From the complaint:
Apple’s computers, including its iMac desktops and MacBook laptops (“Computers”), contain a critical defect that has led to at least two deficiencies in the performance of the Computers (the “Filter Defect”). The components in Apple’s Computers generate a great deal of heat during use, and Apple installed fans and vents to cool them down. But Apple did not install any filters for the vents. As a result of this Filter Defect, the fans suck in dirt and debris that get stuck behind the screen, causing a permanent dark smudging to appear in the corners of the screens. If brought in for repair outside the warranty period (or if Apple refused to honor the warranty), Apple told customers that they must pay upwards of $600 to replace the entire screen. In reality, there is a simple and cheap fix for many of the Computers: the screen can be removed by a suction cup, and then cleaned with a soft rag. Despite the existence of this inexpensive fix, Apple continues to charge non-warranty customers $600 to replace the entire screen.
One part of this is the design decision, a “lack of filters”. But another part is charging $600 to remove and clean a screen. That second part seem egregious, if true.
Looking forward to seeing Apple’s response on this.
Filters reduce air flow. You put a dust filter in your computer’s vent, and you get a cooked computer, or a computer that has to run its fan a lot harder and louder to stay cool.
Does this complaint date from the era before Apple started laminating all their screens?
Interesting. I’ve not seen this so I wonder how dusty the environment is for people with this issue.
Reading the complaint, it’s bullshit, like … arguably most class-actions these days.
They claim not filtering air is additionally a “defect” because motherboards accumulate dust without one.
Which is, as far as I know, true of every consumer computer on Earth that has enough power consumption to need a fan.
It’s true of every PC I’ve ever owned or built (including ones with filters on the case, which merely reduce dust a bit and keep hair out, mostly).
It’s a shame Apple will have to waste piles of money showing that “not having HEPA filters on all the vents” is a perfectly sane and defensible design decision, not a “defect”.
But the CA lawyers will get paid, yo.
I’m not sure even the lawyers will make money on this one. Weak stuff.
Or you could just, you know – clean your house …