I have a mid-2013 i7 with 256GB Samsung SSD. This is my second MBA (the other one was a mid 2011 i7, also with a 256GB Samsung SSD). Like my other MBA, I run Windows 7 on it via Boot Camp due to needing it for work.
Anyway, this 2013 MBA has been a bit troublesome from the start. After only a couple of months, I got my first hard lock-up. The system just stopped dead, i.e. mouse pointer froze and no buttons would respond. After this happened the second time, I contacted the local Apple retailer. They obviously suspected that Windows was responsible for the crashes. I am quite knowledgeable when it comes to computers, having worked as a hardware designer for years, and I can usually spot a hardware issue when I see it. With the problem being extremely rare (one crash every 3-5 months), it was not feasible for me to just switch to OSX and try to replicate it there. Especially not when I more or less knew this was no "Windows issue".
So, I continued using the machine and just hoped that it would break down completely. Unfortunately, it didn't break down until last week, 20 months after purchase. After a short period of additional problems (white screen during boot, failed or extremely slow disk operations), Windows finally presented me with the dreaded SMART failure screen, urging me to backup everything and replace the drive. I went into OSX and confirmed that the same issue was reported there.
So, now the fun begins. I took the computer to the local Apple retailer and had one of the geniuses look at it. He told me that the drive would cost approx. 170 USD to replace. "The replacement is a Samsung EVO 250GB", he said. "We'll that's not going to work in this machine", I told him. I informed him that the machine uses a proprietary PCI-E drive, he clicked away on his computer and then told me to wait while he went and consulted one of the technicians.
He came back after a couple of minutes. "Well, unfortunately this is a quite expensive repair. The SSD is not replaceable in the MacBook Air (what!?) and we will have to replace the whole logic board. That will cost you approximately 1000 USD." (Same price as a brand new 11" base model here in Sweden.) I obviously asked him if he was really, really sure about his facts. I also showed him that the drive is in fact installed in a slot on the logic board (thank you, iFixit), and definitely replaceable. I told him that I might as well throw this machine in the dumpster, since there's no way I'm repairing it for 1000 USD. "Well, sorry, there's nothing we can do for you, but here's the telephone number for Apple's support."
Okay, so I've been in contact weith Apple now as well. I got to speak with a manager and he will check inside Apple and also contact the retailer I visited. However, he couldn't really give me any clear answer regarding whether the whole logic board actually needs to be replaced.
So, this is still an ongoing investigation, but until my MBA's future gets decided, I'd thought I'd consult you guys. Is it really "normal" for Apple to replace the whole logic board instead of just the SSD when it fails? It just sounds incredibly wasteful and unnecessary. What would be the reason for this? It's very frustrating, because it means that a dead SSD on a computer that is more than one year old basically means the computer is dead. I will of course not pay the 1000 USD, but instead get rid of the MBA one way or another and get something else that is not a Mac.
Anyway, this 2013 MBA has been a bit troublesome from the start. After only a couple of months, I got my first hard lock-up. The system just stopped dead, i.e. mouse pointer froze and no buttons would respond. After this happened the second time, I contacted the local Apple retailer. They obviously suspected that Windows was responsible for the crashes. I am quite knowledgeable when it comes to computers, having worked as a hardware designer for years, and I can usually spot a hardware issue when I see it. With the problem being extremely rare (one crash every 3-5 months), it was not feasible for me to just switch to OSX and try to replicate it there. Especially not when I more or less knew this was no "Windows issue".
So, I continued using the machine and just hoped that it would break down completely. Unfortunately, it didn't break down until last week, 20 months after purchase. After a short period of additional problems (white screen during boot, failed or extremely slow disk operations), Windows finally presented me with the dreaded SMART failure screen, urging me to backup everything and replace the drive. I went into OSX and confirmed that the same issue was reported there.
So, now the fun begins. I took the computer to the local Apple retailer and had one of the geniuses look at it. He told me that the drive would cost approx. 170 USD to replace. "The replacement is a Samsung EVO 250GB", he said. "We'll that's not going to work in this machine", I told him. I informed him that the machine uses a proprietary PCI-E drive, he clicked away on his computer and then told me to wait while he went and consulted one of the technicians.
He came back after a couple of minutes. "Well, unfortunately this is a quite expensive repair. The SSD is not replaceable in the MacBook Air (what!?) and we will have to replace the whole logic board. That will cost you approximately 1000 USD." (Same price as a brand new 11" base model here in Sweden.) I obviously asked him if he was really, really sure about his facts. I also showed him that the drive is in fact installed in a slot on the logic board (thank you, iFixit), and definitely replaceable. I told him that I might as well throw this machine in the dumpster, since there's no way I'm repairing it for 1000 USD. "Well, sorry, there's nothing we can do for you, but here's the telephone number for Apple's support."
Okay, so I've been in contact weith Apple now as well. I got to speak with a manager and he will check inside Apple and also contact the retailer I visited. However, he couldn't really give me any clear answer regarding whether the whole logic board actually needs to be replaced.
So, this is still an ongoing investigation, but until my MBA's future gets decided, I'd thought I'd consult you guys. Is it really "normal" for Apple to replace the whole logic board instead of just the SSD when it fails? It just sounds incredibly wasteful and unnecessary. What would be the reason for this? It's very frustrating, because it means that a dead SSD on a computer that is more than one year old basically means the computer is dead. I will of course not pay the 1000 USD, but instead get rid of the MBA one way or another and get something else that is not a Mac.
