Apple Identifies Logic Board Issue With 'Very Small Number' of 2018 MacBook Airs, Will Fix Free of Charge

[MacRumors]

Apple has identified an undisclosed issue with the logic board in "a very small number" of 2018 MacBook Air units, according to an internal document distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers on Friday. The document was obtained by MacRumors from a source who has proven reliable.

Apple will replace the main logic board in affected MacBook Air units, free of charge. Apple will also send an email to affected customers to let them know that their notebooks are eligible for a main logic board replacement. Apple did not provide any specific details or symptoms pertaining to the "issue."

2018 MacBook Air owners can visit Apple's support website to schedule an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. When the serial number of an affected MacBook Air is entered into Apple's internal repair system, a message will direct technicians to replace the logic board.

Apple will authorize coverage within four years of the MacBook Air's original purchase date. If the notebook has accidental damage that the customer does not want repaired, technicians are instructed to proceed with the logic board replacement at no cost as long as the damage does not prevent completion of the repair.

If accidental damage does prevent the logic board replacement from being completed, Apple says the customer must pay for necessary repairs in order to get the logic board replaced at no cost.

Apple has not publicly announced this repair policy, likely due to what it believes is a very small number of affected customers. While we are confident this information is accurate, as it comes from a consistently reliable source, we cannot guarantee that all Apple employees will acknowledge the policy.

This is at least the third repair program that Apple has introduced in the past five weeks, alongside its 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro battery recall and replacement program and 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro display backlight service program.

Article Link: Apple Identifies Logic Board Issue With 'Very Small Number' of 2018 MacBook Airs, Will Fix Free of Charge

 

[snowboarder]

Is the number as "small" as those broken keyboards or even smaller?

 

[Michael Rebar]

Gotta give Apple some credit for this program. The rest goes to Rossman.

 

[MauiPa]

"Apple has not publicly announced this repair policy, likely due to what it believes is a very small number of affected customers. While we are confident this information is accurate, as it comes from a consistently reliable source, we cannot guarantee that all Apple employees will acknowledge the policy." Like employees in the cafeteria might not know?

Seriously bad claim. You seem to think that Apple can't look up computers on its own in-house computer system for doing eligible repairs? Come on, pretty lame!

 

[SkippyThorson]

Note to self; don’t purchase any Apple laptops made from 2015 and later. Opt for a desktop with a classic, replaceable, functional keyboard. Got it. -Self

 

[Joe Rossignol]

"Apple has not publicly announced this repair policy, likely due to what it believes is a very small number of affected customers. While we are confident this information is accurate, as it comes from a consistently reliable source, we cannot guarantee that all Apple employees will acknowledge the policy." Like employees in the cafeteria might not know?

Seriously bad claim. You seem to think that Apple can't look up computers on its own in-house computer system for doing eligible repairs? Come on, pretty lame!

Hey - I'm just covering my ass. Do you know how many times Apple posts these things internally and then a customer goes to an Apple Store and the employee says "I'm unaware of this" or something along those lines. Then they come back emailing me asking why. I don't know why. I report what I see. The info is legit.

TL;DR: Your mileage may vary.

 

[nt5672]

"Apple has not publicly announced this repair policy, likely due to what it believes is a very small number of affected customers. While we are confident this information is accurate, as it comes from a consistently reliable source, we cannot guarantee that all Apple employees will acknowledge the policy." Like employees in the cafeteria might not know?

Seriously bad claim. You seem to think that Apple can't look up computers on its own in-house computer system for doing eligible repairs? Come on, pretty lame!

Does not surprise me, these days Apple has become pretty lame with their desire to hide everything that even smacks of a problem.

 

[drinkingtea]

The logic board has failed two times on my MacBook (2015). Apple won’t replace it without charging me $400+. I have a brick now because I won’t pay that price. I’m so disappointed in Apple. I’ve never had so many issues with a MacBook before. And this isn’t counting the audio and keyboard issues as well.

 

[Fixey]

All effected, they all have a design issue, not just Airs so with Apple saying it’s the Air effected they must of identify another issues and leaving the big issue unchanged, hint hint high power line near data line

 

[FightTheFuture]

Note to self; don’t purchase any Apple laptops made from 2015 and later. Opt for a desktop with a classic, replaceable, functional keyboard. Got it. -Self

Many Apple notebooks had small batches of logic board issues in manufacturing runs, ever since the unibody models. It happens. Where have you been?

 

[lars666]

Is the number as "small" as those broken keyboards or even smaller?

It's even MORE small than when iCloud services are down for 0,0001% of users and surprisingly, I'm always one of them. Should play Lotto.

 

[- rob -]

Article does not describe symptoms.

I have the 2018 air. I have noticed some occasional visual artifacts on the laptop screen. Not sure if it’s related.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Article does not describe symptoms.

I have the 2018 air. I have noticed some occasional visual artifacts on the laptop screen. Not sure if it’s related.

Apple did not describe any symptoms unfortunately. I said "undisclosed" issue but I'll add another sentence to make it abundantly clear

 

[scrapesleon]

You can’t make nothing perfect these days huh

 

[citysnaps]

Many Apple notebooks had small batches of logic board issues in manufacturing runs, ever since the unibody models. It happens. Where have you been?

And even before that, my Pismo comes to mind. 12" iBook too. But that was under the leadership of the previous CEO.

 

[JetTester]

It is good that they have identified a problem and are willing to fix it. But if they don’t make it public and tell customers how to know if their device has the problem, it is rather useless.

 

[thadoggfather]

Seems like a new era where Apple stuff isn’t built to last

 

[DVD9]

You can buy the platinum colored Surface Laptop2 for $799-. Bigger, better screen, quadcore processor.

If you bought an Air then you got ripped off.

 

[now i see it]

when has a factory recall of defective parts never been categorized as "small" by Apple?

 

[sracer]

Note to self; don’t purchase any Apple laptops made from 2015 and later. Opt for a desktop with a classic, replaceable, functional keyboard. Got it. -Self

Fair enough. But you'll miss out on perhaps the last of the best laptops Apple made... the 2017 MacBook Air.

 

[inhalexhale1]

Is the number as "small" as those broken keyboards or even smaller?

Either way, all of these “small problems” and “small number of customers” etc. add up. Every product they release seems to be coming with an apology and replacement program.

 

[selfmachine]

If accidental damage does prevent the logic board replacement from being completed, Apple says the customer must pay for necessary repairs in order to get the logic board replaced at no cost.​

It's really astonishing how Americans prefer to cover their tracks which such stupid clauses rather than to just do things the right way from the start.

Also: good job, Louis Rossman. There are no good Macbooks after 2015 - I can testify, because I have a 2009 and a 2016 MBP and there is one of both that still works the same as on day one, and it's not the newest one.

 

[drinkingtea]

If accidental damage does prevent the logic board replacement from being completed, Apple says the customer must pay for necessary repairs in order to get the logic board replaced at no cost.​

It's really astonishing how Americans prefer to cover their tracks which such stupid clauses rather than to just do things the right way from the start.

Also: good job, Louis Rossman. There are no good Macbooks after 2015 - I can testify, because I have a 2009 and a 2016 MBP and there is one of both that still works the same as on day one, and it's not the newest one.

*No good MacBooks after 2014

I have a MacBook (2015) that has had a lot of issues. The logic board has failed twice and I’ve had other hardware problems. I’ve read from other owners of this MacBook that they’ve had similar issues.

 

[magicschoolbus]

It’s not just MacBooks... even the iPads are developing white spots all over the 10.5 screen.. Chinese junk. Apple refuses to acknowledge it too. Unreal.

 

[IIGS User]

We charged you double for an inferior product. We promise to fix it, if you come looking for us.


If you paid for an out of warranty repair, too bad. We may say we will make it right, but we won’t. It is YOUR privilege to own and use Apple products.

You pay more for Apple gear, you SHOULD expect more, and get more. The fact they say they will fix it after the fact is really not to be praised any more, but criticized.

Enjoy carving that turkey up Tim. Hey, maybe you can reboot Compaq with all that cash....