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

A part that consistently fails IS a design fault.  Who in their right mind is going to use a plastic retainer to hold back a heavy duty spring?

I believe the part that fails is the spring itself due to (metal) fatigue. The metallurgical specification for the spring, tensile strength etc. will have been specified by Apple. I'm sure the failure will be investigated by Apple and if the supplier didn't comply I'm sure "heads will roll". They'll be thankful they weren't supplying Kim Jong-un!!

faulkan wrote:

 

A part that consistently fails IS a design fault.  Who in their right mind is going to use a plastic retainer to hold back a heavy duty spring?

Good argument, if you have any evidence of consistent failure.

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.

David H-P wrote:

 

I believe the part that fails is the spring itself due to (metal) fatigue. The metallurgical specification for the spring, tensile strength etc. will have been specified by Apple. I'm sure the failure will be investigated by Apple and if the supplier didn't comply I'm sure "heads will roll". They'll be thankful they weren't supplying Kim Jong-un!!

I have over 20 iMacs in the studio and never seen this issue, so it is rare. At the same time, I would have one straight back to Apple if it occurred, and not rant about it here to other users without taking action other than propping it up with everyday objects.

Also, what leads you to your beliefs other than guesswork?

Cheers

Pete

Interesting hvdwoerd and sorry to hear that the hinge on your iMac failed. Been there, done that and it is a bit of a pain for sure. As noted throughout this thread, Apple is repairing the problem at no charge in or out of warranty (mine included).

My experience with dozens of Apple products for more than a decade has been just the opposite. Their computers, laptops, phones, tablets and customer service have been nothing less than stellar. (Still have a G3 and a G4 that fire up!) I was upset when the hinge on my iMac failed too, but of course it didn't affect the machine's actual performance.

I used to build and service PC's for a living myself. However at this point I can't imagine a scenario in my wildest dreams that would lead me to consider switching back to a PC; one or ten flaky hinges.

Hello richadams,

unfortunately it's the truth here. The older macs still work indeed, but that was in the old days. My opinion about Apple care is that you have to adress out your selve what's wrong with the products in forums while apple knows the problems. But most important: these machines must work for at least 3 or 4 years without problems. You pay the price for that.

I didn't work on pc ever because of the silly interface and the dull imago. But i don't notice so much difference (besides of the os that is still ugly). It's very plug and play, and it is blaming fast, faster than any mac pro for 1/3 of the price.

So your iMac stand broke too?

pete

Hi hvdwoerd. I understand where you're coming from. When something doesn't work as expected it is frustrating.

However once you've had the "pleasure" of working with a Windows PC, a flaky hinge will quickly seem like a minuscule annoyance. "Plug and play" they are not.

Best of luck!

I just had the same thing happen to me, I guess it was time to join the club. From the other room, heard a loud crack, I though something had snapped in my office. Didn't notice until booting up my iMac that it's now titling forward, no ability to lean it back. So annoyed. Wasn't even using the computer at the time.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)

So disappointed.

Hi all,

I just made a costeffective solutiin to this issue.  Its basically a length adjuster. Please checkout the attaached snaps. Lets ask apple to make this product available in their stores :-).

When I contacted Apple Support, I asked if this specific hinge malfunction was commonly reported.

The tech helping me said that he "had been doing [Apple Support work] for a long time," and that I was the second person to bring this issue to his attention.

But after a quick Google Search for 'iMac Hinge Broken' and clicking on the very first search result, I suspect that not to be the case....

ie.) The 49,491 views ... and the precise make and model listed.

I, too, am no longer covered by the warranty by just 3 months. So reluctantly I contacted my nearest service provider to inquire about the cost for a repair. The provider told me that it would be a "lengthy procedure" due to the internal location of the hinge, to which I can only imagine will lead to a 'lengthy bill.'

I am more than satisfied with everything else my iMac provides. (That is, after I have tediously propped up the magnificent screen with weighty objects like books so I can comfortably view it.)

Going to be even more disappointed if this is a costly repair. I never expected Apple products to unexpectedly *SNAP* just months after the warranty ends. (Any theorists betting on Planned Obsolescence? For example, intentionally producing a product with a limited-lifespan design such as opting for cheaper soft metals in screws and bolted parts. Or for this case, using inexpensive plastic instead of higher-quality metal in crucial stress-bearing components. This intentionally increases the speed at which the product will break down, become inoperable through normal usage, rendering it prone for breakage and ultimately requiring replacement.)

After looking into the matter more throughly and seeing the amount of people who are dealing with the same specific product malfunction, I'm convinced that this is an unintentionally overlooked design flaw. But regardless of intent, this flaw critically effects the usability of the product and is significant enough to the product's quality that Apple should offer (at the very least) to pay for a portion of it's repair.

Hi joanna.l. Take heart my friend. As mentioned numerous times in this thread Apple continues to repair failed hinges on out of warranty iMacs at no cost to the owners. Give them another call and politely explain the situation...point them to this thread if needed and you should be able to get this resolved satisfactorily.

Not sure who your nearest service provider is but if they are not an actual Apple store, make sure that they are an authorized Apple Service Provider and they should be able to take care of you.

With respect to repair time it shouldn't take very long at all. My local store ordered the part and it came in about three days later. I dropped my iMac off on a Friday night and it was ready first thing Monday morning. The store is one of Apple's busiest.

The newer iMacs are a little less maintenance-friendly, but having taken my earlier model apart to install an SSD, and then having taken it apart again (to install a larger SSD), I can tell you that they're not that complicated to work on once the screen has been removed.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

Same happen to me yesterday on my 27 late 2013... So disappointed too...