Intel Imac with bad logic board.

The all in One design all though very neat in concept has a much shorter lifespan. I have more issues with PCs failing then any Mac. That being said they are not making computers that will outlast 10 years because the way technology is changing they expect you to sell it off trash it and buy a new one. Now frankly, any iMac should make it past a 5-6 year life span, now that is going to depend on a lot of things, the biggest issue being heat, the silver iMac when first introduced had and still has major issues with heat disipation and tend to overheat and most likely will lead to a short life span of the logic board. Frankly not until recently have the new iMac's seen a much better design, especially when it comes to heat. Go into and Apple or Best Buy store or specialty store that caries the new iMac and touch the back of it or sides etc.. virtuly very little heat as the chips are more efficient and the design is better when it comes to heat.

I have had 1 computer since 2004 die by Apple, but I sell mine off every 4-5 years.

Frankly if I were a iMac user of old meaning the older version sliver model, I would ******** up a storm for a new iMac replacement, why because I think Apple knows it has heat issues with previous models, which lead to many of the failing. That being said they still make a much better all in one than any other company out there, I am sure that could change.

<Edited By Host>

I'm having serious issue here.

I ordered/bought a new iMac on Aug. 20. I received it Aug. 23. After 2 hours it stopped working. Black screen - wouldn't even boot up. Nothing (no sound, no noise, nothing). Clearly frustrated, I called Apple and they sent me a new one. The new one arrived on Aug. 29 and it worked for 1 week, with the same thing happening. Since this is the second one, they told me to go to the nearest Apple Store. Well, the nearest Apple store is 1.5-2 hours away, so they sent me to MacAuthority. First, they thought it was the power supply. After they replaced it, it still wouldn't work. They then replaced the logic board and it worked. I picked it up today and it worked for 2 hours. Same thing is going on. I have to go back to MacAuthority and bring them the iMac.

I'm at a total loss. After the first iMac died, I had the electricians out here checking the line (it's an older house and I was worried about voltage fluctuations). They said there are no issues, but I still have a UPS to make sure the voltage stays even.

I have Apple Care, which I'm so glad about. But still...this isn't supposed to happen to brand new machines.

Does anyone have any insight?

Do not buy an iMac. To add to the long list of people in this thread with logic board issues, my iMac logic board has failed. To replace the board would be a waste becuase with the heat issues mentioned, it is GOING to fail again. I am trying to figure out what to do with this 2 thousand dollar paper weight now. I have considered pulling the board myself and using one of the many companies that will repair the board for about $250, but I am not certain that I can then sell the machine for more than $250. I got burned. I wish I would have purchased a mac pro in the first place for the processing power I want... I knew in my gut that I was making a mistake when I bought the machine in the first place... I should have trusted my instincts.

The logic board failure again, i wonder how many people over the world have similar problem right now. Initially, I thought it was the PSU so i changed it with great hope, but of-course, there flew my 140 euros in vain, thanx apple for designing such a weak piece of logic board with no logical reliability! I deeply wish, not evrything was about money all the time..below is the specs of my fried-logic-board carrier, people call it imac:-

Intro Date: July 27, 2010 Disc Date: May 3, 2011 Order No: MC508LL/A Model No: A1311 (EMC 2389) Subfamily: Mid-2010 Model ID: iMac11,2 Std RAM: 4 GB Std VRAM: 256 MB Std Storage: 500 GB (7200 RPM) Std Optical: 8X DL "SuperDrive"

I am both fascinated and disheartened by these stories. I'd like to add my own and if anyone has any suggestions about how to proceed, I'd sincerely appreciate it.

I have mid 2010 iMac 4GB 3.06 GHz core, 21.5 inch, same as ThEagleye.

I took out the 4GB and replaced it with 16GB almost immediately. Not even a year into owning the unit, (2011) I had problems. It ran slow, crashing, etc. I took it in and the hard drive was replaced (Apple care) It ran "fine" until summer this year (2013) when I began to get the "spinning wheel of death" regularly. I could do nothing except hard reboot, no "Force Quit" would work. Once I rebooted it would work again, but for increasingly shorter periods of time. When I turned it off at night, that seemed to help it work for longer periods of time. Still, I couldn't get through an entire day.

I took it in again and they replaced the hard drive again. I really began to feel frustrated because I felt like they replaced the hard drive because they couldn't think of anything else to do. Not two months later, I get the same spinning wheel of death again. Same e act experiences. I took it in again, and explained that I didn't think it was the hard drive, but explained that I had a feeling it was over heating as it was getting VERY hot. They told me that was totally normal and ran a short diagnostic test. Explaining that the RAM was probably the problem (I always feel that they start explaining what ISN'T their responsibility first and scape goat it immediately) but that they would look at it and try to replicate the problem. Less than a day later they called back &amp; said was definitely the 3rd party RAM. I started to feel like these guys were just guessing. So I brought back the original RAM for the test.

Lo and behold. it's not the RAM. Now, they think it "might be" the logic board. Which will take 3-7 business days to get.

That's where I'm at now. From reading here, I think it is over heating and fried the logic board.

I'm assuming they will replace the logic board and hand it back to me "good as new" until this happens again (and Apple Care expires this December) Any suggestions on how to proceed from here (besides buy a PC)? I need this machine to last another year at least and this is obviously a faulty hardware issue.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Gandalf the Grey-

Did you buy a new iMac? How is it running?

Tsays,

You are lucky that your machine failed whilst stil within the applecare warranty. Mine failed with this problem shortly after my 3 year applecare expired. I am now stuck with the machine.... in light of all the similiar stories with the EXACT same problem, there is obviously a known problem with these machines. The problem is heat do to the all in one design. I would use the fixed machine, but do not let it get too hot. Don't let it run when you are not using it. Also you do have recourse in the event that the problem happens again due to this faulty design. If it were possible get the price that you paid for the machine applied toward a mac pro... I so wish I could go this route!

Tsays: I had similar issues, and trust me they are related to heat issues, the reason being my June 2011 build iMac started having issues after I replaced the software upgrade which seemed to make the machine even run hotter, at about 8 months in (and I had Apple Care) after 3 repairs I went it the 4 time and said look at my history and all the products I have bought, and if you want to keep me as a loyal Apple fan fix it! Shortly after that statement they came out and gave me a gray Apple Care Credit Card that had all of my money back on it along with the Apple Care I paid for. So I took the money bought my wife a Macbook Pro and I bought myself a Mac Mini with a Apple display, those units have worked flawlessly since. So since they took care of my situtation in a very nice manner I decided to go with a new iMac (loaded) once again. The Big and most important issues is difference in heat, the new units disapate heat so much better and do not run nearly as hot, hence no issues with my new 3.4ghz i7 iMac. I can actually leave it on with very little internal heat build up in the new units, this leads me to believe that Apple corrected this problem which is good for future users but still plently of frusted users with older machines! Frankly they should replace bad machines with newer ones, I mean come on they have the money, and they will keep many loyal customers like myself if they handle the situation correctly.

bxlr8ed: I totally agree with your assesments!

I should add we have a Dell Studio One, which I have repaired 4 times now because of heat issues as well, mostly do to hard drive issues. The good news is most of the newer chipsets are running more effieciently and run much cooler.

I purchased a brand new iMac in May of 2012. Four days ago it stopped working. It would not turn on. I took it to the Apple store for a diagnosis on Tuesday. I was told on Wednesday that the problem was the power supply and would be fixed for $106. Great. Today, I just received a call from the Apple store telling me that the iMac needs a new logic board and the charge would be upwards of $500. I am appalled that an Apple product that we paid close to $2,000 for has failed in under two years. Reading these stories I see that it is a common problem. I cannot pay that kind of money to have my computer repaired. I am so disheartened by this. I love Apple products and have many. However, this will be my last Apple purchase. Right now I am working on my daughter's Windows laptop. We have had it for almost 9 years and have never had a problem with it. We purchased the iMac because we were told it was top of the line. I am so disappointed.

Did you buy it with a credit card? Many cards extend manufacturer warranty by one year

I have a 2010 21.5 inch iMac with the Core 2 Duo processor. Within the first year I had to have the logic board and the video card replaced. Now, two years later, the logic board is out again! This is crazy. I've never had a computer fail like this. To make matters worse, it's $600.00 to fix it plus tax. I also had a Mac Book Air that had the hard drive fail, the sound go out, and now needs a battery. I also have an iPhone that's about six months old that's turning itself off for a day or two at a time before I can power it on again. I bought four Macs in the last three years and two are basically junk. Apple will do nothing other than let me pay these outrageous repair fees or sale me something else except for the iPhone. My question is why would I buy anymore Apple products if I can count on half of them failing within a less than three year period. I've got PCs that are 15 years old that work just fine. I guess that's what happens when you have all your parts made in China. Can you imagine the outrage if cars were having this kind of trouble?

In reply to Shelli9174, that's exactly what happened to me. The computer went off and would not turn back on. I took it to the Apple store and they also quoted me for a power supply repair around $100.00. Two days later I got the call telling me it was the logic board and it would be $600.00 to fix it. I can buy that machine now for $500.00. It is rediculous and Apple doesn't care. This is what always happens when a computer manufacturer reaches the top. They start building crap and then the company starts to fall. Ask Gateway, Dell, and Packard Bell if you've heard of them about how they fell from the top when their stuff started performing poorly.

jonhagy2000,

Frankly the nice sliver iMac from 2009-2011 could have issues with heat which can cause major issues, I had a 2011 June build and it started acting funny and all sorts of things started to go on it. With this expensive piece of equipment I decided to buy a Apple Care Warr, which I "HIGHLY" recommend to anyone buying anykind of computer. My unit failed I asked for my money back after 8 months of having my computer and a month of not having it because it was in a shop I came to the conclusion that it was heat that most likely caused things to fail. Apple gave me a in-store Credit and I still have my Apple Mini and display, I gave Apple one more shot and bought a newer June 2013 iMac. The biggest issue that seems to be resloved, is "Heat" the newer iMac run about 40-50% cooler, so if I were you I would keep the pressure on and gather the masses because I think Apple has known about this design flaw. Your right about parts being made in China, but that is about 95% of the computer market now, your PCs that are 15 years old might have had parts built in the USA. 😉 Now I have had many, many computers by Apple and many PCs over the last 20 years, and I have only one Apple product fail on me, "So far" If you would have bought a Apple Care Warr, which I highly recomend to anyone buying a all in one computer you would have been covered for any charges, right now $169 dollars seems cheap in comparison to what your having to pay.. Don't even get me started on how many Samsung phones or PCs I have had fail, that could many threads to explain. I agree with you about Gateway/Dell etc.. I highly recommend the Mac Mini to anyone, as it is my backup computer now, and hopefully I won't need it!

shelli9174: Did you buy a Warr? If you don't buy a Warr, most computers are only covered for a year, unless it says otherwise or many manaufactures let you buy an extended Warr, which I highly recommend when it comes to specific electronics especially computers.

I'm not sure what country you are in but I would check your countries consumer laws. I believe commonwealth countries have stringent consumer laws. Here in NZ I got my iMac repaired

twice, first at 2 years for power source and screen then at 4 years for hard drive. All up it would have cost me $1800, all of which apple paid for. It requires a few emails and some patience on the phone but it pays off. Be persistent and know your rights. Good luck.