Buy new mac or replace logic board

[Jared429]

I have a mid-2014 Retina Macbook Pro that I bought in August 2014. The computer now shuts off randomly and the Apple Store says that it's likely a logic board issue. They want $575 to fix it. Alternatively, I can give them the computer and get $650 back, and buy a new machine of the same model (I have no interest in the touch bar) for $1800 (education price) - $650 = $1150. I'm torn over what I should do.

The computer is in good cosmetic condition -- keys all work, trackpad is fine, screen is not scratched, etc. Just some exterior scratches and scuffing.

My basic question is: If they put a new logic board in my computer, is it essentially as good as new under the hood? I have an SSD so hard drive failure is very unlikely.

Just interested in hearing thoughts.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

As to it being good as new under the hood, really depends on your perspective. It will always be an older computer and there will always be a chance that something else could go wrong in time to come, which is less likely with a newer model. You also have the benefit of warranty if you were buying a new one, which you should add into your valuation. Also think your 2014 is say worth $650, assuming the logic board was replaced, so you're spending $1,225 for something that's worth $650, as opposed to spending $1150 on something that's worth $1800.

Effectively it's just repairing an old computer and keeping it going, or swapping for a brand new no issue one. If you have the money, I'd just upgrade for the peace of mind. It'll also work out cheaper in the long run to just replace it instead of repairing.

 

[thekev]

It is not good as new under the hood. Keyboards and displays do wear out over time. That battery is also several years old. Chargers can break. SSDs definitely fail. They're just not susceptible to mechanical wear.

On a side note, it's strange that they didn't offer depot repair on this one. You could try another Apple Store. Depot repair is always in the $350 range flat rate. Regardless of the repair type, they use refurbished parts. A few years in, most of the parts are refurbished.

 

[ZapNZs]

Is this a 15 or 13, and in what spec? If it is a base model 13, I'd jump on the trade in offer if it were me.

 

[0989383]

How did the Logic Board fail? Stories like this make me glad I opted for Apple Care.

My old MBP had a keyboard failure at 2 years and 11 months old which I like to think, if happens again I am covered for

I recommend Apple Care if you go with the new machine to hopefully prevent a similar situation arising again

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"They want $575 to fix it. Alternatively, I can give them the computer and get $650 back, and buy a new machine of the same model (I have no interest in the touch bar) for $1800 (education price) - $650 = $1150. I'm torn over what I should do."

Presented with the above choice, I find the answer easy:
Accept the $650 credit and get the new one at the reduced price.

I would not pay $575 to fix a 2014 MacBook.

You'd do better to buy something new or [at least] "newer" (such as an Apple-refurbished 2015).

 

[jkun]

How did the Logic Board fail? Stories like this make me glad I opted for Apple Care.

My old MBP had a keyboard failure at 2 years and 11 months old which I like to think, if happens again I am covered for

I recommend Apple Care if you go with the new machine to hopefully prevent a similar situation arising again

Well, applecare wouldn't have helped in his case. Applecare is only 3 yrs, and his machine is beyond that.

For what it is worth I had a similar issue: Same mac, but a display problem. Told me that if it were under warranty they would have just repaired it free of charge, but laptop is now 3+ years old, so no chance of that. Cost of repair would be near $500. I opted to order a 2017 MBP from the refurbished store.

 

[thekev]

How did the Logic Board fail? Stories like this make me glad I opted for Apple Care.

My old MBP had a keyboard failure at 2 years and 11 months old which I like to think, if happens again I am covered for

I recommend Apple Care if you go with the new machine to hopefully prevent a similar situation arising again

That's still $350 (I think that's it) for 3 years of coverage on a problem that might or might not happen. I'm not sure that's much of a win.

 

[Miltz]

I have a mid-2014 Retina Macbook Pro that I bought in August 2014. The computer now shuts off randomly and the Apple Store says that it's likely a logic board issue. They want $575 to fix it. Alternatively, I can give them the computer and get $650 back, and buy a new machine of the same model (I have no interest in the touch bar) for $1800 (education price) - $650 = $1150. I'm torn over what I should do.

The computer is in good cosmetic condition -- keys all work, trackpad is fine, screen is not scratched, etc. Just some exterior scratches and scuffing.

My basic question is: If they put a new logic board in my computer, is it essentially as good as new under the hood? I have an SSD so hard drive failure is very unlikely.

Just interested in hearing thoughts.

Yes, I guess the question on every ones mind seems to be the same. How did the logic board fail? Keep in mind when they say "likely" it's what they "think" it is. Not what it actually is. It could be something else. Personally I would not fix it for $575. Taking the trade seems like a fair deal. You can save some more money if you go with the 2017 MacBook instead of the PRO if you're okay with the smaller display.

 

[0989383]

That's still $350 (I think that's it) for 3 years of coverage on a problem that might or might not happen. I'm not sure that's much of a win.

I got Apple Care for £114 (vs the standard £229). 17% failure rate of a 3 year old Apple Laptop. Apple Care costs less so it's on paper a good investment.

 

[Jared429]

Yes, I guess the question on every ones mind seems to be the same. How did the logic board fail? Keep in mind when they say "likely" it's what they "think" it is. Not what it actually is. It could be something else. Personally I would not fix it for $575. Taking the trade seems like a fair deal. You can save some more money if you go with the 2017 MacBook instead of the PRO if you're okay with the smaller display.

I want the MacBook Pro. I'm used to my '15 inch screen.
[doublepost=1507832836][/doublepost]

Well, applecare wouldn't have helped in his case. Applecare is only 3 yrs, and his machine is beyond that.

For what it is worth I had a similar issue: Same mac, but a display problem. Told me that if it were under warranty they would have just repaired it free of charge, but laptop is now 3+ years old, so no chance of that. Cost of repair would be near $500. I opted to order a 2017 MBP from the refurbished store.

Exactly. Apple Care would've been a total waste of money -- the computer would no longer be in warranty anyway. In general, AppleCare is a terrible investment in my opinion.
[doublepost=1507832930][/doublepost]

OP wrote:
"They want $575 to fix it. Alternatively, I can give them the computer and get $650 back, and buy a new machine of the same model (I have no interest in the touch bar) for $1800 (education price) - $650 = $1150. I'm torn over what I should do."

Presented with the above choice, I find the answer easy:
Accept the $650 credit and get the new one at the reduced price.

I would not pay $575 to fix a 2014 MacBook.

You'd do better to buy something new or [at least] "newer" (such as an Apple-refurbished 2015).

I was going to buy the cheapest 15" MacBook Pro they sell. It is equivalent to my current one, specs-wise.
[doublepost=1507833082][/doublepost]

It is not good as new under the hood. Keyboards and displays do wear out over time. That battery is also several years old. Chargers can break. SSDs definitely fail. They're just not susceptible to mechanical wear.

On a side note, it's strange that they didn't offer depot repair on this one. You could try another Apple Store. Depot repair is always in the $350 range flat rate. Regardless of the repair type, they use refurbished parts. A few years in, most of the parts are refurbished.

Can you tell me more about depot repair? That might be worth it. Apple Store did not inform me about it, though.

 

[thekev]

Can you tell me more about depot repair? That might be worth it. Apple Store did not inform me about it, though.

If a machine is out of warranty and shows no signs of user inflicted damage (which would not be covered by Applecare anyway), the Apple Store will sometimes offer to "send it out". When they do this, the cost is just a flat rate. They fix anything that needs to be fixed. This can include things like battery replacement. I have seen a lot of old batteries swell up toward the end, so any opportunity to replace it around the 3 year mark is good.