A concerning problem that more and more M1 iMac customers are encountering with their computers is the appearance of phantom horizontal lines on the screen. Although the issue was initially reported in the middle of 2023, Apple has not yet made the flaw public. The fact that the problem typically appears two years into use, which means many iMacs impacted are already over their warranty, is the most worrying aspect.

Users have recounted their experiences with the display issue in a lengthy 17-page post on Apple’s community site. Numerous people who contacted Apple service centers were informed that the only option was to replace the entire screen, which would set them back between $600 and $700, or nearly the cost of a brand-new Mac mini.

After being unsatisfied with Apple’s diagnosis, one user sought assistance from a separate repair business. The flex cable in the display is the cause of the problem, the technician discovered. The cable can handle up to 50 volts when used at maximum brightness; eventually, this will burn out the connector and cause the circuit to short, which will result in horizontal lines.

Apple has not issued a statement about this problem, raising concerns that the bug can resurface even after displays are changed. While Apple hasn’t yet addressed this particular issue, in the past, such as with the Butterfly Keyboard repair program in 2018, the company has offered free repairs or replacements when significant issues were verified.

Apple may be under pressure to provide free repairs or possibly to recall the impacted devices because the problem appears to be tied to a manufacturing defect. There are worries that more recent models, including the M3 iMac and the impending M4 iMac, would also be affected as buyers wait for a fix. For the time being, customers must wait for Apple to release a timely update.

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