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Just dropped my Macbook Pro Retina

As someone who messed up his 2 year old 15" macbook pro by gluing a foot that fell off and getting a little glue on the motherboard, my heart really goes out to you. I just bought a retina macbook and I'd probably die a little on the inside if I accidentally damaged it like this.

The only solace I had from destroying my old computer is that accidents happen and at least you still have all of your fingers and toes. (Well, presumably) :)

I would be curious what they'd charge at apple for fixing this. My guess is easily $1000. If you could find the replacement part, I bet you could save a lot of money if you were computer savvy. (And possibly not risk your warranty being voided, although I bet that isn't ethically the nicest thing to do.) I would think that if the computer still works that the case adsorbed most of the impact so doing a case swap should fix the issue.

Even though the previous idea about fixing your case was criticized by some people, it might not be the worst idea if you aren't up for the significant repair bill. In that case, you'd definitely want to block out a weekend for doing the deed, I bet it would be very involved to do right.

EDIT: It will definitely be a lot more than $539. You have to buy the unibody enclosure too right?
 
hey, did you take it to the genius bar? how did it go?

apple has huge margins on their products. their actual cost to replace something is much lower than retail

hopefully they'll be nice
 
wankey said:
It's actually the bag's fault if you're really looking for blame. I put it in, I zipped it up, I had both holsters on my shoulders.

Shall we sue the bag maker? I smell a class action lawsuit.
Click to expand...

If you want to go that far, I guess so. Which bag was it anyway? Would be good to know so folks can stay away from that make/model.
 
yth said:
hey, did you take it to the genius bar? how did it go?

apple has huge margins on their products. their actual cost to replace something is much lower than retail

hopefully they'll be nice
Click to expand...

Not yet I haven't had time, probably will go tomorrow
 
excalibur313 said:
EDIT: It will definitely be a lot more than $539. You have to buy the unibody enclosure too right?
Click to expand...

If his screen and logic board suffered no damage, then they will just move those parts to the new "Top Case Assembly with Battery" (#661-6532) which Apple lists as $399.00. This is basically the part you pay $199 for if you need a battery replacement. It's the entire unibody shell with battery, keyboard, and trackpad. The "Bottom Case"(#923-0090) is listed at $101.14, which is pretty ridiculous for just a thin aluminum plate with screw holes. Hopefully if they charge OP for repair, they discount it to the replacement battery price. In fact, maybe he could just go in stating he needs a new battery. With the design of the retina, they have no other way to replace his battery other than to provide a new Top Case.
 
I'd though I post this here for general view,
Since the damage is cosmetic and doesn't affect functionality, the repair shouldn't be very expensive. Let me explain.

Apple has a repair program that sends damaged computers to a depot. The reason is, the depot will most likely have all parts, its cheaper, turnaround time is very low and every component and functionality is tested.

So when you take your computer to the apple store the genius will inspect your computer and see what components are damaged and will determine the correct tier based on severity of damage. If the most expensive part is damaged, they will assign highest tier that covers that parts. If any other parts and isn't damaged, it is simply replaced.

Each component is "tiered" or grouped based on cost/functionality.
Tier 2 being the least expensive only covers external casing and minor components such as battery, top case assembly, bottom cover, ram and misc parts.
Tier 3 covers Tier 2 and the HDD/SDD and Super drive only.
Tier 4, most expensive, covers Logic board and LCD-only and all other components unless the computer is deemed as "beyond economical repair".
The Display assembly is just one part and falls undertier 2 UNLESS the LCD is damaged which in that case will be Tier 4. All other stuff like casing and glass will be covered in tier 2.

Based on the pic you provided, you will most likely need a display assembly (as long as theres no issue with the lcd panel, a top case assembly w/ batt, and a bottom cover. Again if they find that one of the ports on doesn't work and find no damage, they will replace it.
 
Binomio said:
I'd though I post this here for general view,
Since the damage is cosmetic and doesn't affect functionality, the repair shouldn't be very expensive. Let me explain.

Apple has a repair program that sends damaged computers to a depot. The reason is, the depot will most likely have all parts, its cheaper, turnaround time is very low and every component and functionality is tested.

So when you take your computer to the apple store the genius will inspect your computer and see what components are damaged and will determine the correct tier based on severity of damage. If the most expensive part is damaged, they will assign highest tier that covers that parts. If any other parts and isn't damaged, it is simply replaced.

Each component is "tiered" or grouped based on cost/functionality.
Tier 2 being the least expensive only covers external casing and minor components such as battery, top case assembly, bottom cover, ram and misc parts.
Tier 3 covers Tier 2 and the HDD/SDD and Super drive only.
Tier 4, most expensive, covers Logic board and LCD-only and all other components unless the computer is deemed as "beyond economical repair".
The Display assembly is just one part and falls undertier 2 UNLESS the LCD is damaged which in that case will be Tier 4. All other stuff like casing and glass will be covered in tier 2.

Based on the pic you provided, you will most likely need a display assembly (as long as theres no issue with the lcd panel, a top case assembly w/ batt, and a bottom cover. Again if they find that one of the ports on doesn't work and find no damage, they will replace it.
Click to expand...

Thanks this is awesome news.

Actually they are sending me a screen part to replace the ghosting issue, it just came in... quite the timing

I've narrowed it down to the fact that I basically just need the top case part and the bottom case. and it should be good.
 
twietee said:
Did you thought about contacting the bag manufacturer already? As you described it it is partly designed to protect especially laptops. A friends laptop bags cord ripped apart due some minor weight (that's what he told them at least) and his MBP got dropped, damaged and didn't work 100% correctly afterwards. They got an agreement finally and either split the repairing costs or paid fully for it, can't remember exactly.
Click to expand...

That's pretty true. Go to the Apple store, find out the cost, and go from there.
Either the seller or the bag manufacturer has to bear responsibility if you can prove that laptops slip out of their zipped bag easily.
 
oh my god, this is dumb. i would definitely not contact the bag company and say it's their fault. does anyone honestly think this would work?
 
wankey said:
Yeah agreed, I looked into timbuk2 the bags are ugly and doesn't fit my style (too hipster for me, sorry). Anyone have other bags to recommend?
Click to expand...


You can customize it to your liking. Over the summer I saw a guy in Vegas with one. I had never seen one like that before. The way I'm about to describe it, might sound ugh but it was really cool. It was a patent white leather with black bonding.

The main reason that I prefer Timbuk2 bags is that they are weather proof. When I standing in a huge downpour I don't want my gadgets to get wet. I've seen people I commute with pull out their stuff from backpacks and briefcases and its soaked. They turn to me and ask how did I do? All my stuff is dry including parts on my body that my umbrella couldn't protect. Best Protection imo.


Other bags
Buran Laptop Messenger
STM bags
Crumpler bags
 
wankey said:
Yeah agreed, I looked into timbuk2 the bags are ugly and doesn't fit my style (too hipster for me, sorry). Anyone have other bags to recommend?
Click to expand...

Tom Bihn laptop bags are better looking and are made of higher quality materials than Timbuktu bags. When I finally saw Timbuktu bags in person I was disappointed by their quality; I'm glad that I didn't order one before actually handling a bag.

The downside of Tom Bihn bags? They cost more... but you get what you pay for.

Seeing damage like this makes me yearn for the original iBook. It was built like a tank because it was intended to be used by school-age kids. You could use one as a frisbee on the playground and then get back to work after recess...

On the DP Review forum an Apple repair technician who works at a university wrote that they see many more MBAs come in for repairs due to normal wear-and-tear vs. the unibody MBPs. He stated that they are simply not as well built as the beefier MBPs and are prone to interior damage that doesn't happen nearly as often with MBPs.

I'm beginning to think that a portable computer that costs $2000+ is simply a bad idea if it is going to be carried around a lot. It's a lot of money to be carrying around and the lighter, thinner designs are not very durable. These things get knocked around and yes, they sometimes get dropped. They should hold up better.

Me? I'm sticking with the base model 13" MBP purchased at a discount either new or refurbed. I use the money that I save on a high-end display that is larger and easier to use than a 15" Retina display. And I wind up paying a lot less than $2000. If the MBP is seriously damaged or stolen I am looking at a loss of less than $1000.

If you must have an expensive portable computer damage insurance is a requirement, not an option.
 
Dweez said:
Take it to your local Apple store & find out. Just out of curiosity, did you purchase Apple Care? Not that your type of damage might be covered under Apple Care, but it'd show that you made the effort to protect the device.
Click to expand...

AppleCare does not cover accidents. Unless you can convince the Genius that the unit arrived that way, with a distraught worker using it as a makeshift basketball at the factory, but anything is technically possible these days and a dented case is not much worse than the scratch that came on my 2011 MBP...

Best Buy's coverage will include accidents (if you pay for that plan), but their fine print reads "comparable technology" - so if the same CPU and GPU can be found for a different brand, you're just as SOL...

----------
Mojo1 said:
but you get what you pay for.
Click to expand...

In which case, why do MacBooks dent so badly when dropped, and - in the case for several models - why is the thermal paste so poorly/sloppily applied... that adage isn't a truism, unfortunately... if the perception of better is sufficient, that's where it ends. Just wait until Tom goes under cover and quietly downgrades the quality of materials made for their gear...

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Mrbobb said:
If ur lucky, your credit card may have an accidental damage coverage.


I've never, EVER dropped my laptops, lots of spills, food, tomato sauce :) but never dropped.
Click to expand...


Accidents happen, even in the best of times.

I hope the OP can take advantage of such accident coverage. It's definitely worth it, and will be as mobile devices become even more popular... it's insurance, such a program... everybody pays in not wanting to use it, but it's there IF the worst case scenario happens.
 
wankey said:
Thanks this is awesome news.

Actually they are sending me a screen part to replace the ghosting issue, it just came in... quite the timing

I've narrowed it down to the fact that I basically just need the top case part and the bottom case. and it should be good.
Click to expand...

When you find out the price, can you let us know? Just incase someone else gets put into a similar situation.
 
I haven't been able to go yet, but will definitely keep everyone posted on what happens. I've been very busy with redoing the entire floor of my house to wood panel flooring and helping a bunch of friends move and well life just caught up with me.

As I said the laptop still functions so I've been using it it as a desktop now with it plugged into the external monitor.

All the replies seem to indicate that the repair will be around 399+100 and hopefully apple can move around that price so it's easier on the wallet.

I think I'll have time Tuesday so I'll set up an appointment.
 
What Can I Say...

thermodynamic said:
In which case, why do MacBooks dent so badly when dropped, and - in the case for several models - why is the thermal paste so poorly/sloppily applied... that adage isn't a truism, unfortunately... if the perception of better is sufficient, that's where it ends. Just wait until Tom goes under cover and quietly downgrades the quality of materials made for their gear...
Click to expand...


:rolleyes:
 
I'm sorry for your troubles wankey. But thank you for posting this. It convinced me that I should get a bag rather than a simple sleeve. I purchased a Tucano, which is still very light and has room for accessories. Anyway, I hope your issues get sorted and don't cost you a fortune.
 
Binomio said:
The Display assembly is just one part and falls undertier 2 UNLESS the LCD is damaged which in that case will be Tier 4.
Click to expand...

Mmm, so you say that they can simply replace the LCD in a new case assembly? I though iFixit teardown found out that the case assembly 'is' the LCD (that is, the LCD has no assembly on its own, instead, its build directly into the display assembly). In any case iFixit were unable to remove the LCD from the display assembly.
 
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