iMac 27inch Display - Dark on left side :(

To be honest I think you can say fairer than that, and that would be to manufacture more reliable computers in the first place? the only things that should be going wrong with any modern computers is the parts that move, ie mechanical hard drives and optical drives - if you still have one. Everything else should be solid as a rock for at least 5 years ? … the issue isn't for me, if they repair it for free or not, as to be honest your consumer rights exceed the miserable 1 year warranty offered. Its the absolute inconvenience when running a business of backing it up, taking it in to the store, only being allowed to return one machine per appointment ? being without it for a week, and if needed finding and putting temporary replacement machines in place and moving data and settings to another machine temporarily to counter for the disruption collecting the repaired machine - reinstalling it, then switching the temporary machine back and reintegrating the data difference onto the repaired machine, the level of disruption involved in this poor build quality far exceeds even the repairs sometimes, making these premium priced machines pointless from a business perspective, as that level of business disruption is unacceptable. I dont want to buy computers that fail in the ways, most of these machines do. Apple has to get a grip on reliability whether by design or changing manufacturing methods or suppliers, and preferably it has to engineer and design these machines to be much more repairable and upgradeable, as currently the ifixit ratings are woeful, and from a support perspective I would repair the machines more myself to save returning them, if apple had not deliberately made it as hard as possible to repair or upgrade them by their design. I want my mechanical drives replaceable and swappable externally from bays even in the imac.

i totally agree with you but i was just happy to get it fixed out of warranty without seeking legal advice, hopefull it will last another two years, because mac osx os complete bliss compared to window pc that you can tinker with in all honesty, i had to fix a mate computer with windows on and i forgotten how annoying it really is, mac osx lets you get on and do what you want to do without clicking "yes" to this- "no" to that- "ctrl alt delete"- "update this"- "download that"-thats what i paid the money for not to tinker, done that got the t-shirt

but ill probably buy a mac mini next time think

I would like to add my own experiences to this issue for my 2011 27" iMac. About a year ago I had this problem happen, and I called Apple. The first supervisor said that although my computer was out of warranty, he would see what he could do and that I should ring back. Of course, I didn't get his name or extension so when I bring back I get someone completely different who definitively tells me that this is not covered by anything, and as I am out of warranty I will have to pay. I take it to my nearest apple approved retailer who tell me they can replace the screen for $1000. Half the price of the computer.

Having seen on the internet that this is a widespread problem I ring apple and tell them that I am prepared to take the issue to Fair Trade if they don't replace the screen. I immediately get transferred to complaints who agree to pay for the fix. I save $1000.

And I'm bloody glad that I did because now less than a year on the problem is starting again, and detiorating much quicker this time. This problem is a joke, and apple have really created a lemon with this screen. It is an absolute disgrace that they will not admit that this is a problem given the thousands of complaints they must have got on this issue on this and only this model of mac.

So my suggestion to anyone with this problem is DO NOT PAY for a new screen. The problem will return because they replace it with another poorly made screen. The only way to permanently solve this seems to be:

1) Get lucky and not have a lemon.

2) Keep pressuring apple to give you a new screen every time your new one stops working.

3) Buy a new computer.

Obviously they do not admit this is a widespread problem because they just want people to do 3.

This makes me so angry as I have used macs since 1992. Since leaving school I have bought 3 myself. I see no reason to have to buy a fourth when this one works fine, and I got it just over two years ago.

just an update. Firstly, I never received a reply from the BBC program "Watchdog"' which is a real shame, because I am sure Apple would have caved in & undertaken a worldwide (or UK, at least) repair program.

My monitor, has been displaying slightly different characteristics in the last few days, in that, for the first 5 minutes or so after booting it is PERFECT. In a way this is worse, I I know I have the inevitable dissopintment of it suddenly dipping down again!

I lot (90%) of my clients look at images on my mac, at some point & I also do digital photography training. All these people are seeing this problem! Terrable PR for Apple!

if u are angry.. what about the rest.. i think everybody its angry about this problem, and im still surprised who is willing to solve our problem? the US president? because i see apple its ignoring this thousands of comments about this problem. Its like talking to a tree! no answer back!

why and why and why??

i saw this problem even on facebook! why apple like's so much bad and negative reviews??

Exact same thing happening to me. Mid 2011 27 inch. Screen would shut off randomly. Now it's darker on the left side. It's 2 years old. Will Apple fix this issue since it's a known defect?

I dont think Apple will do anything now, volentarily. I hoped to get the BBC watchdog program to take it up, but heard nothing at all from them, regarding this. Mine is bad! I have had to use it 8 hours a day for the last 10 months. DEPRESSING!

Here's mine to add to the list:

27" iMac

2.7 GHz Intel Core i5

Purchased in an Apple Store 11 months and 2 weeks ago (August 2012). Just noticed it last week.

Back from the same Apple Store where the "genius" said they will be replacing the screen for free as it is still under warranty. Buying 3 year Apple Care as it sounds like this will happen again!

When I explained the problem to the first "genius" he said he had never heard of the problem before. I said that was surprising as I had found it was common for this model. His response, "well, you know that on the internet you can find a dozen or so people with the same problem, but that doesn't mean it's common."

Are we just a dozen or so people?

SAME PROBLEM!!!

'LEFT SIDE OF SCREEN DARK'

27" IMac

3.06GHz

Purchased November 2010

Now out of warranty, I may try to fix this myself if I have no luck with Apple.

My brother in-law is working for Apple now doing tech support, so I will speak to him about it.

😠

If the people you are talking to at Apple, say that they have not seen this problem, I find that hard to believe.

Interesting to hear what your brother-in-law says!

iParent....You were lucky!

I temporarily got mine much better, by padding between the screen cover & the inside strip & using a clamp to squeeze together, but even that has now stopped working.

I have to live with this for 8 hours every day & also run training causes, on computers & my clients have to look at it to. Its really not doing Apple any favors at all! I think they are being short sited in not holding thier hands up & getting these fixed.

same deal. NOT HAPPY to say the least. Owned Apple computers since 1995 ... this is the first major malfunction that affects my graphic design ability. APPLE PLEASE RECALL THESE MODEL iMAC's FOR A REPAIR. Not fair.

I just took one in under warranty to Western Computers, Oxford UK. They were very friendly - I simply printed out this page of discussion and they said it would be fixed.

As it is a known problem, I would be amazed if you weren't successful persuading Apple to fix it. I used to be very anti-apple, but now that we have Western Computers in Oxford they make up for Apple's poor customer service by providing an excellent authorised repair service. Thank you Western 🙂

My advice if you buy Apple is to go for a 3 year warranty. At least after 3 years, you can cut your losses when there is a problem and get an upgrade that by which time is probably a worthwhile one.

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Hello Martin. I got same problem on mine ( imac 27" mid 2011). I confirmed that the cause of the problem was this weak connector for power the left leds panel.

As I repaired mine following this thread (Kaos2K and the guy of the pictures) , You can do it yourself if you have some fixing skills and get the appropiate tools. Patience and a firmly conviction that you can do it are the keys if you don't want to pay thousands for a new display.

The more definetly solution is getting out the leds bars and resolding the white connector. Also you may reinforce the right connector. Particular care must take when handling apart the LCD panel as it has a circuit board hanging on it.

As more instructions you have, the better results you will get. (imac "your model" technician guide, ifixing guides, you tube videos)

Good Luck and Thanks for the guys who found out and help us to solve this annoying problem.

Add me to the list. 27" mid2011 iMac dim on left side. Sometimes I can get it to stay on for a bit by pressing around the connector. Super frustrating! Going to perfom the connector fix soon.

This might apply to some: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167