Greyish Smudge marks behind the glass screen.

I'm in Romania also, having the same issue only worse. This is a 27'' mid 2011 Imac and I also have an early 2011 Macbook Pro that had the display replaced once for two grey dots in the middle of the frame that now reappered on the new display a year after it has been replaced. They won't replace the Macbook display the second time and I suspect that they won't replace the Imac display either. I'm planning to write some hate mail to Apple UK, has anyone had any success with that?

Same issue here.

Bought a 21 inch 2013 iMac. After a few months, a grey smudge started to appear in the lower left corner of the screen. I'm in warranty so the display is going to be replaced...

Other than that I'm very pleased with the overall product. It's very well built and designed. I would very much like for Apple to look deeper into this issue, because it seem to be a recurring problem for many people.

Thank you.

This is the black fuzzy stuff that gets all over the back of the commputer and makes its way into this area as well. I clean the back off several times a week and try and vacuume this area out but the smudges still came back.

I too have had issues with grey smudge marks on my iMac 27" Mid 2011 which was purchased on November 2011. I work in the IT field already and I am a die hard Mac user/fan. I know that an LCD screen should ultimately last a lifetime if used properly. Hardware failure is expected so I would think that would come before my LCD went bad which put a bad taste in my mouth. I did a lot of research, reading everything on this issue from this forum and many others. Since my iMac is out of warranty I knew that going to get it fixed may be difficult. While researching I did find that they did a recall on a graphics card on the iMacs. I looked mine up and I too had the graphics card they were recalling, however I never experienced any issues with the graphics card. I did document that so I could bring that up if I had to. With this in mind, I bookmarked all of the success stories others have had with the Genius Bar at Apple. I made sure to save pages that told the story of the "Quality Program" that they secretly have. I also made sure to keep documentation of this 80+ page forum to show that it's an issue. I went ahead and documented all of my Apple purchases, orders I have placed thru Apple at my workplace, and the people I have converted from PC to Mac. I wanted them to know how I am a loyal customer and if they would happen to handle this situation in the wrong way, I was able to impact their sales (slightly I know but I still would have an impact). In conclusion to my preparation, I wanted to be prepared to fight this issue with them if they gave me problems when I showed them my grey smudges. I had to drive 2 hours to the store, so I had in the back of my mind that I was not coming home unless this issue was handled correctly.

So what was the outcome?

I made my appointment for 12:30 PM today. I showed up early to scout out my parking in comparison to where the store was. Once I realized where I was, I went back out and brought my iMac (in original box and packaging) into the store. Yes it was a forearm burner. I checkd myself in 15 minutes early and they proudly told me that they have been very busy, but they are on time so it won't be long until I get to meet with one of the Genius Bar members. After a short wait, I was called to the Genius Bar.

The Genius asked me what my issue was and I politely said that I am experiencing grey smudges all over my screen. Once I got it unpacked and placed in position he asked well I don't see any. I said, "Well we have to turn it on." Once it powered on to the white boot screen you could already see the smudges all over! If I recall, I don't even think he said anything, but I could see it in his eyes that he was aware of this issue. He didn't even say anything. He ran a few tests from their servers to make sure the iMac was running as it should and it passed every single test. He still remained silent. After doing some things on his iPad he asked me for information and asked if he had the correct information. After all of that he said well this is what we can do, and he went on to explain that they will replace the screen ONCE for this issue. I asked him if he had seen this before and he nodded yes. He did not explain much of the issue tho. The only thing he told me was that it is known to be an environmental issue. I asked him to explain and he went on with "things that could cause this are: burning candles, smoke, dust, etc..." I said "Candles???" And he said yes. I explained that I never had any candles burning near my computer, it's not dusty, but I have ready that it was some sort of LCD contamination. He said that's exactly what it was. I asked what I can do to prevent this since I have not had any of the above that could affect my lcd. He simply said "Just keep doing what your doing then."

That answer did not set welll with me because, he is basically saying, its going to happen again and again. I did not ask anyting else becuase he is fixing my iMac that is over 2 years old out of warranty and with NO APPLE CARE. Yes I am very pleased with how it was handled. I am glad I did not have to make a fool of myself and get nasty with all of the research I did, but I still feel uneasy about how he basically told me it cannot be prevented.

In conclusion, I was able to get my 2+ year old iMac MID 2011 fixed out of warranty and with no apple care. He said the part will be in in a few days and I can come get it free of charge. I will udpate you all on the issue if anything goes wrong, but I will also try to attach my work order that shows it was fixed under the "Warranty Status of Quality Program".

I have same issue with my iMac 27" late 2012 Ivy bridge model.

I got two smuge marks bottom left corner and right. I believe this is manufacturing problem.

It seems DIY cleaning is impossible for this skinny iMac.

sorry for the images. these are the best i can get,

Update: Well I took my screen off to install a new SSD drive in my late 2009 iMac and also to clean the screen. I have bad news. The marks did not clean off from my monitor. It seems the marks must be inside the screen or maybe dead pixels. I'm really disappointed because I love this computer and I've always stuck with Apple products. I use this computer for graphic design and grey pixels makes it difficult because I need accurate colors on my screen. Is anyone from Apple reading this thread so we can get some feedback? I can't afford a new screen. I'll attach some pics.

Thanks for the update. In my case there is no smoking, printing, cooking or dehumidifying going on in the same room so it will be interesting to hear what they say when I eventually contact them about it. As I say, luckily in my case the marks are hardly noticable really (i.e. on the odd occasion there is a white background in that corner), but I suppose that's not the point on something that costs this much money.

Justin, I just found this post and thought I would give you a shout in regards to a similar problem I have with my iMac. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions as to how to get Apple to replace my display. Apple just brushed me off and said I have to take it to my local Apple Genius bar, which I did. Below is what they said. On the work order the so called tech guy said it is a "cosmetic condition". I have attached an image of the screen on a neutral gray background. As a photographer I would strongly disagree that there is nothing "cosmetic about it". Of course I only saw that comment after he emailed the

Genius Bar Work Authorization pdf to me. Attached is a shot of the screen.

Problem Description/Diagnosis

Data Transfer: Not Required

Issue: Customer states his display has what looks to be distortion almost like a water marking

Steps to Reproduce: Confirmed at bar, attempted to clean display and issue persisted. Ran Mac Resource Inspector and all passed, ran Video Systems Test and all passed.

Most visible on a white background.

Cosmetic Condition: Nothing to note. Has a partial backup.

Proposed Resolution: Replace display and test.

Estimated Turn Around Time: We'll call you in 3 - 5 days

Mac OS Version: 10.7.5

Hard Drive Size: 1000 GB

Memory Size: 8 GB

iLife Version: n/a

Employee 1450695124

Repair Estimate

Item Number Description Price Amount Due Customer

KBB

661-6615 LCD PANEL 27 INCH WITH BLC $ 635.00 $ 635.00

S1490LL/A Hardware Repair Labor $ 39.00 $ 39.00

Tax $ 33.70

Total $ 674.00 $ 707.70

Is there a voice loud and strong enough out there to help myself and other loyal Apple customers get a replacement display at no cost to ourselves?

Any suggestions would be helpful, before I contact the BBB for direction.

Regards,

Paul

Justin, I just found this post and thought I would give you a shout in regards to a similar problem I have with my iMac. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions as to how to get Apple to replace my display. Apple just brushed me off and said I have to take it to my local Apple Genius bar, which I did. Below is what they said. On the work order the so called tech guy said it is a "cosmetic condition". I have attached an image of the screen on a neutral gray background. As a photographer I would strongly disagree that there is nothing "cosmetic about it". Of course I only saw that comment after he emailed the

Genius Bar Work Authorization pdf to me. Attached is a shot of the screen.

Problem Description/Diagnosis

Data Transfer: Not Required

Issue: Customer states his display has what looks to be distortion almost like a water marking

Steps to Reproduce: Confirmed at bar, attempted to clean display and issue persisted. Ran Mac Resource Inspector and all passed, ran Video Systems Test and all passed.

Most visible on a white background.

Cosmetic Condition: Nothing to note. Has a partial backup.

Proposed Resolution: Replace display and test.

Estimated Turn Around Time: We'll call you in 3 - 5 days

Mac OS Version: 10.7.5

Hard Drive Size: 1000 GB

Memory Size: 8 GB

iLife Version: n/a

Employee 1450695124

Repair Estimate

Item Number Description Price Amount Due Customer

KBB

661-6615 LCD PANEL 27 INCH WITH BLC $ 635.00 $ 635.00

S1490LL/A Hardware Repair Labor $ 39.00 $ 39.00

Tax $ 33.70

Total $ 674.00 $ 707.70

I have an mid 2011 27" iMac and the display has developed ghosting and what looks like watermarks and staining which have gotten worse and worse. I'm a photographer and digital desktop designer and need a large flawless monitor display for my business. I am a loyal Apple customer and have used Apple computers since the 1990's. My first Mac was a 6100 Mac Power PC. All of them worked beyond my expectations. My 2009 G5 iMac still works!

My extended Apple care on my 2011 iMac expired in 2014 but I called Apple anyway to see if there was any type of solution. I made an appointment with the local Apple store and Genius bar and the rep looked at the display, removed the protective cover and tried to wipe off the grey marks to no avail. He did notice the display was flickering and did some tests on the video card which he said was fine with no issues.

However he stated that it was the display itself since it was flickering and said it was failing. Then the subject of replacing the display came up and that to replace it would cost over $700.00 Canadian. Of course I would have to pay for this repair since it was not an Apple designated issue. I found this rather interesting as the web is inundated with countless numbers of similar and identical examples.

I asked to speak to the manager and all I received from her was " We are here to support you and to get you back up and running as soon as possible. But that it was not an Apple "issue". When I explained to her the multitude of Apple customers with identical problems, she just said "well there will always be people unhappy with Apple products and willing to share their stories. And then she said several more times for good measure that "we are here to support you". I know it is not her fault she cannot replace this display. Obviously it is an issue with quality control.

I cannot fathom why something as important as this type of display degradation would not become an "issue" which Apple would deem worthy as a recall.

I contacted Apple Canada Head office and they said sorry, there is nothing they can do as this display degradation is not enough of a problem to warrant a recall issue.

I would appreciate some communications for resolving an obvious flawed display which should not start failing after 4 years of operation.

I would like Apple to replace this faulty display as soon as possible at no cost to myself, since I am presently working on my Laptop to edit my photographic work.

Is there a voice loud and strong enough out there to help myself and other loyal Apple customers get a replacement display at no cost to ourselves?

Any suggestions would be helpful, before I contact the BBB for direction.

Regards,

Paul

This is one of the reasons I won't buy another iMac anytime soon. It's probably my biggest disappointment with this machine as the screen was a major selling point.

I'm hoping the new MacBook Pro retina won't be plagued by the same problem...

Here's a photo of my mid 2010 27" iMac (right side of the screen, for a long time I thought this was due to the SuperDrive disc slot). First signs appeared two years ago, and it's getting worse as time goes by. Needless to say I won't spend north of $500, the price of a 4K monitor, on a replacement for this non-retina (yet formerly beautiful) screen. I'll just stare at a stained Apple screen for as long as this iMac lives, I guess...

remark: yes, the screen is also dirty on the outside, frankly because it's disheartening to try to clean something that simply will always look dirty, and I find myself not caring much anymore for this iMac. Which is why, obviously being more than cosmetic for graphists, developers and so on, this issue is how brands lose love from their customers. Just like an app that always displays things badly will quickly drive you to their rival's. My next desktop display will certainly not be from Apple.

hi den.thed

In response to your threads onthis issue here and

this

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2386907?answerId=11313975022#11313975022

It can be frustrating and really not THAT SIMPLE to just do.

Would apple now have to charge me to get some sort of cleaning for the 2nd link I posted that you've suggested on this link here that I posted?

This imac I have even has a cover. When not in use for at least a week, it's shut down and not asleep.

This issues are popping up later on machines that are ( others I've read ) being used and not abused.

Any thoughts or advise?

It would obviously be appreciated.

You should pay for the warranty. If your screen is anything like mine was it will eventually be rendered useless. I'm on my second change of LCD screen and it just may be a permanent fix. This LCD is different as described by others earlier in this conversation who have not seen the problem reoccur. There is a special border on this LCD that wasn't on the last one nor the original. See here for a photo and description: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2300580?answerId=15895413022#15895413022.

The name of this discussion thread is

Greyish Smudge marks behind the glass screen

The operative words being "glass" and "behind".

If the problem was simply crud collecting behind the "plastic" bit i.e. on the front surface of the LCD panel, then this thread would have died long ago. However, as Dan said, the vast majority of posts are from people suffering from an innate flaw in the iMac whereby crud gets "behind the glass" between the backlight and LCD.

Now, I know a lot of users out there are big techies and are not afraid to perform major surgery on their 1400 quid iMacs, but some of us just want to buy and use, not have to take the thing apart to attempt to remedy something that should not happen in the first place.