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netdog

macrumors 603
Original poster
Feb 6, 2006
5,760
38
London
Hi

I tool my Apple MBA 2010 13" in to Regent Street Genius Bar to get fixed and while they were inside it, they found that something (coffee) had leaked in and left something sticky on the SSD.

They claim they have to replace it if I am to have a warranty and they want £606 for it. That seems like a huge amount!

Is this a user replaceable part? In which case, couldn't I replace it myself now or when it fails and maintain the warranty on the rest of the machine?

Does anybody know what this drive would cost me on the open market? I bought the machine right when it was released and believe they were putting in Toshiba SSDs then.

Any other ideas?
 

NutsNGum

macrumors 68030
Jul 30, 2010
2,856
367
Glasgow, Scotland
It is user replaceable, and you can find them from £300 new on eBay.

They're also sold by OWC, who ship to the UK, as I've looked into this myself - and they do a variety of sizes which are pretty reasonably priced.

You will need a Torx T5 screwdriver to install the ssd. Though if you buy from OWC, they send you all the tools you need.
 

Confuzzzed

macrumors 68000
Aug 7, 2011
1,630
0
Liverpool, UK
Hi

I tool my Apple MBA 2010 13" in to Regent Street Genius Bar...They claim they have to replace it if I am to have a warranty and they want £606 for it. That seems like a huge amount!

Is this a user replaceable part? In which

Any other ideas?

I'm only going by deduction but if you care about warranty, it means you have AppleCare. In which I am surprised they asked you for payment. Ring AppleCare and they'll sort you out for free as it won't be easy to prove what caused the damage and they'd want to help anyway.

If you don't have AppleCare, the warranty runs out in days so you don't care. Do a DIY job.

One last thought, if your original machine is a lower SSD, that may be a reason they're charging you. If you ask for a like for like replacement they may be more accepting towards doing it under warranty.
 

netdog

macrumors 603
Original poster
Feb 6, 2006
5,760
38
London
The damage to the SSD was caused by liquid. No idea how it got there but I am sure they are giving that to me straight.

What I am not happy about is that when I asked what my options were, the tech said buy the £606 drive or lose your AppleCare warranty.

As AppleCare confirmed today, I can install a 3rd-party drive myself and not lose my warranty. That will cost WAY LESS than £606. How could a tech not know this?

Now they are saying that the system board needs replacing and I assume that's just something I'll have to bite the bullet on.
 

Confuzzzed

macrumors 68000
Aug 7, 2011
1,630
0
Liverpool, UK
The damage to the SSD was caused by liquid. No idea how it got there but I am sure they are giving that to me straight.

What I am not happy about is that when I asked what my options were, the tech said buy the £606 drive or lose your AppleCare warranty.

As AppleCare confirmed today, I can install a 3rd-party drive myself and not lose my warranty. That will cost WAY LESS than £606. How could a tech not know this?

Now they are saying that the system board needs replacing and I assume that's just something I'll have to bite the bullet on.

You may be able to claim on your house insurance if you're covered, in which case go for the full hit at Apple. Worth ringing your insurer first.

But if not and depending on how much it'd cost to also change the motherboard, wouldn't you be better off buying a lower spec brand new machine
 

Queen6

macrumors G4
For the cost of a SSD & logic board from Apple you may as well buy a 2011 Air. I would have an independent Mac specialist look at your Air, As Apple will change even good boards if they suspect any liquid invasion by default, you will then know exactly the status of the logic board, SSD and what third party options are available for the SSD.

Apple has a tremendous customer support service and will return damaged systems to near new status, however if you have to pay for the components/parts of the computer the price is generally hefty.
 
Last edited:

LordVic

Cancelled
Sep 7, 2011
5,938
12,458
THere was a link around here somewhere to a 3rd party company sellnig the blade SSD's that work with the Air.

I just can't find or remember what site that was

they are much cheaper than what they siad they'd charge you from apple
 

Confuzzzed

macrumors 68000
Aug 7, 2011
1,630
0
Liverpool, UK
THere was a link around here somewhere to a 3rd party company sellnig the blade SSD's that work with the Air.

I just can't find or remember what site that was

they are much cheaper than what they siad they'd charge you from apple

macsales.com?
(aka Other world computing?)

----------

Try macrepairs.co.uk based in Leeds but will deal with national
 

will0407

macrumors 6502a
May 20, 2006
609
57
If it's just the SSD you can get get away with, then here's what I did.... (Ive done this 3 times with my bro's machine and 2 of mine)

I got an 11" 2011 air with the 128GB SSD. There was no way I was paying £250 to apple to upgrade to the 256GB, so....

I managed to get a 2010 256GB 13" air from ebay for a good price. I switched the SSD's over, then resold the 13" with 128GB for a £35 profit!! The 2nd and 3rd time I came out with a £50 loss and £70 loss, but that's not exactly much to double your SSD memory!
 

NutsNGum

macrumors 68030
Jul 30, 2010
2,856
367
Glasgow, Scotland
If it's just the SSD you can get get away with, then here's what I did.... (Ive done this 3 times with my bro's machine and 2 of mine)

I got an 11" 2011 air with the 128GB SSD. There was no way I was paying £250 to apple to upgrade to the 256GB, so....

I managed to get a 2010 256GB 13" air from ebay for a good price. I switched the SSD's over, then resold the 13" with 128GB for a £35 profit!! The 2nd and 3rd time I came out with a £50 loss and £70 loss, but that's not exactly much to double your SSD memory!

Shrewd, my friend.
 
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