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Greenbrier_River_Slick · 03-28-2011, 06:29 PM

Six months ago, I purchased a 27" IMAC. I did this after using nothing but a Windows PC for 15 years. Others more knowledgeable than myself recommended the IMAC, so I took the plunge. It has been somewhat of a learning experience, but overall more positive than negative. Until I realized that my CD's and DVD's were getting scratched.

The computer utilizes an optical drive, and there is a slot on the side of the housing into which the disc is inserted. The problem is, there is an oval shaped opening with sharp edges around the slot. If one takes great care during insertion and removal of the disc, I think scratched discs can be avoided. In my case, great care means standing up and being very diligent in making sure to keep the disc as straight as possible. Prior to my realizing there was a problem with the edge of the opening, I was simply doing as I would with an in-car CD player - just sticking the disc up to the slot, and letting the optical drive grab it. I guess the scratches were occurring when I unwittingly put enough pressure on the disc to bend it a little, causing it to come into contact with the edge of the aluminum housing.

I only started noticing the scratches after I'd had the computer for several months. When I Googled "IMAC scratches discs", there were over 100,000 hits. I saw photos of many discs with scratches practically identical to mine. Many users have contacted APPLE, who refuses to acknowledge a problem. I feel that it could be considered a design flaw, but APPLE refers to the problem as "user error", and says the condition is within spec.

I can't deny that the scratches probably occurred due to my failure to take extreme care during insertion/removal of the discs. It's just that it never occurred to me that I would NEED to take such care. I am a little shocked that a company with APPLE's reputation would not have recognized this potential design flaw. I kid you not - the oval shaped sharp edge around the slot leaves one VERY LITTLE room for error. Many users have tried - with varying degrees of success - to remedy the problem by the application of tape around the edge of the housing.

So, yes - I am definitely on The Bitch Box about this. I have scratched well over $800 worth of discs in the last couple of months.

03-28-2011, 06:29 PM	#8048 (permalink)
Greenbrier_River_Slick Groupie Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 6	Six months ago, I purchased a 27" IMAC. I did this after using nothing but a Windows PC for 15 years. Others more knowledgeable than myself recommended the IMAC, so I took the plunge. It has been somewhat of a learning experience, but overall more positive than negative. Until I realized that my CD's and DVD's were getting scratched. The computer utilizes an optical drive, and there is a slot on the side of the housing into which the disc is inserted. The problem is, there is an oval shaped opening with sharp edges around the slot. If one takes great care during insertion and removal of the disc, I think scratched discs can be avoided. In my case, great care means standing up and being very diligent in making sure to keep the disc as straight as possible. Prior to my realizing there was a problem with the edge of the opening, I was simply doing as I would with an in-car CD player - just sticking the disc up to the slot, and letting the optical drive grab it. I guess the scratches were occurring when I unwittingly put enough pressure on the disc to bend it a little, causing it to come into contact with the edge of the aluminum housing. I only started noticing the scratches after I'd had the computer for several months. When I Googled "IMAC scratches discs", there were over 100,000 hits. I saw photos of many discs with scratches practically identical to mine. Many users have contacted APPLE, who refuses to acknowledge a problem. I feel that it could be considered a design flaw, but APPLE refers to the problem as "user error", and says the condition is within spec. I can't deny that the scratches probably occurred due to my failure to take extreme care during insertion/removal of the discs. It's just that it never occurred to me that I would NEED to take such care. I am a little shocked that a company with APPLE's reputation would not have recognized this potential design flaw. I kid you not - the oval shaped sharp edge around the slot leaves one VERY LITTLE room for error. Many users have tried - with varying degrees of success - to remedy the problem by the application of tape around the edge of the housing. So, yes - I am definitely on The Bitch Box about this. I have scratched well over $800 worth of discs in the last couple of months.