Getting a MacBook repaired

[d000hg]

I've got a MacBook from about 3 years ago, when they were using the unibody design and just before 10.6 came out. I've noticed a few faults creeping in the last few months:
- The trackpad is fine for moving/clicking but click-dragging is very hard to do now
- The CD drive seems to have died, something is rattling inside it!
- The Enter key is very mushy and only works if you press the right bit

I'm thinking of taking it to a Mac store to be serviced, spruced up, and totally wiped - It's on 10.5 so moving to Lion would be nice if this hardware supports it.

Anyone got any experience taking hardware in for repairs - is it even better to use Mac Store or can my local PC repair guy do it as well?

[Sysman]

I'm not sure I'd trust a PC shop to do it.

Will your Mac run OS X 10.7 Lion?. But I think you need Snow Leopard first in order to get to Lion, and you might have to hunt for that as I believe most places have stopped selling it.

Or you could do what I did with my original iBook. I'd always had an external keyboard and mouse for use at home, and when its own keyboard started getting flaky I turned it into a home-only system. I only retired it when I needed the desk space for something else.

[Netraider]

I took my wife's 2 1/2 year old mac book into the apple store for repair. Just booked a genius bar appointment. The store guy checked the faults, told us to get a coffe and come back an hour later. Came back, and all the faults were repaired and the mac book was cleaned. This was all at no cost. We didn't have an apple care warranty.

Definitely take it to the apple store.

[d000hg]

Will your Mac run OS X 10.7 Lion?. But I think you need Snow Leopard first in order to get to Lion, and you might have to hunt for that as I believe most places have stopped selling it.

I figured a MacStore would have the tools needed to do this if anyone would!

[Moscow Mule]

I took my wife's 2 1/2 year old mac book into the apple store for repair. Just booked a genius bar appointment. The store guy checked the faults, told us to get a coffe and come back an hour later. Came back, and all the faults were repaired and the mac book was cleaned. This was all at no cost. We didn't have an apple care warranty.

Definitely take it to the apple store.

Lucky, they didn't have to do that and don't always.

Repairs from the apple store can be expensive - if it's out of warranty, you're often better off going to an authorised repair centre. They're also happy to do an upgrade for you whilst they're at it.

[d000hg]

Interesting point about getting an upgrade

Is it possible to get a warranty first separately and then swan up to the MacStore? If not, I am nervous anytime I don't know what things will cost up front... presumably I can drop it off to be checked and ask them to tell me the problems before fixing?

[Dearnla]

I'm surprised that nobody else has suggested the obvious, lazy-ass, throw money at it IBM style suggestion of just buy a new one?

Acually, it's gotta be worth taking it in for a look over. Worst they can do is confirm your diagnosis and tell you how much it's gonna cost. Best case they might fix it for you....

What's to lose?

[MarillionFan]

Back it up, drop it and claim on the insurance for a new one.

[NickFitz]

Interesting point about getting an upgrade

Is it possible to get a warranty first separately and then swan up to the MacStore? If not, I am nervous anytime I don't know what things will cost up front... presumably I can drop it off to be checked and ask them to tell me the problems before fixing?

Apple Retail Store (United Kingdom) - Genius Bar - "At the beginning of your session, you’ll be invited to take a seat at the Genius Bar and place your equipment on the counter. The Genius working with you gathers information about your system to resolve your issues and answer your questions. If your product requires repair, the Genius discusses your repair options, explains any applicable charges and checks in your equipment for repair. Expect the session to last about 15 minutes — more, if the issue requires it."

Not sure whether a new AppleCare agreement would apply if there's an existing fault. Anyway, it might be cheaper to just have the repair done, or you could go mad and get a new one

[d000hg]

or you could go mad and get a new one

This one was paid for by a client, I don't want to spend the cost of 3 PCs getting a new one