Design fault? 27" 2013 iMac stand just gave up!

katkramer wrote:

Same thing just happened to me. I had packed up my iMac in the original box, as we just moved, and when I took it out, as I was carrying it to the desk, I hear a loud "crack" and when I set the computer down, it won't stand straight. I little peeve about this. This was an expensive purchase, and I'll try to track down when I bought it. I'm guessing it's just over a year old. Very disappointing.

It is covered by warranty, just get it fixed and take a chill pill.

faulty_imac wrote:

well, if that's the case, applecare wouldn't have made a difference anyway.

You are assuming that the only thing that would go wrong is that part you now need replaced.

If you have any kind of hardware failure it is covered by AppleCare so if a GPU fails (god forbid) AppleCare will pay for it rather than you having to shell out-of-pocket hundreds of dollars. AppleCare can be purchased for as little as $125 (B&H Photo) and you can bet any repair on an iMac will far exceed $125! In addition you get 3 years of tech support and Apple commonly will replace a machine covered by AppleCare if it has persistent issues.

It's too late for you now with your current machine, however on your next Mac you should at least consider AppleCare.

Having looked at Wittich's post with photo on 30 Aug 2014, it certainly looks like a case of weight saving at the expense of strength and longevity.
Apple will not be happy that the part failed but as far as I can see they and those of us whose iMacs have failed, will get on with life in the real world. Design failure or not.

Same problem here, out of the blue. My solution: a small box under the screen - build my own computer and leave apple for what it is. I did not have any piece of hardware form apple that did not fail after two or three years. imacs, mac pro, iphones... I love the OS and i love the design, but it is overpriced cheap hardware now days.

ArtWindows wrote:

.. Can this be done in home?

If you are in the USA or UK and within 50 miles of a AASP, then when you call AppleCare request this service. As I understand AppleCare if you meet these two criteria they will do in-home service but you have to ask for it.

Yes, too bad. I always get apple care on my iMacs And has paid off big time. I don't get it on some other things but it's all seemed to work out. They rebuilt my entire imac on the model prior to my current model. It had 3 months left on apple care and the DVD player went out but they ended up replacing entire works for some other sporadic screen issue. The stand is frustrating because it's obviously a design flaw or weak part. Good luck.

June 5, 2015. This just happened to me. CRACK! and then my iMac display keeled over. Of course, my AppleCare just expired. Guess I'm out of luck here. I paid nearly $3K for this iMac two years ago and am not about to spend anymore for something that I DIDN'T CAUSE. What other avenues can I take? Fortunately for me, my iMac is on a raised platform so the tilt is not too much of a distraction, but knowing that there's a design or parts failure is disheartening. It would be cool if Apple provided a free fix for its loyal customers (I've been a Mac person since the late 80s) but business is business and like any corporation they care more about profits than providing any kind of support to its loyal clientele at no charge. Oh well....

This just happened to a coworker here. She was working and the iMacs neck gave out. I heard a pop like her iMac screen had blown out, but it was the neck connection with the back of the machine that had given out! What is procedure to have this manufacturing flaw fixed.?????

Same thing happened to me today. I was just watching a movie in my late 2013 27" iMac when a loud pop sounded. I reached to see what the **** was that, and what a surprise when I see the screen of my expensive machine leaning down!

At least I live in Spain and it is still under warranty, as we have 2 years warranty... We'll see what they tell me on Monday when I call apple support, but I find this unacceptable on this expensive machines.

Well, petermac87, if they are indeed 27" Macs and Late 2013 model and about one year or longer old, you are in for a bad surprise the coming time! We will here from you as it is, indeed, wide spread. You can prepare for a hard snapping noise somewhere in the near future...

Just curious, where did you get your statistic that .0001% iMacs have been affected. Have researched the issue for some time and have seen no published data. Specifically it would be interesting to know what percentage of late 2012/2013 27" machines have been repaired. Seems like the hinge failure has been noted world wide.

I realize forums like this are where people come to complain, but that makes one wonder how many people just used the rubber duck support or simply got their machine fixed and don't bother ever going to a site like this.

Not sure how anybody would know the extent of the problem.

Hi FabNa,

Thanks for the feedback, I brought my iMac to the FNAC (french reseller) and the guy from the support told me that I have a 3 years warranty (I have negociated it when I purchased my iMac). This warranty implies they keep my iMac and give me "money" in exchange.

This is really not ecologic as they can fix it and implies I need to buy a new one, good news as it will be brand new and more powerfull but more expensive as previous one... And the 3 years warranty is finished (****** warranty conditions...).

Well I will save my data and erase all data in my iMac and it 🙂

A.

Add me to the list as well. It happened Sunday while i was sitting in front of it, very startling! And very strange considering how long Apple has been manufacturing this general iMac design (back to 2005 i believe). Anyway, I made a huge mistake by (for the first time ever) forgetting to add AppleCare to my top of the line iMac i7 27"... what a horror it was when it dawned on me that i had forgotten... so I hope the repair will be reasonable. I wonder if there is any way to convince Apple to let me buy AppleCare based on the fact that i bought it for every other purchase i have made in the last 10 years... haha a guy can dream.

I'm hoping these threads can be used as proof of how many people have had iMac stand issues in the last 2 years and that Mac reconsiders their design....... even if I understand that we are ALL end users.....

For the record : the stand gave out on it's own last night. I have had the computer 1.5 years so just ran out of coverage. Extended warrantees are for pessimists so I didn't get one...... I guess I'm going to be a "glass half full kind of person" in the future!

Thank you for the graphics of what is holding your screen in place... gave me lots of good ideas.... however I am still bummed that this has happened

I bought my 27" iMac in December 2013. Today I heard a metallic pop and the monitor tilted forward. It's time to contact Apple. I have the 3 year Apple Care.

I have no doubt Apple will repair this, but I am disappointed in this failure.

I will have to check my hard drive. It must be so full that it weighs too much for the spring. :-)