Q: Greyish Smudge marks behind the glass screen.

For starters, I have emailed the folowing to Apple.  I will follow up with a call next week. "I have only now become aware of the extensive problem involving gray "finger like" gray smudges behind the glass of tons of iMacs produced within the past few years.  My glass was replaced twice in the last year or so, and never did Apple, or the tech who came here, acknowledge the problem.  The two techs simply expressed surprise. After reading about all the problems, and the fact that Apple has known about this for some time, I find myself extremely annoyed that Apple did not acknowledge the flaw in these machines, and offer to replace them.  My warranty expired two months ago, and I now have the same smudges back again, after only two months since the last exchange of glass panel.  I have been a loyal Apple customer since 1980, and purchase Apple products regularly, and feel that my loyalty has been misplaced, since Apple does not seem to have any loyalty to me, as a customer.  I want someone from Apple to contact me, and let me know what you are planning on doing about replacing these faulty computers, which interfere with most programs,and especially with photo editing, and other programs which rely on screen integrity.  My two newer iMacs do not suffer from the same problem, and there is no reason my 24 has to suffer, either."

The marks on my iMac are getting worse. it's my third replacement and however many times apple replaced the screen on this one. we can all talk about it on here I guess but nothing will be done because apple do not give a FxxK and they don't read these posts. it's a designer flaw and they won't admit it. at least my iMac hasn't blown up .............. yet.

I have the same problem with a 2009 27 inch IMac, I have Apple Care which expires later this year, I've had the screen (supposedly) replaced three times so far and each time it has taken 3-6 months for the dark/grey smudges to appear again, after each replacement I've been told that "the problem will never come back", in addition, every time I take the computer to the Apple Store for replacement I'm told "we've never seen this before"... Now the same thing is happening again (for the 4th time) so I called Apple Care and asked what I should do and again was told they had never heard of this problem and just take the computer to the store... I know this is not environmental as I have a 2007 24 inch IMac which has been in the same rooms/house/apartment as the other one and the screen appears as good as new without a single flaw.... I wish Apple would pay attention to this issue and look at their own discussion board every once in a while, once my Apple Care is up I guess I'll just have to live with the grey smudges until I get another computer (which after all this may not be an Apple).....

Hi All

For what its worth, I would like to add my comments here. Firstly, I am not an Apple fan/fanboy/employee or in any way affiliated to Apple, but someone needs to speak up her.

I have used macs since the early days, I have a mac business in the UK and deal with both small and large companies using macs in all sorts of disciplines.

Dealing with the specific issue of the smudging (grey clouds etc etc) on imac screens, I suggest that if you want it sorted then do the following.

1 Contact Apple - give them the full spec of your machine and explanation of the fault.

2  If you have warranty - then they are legally obliged to repair/replace/refund the unit. - you choose  not them.

3     If you dont have warranty - then you can only rely on the goodwill of Apple to help you (that is what     warranty is all about).

Now to get to the point of satisfaction, you need to check your local sale of goods act etc, to be sure of your rights and Apples obligations.

It matters not a jot what the person in the store says about not replacing it again yadder yadder - they are only repeating what they have been told (and should you end up going to court - you will have forgotten his name anyway).

It is quite clear that there is an issue with these units, but it will not be resolved by posting your woes on this forum.

Its simple

you bought a product (irrespective of how much it cost) - it has got a fault - either apple reair it under warranty or they dont - in whcih case you take a claim out against them.

This post has been running for so long and still there has been no resolution- so its quite obvious that ranting or threats are getting nowhere.

It cost virtually bugger all to go to your local court and take out a claim for the selling of umarchantable goods.

It realy doesnt matter why it happens, it make no difference what excuse you are given - just do it!

For what its worth consider the following

Apple have grown into a huge corporation over a fairly short period of time.

As a result of this, one would expect there to be some flaw in their operational systems.

Looking back over all the inherent issues with Apple products, it is glaringly obvious that they have really poor procurement systems in place (remember - they actually make sod all hardware) - so if anyone is to blame for this issue - its quite clearly the purchasing department for authorising the purchase of poor quality components.

This alone, does not make the whole company and all it stands for bad (or "con men" as one poster put it), it merely seeks to show that they really need to focus on ther other parts of their business with the same vigour as expended on their design side. Basically "great products,crap components".

I feel sure that given time - they will address the issue (not the smudge one - i hasten to add)

I am actually typing this on an imac with what appears to be an xray of some poor smokers lungs, in the top left corner of the screen, as its well out of warranty - i just live with it, most of you guys clearly cannot, yet again i say to you - posting your woes does not get it resolved, it merely adds to the list.

Granted it makes others aware of the problem but does not bring the manufacturer to book.

Only YOU can do that!

Old Addage:  its hard to remember, your original job was to sweep the lake, when you're up to your arse in alligators.

I'm afraid some people may be needlessly lugging in their iMac to Apple Stores and Authorized Service Centers.

Onsite service is available for many desktop computers if the location of the Covered Equipment is within 50 miles (80 kilometers) radius of an Apple Authorized Onsite Service Provider.

Note that this is only in regards to the US. For other countries the plan may be different. But it should be checked out.

Whenever it was time for a new LCD the technician came to my house and did the repair. There was one time that Apple insisted I take my iMac to the facility being they wanted it repaired in a "controlled environment". After doing that the technician looked at me like I had 2 heads when I mentioned "controlled environment". It was nonsense. What I didn't realize is that I could have had them pick up the iMac and return it after repair. It's in the Apple Care plan. It's more costly for on-site service. They don't like to do it if they don't have to. Insist on it. This is what makes the AppleCare Plan a pretty good deal. The URL to look up the available Apple Stores and Service Centers is http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/. It will display a map and each of the facilities and their distance from the zip code you enter. Look on the Services tab for each facility to see if they do on-site service. I have 3 facilities within 50 miles. The funny thing is is that Apple sent a technician from a company that I couldn't find on the map.

AppleCare Plan

Under 6. Hardware Service Options:

(ii) Onsite service. Onsite service is available for many desktop computers if the location of the Covered Equipment is within 50 miles (80 kilometers) radius of an Apple Authorized Onsite Service Provider. Certain parts serviceable under do-it-yourself parts

service, as described below, are not be eligible for Onsite service. If Apple determines that onsite service is available, Apple will dispatch a service technician to the location of the Covered Equipment. Service will be performed at the location, or the service technician will transport the Covered Equipment to an AASP or ARS location for repair. If the Covered Equipment is repaired at an AASP or ARS location, Apple will arrange for transportation of the Covered Equipment to your location following service. If the service technician is not granted access to the Covered Equipment at the appointed time, any further onsite visits may be subject to an additional charge.

Virgule wrote:

 

Sure thing. Im going back, first thing. I've studied the warranty some more along consumer protection act. They have no leg to stand on. The smudges are not caused by the environment. They are the results of the defect.

 

I'll keep you updated if you care for it.

I have received reparation in form of a new LCD panel, which is doing some kind of annoying high pitched noise all the time. It never ends, now does it?

I have to follow up. A week or so after I lugged this machine to the Apple store and got turned away, the smudges started to change.

Every day, they looked a little different and were generally shifting to the left, looking exactly as if someone was going at them with the smudge tool in Photoshop (set on very low strength). Gradually, they spread across the screen. Now, I can't really see them. The screen has a faintly mottled look, but it's usable.

So, even if there's no hope of a fix from Apple, there's hope that it will resolve itself over time.

Hi Folks,

I have been experiencing the same issue for the last 2 years and I recently read on one of the mac forums that it is caused by a combination of faulty design of the air cooling system paired with inadequate sealing of the display. The air intake vent on these new models are at the top of the body and the air is blown out through the bottom. The amount of dust and air that is blown thorugh the device is significant enough to cause smuddging if the display is not properly sealed. In result anyone who has bought this model will experience the same problem over and over again.

This would make a lot of sense if not for the fact that if it were really the cause of the problem Apple would have by now purchased properly sealed replacement displays.

I replaced my first display after six months of usage and then again after another six months, so in my mind there is another issue that could require Apple to recall all of the units and probaby this is much more costly then paying for the few of us who care enough to lug their unit to the nearest Apple store for repair.

I mean why would you want to give someone 400 USD every six months if you did not have a good reason for it?

Assuming we get the screen fixed by apple, would putting a small HEPA filter behind the air intake help the issue do you think?  It's dust coming from the room, and through that fan, so maybe a filter would help?

scooteroo wrote:

 

Assuming we get the screen fixed by apple, would putting a small HEPA filter behind the air intake help the issue do you think?  It's dust coming from the room, and through that fan, so maybe a filter would help?

A filter will help. That much is certain. Any dust it catches is that much dust that wont get the chance to reach the innards. How much it helps depends on the quality of the filter itself I suppose.

That should not be necessary.  This problem exists obly on certain models, so it is a design flaw.  I have two other iMacs, and I know a number of people, as well, who have them, and this problem is absent.  Apple should simply replace the faulty models with models which do not have this design problem.

Interesting.  I have not heard of anyone not having recurrent problems of these streaks.   Mine is a Mid-2011 27" Imac.    In every forum, I have not yet seen an occurance where the issues are fixed permanantly.  I have 2 2011 iMacs, and both have them.  They are both well within Warranty.  

I was waiting because figuring that it is a re-current problem, I was going to wait until a more permanent fix was developed. 

My display has been replaced and this solved the problem (at least for now). Apple was not willing to do this outside the 1 year warranty, but the electronic retail company Saturn had it replaced for free. They claim that the warranty policy of Apple is not in line with the European law and were willing to replace the display for free.

Oh dear. I've had these smudges on my iMac for over a year and only just found this discussion.

I have Apple Care and am about to take it back to the reseller I bought it from, but I won't be holding my breath for any kind of solution here in Argentina!

I had the same problem on my macbook pro. I was lucky because I had Apple Care™ for it. I took it in and the motherboard needed to be replaced. It seems to be a rather common problem because two of my co-workers macbook pros had the same problem. Buy Apple Care™ and get that mother board replaced before it goes completely dark.