Thunderbolt display - condensation.

[DW58]

I had rather a traumatic time earlier today. Although I bought my ATD a week ago, it hadn't been used for more than thirty minutes at any one time until today.

Imagine my horror this afternoon when a massive patch of condensation appeared on the inside of the glass. This lasted for around 45 minutes in duration and gradually cleared by which time I'd reported it to my local Apple Store and logged a case with AppleCare. It is now fully clear - Apple said they have had numerous instances of this in 27" ACD, iMac and ATD screens - always on new ones and that it soon clears. I'm not taking it any further at this point as it is now clear, but should it happen again I'll be looking for a replacement display.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with a new Apple display? All is now well thank goodness.

 

[gabicava83]

I had rather a traumatic time earlier today. Although I bought my ATD a week ago, it hadn't been used for more than thirty minutes at any one time until today.

Imagine my horror this afternoon when a massive patch of condensation appeared on the inside of the glass. This lasted for around 45 minutes in duration and gradually cleared by which time I'd reported it to my local Apple Store and logged a case with AppleCare. It is now fully clear - Apple said they have had numerous instances of this in 27" ACD, iMac and ATD screens - always on new ones and that it soon clears. I'm not taking it any further at this point as it is now clear, but should it happen again I'll be looking for a replacement display.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with a new Apple display? All is now well thank goodness.



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£918 screen and that has occurred.

I'd see how you get on, if it occurs again, take it back to the store and get a replacement.

At least you've logged it, so they'll be aware.

 

[Aboo]

Wow, thats really weird. How's the ambient humidity and/or temperatures?

 

[sukanas]

crazy!! im glad i have the 30 cinema . i really wish apple would do away with the glass (as they did w/ the mba!)

 

[gabicava83]

crazy!! im glad i have the 30 cinema . i really wish apple would do away with the glass (as they did w/ the mba!)

I like my 30" but I know think it's too big and rather a dual screen setup

Anyway, to the OP, take it back.

 

[DW58]

It has now completely cleared and was definitely on the inside of the glass. Apple have already said they are willing to exchange it, however as I'm a two hour drive from the store and partially disabled, I'm going to give it until I'm next in Aberdeen rather than make a special journey.

I've kept the display on for the past four hours giving it plenty chance to heat up and dissipate any remaining condensation which it seems to have done.

Only time will tell, but if it happens again, I'll definitely be looking for a replacement.

Wow, thats really weird. How's the ambient humidity and/or temperatures?

Humidity relatively low, inside temperature around 22˚c then, 28˚c now.

crazy!! im glad i have the 30 cinema . i really wish apple would do away with the glass (as they did w/ the mba!)

Why is everyone so obsessed with the glass on this display, I find it excellent apart from the condensation.

 

[sukanas]

I like my 30" but I know think it's too big and rather a dual screen setup

Anyway, to the OP, take it back.

i find a dual screen less productive (trying to switch, assign spaces etc..)
i find using 'bettersnaptool' an amazing tool for using a large screen monitor. id be willing to pay 30 dollars for that app alone.

btw, im surprised some people would keep their monitor after a condensation moment.. wouldn't water marks be somewhat present? (given that its not 100% dust/dirt free in there)

 

[DW58]

i find a dual screen less productive (trying to switch, assign spaces etc..)
i find using 'bettersnaptool' an amazing tool for using a large screen monitor. id be willing to pay 30 dollars for that app alone.

btw, im surprised some people would keep their monitor after a condensation moment.. wouldn't water marks be somewhat present? (given that its not 100% dust/dirt free in there)

Hmm - not been described as "Some people" before

There is no mark whatsoever where the condensation was a few hours ago. Rest assured if there is any[/url] repeat no matter how small, Apple will be getting it back. I have given my reasons for not taking it right back - were I closer and more able-bodied they'd have had it back this afternoon.

Yours insincerely

Some Person

 

[CWallace]

I've owned a 27" iMac for over two years (bought the original in 2009 and recently took delivery of a TBolt model) and never seen condensation inside the glass. I also have a 27" ATD and never seen that, either. Both are in front of an open window.

 

[jenzjen]

I have given my reasons for not taking it right back - were I closer and more able-bodied they'd have had it back this afternoon.

I think what others are trying to express is while your specific situation makes returning it complicated, you should still return it no questions asked. Have a friend drive it over, call Apple explain the situation and see if you can do it via FedEx, etc lots of avenues exist for the replacement. Getting it done now while you're still within your return period eliminates potential headaches.

You're taking on unnecessary risk by holding onto it, imagine accidentally damaging a corner, and then, unrelated, the condensation appears. I doubt Apple will honor an exchange then blaming the damage.

 

[Aboo]

DW58, I think you should explain to Apple Care that you are more than 2 hrs away from the nearest store and that your disability prevents you from getting to a store any time soon for an exchange. I was in the same situation (albeit a different product) and Apple set up a mail in replacement for me, even though the initial product purchase was made at a physical Apple Store.

 

[misterbig]

That looks pretty nasty and should definitely not happen with a premium product. My TBD hasn't had such an issue before but it's weird that the condensation appeared inside rather than outside the glass. Having seen the insides of the TBD thanks to iFixit, I would say that it's definitely dangerous when condensation occurs inside the display due to the large number of chips and components inside.

 

[DW58]

I'm pleased to report that there has been no recurrence of the problem detailed above.

 

[gabicava83]

I'm pleased to report that there has been no recurrence of the problem detailed above.

Congratulations

 

[drambuie]

I'm pleased to report that there has been no recurrence of the problem detailed above.

I would guess that the condensation occurrence had nothing to do with the iMac itself, but resulted from exposure to humidity or temperature changes, such as moving from a cool location to a warmer humid one. What happened is that with the 30 minute ON times, there wasn't enough time to evaporate any condensation. When the iMac got warm enough to evaporate the condensation, some condensed on the cooler inside surface of the glass screen. The heat from the longer running time evaporated all condensation from the interior of the iMac.

Oops, I forgot I was in the peripherals forum, thought I was in iMac. The condensation issue can occur in the iMacs, as well as the Apple glass front displays. The iMac just heats up a lot quicker.

 

[DW58]

I would guess that the condensation occurrence had nothing to do with the iMac itself, but resulted from exposure to humidity or temperature changes, such as moving from a cool location to a warmer humid one. What happened is that with the 30 minute ON times, there wasn't enough time to evaporate any condensation. When the iMac got warm enough to evaporate the condensation, some condensed on the cooler inside surface of the glass screen. The heat from the longer running time evaporated all condensation from the interior of the iMac.

Oops, I forgot I was in the peripherals forum, thought I was in iMac. The condensation issue can occur in the iMacs, as well as the Apple glass front displays. The iMac just heats up a lot quicker.

Well not quite in two respects: The display had been in situ for over a week without any change of environmental conditions; and, as you subsequently noticed it's an ATD and not an iMac.

The cause is still a mystery, but with extensive use since the incident there has been no further evidence of any condensation thank goodness.

 

[colombop]

Thunderbolt Display Condensation Problem - Solved!

I've had repeated problems with condensation/fog clouding a big portion of my display.

Out of desperation, I did the following, which solved the problem completely.

1. Get a thin-bladed knife
2. At one of the top corners of the display, insert the blade carefully in the gap between the glass screen and the metal display housing, and very gently pry them apart.
3. The glass screen is held on with magnets, and once one corner is detached, you can gently pull away all four corners of the glass screen.
4. The condensation disappeared immediately. I cleaned the inside of the glass with windex for good measure.
5. Reposition the glass screen against the housing, and the magnets will pull it back into place.

Done! Hope this helps others.

 

[tonymag]

I had rather a traumatic time earlier today. Although I bought my ATD a week ago, it hadn't been used for more than thirty minutes at any one time until today.

Imagine my horror this afternoon when a massive patch of condensation appeared on the inside of the glass. This lasted for around 45 minutes in duration and gradually cleared by which time I'd reported it to my local Apple Store and logged a case with AppleCare. It is now fully clear - Apple said they have had numerous instances of this in 27" ACD, iMac and ATD screens - always on new ones and that it soon clears. I'm not taking it any further at this point as it is now clear, but should it happen again I'll be looking for a replacement display.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with a new Apple display? All is now well thank goodness.

 

[tonymag]

It happened to me a minute ago. My monitor is nearly 2 years old. First time it's happened.
I had the outside door open next to the computer while I worked and the corner of the screen closest to the door fogged up.
There's a temperature difference between inside and outside, but it isn't particularly humid out. It might be moisture from inside the house mixing with the cooler air behind the warm glass.
I'll wait and see if it disappears. The spot has reduced some already.

 

[Grafiker]

You don't have to remove anything. Just get a blow dryer and use it on your screen at a safe distance. The condensation will go away within seconds.

 

[trelo]

You don't have to remove anything. Just get a blow dryer and use it on your screen at a safe distance. The condensation will go away within seconds.

Hi... I Just did that and worked fine too

 

[mondrage]

You don't have to remove anything. Just get a blow dryer and use it on your screen at a safe distance. The condensation will go away within seconds.

Thank you!
Did that and it worked like a charm. Checked here first, didn't want to damage my old monitors. I live in a very humid country, but this time of year is about 90% humidity for months.