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Macbook Air SSD failure?

I've had my MBA for just under a year, and the SSD failed today. I saw the dreaded white screen. I took it into an Apple store, and they are having to replace the SSD. Unfortunately, they didn't have the one I need in stock. So, it will be a few days. I'll be lost without my MBA. LOL


Has anyone else had issues with SSD failure on MBA? I hope this is not a common issue. Luckily, it is still under warrants. The part was about $800.

MacBook Air

Posted on Aug 1, 2013 8:19 PM

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431 replies

Sep 29, 2013 8:48 PM in response to ksatterwhite

Here is my story for the last month. I first reprted the issue here on Sptember 3 when the issue was first breaking up: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5210319?start=22&tstart=0


Since then I first took my MBA to a 3rd party repair center that I found on yelp. The reason was getting it repaired faster and having 3 years warranty on ssd. They accepted it but then found out they were also out of stock. I gave up after waiting two weeks and arranged an other genious bar appointment at Valley Fair Apple Store to tell what I learned here in the discussions. I asked them for a free reapir and after having the represnetative going back and forth with the manager they accpted to get it repaired for free out of warranty. I was told I would wait about 2 weeks to get it repaired on a remote repair center. 8 days later I received a call that my MBA was ready to be picked up from store.


So, long story short you DON'T need to pay anything for that SSD failure even if you are out of warranty. I didn't know what was the original SSD model used on my MBA but new one reports 'SM128E'. I assume this is Samsung and I won't have any issues again. Good luck for all of you.

Sep 30, 2013 6:02 AM in response to tobanai

I'm in the midlands, I took it to the only store nearby. I'm not sure they were allowed to replace the machine, but I was told that because there were no hard drives in stock in the area and it would be more than two weeks for delivery, that they were swapping the machine. I also have Apple Care which probably helped. I also mentioned they had my machine for two weeks six months ago and I couldn't wait that long again for my machine because I run my business off it.


I think they did it because it was the second repair in six months and I asked for every other option to get it fixed faster before they offered me the machine. I also mentioned that the drive I needed would be out of stock before she even tried to order it because there was a problem with the 2012 MBAs. She said there wouldn't be, but I think that also helped. I knew about the fault.


It's really going to depend on the store, who your dealing with and the problems you describe it having before it died on you. I mentioned other minor faults since the logic board had been replaced as well (one USB wouldn't work all the time and I had to keep using my finger to pull the ports back into place to use them). I also told them about how hot the machine had become the night before it failed on me. I did get someone who really wanted to help me and I guess the store manager who authorized it didn't want to deal with an angry customer.

Oct 1, 2013 6:11 AM in response to Skippykerrie

Had an issue or two before which turned out to be software issues (Screen just randomly turned off - Think I solved it with something to do with hard drive going to sleep being turned off) so not sure if that had anything to do with it, it was only purchased in May too.


Told me that it would be a core i7 1.7ghz rather than my i5 1.8ghz so there would be slight differences, and that the replacement waiting time was 2-3 weeks, so actually longer than the part to come back in stock but was totally my choice no what to do. But hey, had a few troubles with mine in a short space on time, plus its the newer model so happy to wait longer 🙂

Oct 1, 2013 8:55 PM in response to biga09

Update!


My new SSD from OWC (Other World Computing) came in today. I followed their instructional video online. The new drive doesn't appear when you first turn it on holding the option key. Not sure why though if someone knows the answer to that.(maybe cause it wasn't formated for mac osx extended journaled??) I had to boot into recovery from internet and then open disk utilities and format the drive. Then I installed the OS onto the new one. I think this is the cheapest way to go for the people who don't have warranty and want a somewhat quick repair. Hope this was helpful to most people. 🙂


note: OWC does offer a 3 year warranty. If the company were to go out of business you wouldn't have that warranty. I hardly doubt they would. but you never know.

Macbook Air SSD failure?

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