What would YOU do?

[xanis]

Long story short, my MBPs logic board bit the dust. Due to physical damage to the case, Apple will only repair the entire machine. Total for that: a little over $1,000. I took it to an authorized 3rd-repair center. They agree to replace just the logic board, but in order to do that they'd have to also replace the bottom case. Total for that repair: a little shy of $500. The repair center told me that if I could get some "exception" from Apple I could skip the case repair which would save a lot of money. I called Apple and they said that again, because of the physical damage, they couldn't do it. They told me I have two options, which are:

1) Send my MBP back to Apple. Pay $1,000 for the repair, keep the remainder of my AppleCare (260 days)

2) Get my MBP repaired by the service center I took it to. Pay $500, void the rest of my AppleCare.

If this was you, what would you do? I'm sort of leaning towards option #2 at the moment...

 

[TheStu]

I would take it to an actual real deal Apple Store if there was one available, and plead my case with them.

But if that option wasn't available, option 2 is the lesser of the two weevils.

 

[alfa147x]

I opened up my WhiteBook and it didnt seem to difficult to replace the board
would this be an option ?

 

[mmntech]

I opened up my WhiteBook and it didnt seem to difficult to replace the board
would this be an option ?

Depends if you can find a logic board. Probably a few used ones floating around eBay but you're taking a gamble with quality.

I'd go with option 2 or just buy a new laptop.

 

[Ka0t1x]

It really depends on if you can find an actual good logic board as mmntech said, you might be able to find an apple reseller, but that would be a nice streak of luck.

I would probably be on the new laptop side here, also - I would look into selling your old parts, I think there's still a demand for them.

 

[mmntech]

What model MBP is it anyway?

 

[alfa147x]

yeah nvm:
http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts...2008-Early-2009-2-4-GHz-Logic-Board/IF161-005

 

[nitromullet]

<snip>

I took it to an authorized 3rd-repair center.

<snip>

2) Get my MBP repaired by the service center I took it to. Pay $500, void the rest of my AppleCare.

If this was you, what would you do? I'm sort of leaning towards option #2 at the moment...

What is the point of authorized 3rd party repair centers if using them voids your warranty?

 

[mugs]

Did the damage to the case actually lead to the failure of the logic board?

 

[ViRGE]

What is the point of authorized 3rd party repair centers if using them voids your warranty?

It sounds like by not replacing the case, the repair work they're doing voids the warranty.

 

[xanis]

Alright, I took my laptop to the 3rd party place. Unlike Apple, they broke down the costs for me and explained why things cost what they do and why they have to do certain things.

Basically, to get the logic board covered under AppleCare, the bottom half of the laptop case had to be replaced. By doing that, the physical damage is gone and therefore allows the store to do the logic board replacement at no cost. Makes sense; paying for the logic board replacement would be A LOT more money.

This seemed like the best route, so I decided to go ahead. Total for parts, labor, and tax came to $501.74 and I have what is essentially a brand-new MBP (I installed my own hard drive and RAM). All-in-all I think I did alright, though I would have like the whole thing to be covered under AppleCare.

 

[alfa147x]

Alright, I took my laptop to the 3rd party place. Unlike Apple, they broke down the costs for me and explained why things cost what they do and why they have to do certain things.

Basically, to get the logic board covered under AppleCare, the bottom half of the laptop case had to be replaced. By doing that, the physical damage is gone and therefore allows the store to do the logic board replacement at no cost. Makes sense; paying for the logic board replacement would be A LOT more money.

This seemed like the best route, so I decided to go ahead. Total for parts, labor, and tax came to $501.74 and I have what is essentially a brand-new MBP (I installed my own hard drive and RAM). All-in-all I think I did alright, though I would have like the whole thing to be covered under AppleCare.

Awesome! Thats still better than $1000

 

[Ka0t1x]

Oh yeah for $500 I'd probably take that action as well. Also thanks for sharing, I thought you'd be able to possibly do something like that but I wasn't sure, so now I know.

 

[xanis]

Yeah, I'm really glad it turned out to be $500 instead of $1,000.

I think after this little incident I'm going to invest in protective shell for my MBP and make a more conscious effort to be careful.

 

[alfa147x]

Yeah, I'm really glad it turned out to be $500 instead of $1,000.

I think after this little incident I'm going to invest in protective shell for my MBP and make a more conscious effort to be careful.

i ebay'ed both of mine love them do a great job

 

[xanis]

A little update:

I got my laptop back tonight. Total for parts (bottom shell + logic board) and labor was $511.98. Apparently, their "bottom shell" replacement included a brand-new battery, which I actually needed. What a nice surprise!

If you live in the Philadelphia area and you ever need any Apple product fixed, take it to Springboard Media in Philadelphia. Great employees, fair prices, and honest information, plus all of the Apple products sold at a real Apple Store. AWESOME place.