Macboook Air M3 with different serial number on body vs system?

actually I just curious,


I bought a 2nd hand macbook air m3 last last week, and its my first mac, so i have no idea before how to check it properly. But seems i got scammed. I found the seller through carausel app. Hereby some notes:


  1. the seller promised to send me the box separately with additional cost. but then after i meet up and got the macbook, he ghosted me. But anyway, the warranty that he said is true, untill july 17 2025 (i check in system info and website).
  2. I just relized the the microphone is not working to record, which i dont know if its a system or hardware problem. i tried severeal advise from forum, but still not working, until i tried to reset all the devise.
  3. after i reset, no problem, i still can login properly. but the problem is, the warranty suddenly become expired.


--> the problem is, since the point 3, i just relize the the serial number showed in system info is different with the one on body. if i check in web the serial number on the body is true, a macbook m3, but the warranty until april 2025 only. but the problem is, its different with the one showed in system info.


my question is, is it possible the the serial number on body vs system info be different? and why? will it be a problem in future?


anyway i contact the apple offical support about the expired warranty, obviously this device is a new release, so i ask to solve it. and for me, since the operational of macbook has no problem (except the microphone) and the physical is good, so i will still using it further, to expand my experience on macbook system.


thankyou everyone!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Aug 8, 2024 5:56 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 8, 2024 7:06 PM

my question is, is it possible the the serial number on body vs system info be different?


No, not unless that Mac has had an unauthorized repair.


When replacing a logic board, a replacement board will have an unprogrammed (blank) serial number. Apple or the AASP will program that serial number to match the one on the case exterior, which will be the same one its original logic board had should future repairs become necessary.


I know of one anecdotal report of an authorized Apple repair in which they forgot to program it. That person brought the Mac back to the Apple Store, and they programmed it correctly. But in no event should the replacement board have a different serial number.


will it be a problem in future?


Probably. If you require authorized Apple hardware repair in the future, they may object to what appears to be an unauthorized repair, especially since the logic board serial number is the one they will rely upon. Generally speaking Apple will refuse to touch a Mac that has had unauthorized repairs.


In any event it seems you proved to yourself the warranty is no longer valid. Perhaps only the bottom case was replaced with a newer one.


It's up to you, but I agree you purchased a Mac from a seller that has been less than completely honest about its condition. Buying a used Mac is best left to very experienced Mac users.


Read The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone - Apple Community. Most of it applies to Macs also.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 8, 2024 7:06 PM in response to yosuayoa

my question is, is it possible the the serial number on body vs system info be different?


No, not unless that Mac has had an unauthorized repair.


When replacing a logic board, a replacement board will have an unprogrammed (blank) serial number. Apple or the AASP will program that serial number to match the one on the case exterior, which will be the same one its original logic board had should future repairs become necessary.


I know of one anecdotal report of an authorized Apple repair in which they forgot to program it. That person brought the Mac back to the Apple Store, and they programmed it correctly. But in no event should the replacement board have a different serial number.


will it be a problem in future?


Probably. If you require authorized Apple hardware repair in the future, they may object to what appears to be an unauthorized repair, especially since the logic board serial number is the one they will rely upon. Generally speaking Apple will refuse to touch a Mac that has had unauthorized repairs.


In any event it seems you proved to yourself the warranty is no longer valid. Perhaps only the bottom case was replaced with a newer one.


It's up to you, but I agree you purchased a Mac from a seller that has been less than completely honest about its condition. Buying a used Mac is best left to very experienced Mac users.


Read The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone - Apple Community. Most of it applies to Macs also.

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Macboook Air M3 with different serial number on body vs system?

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