iMac Pro iMac Pro anti-reflective coating wearing off

[DanMac]

Hi guys,

Posting this here regarding my iMac Pro issue which I experienced yesterday. I've had the Mac for just over 3 months and it was the first time I decided to give the screen a wipe using an apple cloth supplied with the iMac. I noticed a white, small dot/speck to the right of the screen. I ran the cloth against it and it smudged (it looked like a sticky residue). I ran it again a few more times in a different direction and I ended up with what's in the attached photo. It now looks like the anti-reflective/oleophobic coating on the screen started coming off.

I have my Genius appt scheduled for this Sat so will see what Apple have to say about it but tbh I am annoyed and disappointed a bit.

Cheers
D

 

[abdyfranco]

This has been happening since 2013 with the Macbook Pro Retina, it has the same problem. More than 5 years later and they're still making the same mistake. Come on Apple...

 

[DanMac]

This has been happening since 2013 with the Macbook Pro Retina, it has the same problem. More than 5 years later and they're still making the same mistake. Come on Apple...

I have been reading about this issue happening to MacBook Pro users but haven't been able to come across anyone with an iMac/iMac Pro who experienced similar.

 

[abdyfranco]

I have been reading about this issue happening to MacBook Pro users but haven't been able to come across anyone with an iMac/iMac Pro who experienced similar.

This is the first time I've heard of this problem on an iMac as well.

 

[Precursor]

Looks like a bad sneeze

 

[killhippie]

My 2017 iMac has not had this issue, make sure the cloth is damp never rub with the cloth dry it looks like something hard was on the cloth tbh like grit or what was on the screen scratched the coating, I use distilled water on my cloth just to dampen it a little then polish off with another cloth as it could scratch as you sadly found out, saying that my 2015 iMac didn't have this issue either, but that just looks plain weird, maybe a bad batch of coatings?

 

[andreyush]

2018 and they still have this problem...

 

[RyanXM]

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172

 

[Fishrrman]

Sounds like "StainGate" all over again.

Questions:
Do -all- the 2017-design iMacs (non Pro) have a "sprayed-on" matte coating, as well?

Or -- is this just a "feature" of the iMac Pro?

Apple just doesn't seem to be able to learn from "real-world" experience (in this case, regarding the sprayed-on finish of the retina MacBook Pro line).

A thin, sprayed-on "coating" is NOT ENOUGH to protect the display in the rough-and-tumble real world these computers will encounter after they're unboxed.

Some REAL protection is needed there -- even if that protection results in the slight expense of overall clarity.

Particularly when one is paying $5,000 for the "baseline" model !

 

[Precursor]

Sounds like "StainGate" all over again.

Questions:
Do -all- the 2017-design iMacs (non Pro) have a "sprayed-on" matte coating, as well?

Or -- is this just a "feature" of the iMac Pro?

Apple just doesn't seem to be able to learn from "real-world" experience (in this case, regarding the sprayed-on finish of the retina MacBook Pro line).

A thin, sprayed-on "coating" is NOT ENOUGH to protect the display in the rough-and-tumble real world these computers will encounter after they're unboxed.

Some REAL protection is needed there -- even if that protection results in the slight expense of overall clarity.

Particularly when one is paying $5,000 for the "baseline" model !

Source?

 

[DanMac]

My 2017 iMac has not had this issue, make sure the cloth is damp never rub with the cloth dry it looks like something hard was on the cloth tbh like grit or what was on the screen scratched the coating, I use distilled water on my cloth just to dampen it a little then polish off with another cloth as it could scratch as you sadly found out, saying that my 2015 iMac didn't have this issue either, but that just looks plain weird, maybe a bad batch of coatings?

The cloth was brand new, I took it out of the plastic sleeve supplied by Apple. The speck (lookalike) was already on the screen when I decided to wipe it. I turned the cloth a few times. I think the screen coating was slightly torn already and I had never really realised it since it was impossible to spot when the screen was on.

 

[songs_about_happiness]

I've had this problem, albeit to a lesser extent, on both my 2015 27" iMac and 2015 13" MBP. First iMac delivered actually had something very similar to the photo out of the box, returned that and got a new one which was perfect out of the box but developed some small "dots" over time. They never worsened when I cleaned the screen, though. MBP developed a minor kind of version of stain gate over time, first noticed it after about a year of use. Both times I contacted Apple support and informed them of the problem, but chose not to get them repaired as I rely on them daily for work, and tbh it's not noticeable with the screen in use. I live in a very humid climate, and wonder if that has something to do with it??

 

[fokmik]

Hi guys,


I have my Genius appt scheduled for this Sat so will see what Apple have to say about it but tbh I am annoyed and disappointed a bit.

Cheers
D

So, tell us what happen at Genius today when you can

 

[RyanXM]

So, tell us what happen at Genius today when you can

It's just now Saturday in the US...I'm sure he will update this evening (about 12 hours).

 

[DanMac]

So, tell us what happen at Genius today when you can

Quick update... I left the iMac Pro with Apple. The issue will be investigated by a specialised engineering team, I will hear more in the next 3-5 days. They ordered a replacement screen but given how recent my purchase was, they might be able to issue a replacement unit or a refund. Apple tech was familiar with the issue on MBPs in the past but it was the first on an iMac/iMac Pro.

 

[Guy Clark]

Quick update... I left the iMac Pro with Apple. The issue will be investigated by a specialised engineering team, I will hear more in the next 3-5 days. They ordered a replacement screen but given how recent my purchase was, they might be able to issue a replacement unit or a refund. Apple tech was familiar with the issue on MBPs in the past but it was the first on an iMac/iMac Pro.

This is clearly unacceptable. Furthermore the iMac Pro after sales service that Apple currently offer is by no means comprehensive so perhaps you should be prepared to wait longer than 3-5 days

 

[Precursor]

This is clearly unacceptable. Furthermore the iMac Pro after sales service that Apple currently offer is by no means comprehensive so perhaps you should be prepared to wait longer than 3-5 days

What does the video u posted has anything to do with the OP?

 

[Guy Clark]

What does the video u posted has anything to do with the OP?

Actually quite a lot as it would seem there are few (if any) qualified technicians to service the iMac Pro
Yes the Linus video is different as the warranty has been voided but does this apply to all iMac Pro technical support?

 

[cram501]

What does the video u posted has anything to do with the OP?

It has to do with training and parts availability and whether it can be fixed in the short term. Luckily, under warranty I believe the whole thing would probably just be replaced.

 

[DanMac]

Quick update... I left the iMac Pro with Apple. The issue will be investigated by a specialised engineering team, I will hear more in the next 3-5 days. They ordered a replacement screen but given how recent my purchase was, they might be able to issue a replacement unit or a refund. Apple tech was familiar with the issue on MBPs in the past but it was the first on an iMac/iMac Pro.

Quick follow up:

Just got off the phone with an Apple Genius... he said that the specialised engineering team did not look at the device in person, only at the photos of the screen and they concluded that most likely it was my fault at how I cleaned the screen and this type of damage would not be covered under Apple's warranty The Apple genius then (at the apple store's discretion) offered to replace the screen free of cost. Great experience Apple

Dealing with Apple Online now since I got the Mac from them...

 

[Guy Clark]

Quick follow up:

Just got off the phone with an Apple Genius... he said that the specialised engineering team did not look at the device in person, only at the photos of the screen and they concluded that most likely it was my fault at how I cleaned the screen and this type of damage would not be covered under Apple's warranty The Apple genius then (at the apple store's discretion) offered to replace the screen free of cost. Great experience Apple

Dealing with Apple Online now since I got the Mac from them...

This is precisely the reason why I resent Apple Technical Support of modern day. Yes I am very happy with my 21.5" 2015 4k iMac but know it would cost a small fortune to repair should it go wrong as I did not take out Apple Care.
Apple Technical Support is a sham. Furthermore the Apple Genius had no idea what they were talking about as the reflective coating is on the inside of the display so you are in no way to blame.

 

[willmtaylor]

Quick follow up:

Just got off the phone with an Apple Genius... he said that the specialised engineering team did not look at the device in person, only at the photos of the screen and they concluded that most likely it was my fault at how I cleaned the screen and this type of damage would not be covered under Apple's warranty The Apple genius then (at the apple store's discretion) offered to replace the screen free of cost. Great experience Apple

Dealing with Apple Online now since I got the Mac from them...

You’re angry b/c you’re getting a free screen replacement? I don’t get it.

 

[maflynn]

likely it was my fault at how I cleaned the screen

I'm not accusing, but the very first thought in my head when seeing this thread was how were you cleaning the iMac?

What type of liquid and cloth were you using?

 

[willmtaylor]

I'm not accusing, but the very first thought in my head when seeing this thread was how were you cleaning the iMac?

What type of liquid and cloth were you using?

As per posts 1 & 11 from the OP, the cloth was the Apple supplied cleaning cloth. No mention of liquid.

 

[maflynn]

As per posts 1 & 11 from the OP, the cloth was the Apple supplied cleaning cloth. No mention of liquid.

I missed that thanks,.

I decided to give the screen a wipe using an apple cloth supplied with the iMac.

The cloth was brand new

The speck (lookalike) was already on the screen when I decided to wipe it.

Looking over the posts, it seems you wiped the screen with a dry cloth (and a dry monitor), I suspect that with debris on the screen or on the cloth was the cause. I never wipe my screen dry for fear of damaging it.