Shane Cole
Another class action suit has been brought against Apple, this time alleging the company knew about, but did not address, a fault with displays in the previous generation of 27-inch iMac desktops.
Corbin Rasmussen, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, says in the complaint that his 27-inch iMac began to experience trouble with the display 18 months after purchase. Specifically, half of the display went dark, which Rasmussen says impacted his use of the computer for things like watching movies or web browsing. The suit was first noticed by GigaOM.
After examining the computer, Rasmussen claims that Apple told him a repair would run $500 because the desktop was out of warranty. Rasmussen believes Apple should offer free repairs for the product, pointing to a 300-page-long thread on Apple's user-to-user support forums as evidence that the problem is widespread enough to warrant special action.
"Despite numerous complaints mounting in Apple's online forums and lodged with Apple Care customer service representatives, Apple has refused to publicly acknoledge the screen dimming defect," the complaint says, "and has failed to stand behind its representations and products and offer a fix for impacted consumers."
Rasumussen also cites a 2009 Techcrunch report that called the iMac an "iLemon," and seeks to represent all owners of 27-inch iMacs featuring LED-backlit displays from South Korean manufacturer LG made prior to December 2012. The case, the complaint says, may be worth more than $5 million.
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
Oliver Haslam
William Gallagher
30 Comments
Shit happened 18 months after purchase... that's what AppleCare is for. Cheap bastard thought he'd save a couple hundred and not have to pay $500 in repairs. Truth is, he gambled and lost... with Apple is was a pretty safe bet that the equipment wouldn't fail, but it was a gamble just the same. Now he wants the AppleCare coverage he failed to buy.
Get Applecare!
If he win, then warranty means nothing and you can sue everyone whenever your device fail?
After examining the computer, Rasmussen claims that Apple told him a repair would run $500 because the desktop was out of warranty. Rasmussen believes Apple should offer free repairs for the product...
Screw you buddy! Why should ANY manufacturer be obliged to continue fixing products out of warranty? I think Apple goes way more out of their way to fix/replace items that did exceed their warranty period but they certainly are not obligated to.
That's what AppleCare is for. Idiot. Moron. Sure, extended warranties in general I think are a scam, but I think what one gets with a bonafide AppleCare plan, it's worth it considering how expensive those iMacs are.
Written on my trusty 2009-iMac.
Fixed a 24 inch Apple LED Cinema Display with a LG panel. The solder on one of the backlight LEDs had cracked and the entire LED came off, disabling the entire backlight system. Joys of lead-free solder.