2023 iMac M3 screen is full of moving lines

Question

ponomoponomo Author

Level 1

4 points

2023 iMac M3 screen is full of moving lines

Computer is less than two years old.

About a month ago horizontal lines started appearing on screen.

No extended warranty.

Apple advisor suggested -and made an appointment- at Best Buy for evaluation.

Having no warranty, BB would bill me...

After finding out the approximate price for screen replacement I decided that it is not worth it.

BUT the issue is that the computer is not "old", is used for few hours daily, cool ambiance, clean and well taken care of...

I also have an older iMac that presented a screen line, but it never "expanded".

I am "Apple person".

Now thinking twice if getting another iMac

[Edited by Moderator]

iMac 24″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jun 12, 2025 9:16 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,094 points

Jun 13, 2025 12:01 PM in response to ponomoponomo

If you take it into an Apple Genius Bar (make an appointment first) they will do a free diagnostic test on your iMac and tell you what is wrong with it and how much it would cost to repair. Only Apple will do a free diagnostic test.

Also regarding the Mac Mini a Mac Mini M4 with 15 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD with a 32" LG 4k monitor w/speakers is $1418 w/tax which is $650 less than a similarly configured new 24" iMac. I just got one with the 32" monitor. Best purchase I've made.

Reply

Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

90,400 points

Jun 12, 2025 9:43 AM in response to ponomoponomo

Sad indeed.

I will refrain from sharing the gory details, but I moved from the all-in-one iMac's to Mac mini's back in 2010.

What I recommend to replace the iMac is a Mac Mini and decent external display or two.

Buy Mac mini - Apple

Mac - Which Mac is best for me? - Apple

Connect a display to Mac mini - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 15, 2025 10:00 PM in response to ponomoponomo

Here’s the thing; if you need a desktop, then the Mac mini or Mac Studio is the better choice (I’ve owned a mini many years ago).

If an all-in-one is your thing, then the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro will work better because the "silicon" is under the keyboard, not the display.

Reply

Answer 4

ponomoponomo Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 13, 2025 7:48 AM in response to Smilin-Brian

Even more more frustrating is the fact that Apple WILL NOT sell extended warranties to Puerto Rico!

Bias?

Right now I own six Apple products, change my iphone as soon as there is a new version and even have

-a hard to get- Apple Card (in PR) ...

Of course I can change my mind.

Read that Apple will be making major changes to their "Protection Agreement".

Mr Den and Smilin B, thanks for the input.

Reply

Answer 5

Old Toad

Level 10

215,094 points

Jun 13, 2025 1:34 PM in response to Smilin-Brian

That's why I'm so big on Mini's + 3rd party monitors. I don't need the best resolution because of my eyesight. I actually run the 32" monitor at a lower resolution so the text is larger in the menu bar and menus and still have lot of screen real estate.

Reply

Answer 6

Old Toad

Level 10

215,094 points

Jun 13, 2025 1:53 PM in response to Smilin-Brian

In case you have a Mini or considering getting one here's a tip to make it easier to reach the power button: add four ¼" thick plastic feet to the under side of the Mini as shown below:

I tried some of the online methods of making it easier to turn on but sent them back as they just didn't work. This works like a charm. I mentioned this concept when I was at an Apple store a the Genius hoping me thought it was an excellent idea.

Reply