Apple Depot Repair fixed my Macbook Pro
20 June 2011
5
Third times a charm. I’ve taken my computer to the Genius bar 3 times, maybe 4.
The symptoms
- When I put my computer in my bag to carry it someplace, it wakes up and gets super hot (which then, turns the fan on). I have to make sure I shut it down before I carry it anyplace.
- From time to time, while working, the computer would freeze if I moved it, even slightly
Incorrect Diagnosises
- I thought the RAM wasn’t seated properly. Everytime I reseated it, it seemed to help temporarily
- Loose Airport card
- Faulty drive
- Corrupt monitor cable
Previous Apple visits
- They opened it up, kept it overnight, ran some hard drive tests to no avail
- I wiped my computer, reinstalled the OS and, instead of running a backup from Time Machine, I reinstalled everything.
- The “genius” reseated my RAM
Finally, the real repair
Apparently, Apple has a repair shop they can send out of warranty computers to. For $250 they will ship and fix anything they find wrong at the Depot Repair shop (no matter the repair costs). AND, if the part they replace is only $17, you pay only $17. Finally, once you receive you computer back, it comes with an additional 3 month warranty—so, if anything goes wrong afterward, you can take it to the Apple shop for repair.
I got a new logic board ($800 repair) for $250. So, now I can’t figure out why I’d ever want to buy Apple Care? Am I missing something.
5 Comments
shannon says...
“I contacted several people at apple and they deny this apple depot repair. My video is out and will need a logic board as you and the say it will be 250 + the part. I have no apple store any were close.”
Stacy says...
“Maybe you need to take a road trip?”
John Smith says...
“Because Apple Care covers incidental issues such as a broken screen as well. Also, during the 5th month if you fry your logic board again, its another 250, making your cost 500, apple care covers 3rd 5th 9th 12th etc month.
Apple Care>>>>Depot”
Lauren Hutton says...
“I was quoted between $500 and $800 to replace the logic board on my 2006 MacBook. Then the Apple store offered a $280 flat rate repair at this Depot. While there, the Depot replaced the SuperDive, battery, bottom case and keyboard in addition to the logic board, all for the quoted $280.
Now, 6 months later, no startup chime and the Apple store says my MacBook is too old to send to the Depot again due to parts availability.
Is it possible to contact the Depot directly? If so, how?”
Stacy says...
“I doubt its possible. I think it has to be sent by the Apple store. Sounds like a bummer of a situation.”