Greyish Smudge marks behind the glass screen.

I got the new imac in December- that's four months ago. My screen is already getting covered with these grey dots that can't be removed. I'm using in a completely smoke free environment. This is very upsetting to say the least. Shame on Apple for selling at boutique prices and having such poor quality control. Needless to say I'll use my applecare to replace the screen once it becomes unbearable.

@macuser8888 Wow wow wow, wait, what do you mean the new iMac has this issue? Do you mean the new, thin 2012 iMac also has this? This is the first post here I read that the new redesigned iMac being prone to the grey smudged screen.

Please confirm your product, thank you.

Just a follow up. I came home today and noticed my monitor was not working. Moved the mouse, tapped the space bar on the keyboard, nothing. Unplugged the 27" Cinema Display from my Mac Pro into my MacBook and nothing. Wouldn't even charge the laptop using the power cord from the monitor.

I think it's been about a month since I had Applecare replace the entire LCD screen for the grey smudges, now the power supply has gone out. Has that happened to anyone else on here?

Never have I had so many issues with hardware than with these displays.

I've only been half-following this thread. Have the new non-optical drive iMacs been suffering from the smoke/water stain LCD issue? I would imagine that since they're bascially welded shut, dust is going to have a hard time getting in there.

I got late 2012 iMac as a replacement for late 2009 after Apple Care expired - big plus to Apple - which had the same screen issue and the display was replaced 3 times, however, new machine is developing these smudges in the corners of the screen too. Looks like a trip to Apple store / service center again...

When I picked up my iMac after the screen replacement last week I tried to get more information about the problem from the employee. He downplayed the problem and said they don't see it often. It sounded like he was using a scripted answer to the question.

I got a call from Apple. Apple Engineering. He left a long voice mail message how he wanted to discuss what I mentioned on this forum and that my issue would be taken care of too. I realized I made mention of a 2012 iMac when it was really a 2011. I received it December 2011. So when I called back and left a voice mail with him I stated the mistake but nonetheless that it's a 2011 replacement iMac having the same issue as the iMac it replaced. He never got back to me. That was 2 weeks ago. It appears they think they've solved this issue with the new thinner iMac hence the interest in why I mentioned having this issue with the newer iMac. The picture posted by macuser8888 doesn't look like the issue most of us have been having. Apple sure was nice to you, marcin80. I'd be curious to see if they call you, being you have a late 2012 iMac. This is all so disgusting.

I just had my LCD panel replaced, the onsite tech did a fabulous job ensuring that there was no dust/moisture between the glas and LCD before he left. He encouraged me to turn my background color to white and really look it over before I left. A month later my power supply died on the same Cinema Display, wouldn't power up, wouldn't charge a laptop. Applecare said given the nature I had to bring it in for service. When I did bring the monitor in, the tech did the same thing I did, tried different outlets for power, tried different laptops, nothing. He said "it must be the power supply". Two days later I get a call saying that the monitor is ready for pickup. When I went to pick it up I requested that I test/check before I leave. Sure enough, there was all sorts of dust/hair inside the panel. I was dissapointed and asked that a tech take it back and fix it. After waiting for a bit, someone did go out back and fix it. What dissapoints me was why was this not done before. Seemingly easy fix would have been to ensure that there was no dust/hair behind the glass before returning it to the customer. In short I believe this cycle will continue until the design is changed and/or new LCD panels are used to replace the obviously probalamatic LG panels. It would have been nice to have a matching monitor/mac combo but now I'm going to look at other alternatives. So to those who have this problem, ask to check the screen before you leave the store, it's not acceptable for there to be all sorts of debris between the glass and the LCD.

This is the very reason I hesitate on having my LCD replaced. All you need is one spec of dust to get inside and it'll drive you crazy!

Update from my last comment made. Apple did call me after all. He didn't get back to me because of urgent family business. I was offered to have my LCD replaced. He spoke of a program(s) they had in place for this situation. So Call Apple, folks! He thought I didn't have AppleCare. One of these days I'm going to have someone come to the house and replace it. It just isn't that bad yet. This time around it has lasted over a year with minimal smuding showing. Of course there shouln't be anything at all. This display should be pristine.

Don't hesitate, get it repaired, they can and will make it right, but you just have to keep on them about it. The sooner you do the better off you'll be. I understand completely, how it feels to have to have it repaired, the possibility of opening up another unknown can of worms, and mostly it's true but there's no reason why they can't fix it right, the first time though, is usually not the case now. I wouldn't tolerate any smudging of any kind, considering the price point and how I use this for work, color correction. I was chasing my tail for a bit when I had the grey smudges thinking I had ruined a project I was working on, but it was the monitor.

I both my iMac 27" Dezember 2011 with apple care. First they tryed to clean the screen and then replaced it. Now it is good. I have my mac running every day. Don't know if this a indicator having this problem or not.

I have a mid 2011 27" imac and just noticed that when I have a light screen there are what look like snake stains on the left side of the screen. The right has the same althought they are more faint.

I just noticed this today and have not seen it before so it must have just appeared.

They look almost like water stains. You can really see them when you boot up the imac and the mac logo appears with that white screen (before it boots to your desktop)

What is causing this? Will they replace?

I have no idea what this is. It is not the same issue that has been discussed here in this subject "Grey Smudge marks behind the glass screen". This is something else. I hope Apple makes it right for you.

i also had this problem, basically it looks like water sandwiched between 2 peices of glass.

I had the screen replace less than a month ago, but i noticed new marks on the screen once again.

Spoke to Apple, they are giving me all kinds of nonsense about the problem being environmental.

I have Apple Care and told them to do an onsite repair. They wanted to bring the machine in to "evaluate" the problem. To which i told them to do an onsite repair.....period.

I told them when the tech comes, to bring a replacement in case he determines that it needs to be replaced. But was told that they need to evaluate if the problem is environmental.

***!!!!! In less than a month, the problem shows up and it is environmental??? What about the poor quality control of these screens, coming out of the factory!!!

Its also a waste of time for the tech to come out 2 times, one to evaluate the problem and then come back again to actually replace the screen.

This is not the first time this has happened to me so I don't know why Apple isn't doing something to solve this problem. It is clearly a manufacturing issue.

Where i am it is in the tropics, there is going to be humidity. Basically, they want all iMac users who encounter this problem to put the machine in a clean room that is temperature controlled, air scrubbed and we have to wear anti static suits.

Common Apple you need to get your **** togethter.

I am not very happy in the way I was talked down to by the Apple care specialist.

I had a similar problem so I went to the genius bar in the Apple store in Cardiff (Wales) and they sorted it out I had my Mac back in 2 days I had 2 months left on my Apple care thank God the customer service was absolutely first class and this is what they did to correct the problem

Warranty Status: Protection Plan(A)

Model: IMAC (21.5-INCH, MID 2010)

Date of Purchase: 10-Oct-10

Serial No:

Parts and Services

Item Number	Description	Price	Amount Due
661-5799	LCD Panel, 21.5", with LED Backlight Board	£ 275.00	£ 0.00
S1490LL/A	Hardware Repair Labor	£ 24.00	£ 0.00
VAT		£ 0.00
Total		£ 299.00	£ 0.00