By Yoon Ja-young
Some users of the iMac, a desktop computer from Apple, may file a lawsuit against the company alleging a “stain” appears on its screen. The problem, which users in other countries have also noted, has been more common here, but Apple is refusing to deal with the problem.
iMac users at an online cafe, who have experienced the smear on the internal surface of the screen, said they have requested assistance from the Korea Consumer Agency.
Yamako, the representative of the iMac users, who requested to be named by his online penname, said the stain appeared on the screen just 15 days after he purchased the computer.
Some complaints had been raised previously, but they weren’t an issue as Apple Korea offered a free replacement until early this year. From February, however, Apple Korea suddenly changed its policy, requesting users pay up to 1.2 million won for repairs.
When Yamako, who had bought the desktop on March 17, called Apple here, it refused to give him a refund or a replacement. As he started contacting other victims, however, it offered to fix the screen for free.
“There is no consistency in Apple’s after-sales service. Even among our cafe members, those who acted tough were offered free repair services while those who spoke nicely were neglected,” said Yamako, who bought the computer for its graphic abilities.
Apple Korea is now offering to replace the screens this time, but Yamako asked, “What if it occurs again?”
Apple says that the smear comes from cigarettes, but iMac users point out that computers exhibited at department stores, where smoking is prohibited, have the same problem.
Users in other countries also reported the problem, but the figure is higher in Korea. iMac users estimate that there could be defects in the cooling system. Most iMac users here use “boot camp,” which lets them use the Mac and Windows operating systems together. This, however, generates heat.
The consumer agency is planning to test an iMac to see if there are any defects.
Yamako is expecting it to end in a lawsuit. “If Apple acknowledges what we allege, it would lead to a massive recall. They won’t do that.”
“When I bought an Apple product, I was just like other people who trusted Apple. The product may be expensive, but it boasts good quality and a convenient user interface. That’s why I bought it,” Yamako said.
Despite a lot of Apple followers here, the company has been disappointing consumers due to poor after-sales service. It offers refurbished iPhones instead of replacing problematic ones with new handsets, but local consumers consider this a disappointing policy.