iMac 27inch Display - Dark on left side :(

My iMac 27" just joined the the left side screen "issue". This is my first Mac and not happy at all. Calling tomorrow to see if they will fix it for free. If not I'll have to try and do it myself. I don't intend to spend $500 to fix it. Get your act together Apple. I have a 10 year old Dell desktop that is still working with no issues.

Ditto with dale275's original problem. I have a 2011 27" imac which is less than a year old and this morning on start up the left hand side of the screen is at least 50% darker than normal, the problem was preceded by intermittent flickering of the screen over the past two weeks. In addition during the last six months there has been a steady build up of some sort of internal smudging which has darkened my screen on the extreme upper left and right hand sides of the screen, a friend of mine with a slightly earlier model has this same problem.

I took the computer down to my local Apple store and they were unable or unwilling to offer an explanation about either problem despite my mentioning that they appear to be a matter of some discussion on Mac forums such as this one.

However since my computer is still under warranty they accepted to repair it and in the meantime I am without the imac for at least two weeks.

My concern is that when I eventually get it back hopefully as new, that either one or both problems will reappear since they both seem to be a design problem. As a previous user of an old and trouble free "white" intel imac I am dissapointed about these problems and hope that Apple come up with a permanent solution.

Same problem...purchased iMac27 mid-2011 new in Mar-2012...left side of screen darker than the rest of the screen...took in for service today under AppleCare...should be no charge, but a hassle nevertheless to be w/o a machine that cost almost $3k and is about 6 months old.

I'm still a big apple fan as have been using since the Lisa.

I had similar issue with my iMac 27" late 2009. First it was getting "dirty" in the upper corners. Noticible whith a white background. Then the occasional flickering. Then the left side LED's went out.

Apple replaced the display very quickly at no charge. If I did not have Apple Care the bill would have been around $850. Actually...once the part is in, it only takes the tech's a little ove half an hour to do the job if they are familiar with it.

The negative....the new display is no where near as bright as the old display. Not even close. It used to be a pleasure to watch DVD's but now only at night or with all of the windows shaded.

So...Maybe the newer displays are not as bright as the old ones? I definitely miss the brighter display. Maybe the dimmer display will last longer?

my iMac is 18 months old. I have the same issue. as a photographer & photography teacher this is causing real hardship. I have the mac on a 4 year leasing deal. Apple will not move on the issue (out of warrenty) & my leasing compony will not either. Looks like I have another 2 & a half years of looking at this before its evan paid for! I really, really do not want to get into taking it appart! Its desgussting that apple, will not hold their hands up & do a recall.

My wife and I own a mid-2011 27" iMac. We are having the exact same problem. Left half of screen much darker and flickers. Apple Care person on the phone said "had I sold you that iMac, I would not have let you leave the store without buying Apple Care." I couldn't disagree with this position more. As Apple customers, we pay a hefty premium for a supposedly superior product and excellent customer service. I feel we have received neither. Apple has definitely received plenty of complaints about this issue to take some meaningful action on it. They have not, and this is disheartening. They have the opportunity to step up and take care of their customers and they haven't done it yet. There is no way I should have to pay Apple more money for them to stand behind their products. I already paid 2-3 times the price of a PC. I sure hope Apple comes around and helps out the people buying their products.

It's a shame. I feel like I paid for a Mercedes Benz and was given a Jaguar instead :-(

This might be a fix

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4041042

I got a picture in my mind of all of us showing up at our Mac stores with our iMac's in tow on the same day. I'll bet we would have a huge turnout around the country and others would think twice about buying a Mac. Maybe that would get their attention. lol

My 18 month old 27inch iMac, has this same problem. (Dark, left hand side) I cannot get apple to repair it (its out of warrenty) I thought they would do it as a gesture of good will. I have reluctantly descded to have a go at the repair myself. But cannot figure out how to remove the screen. Could somebody tell me or point me in the direction of a (u-tube?) video, maybe?

You just use two suction cups, clean, at the top left and right of the screen and gently pull. It's secured by magnets, so it will just pop right off.

If you want to see a video, I'm sure there must be zillions on YouTube.

To remove an iMac screen:

stand the Mac up completely normally as if you are using it. Maybe tilt it back a touch rather than forward (again just as if you are using it.)

Stand in front of the iMac.

put your two hands on the top of the iMac, quite near each side (ie, both hands near sides, not both hands near the middle)

Look and feel that the top pf the iMac has: METAL and the EDGE OF THE GLASS. (obviously enough)

push your eight fingernails between the glass and the metal.

in other words, just to be absolutely cler, your fingernails will be pointing downwards towards the center of the Earth.

pull the glass off.

The only thing holding the glass against the iMac is: two magnets (!!)

it is really astoundingly simple once you have done it a few times.

the only thing you are pulling against (with your fingernails) is two simple magnets. there are no latches - no fasteners - nothing!

Pull the top forwards towards your chest maybe four or five inches.

You will clearly see - down the bottom - there's a metal tab that just holds the glass in at the bottom

Simply lift the glass towards your face and it comes out.

the ONLY THING YOU COULD DO WRONG is literally if you break the glass (ie, drop it on the floor or something)

There is lterally nothing to break damage or whatever. At the bottom a "metal tab" holds the glass under the front part of the iMac. And at the top - it's just a magnet holding the glass against the iMac !!

It's really ridiculously easy once you do it - again it's just this simple:

(1) the only thing holding the glass against the mac, is, two magnets. NOTHING ELSE.

(2) put your fingernails, behind the glass, at the top of the glass - and pull.

you'll feel the magnets, just pull. it's really that simple - it couldn't be easier.

(Some people suggest using suction cups etc -- you don't even need to bother. it's designed to be simply pulled off with your fingernails!)

To be absolutely clear there is no glue, no seal - nothing.

It's just unbelievably simple - two magnets hold the TOP of the glass against the top of the iMac. Pull off the glass! Stick your fingernails behind the TOP of the glass,, and pull the glass towards you

Thank you very much guys! That all looks clear. I am going to give it a try. The left hand side of my screen is quite dark. WHERE EXACTLY do I put the spacers? (maybe in doesnt matter). I have some laminate floor underlay, that's thin & spongy maybe 2mm when conpressed, does that sound OK, to use?

Did you see this guide?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4041042

Martin -

have you seen the massive posts on this issue by Kaos2K from Spain.

Search on him, or, just click here - there are a large number of VIDEOS etc

be sure to watch them all before proceeding.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4041042?start=0&tstart=0

Be sure to simply click on this fairly astounding VIDEO

http://youtu.be/4QJ4rqvn2G8

which absolutely shows the problem and is final proof positive that a skilled technician can very easily fix the problem - it is incredible Apple won't just fix it

(it is 5 minutes work for a skilled technician -- it' a loose plug).

Note that KAOS was able to do the "astounding" fix of actual soldering the tiny wires.

WITH LUCK you will merely have to push down on the loose connection.

if SIMPLY GIVING THE PLUG A PUSH does not help you - you're out of luck.

Be sure to read my very long posts there, and all of KAOS posts, and note:

"{it is commonplace to slip the screen out of an iMac, to swap the hard drive. if you have not done this before: remember that you can only take it out A FEW INCHES - there are a number of cables connecting the mac and the display unit. Apple made these cables quite short, so, you can only ease the display out A FEW INCHES. you can find many, many detailed explanations on the internet, how to slip the screen out.}"

KAOS is the absolutel master of this problem, and on that thread you can ask him questions, he is very generous.

Be sure to click on this video as it will amaze you

http://youtu.be/4QJ4rqvn2G8

because this WHOLE PROBLEM IS NOTHING MORE THAN A LOOSE PLUG that is hidden under some silver tape. It is really amazing Apple don't just agree to fix it in every case.

Also anyone who REPLACED THE WHOLE LG SCREEN ($1000 !!) because of a loose plug, what a shame - a real ripoff. Hope it helps you or someone.

if you are TOO SCARED to pull out the screen unit, don't do it ! 🙂 You need a lot of good screwdrivers and stuff.