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kg1982

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 9, 2012
9
0
Hello... My Mac book Air wouldn't turn on. The keyboard was stuck, but Apple is insisting that this is my fault and that I must pay 800 dollars to have it repaired. I really don't have that sort of money, but need my computer. Has anyone had a similar situation? What have you done?
 
Hello... My Mac book Air wouldn't turn on. The keyboard was stuck, but Apple is insisting that this is my fault and that I must pay 800 dollars to have it repaired. I really don't have that sort of money, but need my computer. Has anyone had a similar situation? What have you done?
It sounds like they're talking about replacing the logic board, which will run in that neighborhood. Did they say why they believe it's your fault? Did you spill something on your Mac?
 
A faulty logic board does indeed run $755 at the Apple Store. If it is truly just the keyboard, then it will be cheaper, but since everything is so integrated, a spill on the keyboard will usually short the logic board, requiring a full replacement.

At that price, you might consider seeing if you can find a used unit on eBay and swap the SSD. Otherwise, see if another Apple authorized repair center would quote you less.
 
I have AppleCare, but no idea what happened. They are insisting it is my fault because it's a little damp. I didn't spill anything on it recently and it was working fine last night. I just cannot afford to pay that much for a computer. Am I just screwed or have people gotten their computers fixed for cheaper?

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A faulty logic board does indeed run $755 at the Apple Store. If it is truly just the keyboard, then it will be cheaper, but since everything is so integrated, a spill on the keyboard will usually short the logic board, requiring a full replacement.

At that price, you might consider seeing if you can find a used unit on eBay and swap the SSD. Otherwise, see if another Apple authorized repair center would quote you less.

What is an SSD?
 
I have AppleCare, but no idea what happened. They are insisting it is my fault because it's a little damp. I didn't spill anything on it recently and it was working fine last night. I just cannot afford to pay that much for a computer. Am I just screwed or have people gotten their computers fixed for cheaper?

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What is an SSD?

if it is damp....something spilled on it.
 
I didn't spill anything on it recently and it was working fine last night.
It doesn't matter when the spill occurred. Sometimes the damage isn't apparent immediately.
Am I just screwed or have people gotten their computers fixed for cheaper?
If it's indeed a logic board replacement, I doubt you'll find it much cheaper elsewhere, if at all.
 
I have AppleCare, but no idea what happened. They are insisting it is my fault because it's a little damp.
ok
I didn't spill anything on it recently
BUT, you did spill right?

and it was working fine last night. I just cannot afford to pay that much for a computer. Am I just screwed or have people gotten their computers fixed for cheaper?

What is an SSD?

Screwed. You spilled. It voided the warranty - even if it didn't happen last night.

SSD - solid state drive.
 
I have AppleCare, but no idea what happened. They are insisting it is my fault because it's a little damp. I didn't spill anything on it recently and it was working fine last night. I just cannot afford to pay that much for a computer. Am I just screwed or have people gotten their computers fixed for cheaper?

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What is an SSD?

The SSD is essentially the hard drive. What year is your MacBook Air?

It is possible that it got water damage from humidity. In the future, you might consider purchasing a SquareTrade warranty, as they have optional coverage for accidental damage. In the meantime, check and see if you can find a repair center that can quote you a lower price. Alternatively, you might be able to find a logic board on eBay.

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i'm guessing that you didn't have applecare/warranty?

AppleCare wouldn't cover accidental damage.
 
It was damp because I cleaned the computer with a rag after it wouldn't start. I don't remember spilling anything. It's because the computer is a cheap piece of garbage. I've had issues with it since I got it.
 
It was damp because I cleaned the computer with a rag after it wouldn't start. I don't remember spilling anything. It's because the computer is a cheap piece of garbage. I've had issues with it since I got it.

then it is a sign that you needed a new one. Personally, i would never pay $800 to repair a laptop unless it was a 3K retina
 
Umm... I don't have money growing on trees. It's six months old. It was a Xmas gift.
 
Wait until the dampness is gone, and take it to a different Apple Store. As long as it wasn't enough to trigger the humidity sensor strips, they should then take care of it for you.

Failure due to relative humidity shouldn't invalidate warranties. The machines should be constructed well enough to prevent damage from that. :p
 
Unless you did spill something on it in the past, which would have already tripped the water sensors and now the damage is starting to come to life?
 
Yes it was his fault "have not spilt anything on it RECENTLY!!'

would an external keyboard by pass the problem?

HA! brentsg you beat me to it!

Edit, it was the computers fault it threw something on itself!

I don't remember what happened in March, so I cannot tell you what happened then, but to the best of my knowledge I didn't spill anything. All I know is it was working fine until last night and stopped. But yeah... Let's all defend Apple for putting out cheap crap that falls apart so easily. My other Apple was still working in 2012 (a 2008 model) and that one got jostled around quite a bit. I even dropped it a few times.
 
Let's all defend Apple for putting out cheap crap that falls apart so easily. My other Apple was still working in 2012 (a 2008 model) and that one got jostled around quite a bit. I even dropped it a few times.
Yeah, let's all blame Apple for user carelessness. Name one computer manufacturer who makes waterproof notebooks. Dropping or jostling is very different from spilling. It's not Apple's fault if a user spills something on their Mac. It doesn't mean the computer is cheap; it means the user is careless.
 
I don't remember what happened in March, so I cannot tell you what happened then, but to the best of my knowledge I didn't spill anything. All I know is it was working fine until last night and stopped. But yeah... Let's all defend Apple for putting out cheap crap that falls apart so easily. My other Apple was still working in 2012 (a 2008 model) and that one got jostled around quite a bit. I even dropped it a few times.

Apple has moisture sensors inside the machines that detect liquid damage. It sounds like they were tripped. You can try taking it to another Apple Store to see if they have a different assessment. Note that they might have quoted you a higher figure assuming they need to replace the logic board. If it is truly just the keyboard it will be less.

Water damage will destroy any notebook very quickly, as it can cause a short, or eventually cause corrosion that could lead to a short. A few "business class" notebooks have water resistant keyboards, but even they aren't foolproof. What might have happened was that a little water got in at some point, and eventually led to corrosion. Ask the store specifically what is damaged and what led them to conclude it was damage and not a defect.

I use a keyboard cover and also have a rider on my renter's insurance policy to cover accidental damage (along with theft, etc.). It runs $60/year. It's worth considering for the future.
 
Last edited:
His post was after mine. Derp.

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Yet you remember the month? Peculiar.

It is called an example.. I also don't remember what happened in January or April.

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Yeah, let's all blame Apple for user carelessness. Name one computer manufacturer who makes waterproof notebooks. Dropping or jostling is very different from spilling. It's not Apple's fault if a user spills something on their Mac. It doesn't mean the computer is cheap; it means the user is careless.

1. The darn thing was damp because I used a damp towel to get dust off. I thought that might help the situation.

2. I've had issues booting up the computer before this happened the thing got stuck earlier.
 
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