Getting certified to repair tablets - where and how?

[KDOG]

I'm going through my A+ studying very nicely and I was thinking with the ever-growing popularity of tablets it may be wise to be certified to work on them as well. But I have no idea where to look or go for that. Any ideas?

 

[Phoenix86]

HW certs are rarely worth it imo, but you'd have to check with the individual vendor.

Do you know how to work on a laptop?

 

[Modelworks]

When you say repair what do you mean ? Software, hardware ?

 

[KDOG]

When you say repair what do you mean ? Software, hardware ?

Both.

And I don't understand how getting HW repair certified isn't worth anything. Many prospective employers still look for it, and it also helps if your doing it as a self-business. Being able to advertise that you are certified goes a long way to attract customers....

 

[Linflas]

Given the price of them I can't see there being a huge market in repairing them.

 

[lxskllr]

Both.

And I don't understand how getting HW repair certified isn't worth anything. Many prospective employers still look for it, and it also helps if your doing it as a self-business. Being able to advertise that you are certified goes a long way to attract customers....

Given the price of them I can't see there being a huge market in repairing them.

Hard to justify repairing a $200 tablet. That's virtually disposable. Also, they aren't like PCs with a uniform architecture. Every tablet is unique, and you'd have to focus on a single brand. I don't see any future in tablet repair. if you could fix botched root attempts, that might be worth something as a sideline to a different repair business, but you don't really get certified for stuff like that.

 

[destrekor]

Tablet repair probably isn't something you'd get a specific certification for, unless you want to work at a contracted repair shop that specifically promotes iPad repairs, or Galaxy Tab repairs, or Kindle repairs... etc etc etc.

Essentially, you should be focusing on CE repairs if possible. The basic repair skills are going to be similar across many small CE devices that have an integrated/unified circuits approach - ie everything is either directly soldered into the main PCB, or there are a haphazard mix of soldered and snap-in components (likely unique hardware fasteners and unfriendly electrical/data connections and pin-outs)... and many of those devices have warranty-considerations, since stickers and whatnot will reveal unauthorized work - so you'd likely have the knowledge to work on many devices, but you'll be limited to what manufacturers have authorized in-warranty repair services at the shop you work at... if any have even provided such certification to that shop (it could be limited to out of warranty repair, like quite a few general "We Repair All Electronics!" type shops).

 

[KDOG]

Hard to justify repairing a $200 tablet. That's virtually disposable. Also, they aren't like PCs with a uniform architecture. Every tablet is unique, and you'd have to focus on a single brand. I don't see any future in tablet repair. if you could fix botched root attempts, that might be worth something as a sideline to a different repair business, but you don't really get certified for stuff like that.

Point taken. However, alot of tablets aren't $200. Some of those suckers are $700-ish. Fixing botched root attempts is one thing I could do, restoring a tablet to original that someone had all gummed up, setting up the tablet for someone who has no idea what theyre doing, etc. as far as software "repair". On the hardware side, I guess I'm looking to be "certified" to fix light damage, or even something like a bad microSD slot, loose connectors, etc. I'm looking to be "authorized" to pop the cover and do whatever I can do for the customer and it not knock out the warranty if it still needs to be sent into the manufacturer.

 

[alent1234]

apple sends ipads to china in bulk to be repaired and then uses them for it's refurb/replacement units

 

[Patranus]

100% waste of time.
Tablets are like small appliances, disposable.
And if an employee bricks a tablet trying to root it your employer should make them simply buy a new one.

 

[FoBoT]

Given the price of them I can't see there being a huge market in repairing them.

yes, it would be like repairing tv remotes or digital cameras
chuck it and buy another
we gotta consume to grow the world economy

 

[Modelworks]

P On the hardware side, I guess I'm looking to be "certified" to fix light damage, or even something like a bad microSD slot, loose connectors, etc. I'm looking to be "authorized" to pop the cover and do whatever I can do for the customer and it not knock out the warranty if it still needs to be sent into the manufacturer.

I used to run a warranty repair center for consumer electronics with multiple brands and I can tell you their qualifications to be authorized. You will need to train in a place that already has authorization and you will also need to pass whatever level of education the company requires. The minimum is usually classes in electrical theory, covering semiconductors, power supplies, micro controllers. It is usually about the same courses that an electrical engineer will take for their first 2 years . You cannot just become authorized on your own by taking test or classes, it requires on the job training because all the hardware has different methods of repair. You have to learn how to read service manuals and the quirks of each product that company sells. To remain authorized you have to attend all the training events, not more than about 3 a year, where you spend a few days going over new models or new repair techniques. Someone dedicated to it can do quite well, I was in the 150K+ range for salary when I quit doing it.

 

[Jeffg010]

You are better off getting your Dell, HP, Lanovo, certs. We do all our work in house and to get the warranties you have be certified to to do the work. Tablets are not worth it.

Here is the one for Dell.
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/services/tnc/tnc_hardware?c=us&l=en&cs=555

 

[amdhunter]

OP, can you fix my iPad?

 

[Phoenix86]

I used to run a warranty repair center for consumer electronics with multiple brands and I can tell you their qualifications to be authorized. You will need to train in a place that already has authorization and you will also need to pass whatever level of education the company requires. The minimum is usually classes in electrical theory, covering semiconductors, power supplies, micro controllers....

Pretty sure you are talking board level repair where the OP is talking component repair.

In case I'm not using the right terms:
board level repair: mobo is bad, troubleshoot and replace parts.
component level repair: mobo is bad, replace it.

It's been a while (over 10 years) but even back then manufacturers were phasing out "model.brand level certification" in favor of A+. You used to have to have a compaq certified tech to order parts for example. I don't think anything like that exists today but it sounds like what the OP is asking for. Dunno maybe I'm confused...

 

[coloumb]

No idea.. but if a quick check on ebay for the prices that refurbished ipods sell for - it must be profitable?

 

[KDOG]

I guess I could just offer to fix tablets anyhow as long as I'm honest with the customer about my capabilities and knowledge of the device. A lot of customers won't want to go through arduous process of having it returned and waiting for a replacement. And if its out of warranty and they don't really want to pay another $500+ for another tablet, I could offer to "give it a shot".

 

[lxskllr]

I guess I could just offer to fix tablets anyhow as long as I'm honest with the customer about my capabilities and knowledge of the device. A lot of customers won't want to go through arduous process of having it returned and waiting for a replacement. And if its out of warranty and they don't really want to pay another $500+ for another tablet, I could offer to "give it a shot".

I think that's a really good idea. Keep in mind, expensive tablets won't always be expensive. Aside from Apples' boutique rape, price will continuously drop. Todays' $500 tablet will be next years' $200 junker. It may be replaced by a new $500 device, but the architecture may be completely different, so you're learning all over again.

Keeping it as a sideline will allow you to stay nimble. There's ways to make money in an "unofficial" capacity by adding value to devices. Sell pre-rooted tablets. You can turn a $200 tablet into a $300 tablet, with that extra $100 going to you. A lot of people can't do that themselves, and as long as you're honest about the warranty situation, you'd be supplying a useful service.

 

[Georgia-Rose]

I'm with him on learning to repair the tablets. I have 7 tablets here and the charging units won't work. I want to learn to repair them even if I give them away to kids who don't have anything. They are all different prices and it is wasteful to just throw them out. Please let me know where I can get the training to repair them and where do I get parts. Someone's trash is another mans treasure!