Samsung 830 SSD(internal) and the original 1tb HD in an external usb 3.0 enclosure. I having been monitoring the system with IOSTAT and everything seems to be running perfectly. Personally, I would not risk running fusion with an external drive.


CPU Upgrade (This will defiantly void the warranty on the logic board)
I decided to buy this machine from my friend and I am going to attempt to install an intel i7 3770s very soon. If the cpu upgrade works I will cancel my order for a maxed out 27”. This was my first experience using a 21.5 imac, I thought I was going to be disappointed with the lower resolution but I was very pleased. I guess after 8+ years of using apple 30” and 27" displays my eyes need a break.

Adhesive tape
-Do not use 3m 465 tape, it leaves a messy residue that’s easy to clean up but you might end up scratching the paint on the back of the glass while cleaning it up.

-VHB tape peels off like the original tape but I’m concerned that the bond might be too strong if used to seal up the entire bezel. I am currently holding the lcd in place with four 3” strips of 3m 4926 tape.

I don’t plan to seal the iMac up completely unless i have to take it to the apple store for repair. I am very satisfied with using small strips of the 3m 4926 to hold the display in place, it still looks brand new with no gaps and the lcd will not come off the frame without some deliberate effort. Eventually OWC or iFixit will post the correct tape to use.

FOR THE CRITICS
Your opinion means nothing to me. It’s my money and I will destroy any apple product that comes my way.

R.OG,

Is the ram easy to replace (after the screen comes off). It does look like there is a small space for the ram yo be changed. Looka like the fan is the only part that may have to be removed? Thanks!

 

[R.OG]

R.OG,

Is the ram easy to replace (after the screen comes off). It does look like there is a small space for the ram yo be changed. Looka like the fan is the only part that may have to be removed? Thanks!

To change the ram you have to remove the fan and disconnect the camera cable, it also helps if you remove the 4 screws holding the logic board down.

 

[torana355]

Hey guys here are my observation so far.

Warranty
I am not an expert in this area but I’m sure apple can deny your warranty claim if the iMac is not put back together correctly. That said, I recently had the screen replaced on my 2011 27” imac, which had a diy CPU and SSD upgrade. My guess is that they did not care since the LCD problem had nothing to do with my upgrades but YMMV.

SSD install
You can replace the factory HD with an SSD without the fan running at the max RPM but AHT will report a hardware error related to the HD sensor. I don’t like the idea of a fusion drive since I love using symbolic links but I’m currently testing the machine with a diy fusion install consisting of the a Samsung 830 SSD(internal) and the original 1tb HD in an external usb 3.0 enclosure. I having been monitoring the system with IOSTAT and everything seems to be running perfectly. Personally, I would not risk running fusion with an external drive.


CPU Upgrade (This will defiantly void the warranty on the logic board)
I decided to buy this machine from my friend and I am going to attempt to install an intel i7 3770s very soon. If the cpu upgrade works I will cancel my order for a maxed out 27”. This was my first experience using a 21.5 imac, I thought I was going to be disappointed with the lower resolution but I was very pleased. I guess after 8+ years of using apple 30” and 27" displays my eyes need a break.

Adhesive tape
-Do not use 3m 465 tape, it leaves a messy residue that’s easy to clean up but you might end up scratching the paint on the back of the glass while cleaning it up.

-VHB tape peels off like the original tape but I’m concerned that the bond might be too strong if used to seal up the entire bezel. I am currently holding the lcd in place with four 3” strips of 3m 4926 tape.

I don’t plan to seal the iMac up completely unless i have to take it to the apple store for repair. I am very satisfied with using small strips of the 3m 4926 to hold the display in place, it still looks brand new with no gaps and the lcd will not come off the frame without some deliberate effort. Eventually OWC or iFixit will post the correct tape to use.

FOR THE CRITICS
Your opinion means nothing to me. It’s my money and I will destroy any apple product that comes my way.

Good work mate, many of us rely on people like you to do the "beta testing" so we can all upgrade our iMacs too. Keep us informed on your cpu upgrade attempt. I ordered the 3TB fusion 27" but i plan on replacing the hdd with a 512GB Samsung 830 and disabling fusion. I will use the 128GB blade SSD for Bootcamp and the 512GB SSD for OSX and Apps. I will use my Stardom USB3 external enclosure with the 3TB drive i pull out of the iMac for my media library.

 

[Kmad86]

Great tips.

Ready to replace my 27" HD to SSD VHB in hand.

 

[Vedia]

Great tips.

Ready to replace my 27" HD to SSD VHB in hand.

And to void your warranty, I presume.