Greyish Smudge marks behind the glass screen.

A lot of us here are mere 'amateurs' in the display replacement arena so haven't yet reached your levels of psychotic anguish over these problems. I have only just had my first lcd replaced so I'm quite laid back about things. I might feel different if I was onto my fourth replacement.

I have no knowledge of US consumer laws, but I know a little about UK consumer law, and if expensive goods are consistently defective they must be replaced. Goods are expected to have a 'reasonable' life span, consistent with the money spent on them. So if I paid £10 for a piece of bargain basement electronic equipment and it fails after 2yrs I probably don't have much grounds to complain, however, if I pay £1500 for an imac I should reasonably expect to get many more good years fault free service. Add to this scenario expensive Applecare add-on warranties and statutory parts and labour warranties for replacement bits and you have the consumer rights equivalent of a water tight case.

I doubt anyone in the UK has been fobbed off by Apple in the way you describe, but would be interested to hear from anyone who thinks they have.

I can understand your disallusionment with Apple products, but I'm afraid that I, and apparently many others here, are still complete suckers for their nice shiny boxes.

I also use a pc every day in my job and it's total cack! haha

Completely agree. The first replacement: no problem, stuff happens, minor inconvenience. Second replacement: starting to get annoying, but they were sympathetic and fixed it. Third replacement, and subsequent blaming of the aparently exotic lands of midwest America: not cool.

Consumer protection laws are practically non-existent in the US. We have them for automobiles, but they're weak and very rarely used. As far as I'm aware, for everthing else you're on your own. In Europe I seriously doubt Apple could get away with claiming your warranty is void because you live in a humid environment when they're actively selling that product less than a block away from your home, for example.

Booked my Apple iMac 27" 2009 in for replacement hard drive through their 1TB Seagate replacement scheme. and mentioned to the guy that I was not very happy about smudges on my original LCD panel. He ran a couple of checks and said they would replace the screen FOC. Just got my iMac back today with brand new screen and hard drive. 23 months out of warranty and not a penny to pay.

This is the first time in years and years of owning all sort of Apple devices that I have had any faults and personally I am delighted with Apple's after sales in replacing these expensive components, nearly two year out of warranty, without any quible at all. Oh and last year I got a brand new 6th Gen Nano as part of their Nano repacement programme for my 1st Gen Nano which was actually still working fine. I'll be sticking with Apple and have no hesitation of ordering a new 27"iMac when they become available.

Not sure if this has already been noticed or discussed elsewhere, but judging from this pic (http://cdn.pocket-lint.com/images/J6vr/apple-imac-2012-preview-pictures-10.jpg?2 0121024-200151) there does not appear to be any rear-top ventilation "exhaust" port as exists on the now-prior generation of iMacs.

I know there's two schools of thought as to the cause of the screen smudge issue (one being heat / burst LCD cells, one being dust from the surrounding environment, or maybe a third combo school) but I figure the absence of a top rear exhaust port is fairly telling for both of these theories:

First, if air flow within the machine is not traveling up the length of the screen and out the top, maybe this reduces or eliminates the amount of dust that could become trapped within the screen? And that's to say nothing about the new thin screen tech and total machine redesign which hopefully further insulates from any external contaminants.

Second, I feel like the lack of the top rear exhuast port speaks loudly to the idea of a much more efficient system of internal air-cooling for the hot-running components in this machine. If you've got a single centered fan exhaust port (kind of looks like two fan exhausts side-by-side at the bottom of the pic linked above, but you get the idea) then maybe the air cooling is that much more focused and efficient. I only mention this because as I run my hand over the top rear on my 27" iMac right now I can feel hot air emitted from seemingly every part of the top exhaust port which seems to be much less targeted to the components that need it the most.

Full disclosure; I'm on my second screen replacement (both went great no-questions-asked by Apple, but also under AppleCare through the end of 2013), and all of the above is written by a layman with little knowledge or understanding of what goes on under my iMac's skin. Just thought I'd throw in my .02 and spread my optimism for the new design!

Hey you guys and dolls...

think different (quote Steve Jobs) - think positive!! Your IMac is the ultimate fine dust filter system for your home air climate! 😝 Apple knew what they developed and they evaluated the clinical trial results of cancer related to home air fine dust contamination of IMac-users. The results should have been negative otherwise the very new IMac wouldn't have completely new display panel -concept....

IMac 27", late 2009, I7 - guarantee LCD panel replacement 2011 - same BS smudge issue after three months....

funny, my first IMac (first Intel-version, 21") still running, has no panel screen smudge at all......

and very funny 😠 :

iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program

- notice I received via email from Apple last week...

funny, I had to replace my 1 TB Seagate HD in June for 250 Euros on my own cost... Prior the replacement I had weeks long of "bouncing balls", no time machine backups and the power of a 286-Intel PC.....very disgusting!!!!

sure, I contacted Apple support, now I'm waiting for a response towards refunding...

funny, the smudge display issue isn't first priority at Apple - It should be!!!!! 😮

I otherwise love this machine, but....

I think I first noticed this problem a year and a half ago and also posted in this forum. Long time I suffered in silence - although its bearable - its most annoying for a product bought primarily for the display... its all been said many times...

I almost forgot about it as Ive not used the machine as much since owning an iPad. I also got the seagate hard drive replacement email.... Took it to my local store (UK) - casually mentioned the screen issue and asked for it to be looked at. They said its also covered to replace the LCD for free! Almost two years out of warranty! I'm most pleased but wonder if the same problem might come back after a few months... Fingers crossed!! Totally mixed feelings towards Apple.

Well, my grats.... nice move from Apple..... I would of tried the same thing if I would have needed the hard drive replacement... Do you have any information from Apple (UK) if this is a new policy to satisfy the disgusted IMac customers in the whole EU (incl. GER). What's your impression - did you have luck???? My Mac is one year out of warranty.

My experience was that I had put up with it as an annoyance for a good while, but when it got really bad this summer, I contacted Apple and they agreed to replace the panel even though it was over a year out warranty.

If others have having similar experiences, then it sounds like its something on Apple's radar, even if they are not being particularly forthcoming about it, but rather waiting until people complain. In the UK at least - the flipside is that others (in the US) are reporting that they haven't been able to get panels replaced, even under warranty. I don't know if this difference in result is down to time (ie they weren't willing to replace panels initially, but once it became evident to them that there was an issue, they became more willing), or if its a gepgraphic lottery.

In the end, I had no complaints at all - stuff goes wrong, but its how companies deal with the things that go wrong that really counts, and replacing a 27" LCD panel over a year out of warranty was pretty good really.

They just made me take it into an Authorised repair place to get them to look at it and confirm that there was an issue that wasn't fixable simply by taking it apart and cleaning it. After that they were happy to authorise the repair.

Yeahhhh, maybe the EU is a big emerging market for Apple-stuff and rumours about bad quality for lots of money for a so called cool-perfect iMac device (Germans love cool perfect devices...) is an issue. I don't really know where they make their volume of sales or big money. But I know that lots of people and friends in my perimeter are buying cool Apple-devices - but not really Mac-PC's.......If already you have a iPod/Pad/Phone, you want the MAC, and if this BS, you/they don't want it... If somebody ask's me, then I always give an approbiate answer - everything is cool, fast, straight-foward, but this annoying display......

Okayy,, now I'll launch a request for my 2nd display replacement (beyond warranty) towards Apple-support -I'll report ........

I would really like to know, if newly replaced displays (after 3 - 6 months) are flawless, can anybody report??????

I only had mine replaced at the end of June, and its still fine - but then it took over a year to manifest itself in the first place.

If it does happen again, I like to think I'd have a good case to have it replaced again. The fact that they have been prepared to replace it so far out of warranty already suggests they are taking responsibility (albeit only after receiving the complaint). So if it happens again, there would surely be a strong case pointing at an underlying design issue of the iMac, rather than a faulty LCD panel per se.

Although saying all that, to have it replaced again in a year, by which time it would be over three years old, with a brand new iMac would be an incredible result.

I had my screen replaced in early July of this year, so a little shy of 4 months ago... and my screen has been holding up just fine (knock on wood). No smudges visible at this point. But I don't think I'll start to feel comfortable until I'm well into the 8-12 month mark with no signs of trouble...

PLEASE MAKE THIS THE LAST POST about this!

This way other people can know that IT IS POSSIBLE TO FIX (DIY) THIS PROBLEM!

This is for all iMac users that are out of warranty & can't afford buying a new LCD module.

I hope this message will not "mysteriously" disappear.

If it does we'll know that all these discussions are being watched & censored.

By 04:30 of the only video-repair of a (late 2009) 21.5inch iMac (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GONDMj0Glt4) I felt really desperate because I had the LCD split apart from the iMac's body with all its adhesive tape strips opened but it didn't seem to make a difference: the **** panel seemed solidly attached to its frame & there didn't seem to be anything else I could do! I didn't want to force anything, risk breaking some component & ruining my just-bought (2nd hand) iMac 21.5''!

So, as I had to guess it the hard way due to the lack of that part on that video, I will now explain my 10 steps so that no one else has the difficulty I had to accomplish this fix:

01 Slip a clean folded sheet under the iMac.

02 Get yourself a strong suction cup, apply it to the upper left or right corner of the iMac's & pull out the polycarbonate front.

03 Remove the 4 left + 4 right torx T10 screws around the LCD & copy their positions on the iMac onto the surface you'll lay them so that you later know which screw belongs to which hole. Sometimes screws want to be returned to their usual house. I must say already that, on my way back, this was what didn't turn out perfect: the holes on the right side (& just on that side) didn't match; they were like 1 or 2mm offset & the screws had to be half-screwed & inclined.

04 Pull the LCD out & incline it about 20 degrees from the iMac's body, just enough for your hands to slip inside the gap for you will have to disconnect 4 cables. You might want to ask someone to help you by holding the LCD from behind the iMac.

05 Disconnecting the 4 cables (#1: vertical sync | #2: backlight power | #3: display temp sensor | #4: LVDS) that link the LCD to the iMac's body:

Pay attention to the points where the cables connect or photograph them so that you'll know how to restore it on your way back.

Be very careful & patient for these connections are delicate!

The upper left one (#1) is a thin blue-tip strip that you have to pull to your right, the bottom left black one (#2) you have to gently pinch & pull both tabs down and the other two you must squeeze the sides to release.

Take your time.

06 With the LCD separate from the iMac's body, place it over the sheet with the front down.

07 Remove the 2 left & 2 right screws, from the sides that are shorter. 1 screw in each side is hidden under a little adhesive cushion that you must partially lift up.

08 Start opening/lifting (not removing) ONLY the adhesive tape strips that are helping bonding the LCD Panel to the frame. There are several sorts:

- aluminum/tinfoil mylar

- fabric-like

- black thin plastic

- black thick rubbery copper square

09 Detaching the LCD panel from the frame:

Use a plastic or latex glove on your left hand (if you're right-handed) so that you don't stain the LCD's front.

You might want to try pressing the other side of the LCD panel upwards & verify it doesn't even seem to move. Don't get frustrated & don't spend a lot of anguish time (like I did) searching for some hidden screw or anything else that you might have missed. Understand that the LCD panel will only move up through the frame after you force it to. It is still attached to the frame by 2 left + 2 right tiny white tabs and 5 black ones on the bottom side — if you don't see these 5 it's because you haven't lifted the longest mylar tape strip enough.

If you are sure that you have removed all the 4 screws & lifted all the tape strips that covered the narrow gap between the LCD & its frame then grab your screwdriver (or something with a larger tough tip) & fit it on that gap beside a white tab that is closer to the corner beside the longest mylar tape strip. Force the LCD panel out of the frame while pressing it upwards on the other side with your other hand's thumb. Right after this place your screwdriver on the nearest black tab, push it down while pressing up the LCD panel & pulling the frame edges down with your nails. If you do it vigorously you'll start to see it come off!

This is the toughest part, specially if you do it alone, so it's a good time to remember the money you'll have to spend if you don't take that **** LCD panel out of that frame! In my case the price I was given from APPLE's assistance for the replacement of the LCD module was nearly €500, which was 90% of what I paid for my (2nd hand) iMac!

So be careful but PUSH, PULL, PRESS!

10 Cleaning the inside of the LCD panel:

If you got to this point: congratulations!

I didn't completely open/separate the LCD panel but just enough to be able to slip inside an anti-static cloth & gently clean that problem away!

Have a peek inside yours with lighting coming low from a side & you might recognize the forms of the stains that have bothered you for so long! It's dust that somehow, despite all the tape strips, gets into the LCD panel but I was too anxious to investigate it deeper, and the odds are that APPLE has no clue either. I guess that a removable dust filter before the fans could help…

So to prevent this you might want to avoid using your iMac in a dusty polluted room.

APPLE really deserves this tutorial for not having listened to (i)Mac-users in this & so many other problems!

This repair is NOT in this iMac's APPLE Technician Guide but, & here's a final thought, it's "funny" to verify how, after this fix, the LCD panel looks just as new...

Thanks a lot for this ultimate description of the DIY solution to the smudge problem.

Liked the video, fixing the screen with a cig in hand... Also, as you mention, when the going gets tough the video reverts to pictures...

😎

Now, on my 24" iMac on which I had the screen replaced 3 times under the 3 year apple care warranty, I have a similar, but not same issue. It seems that the clear glass in front of the LCD is accumulating dust on the inside surface this time. This is different from the issue with the smudge between the LCD and the white back light surface. So there seem to be more than one issue at hand;

1. the dreaded back light smudge (fixed as described above)

2. the dirty glass cover inside (fixed by simply cleaning the inside of the glass cover)

Nevertheless, I am looking forward to see the brand new ultra slim iMacs in real life... I guess I am an Apple sucker...

😝

Thanks, MacDalion!

for your ultimate Description of "open heart surgery" on a iMac-display for smuck-residues removement..... This will be my last option... But (as mentioned), I'll try the the "apple support (in the EU) - maybe-option" of replaycing my display for free (a new flawless one?). I would really would like to get on hand of this smudge-residue (wipe cloth with this stuff is ok), as I'm an analytical expert (C.S.I. xxx) in chemistry for a really big company (in Germany/EU, not Apple...). In my (our laboratory:

SEM/EDAX-analysis

and

Micro- FT-infrared-spectroscopy

It would simply be fun for me finding out what this bsmudge really consists of......

Another twist to this sorry tale.

I took my 27" imac which was purchased January 2012 and still under warranty in for repair to my local apple store after the left hand side of the screen suddenly became 50% darker which seems to be another known issue with this model. Whilst there I pointed out the problems I was having with the smudging that had developed over time on the extreme upper left and right sides of the screen and was steadily becoming worse.

The rep was unable to comment on either issue but sent the computer off for repair to an authorised repair center and the result is that yes they will replace the LCD screen under warranty because of the fault with the dark left hand side but insist that the smudging on the extreme top borders is an enviromental issue caused by smoking and that the stains are on the inside of the protective glass outer which seems to be contrary to what the majority have experienced on this thread which is that the smudging is within the LCD itself.

The upshot of all this is that I am being asked to pay £78.00 for replacing the glass front as they claim to be unable to clean it to their own satisfaction and "enviromental issues" are not included under the warranty.

The question is who do I believe and does it make a difference either way because what is clear in this forum is that this particular model of imac seems unable to cope with even the average home/workplace "enviroment" never mind that of a smoker. I have even seen photographs posted on the internet of display imacs within Apple stores with the very same smudging, perhaps Apple store enviroment isn't up to scratch either or are they planning to put the blame on all those dusty potential customers....

I have no wish to be sarcastic, I am a long time user of Apple computers and until now have never had to make a complaint about their products but its time for them to own up to what is clearly a design fault and to rectify the problem.