Need Help! Repair my MBA or buy new laptop?

[Wichita3011]

Hey guys,
My MBA (early 2015 model) turned off with a burnt plastic smell last week. Apple diagnosed it as logic board failure. They quoted $500+ for the repair and said they’ll have to check if anything more needs to be done after it.
My question is, should I get my 2 year old MacBook repaired or just buy a new laptop by chipping in more money?
Apple didn’t disclose if they’ll be using a new logic board or a refurbished one. what if I get it repaired and it fails again in a year or so? Also, I’m a grad student so can’t be without a working laptop for long periods of time. I’m guessing repair+additional checks will take a week?
And I’m broke- don’t have money to buy a new MacBook, just enough for a new windows laptop ($600 ish) Hence my dilemma. Any advice will be much appreciated thanks!

 

[Audit13]

The Apple store always suggests replacing entire boards because the stores cannot perform board-level repairs.

I suggest opening the Macbook, disconnecting the battery and looking for any damaged areas. It's possible that it's just the magsafe i/o board that is damaged rather than the main logic board.

 

[GtrDude]

My question is, should I get my 2 year old MacBook repaired or just buy a new laptop by chipping in more money?

This is something only you can decide.
Are you stripped for cash?
Can you afford a new one?
If you can't answer this pm me your name, address, bank accounts and social and I'll have a look and see if you can or can not afford a new one.

But really though.
First thing you need to know is what the "plus" in 500+ means.
New Macbook Air starts at 999 + tax this is about 1,100 give or take.
That's about double what you'd spend on the new mb, assuming the plus isn't another 200 or 300 bucks.

Personally I wouldn't do it.
I'd get the 12 months with no interest and get a new one.