Poll: Were you affected by the iMac glass screen 'unwanted condensation' ?

[alebar14]

Didn't buy a new iMac
Bought a new iMac but don't know if I have this problem
Yes - I bought a new iMac and have this problem
No - I bought a new iMac and do NOT have this problem

 

[Queso]

I don't exactly live in a humid location, but I've absolutely no idea what this problem is. My iMac has not experienced it.

 

[netdog]

Who says it was unwanted? I thought it was a feature.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I don't have condensation in my iMac purchased in August.

 

[Yuppi]

I had condensation, but it never appeared again.

 

[AlexisV]

I like the way you've got an option for people who don't have a new Mac and have nothing at all to do with this issue. Who are the people who wasted their times voting for the 'it's nothing to do with me' option?

Probably the same kind of people who came up with this:

 

[divedude]

I use mine underwater, how do I tell

 

[Hopstretch]

I blame poorly ventilated computer rooms and freely available Internet porn. That, or society.

 

[Virgil-TB2]

is this even a problem?

My iMac doesn't have this problem but the attention it's getting is pretty tiring. I wish just once, someone would post about a hardware problem like this and include just a smidge of information so we could all tell if it's even an issue. I have read about this on Ars, here, and several other sites already yet no-one ever targets the crucial bits of information that would let someone come to a rational conclusion about it.

For instance, condensation behind the screen is only a issue worth talking about if the computers in question are getting condensation while being used in an environment that they are specified to run well in. All electronics products have published ranges of temperature and humidity that they operate under and the condensation would only relevant if it happened within that envelope.

We also are not told (and none of the "reporters" bothered to find out), if this is a single occurrence effect or if it re-occurs over and over again. If it's just the first blush when you bring the computer into your house for the first time, it's not an "issue" at all. If, on the other hand it occurs over and over again (especially within "normal" temperature and humidity ranges), it's a really big deal.

I guess this is a rant of sorts, and I suppose I could have done the research myself before I posted, but then, I am not a "reporter" am I? Maybe I am just out of touch, but I miss the days when the news was investigated and reported by journalists. Nowadays it seems that the Internet rumour-mill is all we have. I wonder how many hands and brains this "story" will travel through before someone actually gets some facts on what's happening?

 

[molly517]

My iMac doesn't have this problem but the attention it's getting is pretty tiring. I wish just once, someone would post about a hardware problem like this and include just a smidge of information so we could all tell if it's even an issue. I have read about this on Ars, here, and several other sites already yet no-one ever targets the crucial bits of information that would let someone come to a rational conclusion about it.

For instance, condensation behind the screen is only a issue worth talking about if the computers in question are getting condensation while being used in an environment that they are specified to run well in. All electronics products have published ranges of temperature and humidity that they operate under and the condensation would only relevant if it happened within that envelope.

We also are not told (and none of the "reporters" bothered to find out), if this is a single occurrence effect or if it re-occurs over and over again. If it's just the first blush when you bring the computer into your house for the first time, it's not an "issue" at all. If, on the other hand it occurs over and over again (especially within "normal" temperature and humidity ranges), it's a really big deal.

I guess this is a rant of sorts, and I suppose I could have done the research myself before I posted, but then, I am not a "reporter" am I? Maybe I am just out of touch, but I miss the days when the news was investigated and reported by journalists. Nowadays it seems that the Internet rumour-mill is all we have. I wonder how many hands and brains this "story" will travel through before someone actually gets some facts on what's happening?

Well, what I think is tiring, is purchasing a $2,000 machine and having water inside of it. I brought my new imac home and it set in the house, in the box, for six hours before I removed it... so I am pretty sure it had time to acclimate itself to the room temperature. (btw, the room is normally at 72 degrees and the air vent is about eight feet away from where the machine is set up) Within the first hour condensation built up in the lower right hand corner and grew larger as the machine warmed up (to about the size of 4in by 2in). The screen should be an airtight component and there should NOT be any liquid inside. I lugged it back to apple store only to have the sales manager argue with me that this is a normal occurrence. About the time when I was going to tell them to forget it and return the computer-- they decided to get me a replacement. The second computer I brought home exhibited the same issue, but much minor. The condensation has seemed to disappear. I did speak with Apple Care who said that it was totally legit for me to have brought the machine back to the store since the spot did not go away on the first machine. Evidently, there are "certain cases that are worse than others that do qualify for a return". The man I spoke with said that if it does not go away in six hours, or if it reappears at any time, then you have reason to be concerned. This is a design flaw that Apple NEEDS to step up and recognize. So be glad if you got an imac without this issue, because it is a problem, and as for the last post, I miss the days when quality and customer care were of concern.

 

[johto]

Well, what I think is tiring, is purchasing a $2,000 machine and having water inside of it. I brought my new imac home and it set in the house, in the box, for six hours before I removed it... so I am pretty sure it had time to acclimate itself to the room temperature. (btw, the room is normally at 72 degrees and the air vent is about eight feet away from where the machine is set up) Within the first hour condensation built up in the lower right hand corner and grew larger as the machine warmed up (to about the size of 4in by 2in). The screen should be an airtight component and there should NOT be any liquid inside. I lugged it back to apple store only to have the sales manager argue with me that this is a normal occurrence. About the time when I was going to tell them to forget it and return the computer-- they decided to get me a replacement. The second computer I brought home exhibited the same issue, but much minor. The condensation has seemed to disappear. I did speak with Apple Care who said that it was totally legit for me to have brought the machine back to the store since the spot did not go away on the first machine. Evidently, there are "certain cases that are worse than others that do qualify for a return". The man I spoke with said that if it does not go away in six hours, or if it reappears at any time, then you have reason to be concerned. This is a design flaw that Apple NEEDS to step up and recognize. So be glad if you got an imac without this issue, because it is a problem, and as for the last post, I miss the days when quality and customer care were of concern.

Only thing making the condensation is your own enviroment. Blame your weird enviroment. Also, having your computer still INSIDE the box doesnt help anyting!. You need to open the box, put the imac outside the box, remove the plastic sheets and then let it "dry" before using it. But if you are living in a tropic enviroment or in a bunker that is moist, its your fault

 

[Berlepsch]

Only thing making the condensation is your own enviroment. Blame your weird enviroment. Also, having your computer still INSIDE the box doesnt help anyting!. You need to open the box, put the imac outside the box, remove the plastic sheets and then let it "dry" before using it. But if you are living in a tropic enviroment or in a bunker that is moist, its your fault

That is not necessarily true. First, we don't know what climate changes the iMac has gone through between production and unboxing. Since the Mac is not hermetically sealed inside the box, condensation on the glass and metal parts is quite possible in humid weather.

Second, there could be some hygroscopic residues due to insufficient cleaning during production. When the iMac heats up, water is released and condenses on the front plate.

In both cases, the condensation should disappear after some time, but with the second possibility, it may take some weeks (like with the "new computer smell", which comes from the same source).

 

[theBB]

I don't get the title. Is there a "wanted" kind of condensation?

The screen should be an airtight component and there should NOT be any liquid inside.

If it was airtight, how would you get the heat out?

I miss the days when quality and customer care were of concern.

What is the problem here? They replaced your computer for a problem that was probably going to disappear by itself in a day or two. The issue may have been due to the environment iMac was exposed to during transportation or storage after purchase or during the initial operation. What else do you expect them to do? Give you two iMacs and maybe an iPod for your "troubles"???

 

[Schtumple]

Didnt this get solved AGES ago, that it was where they were coming off the delivery trucks very cold, people were then turning them on, they got hot, and condensation formed inside the glass, I don't think I've heard of any repeated cases, otherwise it would be on the front page more often.

Anyone that does have this problem that keeps reoccurring, try leaving silica gel pods under your mac for a week or so, might help a bit.

 

[nando2323]

Please make a valid poll.

Why do people insist on making polls with stupid pointless choices on it. It makes the poll useless asking people "do you have this problem?" and one of the answers being "I don't own this product" this is just stupid and pointless if they don't own it, then what does it matter?

 

[johto]

In both cases, the condensation should disappear after some time, but with the second possibility, it may take some weeks (like with the "new computer smell", which comes from the same source).

Oh i like the new computer smell, its like the new smell of a car, new stuff smell good!

 

[gehrbox]

I live in very humid coastal South Carolina and not had any issues with condensation.

 

[CWallace]

Never had the problem.

 

[BlackMax]

I don't have condensation in my iMac purchased in August.

Same here. Purchased iMac in August and no condensation.

 

[molly517]

I don't get the title. Is there a "wanted" kind of condensation?


If it was airtight, how would you get the heat out?


What is the problem here? They replaced your computer for a problem that was probably going to disappear by itself in a day or two. The issue may have been due to the environment iMac was exposed to during transportation or storage after purchase or during the initial operation. What else do you expect them to do? Give you two iMacs and maybe an iPod for your "troubles"???

The screen component is air tight if you do some research you would know that. The back of the computer has fans which cool off the machine. My brother has been a software engineer for twenty years and says that in his entire life he has never seen this issue with a computer screen. So, believe what you like, but I prefer no condensation inside of my imac.

The person from Apple Care said that I was in the right because the condensation did not go away (straight from the horses mouth). So having to argue with a sales manager at the store after you make a large purchase is very frustrating! I don't want a brand new computer that has a problem that, "might go away in a day or two" do you? I don't want anything free, I want it right the first time. I love Macs, and I love my new imac, but this is not a rumor and people should know about it.

 

[gehrbox]

The screen component is air tight if you do some research you would know that.

The LCD component may be air tight, but the screen covering the LCD on the iMac is not. It's held on with magnets and has no seal. Most people that have had a condensation issue have been getting condensation on the backside of the removable screen, not within the LCD itself.

 

[molly517]

The LCD component may be air tight, but the screen covering the LCD on the iMac is not. It's held on with magnets and has no seal. Most people that have had a condensation issue have been getting condensation on the backside of the removable screen, not within the LCD itself.

Thats good to know, but I don't think water and computers mix very well in any scenario and no one can change my mind about that.

 

[gehrbox]

Thats good to know, but I don't think water and computers mix very well in any scenario and no one can change my mind about that.

True enough. I'd like to know what the common thread is among the people that have had the symptom. I definitely have a high humidity environment, with a frequently opened door to the outside within 15' of my iMac and AC pushing air down within 8' of the Mac. Yet I don't have the condensation issue.