Greyish Smudge marks behind the glass screen.

Hi All,

Just a little update from Denmark. I have a 27inch late 2010 Imac that developed the mentioned "greyish dark spots" - both corners, mostly in the right upper corner.

As I purchased the AppleCare protection plan along with the computer I contacted Apple and they mentioned quite clearly that the "problem is well known and must be fixed".

Tommorow - the day after I contacted Apple care - they are picking up my computer and sending it for repairs -alternatively a replacement.

This is ****** good service in my book.

I agree that this problems should not occur and especially on a high end premium product such as Apple brands themselves.

I will offcourse be keeping a very close eye on the "new" display in the future and will not hesistate to contact Apple immidiatly if is sould happen again.

Now I am just curious as to how long I need to wait for the repairs....

will keep you all posted on the situation

Just a quick update. Set up a genius bar appointment for this screen issue. They took the machine in the back and removed the glass and cleaned the LCD panel. They use a special cleaning roller. This did not work. They asked if I was a smoker, I am. They are replacing the screen completely with Apple Care. My machine is used in a heavily ventilated room but due to the heave graphics work I do I have to run my fans at max to keep the temp under 110°F. So just a heads up, even if you are a smoker and the machine is full of dust, I mean packed like wall insulation, they will still replace the screen. I saw the replacement cost for the LCD panel on the work order, it's over $560 so having Apple Carr is huge. So just make an appointment and they should replace it regardless of "environmental" conditions. Thankfully the store I went to had a replacement LCD in stock and I will have my machine back tomorrow. So happy about it getting resolved seamlessly.

@Noblin

Applecare, OK ! That's completly normal they changed your screen, even if you are a smoker.

But what will happen at the end of applecare? 3 years after having bought a computer ( 2000$) you will have to pay again 600$ to have a clean screen.

Do you think it's normal? I don't!

that's why i create .... (my name ! )

Dont know how things work in US - but in europe we have a 2 year warranty - that will cover the new and/or replaced display.

It's hazzle but if the "spots" returns I will bring it back to Apple for another replacement.

The last days i've started to notice the smudge on my screen too on my 27" iMac, from 2010. My warranty just ended, since i've had it for 13 months. I work with graphic design and this is just unacceptable.

I live in Sweden, and Apple told me to take it to an Repair Center. Not sure what the result will be yet but i'll get back when i know more regarding this.

Just opened my door for DHL in order ro receive my iMac27 after being repaired for the fourth(!) screen replacement. Last time it took a litlle more than two months to see the gray spots to return. I guess that according to Apple my "environment" will cause the next incident in the same time, but you never know....... I have Apple care but they (dutch Apple Care) stated that this last time was a sign of their good intentions, and that in fact my third replacement was allready beyond Apple's obligations ( since the problem was caused by "my environment") and not by a design, engineering or other flaw. Ik somebosy from Apple is reading this I would appreciate a written confirmation of these findings. The lady in the Netherlands explained me that this was not a task for Apple Care. They were just there to inform me that after an investigation (?) itcwas clear that "my environment" etc. Etc...........sigh.....

Even a definition of what the 'environmental' problems are would be useful.

A list of disallowed items or conditions.

A disclaimer.

Is the iMac a home computer or not?

Most of the reasons for the environmental issues are all those that can be found in the average home as far as we can tell.

Are there some homes that are not suitable? Which sort of homes? We need to know.

Or, if we're going to accept the 'environment' argument without clarification, is the iMac only really suitable for clinically pristine, sterile environments and we should not buy one otherwise - just in case?

Dear Churchil,

I also come across this on my 27 inch iMac (late 2009). Too many people are having this problem and not all of them are heavy smokers. Apple ignores the statistics. We all love Macs, it's a real human machine. But this "environmental" excuse is like a sign on a pack of cigarette " Dust, smoking, cooking and alcohol seriously harms your Mac". May be it's true, why not? But it should be written on every Mac in LARGE LETTERS. This is obviously a design flaw or technical error or a factory defect etc regardless of any "environmental" excuse. Apple should make a formal statement on this issue. The laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the Apple. Let me remind them Steve Job's speech and where were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." May be they have become too fat and smart?

This issue is NOT environmental. I am not a smoker and several other people on here have kept their iMacs in extremely pristine environments as have I. If Apple has already replaced your screen or is offering to do so, you will still have grey stain and smudge-mark issues. The problem is not with the screen itself but rather the hardware design of the iMac. The only way to fix this issue is for Apple to completely re-design the iMac and do a mass recall.

Also just google @omek on twitter. The link to one is in the first tweet.

Additionally, contact the news media and tech blogs. And share on your social networks.

*****JUDGE DISMISSES CLASS ACTION AGAINST APPLE RE IMAC SCREEN ISSUES..

http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?threadid=105675

thought you guys should see this discussion as it could explain a lot of things

That lawsuit has nothing to do with this discussion. That lawsuit took place years before this type of iMac existed. It had to do with problems that were in fact mostly asddressed. The problem this discussion addresses is about a aleged defect in the build of the iMac itself that allows for dust/debris to accumulate behind the LCD panel... and evidintally no matter how many times the screens are replaced - it returns... even to this date.

That is very true. However, I think in the current problem - it's very specific and has yet to have a real permanent solution - so it may have a better chance. I'm even willing to guess that if users were asked to throw up a solid white screen - that they may indeed find the offending contamination. More than just the 41 pages mentioned here. 'Course I have ZERO proof or stats. (I only know that both my Mom and I have the problem... that's 2 out of 2 people I know).

Just noticed the problem, grey marks in the top left corner. I have applecare so hopefully it will get sorted. I might leave it for now as it has a year to go and the problem is a minor annoyance rather than anything. I dont smoke, but I did spray some air freshener in the room the other day, wont be doing that again. Its probably been there ages though and i havent noticed it before. I only noticed it because I was watching it start up. My eyes are bad anyway so I see grey 'floaters' in my normal vision anyway. I dont smoke, the window is never open, the room is quite clean. I do sometimes use a fan heater, I think I will have to stop using that.

I also used to have problems with horrible screeching noises coming from the mac if the brightness was turned up, but these happen rarely now and just for a few seconds.

I'm ignoring the twenty-seven others who have decided this is where they will ask their questions, and direct this to the OP:

On-site service cannot include display repair, because a display must be disassembled carefully in a widely arranged area, and must be tested for hours after service. That isn't practical in your living room.

I read the article, and IT DOESN'T EXPLAIN ANYTHING about this original poster's issue (brown smudges, why no onsite). The article talks about "vertical lines began to appear on his display screen". A horse of a different color. Also, the suit was brought by not only some people who actually had iMacs with a vertical line issue, but by hundreds who had no issue, but just wanted to try to cash in. Shameless over-litigation IMHO.