[meagain]

I'm pretty sick about this. I had a "stain" (what seems like burn marks, burnt dust) appear in my screen months ago that I've put off dealing with. It's going to the Apple store tomorrow. My gut says they'll replace the LCD panel in it. My white iMac is pristine otherwise. Babied. Twice I've been to that store to see iMacs laying on the counter with no protection to the plastic, etc. I'm worried it's going to get scratched either in the store, when someone packs it, at wherever they ship it for repair, etc. I have AppleCare

Am I worrying needelessly? Do they take great care with the computers as far as scratches, etc?

And - is it at all possible they'll simply give me a new white one? Or if anyone knows if they do replace the LCD panel, if that's done onsite or a situation where I'd return home with the iMac and return when they get the panel in? AND - does anyone know which particular model/SN series of LCD was the best in case I have a say in the replacement? Thanks!

[Veltliner]

I wouldn't want my iMac case scratched, either.

The apple manual recommends, when adding RAM, to lay it face down on a PIECE OF CLOTH.

(I must say, I watched a technician at a repair facility put my Mac on its face, and I cannot remember if there was cloth on the table. It looked also pretty careless, but that person deals with Macs all day, and knows how to treat them without scratching them. Mac owners mostly treat their macs much more "ceremoniously").

You can always tell them you are worried about it getting scratched when they are being put on the counter just like that.

Such things are best mentioned in a factual way.

If you still feel bad about it, you can research apple repair centers in your area. Not only apple stores are certified to do warranty repairs. But be sure that repair location does warranty repairs, or you might end up paying.

[meagain]

Ah! I didn't know not all stores are certified to do warranty repairs! :o I'll be calling them before bringing it in. I'm worried sick about this. I love my computer.
I just can't find anything on the net except something in Spanish that explains how to fix my issue else I'd do it myself.

I also wish I knew what brand/SN types of LCD went into these things to request the better one.

[AngelaBaby]

I'd take it to a apple only store. I've had nothing to say but great things about apple certified technicians.

[meagain]

I took it in and came back home with it cuz they want to replace the LCD, don't have the part in stock, and the store is closing for remodeling 10/15-11/3. Uh - why would the store close for 3 weeks right when Leopard comes out? Dumb. So I'll get Leopard and either not have a computer to play with it or have to wait and be behind the pack with exploring fun.

Just very weird they'd close the store at that time. Plus, it's already beautiful so I don't get it.

[scaredpoet]

Originally Posted by meagain 

I took it in and came back home with it cuz they want to replace the LCD, don't have the part in stock, and the store is closing for remodeling 10/15-11/3. Uh - why would the store close for 3 weeks right when Leopard comes out? Dumb. So I'll get Leopard and either not have a computer to play with it or have to wait and be behind the pack with exploring fun.

Just very weird they'd close the store at that time. Plus, it's already beautiful so I don't get it.

They're probably trying to rework the store layout to try and fit more display space in there.

As for the original question: I've brought a white iMac C2D 20" into the Apple Store in for repair on two occasions (the only glitchy Mac out of five I use at home and at work). Both times the iMac came back in pristine condition, no scratches, and the problem was fixed. So I wouldn't worry too much.

To be absolutely sure, you should probably take photos of the iMac before you bring it in. that way you have a record of the condition you took the computer in. And if there are issues when you get it back, you have the photos for evidence.

To verify date, you can take a photo of the Mac with a view of the local paper for that day's date in-frame as well (preferably showing the date). That way you can establish when the photos were taken.

[Veltliner]

Originally Posted by meagain 

I took it in and came back home with it cuz they want to replace the LCD, don't have the part in stock, and the store is closing for remodeling 10/15-11/3. Uh - why would the store close for 3 weeks right when Leopard comes out? Dumb. So I'll get Leopard and either not have a computer to play with it or have to wait and be behind the pack with exploring fun.

Just very weird they'd close the store at that time. Plus, it's already beautiful so I don't get it.

Call apple care and check for another store certified to do warranty repairs. It doesn't have to be an apple store.

Is the stain bad? Can you still work? How much longer is your machine in warranty.

If your warranty is still lasting a good while, no need to rush. And don't worry. Voice your concerns about the scratch once, but keep your cool, so to say.

[meagain]

The "stain" was bad IMO. I did take it in and got it back amazingly the next day. When I picked it up, I was more concerned with getting a good LCD and inspected it for pixels. When I got home, I noticed the thin black border between the lit display and the white is a tad skewed as if the LCD wasn't seated perfectly straight. The top by the iSight is a bit squishy also as if it's stretched or doesn't make a great seal. All in all, it's wonderful but I'll be searching around for how to pop the front panel off to see if I can jog the LCD a whisper. I'm also hearing a bit of a hum (fan?) that I didn't before which is a bit irritating when in a quiet environment. Perhaps the fan never worked right and that's why the lcd 'burned' (I think it was cooked dust?).

I'll probably take it back for a quick tweak at some point - but I must say, the 1-day service with a smile was quite remarkable and appreciated.