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Intel Imac with bad logic board.

The logic board on my 20" Intel Imac failed(according to the diagnosis form the tech at the Apple Store) and will require a $900+ dollar repair....a tad bit high considering it's age, the cost of the machine in late 2006 and the going prices of the new Imacs! Anyone know of a lower priced repair option or a way to salvage the machine, or is it now a very large paperweight?

I know that I apparently should've gotten Apple Care, but I've never had such a catastrophic Mac failure in the 12 years I've been dealing with the machines. Judging by the lines/wait for service at the Apple store maybe it's a good idea next time...although with all the problems the new machines seem to be having it seems a bit like extortion and maybe they should just raise the prices and include it.

intel imac 20", core 2 duo

Posted on May 10, 2008 11:15 AM

390 replies

d80mbad

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Dec 22, 2010 7:58 AM in response to d80mbad

fyi --> http://www.galaxyhp.com/20-inch-iMac-EarlyLate-2006-Core-DuoCore-2-Duo-Logic-Boa rd-repair-p252.html

lists logic board repair for $399 w/ 6mo warranty. if I decide to try them out next year I'll update this post with results.

MKO39

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Jan 12, 2011 3:08 AM in response to grandbay

Hi, did you get it fixed eventually? Just before XMas my iMac was making a loud noise(like a hair dryer) took it to Bondi Junction store. fixed the fans but said couldn't fix the noise issue since it is related to the logic board ( cost of repair, over $A 1,000.00) Too costly. Is there a cheaper option? Thx/Rgds

Shivella

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Jan 12, 2011 12:08 PM in response to markrut

Also my late 2006 24" Imac (€2200) just died.
Imac only show's a kernal panic during boot.
Defect Logic board according to Macrepair Amsterdam.

Seems like the late 2006 iMac has some serieus issues..

Jan 31, 2011 5:26 PM in response to markrut

I bought a used 2006 Intel iMacin the summer of 2008.It was bought from a reputable dealer, and had previously been used by Apple corporate. Recently it had been operating very slowly, and not wanting to work,(the screen was black) even though there was power. Took it to Apple, was told it was the logic board and that a new one would cost $892 CDN. I was very disappointed. I do know that I never put it to sleep or shut it down, because I like to listen to Internet radio all night. I wonder if I overheated it or something.

My previous Mac was a G4, the hard drive of which died after four years.

Wonder if I'd get an answer from Apple if I wrote to them....

Feb 28, 2011 10:03 AM in response to markrut

I can't believe how many people that this happened to. My logic board just recently went bad on my iMac (2007). To place insult on injury. The hard drive went bad, and fortunately, we were still covered under our ridiculously expensive Apple Care program. We send it out to have it repaired, and receive the computer back in the mail a couple of weeks later. After only a month of having the computer back from the Apple technicians, the logic board goes bad. This time however, our Apple Care was expired by three days! We call and go to the stores, but all they tell us is that there is nothing that we can do but spend $700 to get a new board, or, so apple tells us, we should just buy a new one! I am completely done with any and all Apple products. My cheap PC laptop has been running great for over 8 years not, and this expensive square box won't even last 3 years!

muttle

Level 1

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Mar 3, 2011 1:59 PM in response to markrut

Yesterday my fans started sounding like a vacuum cleaner. Fortunately I did buy Apple Care and they told me to bring it to get checked out by an Apple Store. They held it overnight to run tests that identified a bad logic board.

I'm don't know if failures like this are par for the course. My sense from scanning the posts is that newer machines are not holding up so well, which is troubling if true.

Mar 27, 2011 8:20 PM in response to markrut

imac, 2008 model went dead after 2 years. Genius bar diagnosed logic board.
Clearly some imacs are not fit for purpose.

Also Apple's green credentials are looking pretty tatty if their strategy dictates throwing away perfectly usable LED screen hard drive and ram, just because of the failure of a few individual electronic components worth a few dollars.

Shame on you Apple.
Apart from seeking legal action don't put all your dollars into a one piece mac, buy a mac mini and a screen.

Mickjoebil

Apr 3, 2011 2:17 PM in response to markrut

iMac 2009 bad Logic board after 18 months.

I will never buy a new Mac again. Why?

I would at least expect a pro rated repair option! And the technical service at the Genius bar stunk.

I am an electronics tech and I NEVER report to clients with nondescript vagaries like "It's bad."

This assessment started with the power supply, then "the cable", then the logic board. Costs? $225.00 and then $550.00--with the power supply (and cable?)thrown in.

What happened to my Mac? Humph, no one knows. Was it a power surge that took out the power supply and then made its way to the logic board? Humph? Who knows?

Was it a poor grounding issue? Dunno.

Just pay up!

I waited thirty years to buy a Mac and I can **** sure live the rest of my life without the thing now.

Apr 4, 2011 5:33 PM in response to FranksGuitar

Add another 20inch 2008 imac intel core duo to the list of bad video lines (graphics/logic board).
Apple store quoted $900. Really? $900? This does seem like a heat issue. It gets worse over time.

Apple should charge a nominal fee to replace the logic board and avoid a class action lawsuit. Or a coupon worth $500 for a new one and send in your old one so they aren't dumped into landfill?

At $900 they are just telling people to throw it away.

Apr 19, 2011 1:16 PM in response to markrut

Might as well join the list. 20" iMac bought May 2008, died March 2011. As with others here, logic board failure after 2 years 10 months. I also didn't buy AppleCare as I had faith that a well cared for, expensive Apple desktop would last much longer than 3 years, not least as I also have a heavily-used 12" iBook still going strong after over 5 & 1/2 years. Big mistake! High repair bill means my iMac will be sold for spare parts as it's far better to buy a new desktop instead.

Great products when they work, which mostly they do, but a massive disappointment when they develop major hardware faults, be it for the unlucky minority. So much so, I'll never buy another all-in-one from Apple or any other company! May buy a Mini, but will also be viewing other options as ideally I need discrete graphics, yet the Mac Pro is both overkill for my needs & too expensive. Considering Apple's reputation for reliability, my iMac experience has been disappointing to say the least.

Message was edited by: jackdawsson: typo.

Apr 21, 2011 8:29 AM in response to d80mbad

d80mbad, did you ever get that repair done at the website you posted? If so, can you let us know how it worked out? I also have a bad logic board in my early 2006 intel iMac, and I'm looking into getting it repaired, or repairing it myself. Like a lot of people, apple was going to charge about $850 to fix it, which is clearly not worth it on a 5 year old computer. But I just hate to get rid of this computer, so I'm hoping I can fix it. Thanks!

Jnast08

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Jun 17, 2011 4:17 AM in response to markrut

I was given the bad news today about my fully loaded 2008 24" iMac. It started as reoccurring kernel panics that seemed fixable. The diagnostic showed a bad graphics card and logic board. Both totaling $900!!! I paid $2300 for the system. The genius at apple tried what he could think, but had no possible explanation for this happening other than possible over heating. I must admit as a first time Mac owner Im a little disgusted. I know technology doesn't last forever, but this is not a good look for this product. I really hope someone at Mac is taking note of these occurrences and looking into it to fix the problem. You clearly have a faithful following of people who arnt afraid to blow ridiculous amounts of money on your products so let's make them worth it.

Jun 27, 2011 2:51 AM in response to markrut

Sadly, I will have to add my own experience to this list. The logic board and power supply on my2010 21.5 inch intel imac fried after NINE MONTHS!!!!!!! Thankfully, it was still under the original warranty, so Apple fixed it free of charge. Otherwise it would have run me around $900. Now, three weeks later, the logic board appears to be failing AGAIN, as I get a white screen of death during start up and, on the rare occasions I actually get it to start successfully it freezes up in a couple minutes. Undoubtedly they will fix it again for free, because it is still under warranty, but this is absurd. I'm wondering if they used a refurbished part instead of a new part, but no computer should need this much hardware work in the first year. I purchased Applecare, so I'm not going to be out of pocket for this new issue, but that's not good enough. I'm a grad student and this thing went bust on me right in the middle of finals. I can't use a computer that's always in the shop. It's totally unacceptable. This is my first and last Mac. I have a two-year old cheap Asus netbook that hasn't given me any trouble at all and my last PC didn't need any hardware work for at least 3 or 4 years. I bought a Mac because I was tired of virus issues with a PC, but hardware issues are even worse than viruses. It's clear that as soon as the Applecare runs out my Mac won't be long for the world.

Jul 5, 2011 12:19 PM in response to FranksGuitar

Add another 2009 Intel iMac with a bad logic board. Bought new Feb 2009.

Diagnosed as power supply, with possible logic board. It was the logic board.

Have a beige G3 as well. Bought new in 1997. Still works just as it did.

Looks like they don't make 'em like they used to...

Jul 8, 2011 7:32 AM in response to markrut

Yes add another one to the list. Very disappointed in Apple. They do not and will not stand behind their product. The Genuis Bar said they could put a new logic board in for 600 plus labor and only 1 month warranty. NO, i will not throw my money away like that. Completely rediculous that these machines are so much money and do not last. I would LOVE to do a commercial for PC vs Mac. "my 10 year old PC going strong, my 4 year old MAC DEAD." Mind you we have had problems for over a year now with it freezing and shutting down, so it started dying at 3, WOW. not a reliable product.

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Intel Imac with bad logic board.