Apple Expanding Independent Repair Provider Program to Macs

[johnnytravels]

Watch as Apple is trying to outrun prospective anti-competitive charges hitting them left and right...

My major takeaway is that they have become inertly slow at doing most things – trying to get in front of the recent wave of threats to their dominant market position is just one of many of these things.

 

[Sharewaredemon]

/snip/

I think the user you are replying to is a fan of that guy in Manhattan who is very popular and talks about how Apple doesn't let him fix things.

 

[David1964]

I wonder what Apple hater Louis Rossmann will have to say about this?

 

[rgeneral]

Apple never even allowed the indies to do component-level repairs, ever... we're a self-servicing account, and if you read the 200 pages of legalese on GSX... they're not ok with people soldering a new capacitor onto a board ever. Doesn't mean it's not a cheap, effective way to fix a failed component, but that's never been Apple's way - they prefer to let their refurbisher in China do that.

I believe the program is just to reduce the load from the Apple store. That is it

 

[citysnaps]

When you spill soda on your laptop so it won't turn on anymore, good luck making a backup.

You don't make Time Machine backups?

 

[chucker23n1]

The big advantage of a (competent) independent repair shop is that they can do the kind of repairs that Apple refuses to do. Like replacing a 5 cent capacitor or a $4 power management chip (charging an hour's labor) instead of swapping a $400 motherboard (losing all of the customer's data in the process).

They're not gonna let third parties (or anyone) do that officially, because they don't want the liability/warranty burden.

 

[chucker23n1]

When you spill soda on your laptop so it won't turn on anymore, good luck making a backup.

I mean, sure, but the point of a backup is that you do it regularly, before an emergency.

Making a backup when your laptop gets stolen or your house is on fire is also hard.

 

[Naraxus]

I wonder what Apple hater Louis Rossmann will have to say about this?

I don't believe he's ever said he hates Apple, rather their consumer hostile policies towards pc design and R2R.

 

[boswald]

Well that’s your fault then for not having backups set up before hand.

Backups are like insurance: you need it before the incident, not after.

Agreed. Also, don’t drink near a laptop.

 

[TiggrToo]

Well that’s your fault then for not having backups set up before hand.

Backups are like insurance: you need it before the incident, not after.

I see that @kironin disagrees with this. Really not sure on what universe this can this information be disagreed upon, unless you think other people should save idiots from their own stupidity or ignorance.

Really would like to know from them why they felt this universal acceptance on backups was worth a “disagree”.

 

[gavroche]

I see that @kironin disagrees with this. Really not sure on what universe this can this information be disagreed upon, unless you think other people should save idiots from their own stupidity or ignorance.

Really would like to know from them why they felt this universal acceptance on backups was worth a “disagree”.

Yea... he disagreed with my post as well. No courage to actually reply and contribute a counter-argument. Good debate occurs when all sides of an argument are presented.. but just saying someone is wrong and not saying why just seems, unhelpful.

On a side note... I’ve been on Macrumors for well over a decade and a half. I remember well the days of having upvote and downvote.. then we went upvote only. Their was a lot of mixed feeling on this. Then all of the sudden I see Love and Disagree... and I dont even see those options when I read a message. I haven’t been as active on here as I used to be. How are they choosing those?

Edit: silly me... long press the like button, options magically appear

 

[Unregistered 4U]

And that's why I've had backups since they were on magnetic tape (and Zip disks), eons ago. These days I actually prefer BackBlaze, since I live in hurricane alley, it's comforting to know there's a copy of my data (photos especially) off site.

But, you see, creating a backup of the latest macOS system is far too complex for your average person. First, you have to buy a new external HD, connect it to the Mac, click OK when it asks if you want to use this drive for Time Machine and .... ummm. Hm.

 

[MauiPa]

If it's like the existing program, it's meaningless.

As many in the repair business have documented, the existing program prohibits you from any repair more complicated than swapping major components (display, battery, motherboard), doesn't allow shops to keep parts in stock (so customers need to wait a week for every repair job) and charges insane prices for the privilege. In other words, offering customers absolutely no advantage over mailing their device to Apple.

I think it is safe to assume that any Mac-repair program is going to be similarly useless. If anyone wants to claim otherwise, well, I'll believe it when I see it. And not a minute before.

The big advantage of a (competent) independent repair shop is that they can do the kind of repairs that Apple refuses to do. Like replacing a 5 cent capacitor or a $4 power management chip (charging an hour's labor) instead of swapping a $400 motherboard (losing all of the customer's data in the process). If Apple is serious about helping repair shops, then let's see a program where authorized shops can order chips and connectors that are only sold to Apple's factories and can't (legally) be purchased elsewhere.

I’m confused. Except for proprietary Apple products like the T2, you aren’t precluded from taking your computer to a fly by nighter repair shop, you just can’t count on the certified repairs afterward. Makes sense, have someone mess it up, then “here Apple fix it” - I don’t think so!
Personally, if my motherboard is fried, I want a new one instead of fixing a small piece, then something else breaks and fixing that. Actually, it is probably happening after 7 years or so and I’d want a new computer instead of a repaired old one
If you lose your data, what never heard of backups? Shame on you. What happens if your computer gets stolen, dropped in water, or run over by a bus? It is not only for electronic faults.

 

[MauiPa]

You're right about that, but Dell doesn't (for example) make special deals with chipmakers to use custom versions of off-the-shelf parts solely for the purpose of making it impossible for repair shops to buy replacements. Apple has done this many times.

Louis Rossmann's videos are full of examples where Apple used to use a generic chip (e.g. for regulating the power coming in off the USB port) and replaced it with a different chip that is identical except for the position of the pins. And the new version can't be purchased by anyone other than Apple.

Good luck trying to claim that this was done for any purpose other than to make life difficult for independent repair shops.

There's a difference between a disclaimer saying "we can't guarantee your data" and creating a repair policy that obligates repair shops to destroy your data (by making storage non-removable and not allowing any "repair" other than swapping the entire board).

Oh I remember the old days of windows passwords. Just pop out the disk and read it on another computer. Now that is security! I suppose it’s different now
No thanks, I’m fine with secured storage, particularly on laptops, external drives for archive, and backup. Works great everytime

 

[wood1208]

When Apple does something; it is always long term. With upcoming Apple Silicon MACs, market for MACs will expland significantly so Apple knows going forward, it can not handle servicing older Intel based and newer ASi based MACs in timely manner..

 

[TrevorR90]

Like what many in this thread have said, meaningless.

On the flip side, I'm that person who prefers Apple and their 'Depot' to repair my products. I'm sure many others prefer the Genius bar or their incredibly speedy mail in service.

 

[MauiPa]

If I spilled soda on my laptop today, I know it backed up last night. Or a lot of my files/documents are synced to the cloud.
The lack of data preservation is implemented for user safety and privacy. It’s specifically stated in the Data Waiver and in the terms and conditions that you need to agree to before any repair. Apple is very clear about not doing any data recovery on your personal data. It’s all about privacy.

Pepsi syndrome, run for your live!. (Old SNL skit)

 

[mikethemartian]

You don't make Time Machine backups?

The one service I would be happy to pay Apple for is an online version of Time Machine.

 

[MauiPa]

The one service I would be happy to pay Apple for is an online version of Time Machine.

It’s called iCloud

 

[Shirasaki]

First of all, Apple is the BEST marketing company in the world, period. If Anyone blindly buy into their marketing, shame on you.

For the “right to repair”, it’s a whole circle thing started with the financial decision of maintaining higher profit margin. Swapping major components is fast, takes less time and customer is happy, for now. In turn, these actions allow less-optimal or outright hazardous design to slip through and get passed by management team. I’ve seen people praising Apple computer’s internals, claiming they are “a thing of beauty”. Hidden behind our eyes however, are circuit designs that sometimes can just cause problems. Under tight time constraints and immense pressure from manger, engineers often resort to quick dirty tricks to get things done, much like technicians trying to fix stuff.

Apple is certainly not the only company that encourages whole swap over “swapping a few capacitors or replacing a chip”, as electricians fixing lights in common area often involves replacing the whole broken light anyways. What Apple is not friendly here is taking legal actions to stop other technicians that is not trained by Apple to do repair, while for replacing broken lights, electricians usually don't suffer similar accusations. I personally would like Apple to NOT go after those repair shops that can get the job done, but instead refuse to provide services to devices that has been tampered by unauthorised technician.

Regarding repair itself, I dropped my iPhone 6s Plus into toilet by accident, and phone no long turned on. I tried to dry it up but it did not help. I had all data backed up so thats good, but one app locked 2FA on that particular iPhone. I went to Apple store and they only offered full replacement for a price. I did not take it. Fast forward a few months, relatives came and visited me. So I took the chance and let them brought the broken iPhone to China and see if their technician could fix it. They managed to fix it and turned it back on. Granted, battery sucked and screen was damaged, but it turned on. Idk how long it took to repair, but with Apple, I would’ve lost access of an important account.

TLDR, all I wish is Apple not actively stopping people from doing repairs. Instead, do their own jobs and protect those design files if that’s what they are worried about. Sadly, I know this is not going to happen, so heaven helps those guys.
[automerge]1597687700[/automerge]

It’s called iCloud

Except it doesn’t work on macOS the same way on iOS.

 

[mikethemartian]

It’s called iCloud

That isn’t the same as Time Machine. Time Machine is a complete backup of your Mac drive. I use Dropbox all the time to save work that isn’t sensitive but it doesn’t replace Time Machine.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Ah, the photo in the article shows a view on a laptop I will not see again once my 2011/2012 MBPs are replaced with iPads this Fall (or Winter?).

 

[chrixxa]

i disagree with anyone who just jumps on the apple ship of pretending board level repairs are the devil's work. The first poster that mentioned replacing a $4 capacitor instead of a $500 board that results in a complete loss of data is spot on. Everyone else that slung mud at him saying " you should have backed it up" is the exact reason why shops like that are so successful. Apple sheep will do the apple approved process and never think outside the box. The user's personal data isn't important because they should have used iCloud or backed it up somehow. While this is the ideal precaution to take, shooting people down because they didn't do it is like adding insult to injury. Everyone knows that what you SHOULD do, but reality sometimes has different ideas. What if you were in a situation where a backup wasn't possible (ie not at home or not on wifi), and you lost thousands of dollars in crucial business data? You want some apple sheep to tell you that you should have backed it up or do you want an actual solution that might save your rear? Many times people are put in this position. Maybe think about that before you go quoting apple rules or agreements that will not matter to anyone put in that situation.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

But, you see, creating a backup of the latest macOS system is far too complex for your average person. First, you have to buy a new external HD, connect it to the Mac, click OK when it asks if you want to use this drive for Time Machine and .... ummm. Hm.

That's what iCloud and/or the iPad is for. Apple makes it as easy as it can be.

If you're not savvy enough to know how to backup your system and files, go iPad and pay up.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Everyone else that slung mud at him saying " you should have backed it up" is the exact reason why shops like that are so successful. Apple sheep will do the apple approved process and never think outside the box.

Shops are successful because there are a LOT of Apple sheep or... only few Apple sheep... or lots of non-sheep?? Because, if the Apple sheep is doing the approved process, by which I think you mean backing up data (I kinda thought that was a general good idea for any computer, so maybe we’re talking about computer sheep?), then that means only the free thinkers that aren’t following those silly apple approved processes... wait, COMPUTER approved processes, are the only ones going to those shops, right?

What if you were in a situation where a backup wasn't possible (ie not at home or not on wifi), and you lost thousands of dollars in crucial business data? You want some apple sheep to tell you that you should have backed it up or do you want an actual solution that might save your rear?

You might not WANT to hear someone say “you should have backed it up” it’s kinnnnda what you SHOULD hear. While there are a lot of folks that are sheep-ing along because some faceless entity says “it’s a good idea” (grumble, you can’t tell ME how to protect MY data), I’d be willing to bet that many sheep are saying “yeah, in that case you should back up” because they‘ve BEEN in the position, have lost VERY valuable data and as a result, back up RELIGIOUSLY now.

Religious computer sheep, maybe? With electric dreams?

I have a friend (we have a good friend-sheep) that recently lost pictures that were taken on holiday because they dropped their phone in the water and did not have it set to send the latest photos over cell as they’re taken. We tried to recover them, were unable to BUT, because I told her how to avoid it int he future, she now has that option turned on and won’t suffer the same sheepy fate again.

Baa