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Mac repairs and the limitations thereof.

Dulcius_ex_asperisDulcius_ex_asperis Registered User regular
edited January 2008 in Help / Advice Forum
A friend of mine just got a new Mac Powerbook, and is giving me her old Macbook. I believe she purchased it in 2004.. It's aluminum, 15" It works, but it isn't in the greatest of shape (the screen is fine, but has trouble closing, and the clasp isn't very secure, meaning it's a little open most of the time). While any laptop is better than no laptop at all, is there any way I can get it repaired? All I am finding on the Mac website is info about the original owner getting it fixed...so would I have to give her the money, and have them fix it through her? Or would it be better to sell it somehow and buy a new laptop altogether?

tl;dr: Can I get someone's old macbook (that they gave me) repaired?

Dulcius_ex_asperis on

Posts

  • PheezerPheezer Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited January 2008
    Frequently Apple licenses third party repair sites. I live in Winnipeg and we have one, and we don't even have an IKEA yet. Look around, if you're anywhere near a major city you'll be able to find a local place to fix it.

    Now getting it fixed cheaply, that's another story and not one I can help you with.

    Pheezer on
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  • Dulcius_ex_asperisDulcius_ex_asperis Registered User regular
    edited January 2008
    I've found some DIY type repair sites, everything looks pretty pricey. Now I'm starting to wonder if it would be better to just sell it online and get a new computer later on...

    Dulcius_ex_asperis on
  • PheezerPheezer Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited January 2008
    Well is it a deal breaker or what? Mac laptop prices probably aren't going to move any time soon.

    Pheezer on
    IT'S GOT ME REACHING IN MY POCKET IT'S GOT ME FORKING OVER CASH
    CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
  • Dulcius_ex_asperisDulcius_ex_asperis Registered User regular
    edited January 2008
    Well, from what I have seen I could keep the laptop for the semester and sell it come May. It seems even used Macbooks sell for around 500-800 USD. So in lieu of repair I may just save up and sell the thing. However, I'm not sure since I don't have it yet, don't know the extent of the damage, and the exact model, etc.

    Dulcius_ex_asperis on
  • KalTorakKalTorak One way or another, they all end up in the Undercity.Registered User regular
    edited January 2008
    Dulcius_ex_asperis wrote: »
    Well, from what I have seen I could keep the laptop for the semester and sell it come May. It seems even used Macbooks sell for around 500-800 USD. So in lieu of repair I may just save up and sell the thing. However, I'm not sure since I don't have it yet, don't know the extent of the damage, and the exact model, etc.

    If you get it and you find that it really does bother you, then selling would make a lot of sense. Used Apple laptops go for a very good price, even ones with bad components - I sold a 15" Aluminum g4 Powerbook with a dead hard drive for just under $600 a few months ago on eBay. The fact that yours still runs and the damage is more or less cosmetic means that it won't just appeal to people who want to junk it for parts or repair it, but also normals users who are just looking for a deal.

    KalTorak on
  • corcorigancorcorigan Registered User regular
    edited January 2008
    You could just glue it all back together.

    corcorigan on
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  • EggyToastEggyToast Jersey CityRegistered User regular
    edited January 2008
    Is the only problem that the screen is slightly warped and it no longer clasps shut? If that's the only problem, it's actually a common complaint against old powerbooks (which I believe that is) that the tops would slightly warp and no longer clasp together. That doesn't make it better, obviously, but I doubt that anyone would offer to fix it, as it's basically an unfixable thing (it would require simply replacing the top portion, and it would start to warp again anyway).

    EggyToast on
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  • DrFrylockDrFrylock Registered User regular
    edited January 2008
    Of course you can get the computer fixed. You can take it to any Apple store and give it to the Genius Bar guys (who may send it out for repair), or take it to an Apple Certified Tech, who can order replacement parts and install them.

    You use the [http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/]Apple Service Locator[/url] to find certified service centers/technicians in your area. Most of them should be able to give you an estimate of the cost & time on a problem like this by just taking a look at it. Some techs are busier than others (University techs seem to always have a huge backlog) so call around.

    Will the repair be cheap? Who knows? If it's a bezel replacement or something it may be like $100. If you have to replace the whole screen assembly that might be a different story. Since the laptop is 4 years old now, it's likely not under warranty, unless your friend invested heavily in AppleCare. Once the machine is out of warranty, you're going to have to pay for the repair yourself either way, so it doesn't matter who brings it in.

    DrFrylock on
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