M1 iMacs failing with dark horizontal lines on screen
by William Gallagher · AppleInsiderAn unknown but growing number of iMac users are reporting display failures on their M1 iMacs, typically around two years after purchase.
Apple has had screen issues of various types before, and it's perhaps not surprising given the complexity of displays. But this new one has the extra sting that it appears to be mostly happening after the iMac is out of warranty.
The first reports, as spotted by Tom's Hardware, came in October 2023.
"Persistent horizontal lines appear on the screen [of a 24-inch iMac], which significantly hampers the usability and visual appeal of the device," wrote user latVm on Apple's discussion forum. "This problem arises without any physical damage, and despite the stationary nature of the device."
The reports of similar failures have continued, and it appears that users have been advised to pay for a screen replacement. One user who was told the same thing by Apple, claims to have taken his or her M1 iMac to a technician who subsequently puts the blame on a cable.
"The problem, apparently, lies in a cable that also powers the LCD, which is located on one of the tops of the screen," wrote user Jotap62, "and which, in order to be replaced, requires detaching the screen glass from the LCD itself, which is a very sensitive operation and almost impossible to carry out without damaging the LCD."
Reportedly, the cable "has to sustain a very high voltage (around 50V) to power the LCD," and after around two years, "it starts to burn out."
Apple does not include the iMac in its online repair cost estimator. Multiple affected users, however, have said they've been quoted between $650 and $700, which is around half the price of a new base model iMac.
If it's correct that the issue typically occurs after two years, it is out of Apple's regular warranty, but within the initial three years of AppleCare.
Beyond reported advice to users, Apple has not commented publicly on the issue.
5 Comments
saarek 1565 comments · 16 Years ☠️
About 3 hours ago
Sounds like a typical Apple issue. For the amount of profit they make you’d figure they’d invest in better cables by now.
Hopefully enough people will be impacted so as to cause a world wide repair programme. Apple won’t do the right thing here without being forced into it.
jas99 164 comments · 11 Years ☠️
About 2 hours ago
saarek said:
Sounds like a typical Apple issue. For the amount of profit they make you’d figure they’d invest in better cables by now.
Hopefully enough people will be impacted so as to cause a world wide repair programme. Apple won’t do the right thing here without being forced into it.
Typical? Really?
No. This is highly unusual.
Apple devices are famous for their long life and durability.
Typically you buy a new Mac because you want to, not because you have to.
avon b7 7973 comments · 20 Years 👻
About 2 hours ago
iMacs and graphics/display issues are a common problem. Overall design is another problem in terms of repairability.
When my old iMac 27 2009 i7 - Radeon graphics card slow baked itself to death I was astonished by the amount of people who had the same problem. Apple never officially admitted to any issue.
That was because of poor thermals and the 'hidden' vent panel that was always going to get clogged with dust at some point.
No more iMacs for me after that point.
Then there was the short cable connection to the display on some laptops for which Apple redesigned the cable (making it longer) but then only issued a repair programme for some (not all of the affected models).
As for design in terms of repairability, it was absolutely crazy to require a a complete screen disassembly just to replace a hard disk on that 2009 iMac.
saarek 1565 comments · 16 Years ☠️
About 2 hours ago
jas99 said:
saarek said:
Sounds like a typical Apple issue. For the amount of profit they make you’d figure they’d invest in better cables by now.
Hopefully enough people will be impacted so as to cause a world wide repair programme. Apple won’t do the right thing here without being forced into it.
Typical? Really?
No. This is highly unusual.
Apple devices are famous for their long life and durability.
Typically you buy a new Mac because you want to, not because you have to.
Either you've not been buying Apple devices for long, or you've just been incredibly lucky!
I had the well known issue with the weak back-light flex cable on my MacBook Pro. I'm pretty sure that one got the fun name of "flexgate". I had a similar issue with my 2004 PowerBook G4 (yep, I've been buying Apple products for decades). My 2010 iMac had to have a replacement LVDS cable, apparently they get over-warm and eventually fail.
Seriously, just do a quick google session and you'll find a myriad of issues with Apple and cheap arse cables.
Yucam 15 comments · New User 🪦
About 49 minutes ago
saarek said:
Sounds like a typical Apple issue. For the amount of profit they make you’d figure they’d invest in better cables by now.
Hopefully enough people will be impacted so as to cause a world wide repair programme. Apple won’t do the right thing here without being forced into it.
Yes, typical. My Macbook Pro 16 M1 committed suicide right after the warranty had expired. Went to Apple iCare Shop (here called iDont Care) and they told me straight to the face, that I ( the little stinky stupid Apple Sheep) has to buy a new one at full price! No mercy …
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