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

[fishmongerer]

Yeah but it’s cheap and nasty for a reason. It runs Windows.

I used to feel the same way, but that was in the old days. I've used Mac and Windows for almost 30 years. Mac for home, Windows for work. Windows *was* pretty terrible compared to Mac OS. Over the years, Windows has improved greatly.

Several of our recent MacBooks have suffered keyboard issues. And other, expensive hardware issues. I decided to give Windows 10 a spin. I realized, that for everyday use, OS X and Windows are mostly the same.

And, surprise, I found many Windows laptops that are better than MacBooks. Then, surprise, I discovered a lot of features in Windows that far exceed OS X.

So, I am now happily using my Dell laptop which is the best laptop I've ever used. And Windows 10 is fantastic.

People should keep an open mind, these days, when it comes to computers.

(By the way, many of our Apple laptops and even my old MacSE had hardware issues.)
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While I agree with you (hard not to be after three! generations in a row of defective keyboards, for instance), I think this particular case could be “the boy who cried wolf” and actually affect a small number of users.

Apple has been making changes to it's keyboards every year. Look it up. 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

 

[XXPP]

"Windows 10 is fantastic."

nope.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

"Windows 10 is fantastic."

nope.

Actually, it isn't any worse than macOS.

Supporting both OS's at clients and using both myself, I would definitely say Windows 10 is the best Windows yet. Both OS's have their issues for sure. Apple has all but given up on any sort of a server/client (business) product, so all that remains is trying to make macOS work with Windows Servers as best as one can.

How much do you (or have you) used the latest versions of Windows 10? Just curious because many Mac folks just keep spreading the old "Windows sucks" sentiment having not really used it since Windows XP or 7.
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I used to feel the same way, but that was in the old days. I've used Mac and Windows for almost 30 years. Mac for home, Windows for work. Windows *was* pretty terrible compared to Mac OS. Over the years, Windows has improved greatly.

Several of our recent MacBooks have suffered keyboard issues. And other, expensive hardware issues. I decided to give Windows 10 a spin. I realized, that for everyday use, OS X and Windows are mostly the same.

And, surprise, I found many Windows laptops that are better than MacBooks. Then, surprise, I discovered a lot of features in Windows that far exceed OS X.

So, I am now happily using my Dell laptop which is the best laptop I've ever used. And Windows 10 is fantastic.

People should keep an open mind, these days, when it comes to computers.

Well stated and I agree!

 

[XXPP]

Actually, it isn't any worse than macOS.

Supporting both OS's at clients and using both myself, I would definitely say Windows 10 is the best Windows yet. Both OS's have their issues for sure. Apple has all but given up on any sort of a server/client (business) product, so all that remains is trying to make macOS work with Windows Servers as best as one can.

How much do you (or have you) used the latest versions of Windows 10? Just curious because many Mac folks just keep spreading the old "Windows sucks" sentiment having not really used it since Windows XP or 7.
[doublepost=1561911643][/doublepost]

Well stated and I agree!

I use more Windows 10 than MacOS. Windows on a PC at work and a MacBook at home. I also have a Sutface Book. Mac is much more friendly, logical and nicer. This is not about such things as bugs and hanging the system, because this is not a problem for a long time. First of all, only Apple has an ecosystem. I can talk through Mac, write messages, easily transfer files. Windows is awful, outdated, with many different styles and fonts. Several versions of settings even from the times of winXP. And the touchpad. Only in macOS they work well.

 

[redheeler]

Compared with an unreliable machine, I believe people will go for a worse display unless they absolutely need better display.

That's not a choice you'd have to make as plenty of older 13" Retina MacBook Pros exist that don't have common or well-known reliability problems. Would definitely recommend a 2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro over a non-Retina 2017 Air.

 

[code-m]

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

2017 MBA is good, with a non-retina display.
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That's not a choice you'd have to make as plenty of older 13" Retina MacBook Pros exist that don't have common or well-known reliability problems. Would definitely recommend a 2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro over a non-Retina 2017 Air.

2014 Retina MBP 13” and loving it.

 

[bobob]

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

...compared to back in their glory days when they used to proudly trumpet every little problem no matter how small.

 

[Jerry Fritschle]

I have two MacBook Pros, the original one and a mid-2014 (both purchased as refurbs--spent the discount on AppleCare.). Both had logic boards replaced under warranty--the first one twice. Your mileage may vary but this did not start with Mr. Cook. Sidenote: a Genius once remarked how good my old one looked. I replied, "What can I say...Daddy didn't buy it for me."

 

[Zdigital2015]

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.

Right...the Windows laptop that received a 0/10 repairability score from iFixIt. ZERO - https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft+Surface+Laptop+Teardown/92915 - I cannot imagine the Surface Laptop 2 is any better constructed. Probably not the best example to put up versus a MacBook Air.

 

[Manzanito]

Apple has been making changes to it's keyboards every year. Look it up. 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

I didn’t say they didn’t change them. I said they had issues. Even with the changes.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I have two MacBook Pros, the original one and a mid-2014 (both purchased as refurbs--spent the discount on AppleCare.). Both had logic boards replaced under warranty--the first one twice. Your mileage may vary but this did not start with Mr. Cook. Sidenote: a Genius once remarked how good my old one looked. I replied, "What can I say...Daddy didn't buy it for me."

I had the logic board in my work 2004 PowerBook G4 17” die 10 days before AppleCare ran out on it. GPU just went kaboom. It was a stellar laptop, regardless, but it croaked on my side of the extended warranty...*** happens. The majority of the commenters here seem to believe that nothing on a Mac should, could or would ever break, which is just pure sophistry.

 

[haleyp]

So no free fix in the case of otherwise unproblematic accidental damage? Weird call.

 

[fairuz]

usb-c to hdmi cable. i carry one "dongle" that has two usb-c plug two usb-a, card reader and hdmi. Its really not a huge deal for the ADVANTAGES you get from 4 usb-c ports.

I'm not going to carry a dongle around for every missing port in anticipation that I might need one. Nobody does that. I don't even care about the cost.
What's so good about having ports you need an adaptor to use in nearly every situation? The only useful thing about USB-C so far is charging.

Lit up logo? really? The new machines look classy and sleek. I dont hold onto old small things like startup chime and "nostalgia" to actually like using new technology. Each their own i guess...

I don't care about nostalgia. The new ones look like Dell Latitudes. They're not ugly, but they're not an improvement. Just cause it's new doesn't mean it looks better. Lit up logo was way cooler than the awkward metal thing they have now.

 

[Rogifan]

It may not be that simple. Probably Ive gets to decide the design and dimensions and then the engineers have to work with what they are dictated.

So you’re saying the head of hardware engineering had to do whatever Ive said even if it functionally wouldn’t work? And Ive has been checked out for years yet the head of hardware engineering (and operations) were still taking direction from him? That makes no sense. Btw, there are Windows laptops as thin as Macs that don’t appear to have the keyboard issues the Mac does.

 

[xgman]

I had to have the logic board in my MacBook Air (2018) replaced after I installed Windows 10. Free, thankfully. The T2 chip failed and the computer could no longer boot into macOS. Internet recovery wouldn't work either. Too bad they give no information about what is actually going wrong here.

Something tells me this may also be T2 related. Huge thread on that.

 

[Manzanito]

So you’re saying the head of hardware engineering had to do whatever Ive said even if it functionally wouldn’t work? And Ive has been checked out for years yet the head of hardware engineering (and operations) were still taking direction from him? That makes no sense. Btw, there are Windows laptops as thin as Macs that don’t appear to have the keyboard issues the Mac does.

No, it certainly doesn’t. But iirc, before Steve Jobs passed, he said he had made sure no one at apple could ever override Jony Ive.

 

[SRLMJ23]

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

What is wrong with the 2015 MacBook Pro? It is known as the best Apple laptop ever made, and the 2012-2015 MBP's were known as the best generation ever made.

https://mashable.com/article/rip-2015-15-inch-retina-macbook-pro/

 

[IG88]

How can Apple identify an undisclosed issue?

Has Apple publicly acknowledged this issue? If so, I must have missed it.

 

[mi7chy]

"Windows 10 is fantastic."

nope.

People who focus only on the OS are probably just accessing Facebook. OS is to software what food tray is to food. While MacOS may have an arguably better food tray but Windows has all the food with regards to AAA gaming and professional software such as Solidworks, CATIA, Cadence, ANSYS, Siemens NX, Altium, Eagle PCB, Primavera P6, Revit, Mentor Xpedition and more.

 

[Mendota]

Yeah but it’s cheap and nasty for a reason. It runs Windows.

It is not "cheap" or nasty. And Windows runs circles around Mac in terms of power and versality. In addition there are not multiple repair programs needed in Surface products. Fine if you like MacOS and feel safer there. But is always amazes me how in a discussion about yet another hardware issues with Mac, people like you have the audacity to attack Windows and Microsoft.... Talk about glass houses.

 

[Jimmy James]

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

Nor be upgradable. Double whammy. Actually, consider the pricing and it’s a triple whammy.

 

[citysnaps]

The issue is not with Apples customer service which is second to none, it's the drop in quality control over the past 3 years or so. I used to buy an Apple product with full confidence that it will last many years but that is no longer the case.

I've had two Apple laptops (a Pismo and a 12" PowerBook) from the early 2000s fail, and two grater MacPros fail (one a G5 and one Intel) from the mid 2000s fail.

Since Tim Cook became CEO every piece of Apple gear my family owns (laptops, iMacs, Watches, HomePods, iPhones, iPads) has been working perfectly. From my anecdotal experience there's been an increase in quality control.

 

[Glockworkorange]

For people banging on the MacRumors guy who put this up, it's now being reported by The Scourge https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/30/20632888/apple-2018-macbook-air-logic-board-problem-free-repair

 

[rolandvg99]

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

My MacBook Pro 15" 2007 "lost" its mainboard and screen well before I saw 2009. Luckily I live in a country where Apple's limited warranties don't apply. They had to address both issues under costumer complaint claims.

 

[Glockworkorange]

People who focus only on the OS are probably just accessing Facebook. OS is to software what food tray is to food. While MacOS may have an arguably better food tray but Windows has all the food with regards to AAA gaming and professional software such as Solidworks, CATIA, Cadence, ANSYS, Siemens NX, Altium, Eagle PCB, Primavera P6, Revit, Mentor Xpedition and more.

I guess Apple's plates are prettier and just a joy to clean?