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MacBook: Fix or Upgrade

S

spitfireIX

macrumors newbie
Original poster
I have a MacBook I bought in September 2006. It now has two of the classic problems: cracked at the front edge of the palmrest, and a screen backlight that goes in and out.

I haven't attempted getting it fixed because I'm nowhere near an Apple Store, and it's out of warranty. But now these issues (backlight especially) are really getting to me.

What am I going to have to pay to get it fixed? I can get a new white MacBook, same as what I have now but with double the RAM and hard drive, for around $1000, so I will upgrade if it's going to cost a lot.
 
spitfireIX said:
I have a MacBook I bought in September 2006. It now has two of the classic problems: cracked at the front edge of the palmrest, and a screen backlight that goes in and out.

I haven't attempted getting it fixed because I'm nowhere near an Apple Store, and it's out of warranty. But now these issues (backlight especially) are really getting to me.

What am I going to have to pay to get it fixed? I can get a new white MacBook, same as what I have now but with double the RAM and hard drive, for around $1000, so I will upgrade if it's going to cost a lot.
Click to expand...

The new one for $1000 is a better machine. It has a GeForce 9400m. If you can swing it, get a new one.
 
MicroCenter (B&M and online) is selling the Nidia C2D 2.0 MB for $799 after rebate right now so I'd say it makes zero sense to fix given what Apple is likely to charge. I wouldn't bother fixing a CD Mac at this point. Sell it for parts.
 
What I would do is get a new MacBook and use an external monitor with the old one as a desktop replacement. But then again, I like to ride my computers all the way down to their last breath. 😉
 
spitfireIX said:
I have a MacBook I bought in September 2006. It now has two of the classic problems: cracked at the front edge of the palmrest, and a screen backlight that goes in and out.

I haven't attempted getting it fixed because I'm nowhere near an Apple Store, and it's out of warranty. But now these issues (backlight especially) are really getting to me.

What am I going to have to pay to get it fixed? I can get a new white MacBook, same as what I have now but with double the RAM and hard drive, for around $1000, so I will upgrade if it's going to cost a lot.
Click to expand...
The flickering backlight is a fairly trivial job. It like a $30 part on eBay. The cost is in tearing apart the MacBook to get at the inverter board (which is what needs replacing). Labor maybe $100 max.
 
Try one of the repair guides at www.ifixit.com If it looks to be a bit too much for you, see if there's an apple authorized 3rd party repair shop near you.

Or, get a refurbed nvidia whitebook for $850 on the apple store site.
 
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