Will Apple service a 2011 MBP?

[rockinrocker]

TL,DR; 2011 MBP gets stuck in a reboot loop every time I turn it on, none of the normal software fixes (PRAM, SMC) help, harddrives check out ok, seems to be a hardware issue and needs to be serviced.

Will Apple service a Mac this old?

If they will, I assume all they’d do is replace the logic board?

 

[cobracnvt]

Here are their details on the support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624

Honestly, it would probably be less expensive to buy a used MBP than to pay Apple for a logic board.

 

[rockinrocker]

Here are their details on the support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624

Honestly, it would probably be less expensive to buy a used MBP than to pay Apple for a logic board.

Thanks for the link.

Have you heard any specifics about cost of lb replacement?

 

[cobracnvt]

I don't know the specifics of your laptop, but eBay has used 2011 MBPs starting at $300. Maybe see if Apple will run a diagnostic for you to see what's wrong...

 

[chscag]

An Apple store will not run diagnostics on a vintage Apple product. But perhaps an AASP might do it for a fee.

 

[Spudlicious]

An Apple store will not run diagnostics on a vintage Apple product. But perhaps an AASP might do it for a fee.

It vaguely disturbs to see a 2011 product described as vintage. I still love my 2010 car.

 

[SoApple]

You’d have to go to an authorized reseller if its hardware related. Apple will probably still try and diagnose the issue but won’t be able to fix it.

 

[Webster's Mac]

It vaguely disturbs to see a 2011 product described as vintage. I still love my 2010 car.

It's the way this industry is, sadly. I feel like it may start to change since the rate of change in hardware is decreasing.

 

[MBAir2010]

I would Try to find a replacement motherboard and repair the MacBook yourself.
Ifixit has good step by step instructions, and these repair are not that tough.
Ya can save a ton o cash and pride yourself on fixing your MacBook.

 

[simonsi]

My Early-2011 MBP has had the battery just start to rapidly decline (down from 88% where it had been for 5+yrs), to ~58% in a couple of weeks. Local Apple Store says it is vintage so no parts available from Apple in NZ :-( 7yrs old and 1472 charge cycles isn't bad by any measure but it would have been nice to get a new, original battery replacement...seeing if I can source one from eBay atm.

Logic board I wouldn't bother with, just buy another 2011 and swap over SSDs/RAM and keep yours for parts, that would be my approach.

 

[maflynn]

Will Apple service a Mac this old?

I'm going to say no, and I'm also going to point out the obvious in that you're talking about a 7 year old computer. At this point, it doesn't owe you anything, in that you've used it for so many years. Its time for a newer computer.

 

[Fishrrman]

Agree with maflynn.
Don't spend money to repair a 2011, unless it's -very little- money.

It's really time to start shopping for a replacement.
My recommendation is an Apple refurbished 2015-design, or... wait and see what the 2018 release brings (if there is a "2018 release"...)

 

[Rocko99991]

I agree with the others, a used MBP would be cheaper. The logic board prices are all over the place but you an get a functioning laptop for under $300.

 

[garlicbread24]

apple will not service a 2011 MacBook pro. they just added the original 2012 MacBook pro retina to that "vintage" list as well.

 

[SanJacinto]

apple will not service a 2011 MacBook pro. they just added the original 2012 MacBook pro retina to that "vintage" list as well.

I hope that Apple will still provide batteries for 2011 MacBook Pros because those are exactly the same batteries you can find in 2012 non retina MBPs that Apple will still service for the next few years.

 

[Rocko99991]

I hope that Apple will still provide batteries for 2011 MacBook Pros because those are exactly the same batteries you can find in 2012 non retina MBPs that Apple will still service for the next few years.

According to their website it says MacBook Pro Vintage $129. I would chat them up and see if that covers your model.

https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service

 

[rockinrocker]

I hope that Apple will still provide batteries for 2011 MacBook Pros because those are exactly the same batteries you can find in 2012 non retina MBPs that Apple will still service for the next few years.

There are plenty of good third party options available for battery replacement. I replaced the original a couple years ago.

 

[Rocko99991]

There are plenty of good third party options available for battery replacement. I replaced the original a couple years ago.

Care to share the brand/source?

 

[SanJacinto]

There are plenty of good third party options available for battery replacement. I replaced the original a couple years ago.

But nothing compares with Apple batteries. After 7 years mine is at 88% - which is insanely great.

 

[Richdmoore]

According to their website it says MacBook Pro Vintage $129. I would chat them up and see if that covers your model.

https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service

I wonder if the replacement service only applies in California & Turkey? It is worth a call/Apple store visit, as Apple batteries are so much better than playing Russian roulette with third party batteries, despite the cost in my opinion.

 

[simonsi]

But nothing compares with Apple batteries. After 7 years mine is at 88% - which is insanely great.

I know right! I was sooo lucky to just replace mine with a genuine one, probably one of the last ones available, dead on 7yrs and 1472 charge cycles mine started to dip under 82% where it had been for some 3-4yrs or so, within a couple of weeks it was down first to 65% then to 55%...now restored as per factory new best part was the vendor was restocking the item so only NZ$75 for the part. I was skeptical it was genuine at that price but all the indications are that it is so fingers crossed...