iMac repair in Amsterdam: 24 inch and Intel models

An iMac repair is different from having a MacBook fixed. An iMac is big and heavy, the screen is glued to the housing and older models have the power supply inside. Still, many iMac problems can be solved well: a slow hard drive, an iMac that no longer starts, a screen with lines or a broken power supply. This article explains what often goes wrong with an iMac, what you can try first and how repairing your iMac at Blue Apple in Amsterdam works.

Blue Apple repairs iMacs and MacBooks in Amsterdam, both the 24 inch iMac with an Apple chip and older 21.5 and 27 inch Intel models.

Which iMac do you have?

Choose About This Mac in the Apple menu. You see the model and year, for example "iMac (24-inch, 2024)" or "iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)". That matters, because the 24 inch iMac with an Apple chip is built very differently inside from an Intel iMac.

• iMac 24 inch (2021 and later) with M1, M3 or M4: thin, with an external power adapter and a magnetic connector. Memory and storage are fixed on the logic board.
• iMac 27 inch (up to 2020) and 21.5 inch (up to 2019) with Intel: thicker, with a power supply inside. Many models still have a hard drive or Fusion Drive.

Common iMac problems

• Slow: on Intel iMacs almost always because of the hard drive. An SSD makes a big difference then.
• Will not start: no power, a power supply that does not work, or a drive or system that no longer loads.
• Screen: lines, a black picture with sound, marks, dust behind the glass or cracked glass.
• Hot and loud: dust in the fan and cooling.
• Ports: USB, Thunderbolt or the network port no longer working.

What you can try first

1. Check the power cable and socket. On a 24 inch iMac: check that the magnetic connector is firmly attached and the light on the adapter.
2. Disconnect all peripherals except keyboard and mouse.
3. Hold the power button for ten seconds, release and turn the iMac on again.
4. On an Intel iMac: unplug it, wait fifteen seconds, plug it back in, wait five seconds and turn the iMac on. That is the SMC reset for an iMac.
5. Try safe mode or Recovery mode. See starting in safe mode and opening Recovery mode.

Why opening an iMac is tricky

The glass and screen of an iMac are attached to the housing with adhesive strips. To get inside, that adhesive has to be cut carefully without breaking the screen, and after the repair new adhesive strips are fitted. Opening an iMac yourself with a repair kit is possible, but the chance of a cracked screen is high if you have not done it before. Also see repairing it yourself with a kit.

Bringing your iMac to us

The safest way to carry an iMac is in its original box, or lying on a blanket with the screen facing up, never with anything on the glass. If you cannot bring it yourself, see our pickup and delivery service.

Your data

If possible, make a Time Machine backup first. If the iMac no longer starts, we look at what can be saved from the drive. See backing up.

How an iMac repair at Blue Apple works

We first find out what is wrong with your iMac and then tell you what the repair costs, before we start. Only when you agree do we get to work. More about how we work on our page about Mac and MacBook repair in Amsterdam.

Frequently asked questions

Do you also repair the 24 inch iMac with an Apple chip?

Yes. On this model memory and storage are fixed on the logic board, so they cannot be upgraded; other parts can often be replaced.

Is an old Intel iMac still worth repairing?

Often, especially with a slow drive. An SSD can make an old iMac pleasant to use again.

Should I bring my keyboard and mouse?

Just the iMac and the power cable (or the power adapter for a 24 inch iMac) is enough.