Is It Worth Repairing Your Mac?

It’s that dreaded moment for any computer user. Your once shiny, new, lightning-fast Mac has started to show its’ age. Maybe it’s feeling sluggish, the screen is bleeding a little, or you’re tired of working around that key that just doesn’t respond as it should. On top of that, forking over money for a new computer just isn’t in the budget right now. Repairing your Mac isn’t always the answer, but oftentimes it is. Common issues requiring troubleshooting include:

• Mac working super slow
• Mac won’t turn on
• Spilled water on the machine
• Blank screen at startup
• Distorted or scrambled video
• Cracked screen
• The battery won’t charge
• Unexpected restarts
• Flashing question mark at startup

Let’s Talk About Apple Repair

Apple products, with their sleek design and seemingly impenetrable exteriors, are simply machines that eventually experience wear and tear. Things stop working. With redesigns, software and  operating system updates, it’s no wonder things may get a little murky. Failure to boot up or power on may be signs of a serious problem and probably not the time to turn to your teenager to Google a quick fix. But before you send it off to the junk heap, consider your options to salvage it with a qualified Apple repair.

You may think that your only option for repair is taking your Mac to an Apple store or shipping it back to Apple. Keep in mind that the term “repair” really implies “replacement.” A flawed screen won’t necessarily be repaired; it will be replaced with a new one. If your device is under warranty or an Apple Care contract, most repairs are already covered. However, outside of a warranty or a contract, Apple offers tiered pricing on repairs based on the issue at hand. Battery repairs can range up to $199.00 for your MacBook, plus shipping charges. Outside of battery issues, Apple repairs can cost up to $1000.00 for flat rate pricing to address functional issues not caused by the user, or tiered repair pricing up to $1,475 for user-caused problems including damage to the case and exposure to liquid. Getting to these high-dollar charges puts you in the unenviable position of deciding whether to invest that much money into an older machine or put it towards a brand new model. Depending on your location, it’s possible that your machine would need to be shipped off for repair, increasing your downtime.

Taking the Bite Out of Apple Repair Costs

Qualified Independent Repair Providers, such as Fix Apple Now, can add more flexibility to your Apple repairs. Offering free quotes, and a quick 1- to 3-day turnaround on repairs, these providers can get you back up and running sooner, and often with a lower price tag than the Apple store. Most important, select a repair provider that uses only OEM parts which will preserve the integrity of the machine and guarantee that your machine won’t incur any compatibility issues or malfunctions that can occur with fake parts. Fix Apple Now can run a free diagnostics test and pinpoint exactly where the problem lies and give you a quote for repair services. Without locked-in tiered pricing, independent providers have more flexibility in pricing and can charge only for what is specifically needed. Professionals also know how to maintain the integrity of your data while repairs are being done, so that you can return to normal operations as soon as possible.

So what tips the scale? In some ways, that’s a very personal question. In much the same manner as insurance companies decide to “total” a damaged car when the cost to repair exceeds 60% of replacement cost, everyone needs to decide their threshold wherein repair costs become too high to justify. Factors to consider include:

• Age of machine
• Availability of replacement parts; Apple operates with planned obsolescence, and items past seven years since final distribution are no longer available for repair through Apple
• Is this an everyday workhorse device, or something for the kids to play on?
• Does your budget allow for a replacement device?
• Is the machine meeting all your needs, aside from the issue needing repair?

In general, Macs are known for their durability and longevity. With new Mac Books pricing out between $1,000 and $3,500, a $700 repair may be worth the effort to get a few more years of work from your device. However, if you’re looking at a $700 repair on your 2012 main work computer, for which parts are quickly becoming obsolete, perhaps an Apple repair doesn’t make sense and it’s time to consider investing in a new machine.

If you’re on the fence, take your machine to an independent repair provider for an estimate. The issue may be smaller than you think and easily fixed. Plus, repairing your Mac instead of replacing is better for our planet.

Overall, repairing your Mac is often the most cost-effective and timely solution for getting you back up and running. The most important decision you’ll make is in choosing a qualified repair provider. Fix Apple Now has two locations in Florida, but their convenient mail-in service means they provide high-level Apple repairs on all your devices no matter where you live. For more information, contact today.