If you've had your iMac's hinge repaired by Apple, you might be entitled to a refund.
Apple will apparently start refunding customers who had previously paid for repairs to the display hinge of their iMac. An issue affecting iMacs shipped between December 2012 and July 2014 could cause the display to stop adjusting properly and tilt forward, with repairs often costing around $100.
This information comes from an apparent internal service document, obtained by MacRumors:
Unlike some of Apple's other Exchange and Repair Extension Programs listed on its website, the details of this program have not been made publicly available. Apple has instead sent internal communication to Apple Authorized Service Providers with information about repairs and refunds.
Since Apple hasn't made details of this program public, you might want to try contacting Apple Support for help if your iMac is among the eligible models.
Reader comments
Apple apparently preparing refund program for certain iMac hinge repairs
Saw a few posts about this over a year ago on the Apple Discussion Forums and they quickly petered out. I personally have a late 2013 27” iMac 14,2 and have not experienced this hinge failure. Of course my AppleCare on that iMac just expired a few days ago. :-)
Are you sure? This one is 45 pages long and from 2014;
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5717518
Yeah, 45 pages of the same dozen people ranting and raving, followed by trolls predicting the demise of Apple because QA is “going down.” I’ve seen these types threads before on numerous “issues” and counting posts doesn’t prove anything. Counting Google “hits” doesn’t either. The Internet is a bastion of negativity.
Yes. Apple used 'plastic' washers...
Now, they should know better than that. It's like trying to support a building structure with noting more than styrofoam.
I bought a 27" iMac about 4 years ago that had this problem about 1 or 2 weeks after I got it. I was sitting in my office, working on pencil and paper, not even touching/using the computer. All of a sudden, the display just tipped all the way down, like all the tension in the hinge was lost, and it would no longer stay up in its usual position. If I wasn't sitting right in front of it and hadn't seen it happen with my own eyes, I would have suspected the custodian or someone had bumped it and broken it. Since the thing was so new, I got it replaced/repaired right away (this was at a university; the on-campus computer store took care of it, and I can't remember if they just gave me a new one or got it repaired with no charge for me).
My 27-inch, Late 2013 iMac had this issue. I paid a total of 220.80 GBP to analyze and repair the problem with an authorised retailer. Six months later Apple contacted me to arrange a full refund which has now been processed.
My late 2013 27" iMac has this problem.
Some rolled card and a plastic tie wrap placed just above the vent keeps it in place.
If I can have this repaired free of charge it's still a hassle getting the iMac down to the local Apple Store in the shopping centre.