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Corradomac Author

Level 1

22 points

iMac Mid 2011 - GPU problem - no warranty - not under replacement program

Hello, I have a 27 inch iMac Mid 2011 (purchased on 28.05.2011 including Apple Care). Last weekend the screen went blue and the iMac had problems to boot (stuck on grey screen - start up loop). I suspected the well known GPU problem so I took it to my reseller.

Diagnose : GPU problem but since the replacement program is terminated Apple decided that I have to pay the full cost for reparation : nearly 600 euro.

Apple decided that they will replace the video card free of charge for four years after the first retail sale of the computer. I'm deeply disappointed in Apple since I am an Apple user since 1992 and it feels like they let me down. Apple is clearly aware that there is a problem with the video card. It seems like I have bad luck that my iMac wasn't showing any sign of video card problem earlier. I can't use my iMac a lot due to work, so if I had turned on the iMac a bit more or let it run whole weeks I would have had more "luck"?

I kindly called Apple and asked if they would revise their position, but the helpdesk said they couldn't do anything for me. I kindly asked the assistent if he could discuss it with his manager, but it didn't help.

Is there anything I could do? I am disappointed in Apple because I feel they don't care for long time users and they force you to buy a new iMac. For the iPhone 5 there is a replacement program for the battery; I took mine to my reseller but my iPhone doesn't apply, for Apple the battery is good enough. So if I had taken my iMac to the reseller without any sign of problem Apple would say it didn't apply for the video card replacement program.

Is there any way to convince Apple to take care of my video card problem? At the moment I agreed to pay for the reparation since I need my iMac but I will continue to seek for a solution from Apple (refund or half of the cost).

Is there any advice in this, how can I convince Apple in changing it's position?

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), iMac 27-inch Mid 2011

Posted on Nov 29, 2015 3:31 AM

16 replies

Corradomac Author

Level 1

22 points

Jan 5, 2016 11:20 AM in response to Jamedinar

Hello Jamedinar, one last thing you can do : write an email to Tim Cook (I did that to) :

http://www.cultofmac.com/287261/reddit-user-convinced-tim-cook-change-apples-hol d-music/

http://email.about.com/od/famousemailaddresses/f/How-Can-I-Email-Tim-Cook-What-I s-Apple-CEO-Tim-Cooks-Email-Address.htm

It will get read but I'm not sure if it is going to change anything.

It's very sad to read your story; I share your opinion that Apple should help every client with the GPU problems since it is clearly a production problem and in fact a ticking time bomb in an iMac of the affected serie. I totally disagree with people who state that Apple doubled the warranty since it is only for one piece of hardware that is known to be defective (it's no question IF it goes wrong but only WHEN it goes wrong). Apple got paid by the manufacturer since he delivered a faulty product; that amount of money (or good pieces of hardware) should give every customer full level of support.

Premium price means premium service and it is disappointing to read that not everyone is treated the same way! You could consider legal advice in this.

Maybe reopen the discussion in Apple Store Dresden since Apple Support points in that direction?

iMac Mid 2011 - GPU problem - no warranty - not under replacement program