Q: Greyish Smudge marks behind the glass screen.

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.

no it might not refer to the same screen issue but it is  interesting how Apple handled it ...or didn't for a long time...

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.

C'mon people,how can this be normal.Look at my screen after 2yrs.This is garbage,

Lets take our iMac's in front of our closes apple store,find some nearest outlet for extansion cord,and lets turn on our macs in front of apple stores.I think that everyone has to see this.

i've the same problem ...

These are v poor quality pics from an old phone (yes, I don't own an iPhone!).

Need to get some decent pics of this.

But they show the state of mine (late 2009 21.5"). Problem began after only a few weeks.

The second pic is the right corner when the computer is OFF. Strange pale whisps that are not the same that show when the screen is on. (Anyone?)

The outside of the screen is clean.

Anyone fancy trying to color correct photos on this?

edit - the top image appears to have been scaled down a bit, but anyway...

ians

I have the latest imac 27'', and i have the same problem after almost 3 months of getting it.

I cannot give it to the applestore so they take a month minimum to fix it, because I work on it. I need a fast solution. I bought a 2000€ faulty computer and i need to have it replaced/fixed fast...

I took mine in to the apple store on a Wednesday for this issue and had it back Friday afternoon. If the part isn't in stock you can take the machine back home and when the part comes in you can take it back for the quick repair.

I have the exact problem described in this post and by thousands of other Apple customers.  My 27" iMac is out of the 1 year warranty and Apple support claims the screen defect is "Not A Known Issue" and that they are not aware of a problem with their iMac screens!  This post has had 133,722 views and 613 replies, so pardon me if I do not beleive that Apple is unaware of this screen defect.

There are tens of thousands of people that have reported this problem and thousands of people that have had their screen replaced under warranty.  Why is Apple turning its back on customers when this is clearly an engineering/design problem with the iMac.  It amazes me that Apple will not recognize this as a "Known Issue".

I spent $2,800, on a iMac and in less than 2 years I am being told by Apple Support that I have to come out of pocket $900 to replace the screen. 

When you make a mistake Apple (which this defect is clearly a design/engineering flaw), you should recognize it and make it good.  It is unethical on your part to make a profit selling labor and parts for a product that has engineering/design flaws and displays permanate damage in less than 2 years of use.

Apple please take action and restore faith to loyal Apple users that you stand by your product and recognize this screen defect as a "Known Issue".