Of all the iMac display problems here, has anyone seen this yet? (PHOTO)

I too am having a screen problem on my imac 24 that is over a year old. I actually lugged it into the store and they told me it would be about $900 to replace the screen and video card. Needless to say, didn't do that.

I have tried everything including the various programs (some free some pay) to exercise the pixels. I've shut down for 3 days and it keeps coming back. (I'm starting to sound like one of those old "Wisk" commercials if you're old enough to remember that far back... 😉 ).

Anyway, this sounds like a real problem for screens new and old. I keep hoping that Apple will do something as it appears to involve just the 24s.

Also, can you tell me how you post the photo inline? I'll add one of mine to the mix...

--David

Example of my 24" iMac screen issue below:

Try that again...



and...

My problem is exactly the same as D Scales'. My residue or blotching is in the EXACT same place, too. I REALLY didn't expect this from an almost $3,000 computer. Will Apple fix it under the protection plan/warranty or is this coming out of my pocket? I purchased it in October, 2008.

Ditto. This really ****** me off, considering the money I spent on it. I'm almost tempted to just ignore it since it is a common problem (check out Youtube and search "iMac screen" for more examples) but Apple shouldn't be let off the hook either. It will be a 4-hour round trip drive to the nearest service center but I would rather ship the **** thing if I can. However, it seems like that might not be a possibility. Besides, I HAVE to have a computer for my school work and we have assignments due every few days. I can't be without it for more than a day or two.

EDIT: Also, the messages under some of the Youtube videos seem to suggest that it is a major design flaw, caused by too much heat literally melting parts inside the display and leaving the burnt residue near the top of the screen. Maybe I'll wait until the end of the semester and then take it in. I'd be willing to be that the replacement will develop the exact same issue though.

Message was edited by: tj1320

Oh how wonderful. My nearest Apple Store had this for me when I tried to make a reservation with a "Genius":

*Unfortunately, all reservations are currently booked.*
*Please check back again later.*

Looks like I'm stuck with a horrible looking display. My old Dell crashed a few times, but at least the screen was always flawless. I guess you truly CANNOT have your cake and eat it too.

I purchased a 24" reconditioned iMac in October, and I have a variation on this. I'm not sure what to make of it. If the direct sunlight hits my screen, it shows marks that look almost like fingermarks on the left side of the screen and a blotchy mark in the centre. These marks are on the inside of the screen. If I close the blinds, they quickly disappear. Do other people get this if their iMacs are in the sun? Is this something I should worry about long-term? Opinions?

Thanks

Thanks a lot. I looked into it and there is a place about 120 miles away that can do it. However, I can't afford the time off right now to do it. I'll probably get it done after April 15th.

I'm an active stock options trader and I am absolutely shocked that Apple is still trading around $90 per share even in this horrible economic environment. If they keep having stupid, senseless issues like these on their $2,500+ machines, that stock price won't hold for very long. I am very disappointed in Apple right now. If the computer wasn't running so incredibly well compared to any PCs I've ever owned, I would return it and get a refund.

I can't really speak for everyone else but this is definitely something to be concerned about. I can see my issue no matter what, computer on or off, bright or dim light, and it is caused by plastic parts becoming too hot and melting. These computers COULD be a fire hazard in an unusually warm home setting. Wonderful news for an almost $3,000 computer, huh? LOL Apple IS lucky its only competition is the PC.

Just ran into the same problem. A dark blotch where the sun was striking the display most intensely. Once I pulled the curtain, the blotch slowly faded, though the overall tint on that side of the display still seems somewhat darker than the rest. The computer has been in the same location for over a year, has certainly been hit by direct sunlight in the past. I never noticed it before because I generally use it only in the evenings. It doesn't seem to be a problem that worsens over time, but I'm going to try to figure out a way to keep the sun off my display.

I recently bought a 24" iMac (intel based) in April 2009.
Within 2 days of using it, I had a small 3"x3" "ink blob" show up on the screen, very similar to what you're experiencing, but much darker and prominent.

As far as I'm concerned, it's a defective LCD screen and your problem will just get worse. The reason I'm saying it will probably get worse is because mine did and this "ink blob" has grown in size over the past few weeks to a size of about 8" in length and about 5-6" in width. Covers a good fraction on my screen now when it appears.

Meanwhile, it's only appeared 3 times while I've been using the computer. I tend to keep it on when not in use, but don't monitor it's activity 24/7, so it could be happening more frequently than I think.

I contacted Apple support to document the "sitings" (I feel like I'm some paranormal psychic) and they've recommended me to return the product from where I got it (BestBuy - Southern Ontario doesn't have mac stores unfortunately).

Anyways, I'm planning on returning the iMac tomorrow in hopes that a new one will be the fix of this issue, but thought I'd put this out there to anyone else who might have this problem or know of someone who is currently encountering it and going "wth!"

So I am not as I though the only one with this problem, the Apple repair guys here in Malaysia say they have never seen such a thing before? Dark blotches and something that looks like fingerprints or grey smears on my display appearing within 6 months of purchase. First the Apple Care agent here took my Mac away returned it 3 days later with 'a new display'... but with the same marks in the same places, clearly someone was a little confused or being less than completely honest. The Apple Care local agent then made another visit to me, installed a new display, great, except it had dead pixels! My Mac has now gone off to the workshop for yet another new display, and I am relying as a pro photographer on my 5 year old Dell with a still perfect display. And as I read the comments from you guys with similar problems, I am thinking why didn't I just stick with Dell and PCs....Oh, yes and I also get condensation on the inside of the screen after powering up sometimes on the IMac.