Apple Expands Self Service Repair Program to MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced that it is expanding the Self Service Repair program to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

Starting tomorrow, users of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with chips from the M1 family will be able to obtain repair manuals and genuine Apple parts and tools via the Apple Self Service Repair Store. Apple says that Self Service Repair for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro will offer more than a dozen different repair types for each model, including the display, top case with battery, and trackpad, with more to come in the future.

Apple launched Self Service Repair for the iPhone earlier this year for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. For the Mac, the program will work the same as with the iPhone, obligating customers to first review the repair manual before visiting the Self Service Repair Store to order parts and tools.

Apple will offer rental kits for $49 for customers who do not want to purchase tools for a single repair, providing them with access to a tool kit for one week with free shipping. Customers can send replaced parts back to Apple for refurbishment and recycling, often receiving credit for their repair purchase in the process.

Apple reaffirmed that the program will expand to additional countries later this year, starting in Europe. "For the vast majority of customers who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair," the company added.

Article Link: Apple Expands Self Service Repair Program to MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

 

[HappyDude20]

For anyone that’s hasn’t watched it yet, go watch SnazzyLabs video on this program that Apple is offering:

 

[TheRealAir]

Wait... so I can change the battery myself on my M1 MacBook Pro?

 

[contacos]

Can I "repair" it to double the ram though? asking for a friend

Note: this was meant as a sarcastic joke. Please refrain from any more serious answers 😭

 

[mthomas184]

For anyone that’s hasn’t watched it yet, go watch SnazzyLabs video on this program that Apple is offering:

People wanted the right to repair. Well, they got it. And this is what is needed so....

 

[Sasparilla]

Nice to see their continuing with it, as opposed to not doing it.

Can I "repair" it to double the ram though? asking for a friend

Isn't the RAM built directly into the SOC (system on a chip) of the M1?

This is part of the reason the performance and efficiency is so good, from what I understand, since it isn't off by itself as a separate part. Changing the RAM would seem to entail changing out the CPU/GPU SOC which is probably soldered in place - so yeah probably not.

 

[GMShadow]

Can’t wait to hear how this is also an evil program from the totally neutral iFixit.

 

[barkomatic]

I'm glad that they are offering this. I suppose the other side of this issue would be for Apple to engineer their devices to be a little more repair friendly such as using screws instead of glue where feasible.

 

[ScreenSavers]

This is a big deal, as their laptops are getting much less user repairable, and the displays more and more fragile.

 

[Feek]

I like that they're doing this but I wonder how many people would actually do it. I looked into the practicalities of replacing an iPhone battery myself and it just wasn't worth my time or the risk involved.

I'd much rather take it to Apple and have it done there, that way if something goes wrong, it's their responsibility and if they break it, I get a new [refurb] device. Plus, I can be sure it's been done properly.

 

[randolorian]

Here's the MBP repair vehicle that will be dispatched to your home. It includes all parts and tools needed to perform the repair yourself.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Glad to hear that. Giving options to its loyal customers. That’s how it should be. Thanks, Apple.

 

[PsykX]

Can I "repair" it to double the ram though? asking for a friend

Wouldn't be beneficial.

You'd have to change the entire Apple Silicon SoC. Processor, RAM and GPU. So your "RAM upgrade" would cost you an arm and leg.

 

[TSE]

I remember in eighth grade pranking Sony Support Chat with my friend at the time - we pretended to be a disgruntled Sony Vaio user. We said we were using a Vaio laptop on the toilet, it overheated and burnt our "parts", and as a result the laptop fell into the toilet. To dry it, we put the laptop into a microwave where it promptly exploded. We then asked what we can do, and the support chat specialist offered to replace it immediately for free. They probably were afraid of getting sued.

Have a great Monday everyone!

 

[dannys1]

For anyone that’s hasn’t watched it yet, go watch SnazzyLabs video on this program that Apple is offering:

I'd rather not have to watch him.

 

[brunerd]

First, I'm pretty sure the RAM doubling comment was a joke
Now, I wonder how many parts will even be available: Display, top case, USB port daughter boards, bottom case... battery? Or will it all be in the top case? Very curious though if they'll include a data transfer tool like previous models had to shuttle data to/from the internal drives 🤔

 

[satchmo]

I think this is Apple's f-you to the right to repair movement. It's a smart move.

Yes, they're making it available to fix it yourself, but at the same time making it inconvenient for many who won't bother with renting (paying) for a suitcase sized repair kit and sending it back. The risk of damaging your MacBook Pro is also something many won't want to take.

Many will just not bother and instead bring it into a Apple store.

 

[CMMChris]

Can I "repair" it to double the ram though? asking for a friend

If Apple allows purchasing logic boards with higher specs for a machine that originally had lower spec, then yes, you can do that. But of course it would not be cheap.

 

[Wildkraut]

For anyone that’s hasn’t watched it yet, go watch SnazzyLabs video on this program that Apple is offering:

🤣 Funny, but as long they pay shipping and return, I'm fine.
Afterwards we can sue them for getting back pain. 🤑

 

[CMMChris]

Yes, they're making it available to fix it yourself, but at the same time making it inconvenient for many who won't bother with renting (paying) for a suitcase sized repair kit and sending it back.

Well, you don't need to use Apple's tools. Just getting the parts is enough and not too expensive at all compared to third party stores like iFixit.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I like that they're doing this but I wonder how many people would actually do it. I looked into the practicalities of replacing an iPhone battery myself and it just wasn't worth my time or the risk involved.

I'd much rather take it to Apple and have it done there, that way if something goes wrong, it's their responsibility and if they break it, I get a new [refurb] device. Plus, I can be sure it's been done properly.

At the risk of sounding a little cynical - I think that's what they were going for: people not wanting to take the risk.
I think what people really wanted, though, is a kind of situation like with cars where you can get aftermarket parts, shop around to see if you can get it cheaper than from the original manufacturer and so on.

At the same time, batteries for example you could get as third party parts for a bunch of Apple products, but I'm not sure if I'd necessarily trust a cheap battery off of Amazon... again. That was only a battery that didn't hold charge as advertised but it could have been worse.

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

At the risk of sounding a little cynical - I think that's what they were going for: people not wanting to take the risk.
I think what people really wanted, though, is a kind of situation like with cars where you can get aftermarket parts, shop around to see if you can get it cheaper than from the original manufacturer and so on.

At the same time, batteries for example you could get as third party parts for a bunch of Apple products, but I'm not sure if I'd necessarily trust a cheap battery off of Amazon... again. That was only a battery that didn't hold charge as advertised but it could have been worse.

I believe so to. They made the process complex and expensive and people just won’t care. The only ones that benefit from these are the repair shops.

 

[BradMacPro]

Only applies to an M1 Mac which won’t need a new battery yet. The older Intel ones are the candidates for service. Hopefully they will loosen the program in the future.

 

[mikethemartian]

For anyone that’s hasn’t watched it yet, go watch SnazzyLabs video on this program that Apple is offering:

I have a X with a weak battery and if they offered the self repair kit for it I would order it in a heartbeat. It’s a lot cheaper (and energy efficient) than me driving 150 mile round trip to the nearest Apple Store. I guess I could try the local Best Buy or drive a 40 mile round trip to the nearest Apple authorized reseller if I had any confidence in them. I don’t want to mail it in since I will be without my main communication device for a few days.

 

[MadDawg2020]

Can I "repair" it to double the ram though? asking for a friend

Your ‘friend’ needs to look up how Apple Silicon works, ram is integrated in to processor package, you cannot add or change ram without swapping the entire package.