Where to repair MBP?

[Uhhuhuhhuh]

My MBP was stuck on the startup screen, something called a kernel panic, so I took it in to a certified Apple Specialist store. There aren't any real Apple Stores in my town.

They are charging me $90 to diagnose the problem, which could take up to 2 days. The guy there said he thinks my HD failed, so that will be another $100 something, and then another $90 if I want my data recovered.

Now, I talked to a friend who had the same kernel panic thing happen to him. He took his MBP into a real Apple Store and they fixed it in 5 minutes for $30.

Did I make a mistake by taking it to an Apple Specialist instead of an Apple Store? Anyone know if Specialists charge more/have poorer service?

I'm going through Indy in two days on my way home from college for the summer, so I could take it to their Apple Store then if it'll be better.

Also, can someone tell me what data they will be able to recover? Will my laptop be just as I left it, or will it be like when I first got it just with a folder full of all my old files? (if my HD is in fact done for)

 

[RadDave]

Well, you might want to read about 'kernel panics' HERE and search the forum & web for more information on this issue - may not be an hardware problem - just saying?

As to your $300 estimate, I would certainly want another opinion, so visiting the Apple store in Indy (where my son lives, BTW) would be worthwhile. Also, is your computer still under warranty? And, have you backed up your data? If you indeed need a new drive, how much of your data is recoverable is a 'wait & see' answer; however, if you have a backup then restoration would be simpler - can't say.

Good luck and let us know what happens - I'm sure others may have the same issue -

 

[Uhhuhuhhuh]

Well, you might want to read about 'kernel panics' HERE and search the forum & web for more information on this issue - may not be an hardware problem - just saying?

As to your $300 estimate, I would certainly want another opinion, so visiting the Apple store in Indy (where my son lives, BTW) would be worthwhile. Also, is your computer still under warranty? And, have you backed up your data? If you indeed need a new drive, how much of your data is recoverable is a 'wait & see' answer; however, if you have a backup then restoration would be simpler - can't say.

Good luck and let us know what happens - I'm sure others may have the same issue -

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to go back to the shop tonight and try to get my laptop and $90 deposit back. I've asked this question on other forums and most people think taking it to an actual Apple Store will be better. And cheaper. $90 just for a diagnosis is a little steep in hindsight.

My warranty is no more, and I didn't back up anything besides my music. I don't really have anything important on there, it'd just be nice to have everything back the way it is.

 

[Zeov]

Here in Denmark my warranty works just fine for third party sellers (called Humac here).. i got my screen replaced, after 20 hours.. perfect costumer service.