Q: Design fault? 27" 2013 iMac stand just gave up!

Had the same issue this morning, really scared me. I thought something exploded. Found a temp solution, I squeezed my old credit card in the slot on the bottom portion, I can even play with the angle. I do not like the idea to leave my work iMac for one week to fix the small issue. I read so many responses and that is obvious a recall, and should have been taking care in a day or two.

Even though my computer is under warranty, I am really skeptical about leaving the computer in hands of people I don't know. I have 2 concerns:

1. The hard disc is exposed with important information,

2. Even though apple suggest to back up, because of the fact that they have to take the whole computer apart what if something goes wrong with some electronic parts. Your computer will never be the same.

Therefore I found a solution that works for me, an old credit card or plastic. Perhaps other people who out of warranty or concern about their privacy information  that stored in their hard disc would find a useful solution. Who knows if it broke once, it might brake again.

And another member of the club!

While I looked very concentrated on my 27" iMac Late 2013, the spring gave up, the screen tilted down and I was close to a heart attack.

Isolated incidents…?

Sorry to hear what happened to you, I know exactly how you felt. To add to my solution I placed the second old credit card inside the bottom slot.

And now it works better than the original spring. No pillows, or old iPad cases. Its all clean, but the most important thing is that Apple care, doesn't have to take my computer apart to place a new spring assembly that could brake again. This way no surprises.

I brought the iMac to Apple and found that the problem is well known to Apple and they fixed it without charges.

And another one bites the dust - this morning, I was sitting next to my late 2013 iMac but not doing any work - was discussing design on paper with colleagues when we heard a loud metallic snap noise. We all looked around the table and power sockets expecting something but didn't find anything wrong, until after the design was finalised and looked at my screen and tried to lift it up! I will have to buy a golf ball and credit card because I have no Apple Care and its been 2 years since I bought it. Its kind of illegal to think that I will be supporting an Apple product with a golf ball during my daily work.

You do not need AppleCare - the repair is free of charge (as per Genius Bar yesterday, March 11th).

The question is, if the new part was modified or not. If it was not, get ready for another snap. That's why I am using 2 old credit cards (not a golf ball) and happy with the result. It will last for many years until I get my self a new Mac.

Thank you for your understanding words about my near death experience ;-)

Unfortunately the credit card trick did not work for me right away and I did not pursue because - again: They did not charge me - the charge would have been $65 according to the bill. I could have afforded that.

According to Apple this is a design flaw involving Late 2013 Models. I admit I did not ask, but my experience over the last years with Apple is such that they change the production lines pretty fast if something like this happens.

iLiving wrote:

 

According to Apple this is a design flaw involving Late 2013 Models.

Well I wish it was true about the late 2013, but it is not. My iMac was purchased from the Apple store in July 2014. If this repair would not be involved taking the whole computer apart, I would have taken it to the store.

How long did it take to fix it?

You will not like this: 5 days...

But it was in a fancy area of Scottsdale, AZ and the store is crowded like Grand Central New York. Maybe it helps if you would live at the end of the world..? ;-)

Well my store is in crowded Los Angeles area. They told me 7-10 business days, depends on the part availability. I can not be without my computer more than a day plus I would never leave my computer with important information. Unless I would clone it first and completely erase it. But who needs this hustle.

I decided not to take it in because the main support warned me to back everything up.

That's why I am using my expired credit cards. Thanks to Bank of America,

You are really out of luck: They discontinued the Late 2013 model on June 18th, 2014 - you must have received the very last one...

And I agree with you: I made a Carbon Copy of the Hard Drive, erased it, brought it to Apple and reinstalled everything. But in times of password managers on my Mac (and pictures that US Citizens consider inappropriate) I would not give it to the store either.

Then I have a double bad luck, because I have 27" iMac November 2013 release as well. Waiting for the snap.

I have a lab of 21 of the new 27" iMacs out of these I have had 7 of them show this defect. My onsite Apple repair shop was able to turn them around in about  day once they had the parts. It seems like when it happens to that many maybe there should be some sort of recall in that particular part.