MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) Logic Board died and crashed screen

sofiaribeiro wrote:

Hi. Last week I was working on my MacBook Pro (Intel i9, 1TB, bought in July 2020) when it suddenly shut down, sparked and spewed smoke. I immediately took my computer to an Authorized Apple Center and, after analysing what had happened, they informed me that the fault had been in the Logic Board, that two capacitors had blown, causing the screen to flash in the middle. I already contacted Apple support and the Engineering Team saw some pictures I had taken for the computer shell. Their decision was that I should pay for the repair as the warranty was over and there was no risk of harm to myself or others. I also cancelled my insurance a few months ago...

The repair is half the price of the Mac, and the sudden failure and its consequences (the screen glitch) seem like a factory defect. From my perspective, given the Mac that is it and the time it has, Apple should assume the repair or provide a new unit. I have already submitted a complaint in Product Feedback - Apple as advised by the telefonic Apple Support, but I have no idea how long it will take them to respond and this Mac is my work equipment...

What do you think?

I would not anticipate a response... it is a "feedback" channel.

Contact the corporate office Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

Keep in mind any out-of-warranty repair for parts & labor is only warranted further for 90-days.

I personally would not spend any money on repairs of a 2016-2020 Intel Mac due to some of the hardware issues they have, plus knowing the Intel Macs have a limited time for official support remaining as I'm sure Apple will like to fully migrate macOS to M-series only as soon as possible (a 2020 model will have hardware support until about 2026 assuming support for 5 years after product was discontinued). I know the Logic Boards on the 2018-2020 Intel Macs with the T2 security chip tend to have a higher rate of failure than older models (personal experience & also from reading this forum). It is rare to have a board end up smoking to due to a defective electronic component on the Logic Board (yes it does happen occasionally).

The money spent on repairs, in my opinion, would be better put towards a new laptop (for multiple reasons...I'm usually one who advocates for repairs, but not in this case). Plus at some point the battery will also need to be replaced (usually around 3 - 5 years old) which adds another $250 US to repair costs at some point. Plus who knows for sure if any other component was fried as a result.

Your expectations are not realistic.

Consumer products, their warranties, and their extended warranties work in a predictable way.

Warrant-able implies, but does not guarantee, High Quality:

Consumer product makers build high quality products. You can tell because the manufacturer is willing to stand by their products and repair or replace them (but only for defects in materials or workmanship) at manufacturers expense for a stated warranty period.

For Apple Macs in most countries, that period is one year. That is the total responsibility Apple or any manufacturer has to you under law. Assumptions about additional responsibility of Apple or any other consumer product-maker's products working longer than the warranty period are not accurate. The amount you paid for the product has no bearing on this. The rules are the same for a car costing US$20,000 or more.

Electro-mechanical devices fail at random, arbitrary, and capricious times.

The most frequent reason for most failures is 'just because'.

Your specific failure is most likely caused by an advanced scientific principle called ...

... 'bad luck'.

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If you want a really substantial lesson how this this works (or more precisely how this stops working) own an older used automobile.

sofiaribeiro wrote:

What do you think?

I think it is time for you to purchase a new computer.