FAQ

Apple say this to just about every customer when a MacBook wont turn on. They dont know why it wont turn on but they have just checked it isnt the keyboard, trackpad or battery and so logically it must be the logic board.

Yes, in this case, there will be a fault on the logic board. Apple’s solution is always to replace the logic board with another and its the same decision that the vast majority of computer shops would make [but this is only because they do not have logic board repair skills].

It has been suggested that Apple’s very high repair fees are designed to encourage purchase of a new MacBook. That might explain why they wont quote for items over the phone insisting you come into the store – you can choose a brand new MacBook there when you hear their high price for a repair or a new screen or keyboard.

In my opinion Apple are just not geared up for repair and dont want to be – their mission is to sell new computers. They only offer replacing the logic board – and not with a new one! For this they charge nearly 80 to 90% of the cost of a new machine and will take many weeks for it to be returned – who would prefer that than purchase of a new machine for a couple of hundred dollars more.

Its psychological – they are pandering to your desire for retail therapy!

Fight it! Dont buy a new computer when you could get your present one repaired far cheaper than Apples quote. When I say far cheaper I mean for a quarter to half the cost quoted by Apple.

My recommendation is find an independent repair shop that advertises Macbook logic board repair then ring them and ask them about it to be completely sure – you can save yourself a lot of money and have your MacBook purring away in a couple of days rather than months.

No – not with a fixed price quote – the price remains constant. You only pay at the end of the job. The cost can reduce to zero if I cant fix the MacBook. This is very rare but an example of this would be where I have fixed damaged components on the logic board only to reveal that the original failure of those components allowed a too high voltage to the central processor and damaged it. However in this scenario I can usually locate a refurbished logic board.

Not currently.

Yes – Absolutely yes! There are so many reasons why older generation MacBooks are better than recent models:

• they are more repairable than new models (parts are available)
• they are more upgradeable than new models (change that HDD for SSD to get a great boost)
• they are more robust than new models (thicker screen glass)
• parts are much cheaper now for these older models
• they run a Unix operating system that doesn’t slow up with age like MS Windows

The only negative for the general user is the weight of the older 15inch MacBooks of 2012 and older.

If you dont need to edit big sound/video files why would you need anything newer than a 2015 13inch Macbook Pro (A1502) or 15inch MacBook Pro (A1398)?

I started repairing MacBooks as UK Mac Repair in Manchester UK in April 2020 during a visit to my mother when I was locked out of Australia by Scott Morrisons government during the pandemic. Google respects that reviews are valuable feedback and allow the reviews to follow the owner when they change their company name or location. Thus, some of the reviews mention my previous incarnation UK Mac Repair.

I guarantee my work for 90 days. If you bring it back within that time I will fix it again for no charge if it is the same problem. Frankly, if a repair works for a week then there is no reason it wont last for the life of the machine under normal use. Prior to return of a MacBook back to the customer it has already been through functional testing, repeated performance stress testing and battery charge testing.

Apple repairs are expensive because they dont actually repair anything – they just replace the entire part.

For example if the logic board has suffered liquid damage they quote for replacing the logic board. Did you know Apple will never quote the repair price over the telephone! They insist you visit the store and have the device inspected. That way when they tell you how much to fix it and that it is as much or more than the costs of a new device they have you in the store to dazzle you with the new device.

Even when you have a crack in your screen they insist you visit the store for the device to be inspected! They dont want to tell you how much a screen replacement is because they don’t want you to shop around!

Yes to Macbook models: A1708, A1398, A1502, A1425, A1466, A1465, A1370, A1369.

No to Macbook models: A2289, A2251, A2159, A2141, A1990, A1989, A1707, A1706, A2179, A1932, A1534.

All iMacs can be upgraded to faster, larger solid state disk (SSD)

Don’t get it wet! This causes electrolysis/corrosion. The number 1 cause of a MacBook not starting. But it can be repaired.

Don’t drop it! This causes fractures which are difficult to find.

Don’t let it overheat! This causes components to fail. If you cover the air vents or there is fluff buildup inside it can easily overheat. You will hear the fans going full speed trying to cool down. The remedy is keep the insides spotless clean to give it the best chance of cooling itself. The best way to clean is have a professional disassemble the MacBook and give the entire machine an ultrasonic clean. Clean at least once every 3 years and more frequently if it is used in smokey or dusty environments.

Don’t operate your MacBook with missing rubber feet! If you do there is a wide gaping hole just 3 mm away from the logic board and a glass of water about to spill across the desk and up this hole that is about to cost you hundreds of dollars in corrosion repair.

If you spill anything on your MacBook you need to act quickly as this will save money. Dont charge it. Dont use it. Dont dry it and forget rice. Get it to someone who can disconnect the battery and check for and remove the liquid.

A replacement keyboard part might cost £40 to £80 but its very hard to fit because Apple used rivets to hold it in and just about every other component of the MacBook must be removed before getting access to the keyboard. Fitting takes 3 to 4 hours on a good day.

Any MacBook built prior to mid 2012 is getting to the stage where a repair to the logic board could easily cost as much as purchasing a replacement computer on Ebay or Gumtree for £100 – £150. However, you can never be sure when you buy second hand whether there is a pre-existing problem like cpu panics when hot or a faulty graphics chip.

These are the pre-retina MacBooks built up till mid 2012

• 13inch A1278
• 15inch A1286

The 17inch A1297 is still quite desireable with its massive screen and so its value is more £300 – £400.

I am still happy to repair them and I keep a small stock of parts to help you keep them going into the future. These old MacBooks get a real boost in performance when you upgrade to an SSD.