Greyish Smudge marks behind the glass screen.

Same problem on my 21.5 inch iMac (MC309LL/A) - dark spots all across the top of the screen.

Took it in to the local Genius Bar today and was told that this is not a "known issue" with this model and it will not be a covered repair since my warranty recently expired.

Called Apple Support (800-275-2273) and was told the same thing. They also indicated my one-year warranty expired on 04/30/2013 despite the fact that I purchased the computer on 06/28/2012.

Not too impressed with Apple's customer service right now...

@Chris Adrian .. Oh really? You eliminate your smudged display problem simply by turning it off? How long did you turn your iMac off until the marks disappear?

Does it appeared again though after some time?

Looks like LCD panel de-lamination, which would require replacing the LCD panel. This happens to LCD and LED TV's all the time.

There are two plastic polarizer sheets laminated to the outside of the glass, one horiz, one vertical. When the glue starts coming loose, or de-laminating from the glass, it results in a darker smudge, a blob shape, with irregular edges. There is no fix but to replace the panel, so, learn to live with it or replace it.

My guess is uneven glue or glue solvent application on the assembly line.

I have 35+ years as a TV repairman, now with Best Buy.

I had the same (?) problem. Grey smudges across my screen. I solved it by using a hair (blow) dryer on the screen for about 15 seconds on low heat back and forth across the smudges. You can see them disappear. Guess mine was just condensation.

That being said, seems like it could have been better designed...

JP

I'm having the same issues with the LCD screen. It's showing gray smudges top center of screen and what looks to be light rays extending down a couple inches.

Took it to Apple store in Philly and they won't repair for free since I'm 3 weeks past warranty. The manager said "he's sorry but I should have gotten Apple Care, and he has to enforce the one year cut off date".

That said, it will cost $439 to replace the LCD.

C'mon Apple. Highly dissapointed. This machine is only a year old! ***!!!!!

21.5 inch iMac mid-2011

Add me to the list.

Refurb iMac bought Sept. 2011. Same grey smudges.

Luckily I bought an extended warranty, Reported it Monday and collected by an Apple service agent on Wednesday.

Phone call from them Thursday to explain that it would require a replacement display panel. After a short discussion about what has been posted on here, he confirmed that Apple still refuse to acknowledge there's an issue with the LCD, even though he has replaced many, many displays with the same problem. He was reluctant to say I would be trouble-free with the new LCD, probably because Apple have done sod all about it.

One bonus - the Mac was running very slowly so's I asked them to investigate. Result was a failing HDD, so I'll be getting a new one as well as the display.

Bit of win I suppose. Expect the smudges to return at some point.

I didn't have extended warranty...purchased in India...maybe the humidity/pollution (?!!!) had it taken in for replacement there...no go...moved to NZ and just kept ringing and complaining periodically to see if they had changed their policy...and eventually they changed the screen...there wasn't an explanation about it in the reporting sheet so no reason for it happening unfortunately

took 2 years mind you and the fact that we are big apple buyers..everything else but until I find out the imacs are successfully fixed I won't repurchase one...I hope not using it fr games and running it hot helps prevent it from recurring

I think it is a shame that Apple haven't acknowledged this...imagine what good publicity they would get about being one of the better and more ethical companies if they came out about it and addressed all their issues that way...they would also attract more customers...

Add me to the list as well. Started seeing grey smuge in my 2012 Macbook Pro shortly after warranty expeired. Apple store genius's said it was the fault of the apple logo on the front of the laptop cauing pressure and heat issues. I.E. NOT MY FAULT! Apple, then why are you asking for $320 to fix a problem that you should be fixing for free. It's a defect. Terrible costomer service.

Yep, same as mine. Only mine is more on the right side. Still no sign Apple is doing any recalls...you can google actions being taken online though. Just don't say the 'p' word. Apple doesn't like that.

****!! This just happened to me tonight. Was there 20 mins ago but is now gone. I've had this iMac since early 2010 and this is the first time I have seen this smudge. I was planning on selling my iMac next month for roughly $850-1000 (paid $2400) but looks like i won't be able to do that now. Although it has served me well up until now, I am extremely disappointed 😟

I'm located in Australia. If anyone reading this had theirs serviced in Australia and it was out of warranty please let me know how you went. Thanks.

Adam

You had more luck than I have with Apple Cardiff Viv. They refused to replace my grey smudge marked screen.
They said it was down to external contamination. What a load of nonsense.

The problems with their LCD's is a well documented design/manufacturing problem, and Apple have ignored so many customers complaints that it's become a total farce.
I for one won't be spending any more of my hard earned cash with this company.

<Edited by Host>

This is exactly what's had and have on my 2008 iMac 24". Screen was replaced 3 times under extended apple care. But shortly after expiry getting grey smudges, just the same. Apple states "environmental factors" are to blame, not their design. I have had three other displays at the same location, none displaying (!) the same problem. I have travelled over the world and seen the exact same problem in Apple stores and retailers everywhere, while NOT on all iMacs, all the time. I believe the design is flawed, cramming all the hot components in close proximity to the screen that seems to generate this problem. Ever slimmer designs maintains the problem.

I own a few apple stocks, love the OS and hardware designs in general, but the iMac is flawed. I will never get an iMac again unless the problem has been properly addressed.

MacBook, iPad, and possibly a Mac Pro is on my menu for now....

It does very much have to do with the design of iMacs in general. Apple is placing the screen too close to the hot-running hardware without properly shielding the screen, and it's causing a lot of issues. You won't see these problems as often on Macbooks, because the screens are separated from the hardware.

I've honestly gotten so tired of trying to get media blogs or Apple or anyone else to address this issue, let alone speak of it in anyway. So I eneded up switching to a Macbook Pro with an external IPS monitor instead. We just use the iMac as a backup machine now. But, I'll never buy another one again. It's probably best to stick with a Macbook or a the new Mac Pro and an external monitor. You can find some fairly cheap 24" to 30" IPS displays online too.

But ya, Apple still isn't addressing this issue, and I doubt they ever will.

Hello Ranjoharbri, I too have had my comments removed due to "unapropriate" wordage! I hope you have success in your endevours and that Apple are listening very closely to all these posts. Maybe some day we can get some kind of satisfaction. Until then, I will not purchase any more Apple product.

At last Apple have posted a final solution to the terrible problems with their iMac screens.
It's taken years, and their engineers have come through and won back some glory.
Well done Apple!

Please click the link - Apple do the rest. 😁http://www.lingdao.fr/outils/nettoyeurecran/cleanscreen.swf