Advice for a broke student? Repair or Purchase?

Question

Level 1

0 points

Advice for a broke student? Repair or Purchase?

Hey guys,

I'm in a bit of a dilemma and need some advice. I apologize as this will be a long read.

I have an early 2011 17" Macbook Pro model running 10.6.8. It started having random blue and grey screen freezes. So I booked an appointment with an Apple Genius, they ran MRI's and ASD's to find out what the problem is. Turned out they found out that my hard drive was on the verge of failing.

So I left my macbook with them, payed 200$ for the new hard drive and picked it up the day it was ready. When I got home, booted up my "new computer", all my files were erased and formatted (which was expected). I left for a bathroom break, and when I came back. The screen froze blue with black vertical stripes. The computer was running really hot as well.

I went online to do some research, and turns out that the early 2011 15/17" models all had issues with the logic board. All the symptoms of logic board failure matched what I was experiencing with my computer, so I was a bit choked up that I was going to have to shell out more cash. Not to mention that my warranty had JUST expired not more than 6 months ago.

So I brought it back the apple the SAME day I picked it up from repairs. Told them my story. The Apple genius was really understandable and sympathetic with my computer problem. So he took it in for a diagnosis, although we were both pretty sure it was a logic board problem. He gave me a quote on the new logic board and we were looking at about 500$ to replace a new one.

So in total, that means in order to repair my 17" it'll cost me around 700$.

Hard drive - 200$

Logic Board - 500$

I've thought about purchasing a new macbook. However I am a student, and this is adding on to financial stress.

I'm going to school for audio, so I have to run fairly demanding programs (Logic/Pro Tools/ 3rd Party Audio Plugins). So I would be looking at around 2000$ for a new computer.

I'm not sure whether I should just invest in a new macbook or go through with repairs. As my first Mac only last about 3 years and costed me an arm and a leg, so I feel like I would just be throwing 3500$+ down the drain.

Would you guys suggest I go through with repairs?

Thanks,

Brian.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Oct 11, 2014 5:12 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 11, 2014 7:20 PM in response to brnlng

If you are in the US, ask the Apple genius or the store manager if you could please participate in "depot repair".

They send your MacBook to a regional depot to do the repair. You trade fast service for lower price -- it takes just over a week, and they will often throw in other repairs (provided you list them specifically) for any other things that are bothering you for one price.

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 12, 2014 12:34 AM in response to brnlng

I agree with Kaz-K that if you are satisfied with the performance of your MacBook Pro 17" to go ahead with the repair - be mindful however that as your mac gets older you are likely to continue to encounter failing parts; this is normal for any computer as it reaches the 4-5 year mark.

Only note I would make would be to request a refund for the HDD repair as it did not resolve your original issue and hence was a pointless out of pocket expense to yourself. If the Apple Store refuses I would escalate that request further through their online or over the phone technical support.

Reply

Answer 3

brnlng Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 12, 2014 12:34 PM in response to misslarnie

Thanks for the reply misslarnie.

I am very satisfied with my MBP 17". It is a great computer, so I will most likely get it repaired. However my concern still lies in the fact that, if I were to spend 700$ to fix this, do you think this computer can last me another 2 years?

I just don't want to invest 700 more and have the computer break down on me again in 6 months time.

I've spoken to the geniuses about the HDD issue. They mentioned that the hard drive was on it's way to death, so either way I would have to replace it sooner or later.

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 12, 2014 4:17 PM in response to brnlng

If you can qualify for depot repair, as I described above, that price will likely be cut about in half. I do not know whether there are similar programs in other parts of the world.

No one can guarantee that any computer, old or brand new, will never break in a certain timeframe.

Reply

Answer 5

Oct 12, 2014 5:51 PM in response to brnlng

i would get the logic board replaced through the Depot thing.

Then i would go buy myself an SSD with 120GB capacity for $50 and put it inside. Maybe buy a external HDD with 1TB for another 50. Saves you 100 dollars and you have a way faster more silent mac.

If you can get the logic board replaced for half you would be looking at $350.

Reply

Answer 6

Oct 13, 2014 6:08 AM in response to brnlng

I Can't speculate on wether it will last you another couple of years. There are people out there still with functioning iBook G4's (originally released in 2003). But I would say the way technology is these days there's theres a fair risk to take. I personally buy (or build when it comes to

my pc's) a new computer every two years as that tends to be the point where either the hardware is becoming obsolete or it starts to fail. Personally if I was in your situation and I could afford it I would probably look at getting a new or refurbished model just to be 100% sure I had that coverage again for the next 3 years. However I know financially and considering what you're using it for it may not be what's best for you. On the upside depending on what country you're in, you may have consumer rights that cover those parts (hdd and logic board) for the next couple of years anyway after they're repaired and any other parts that fail would be on the cheap end as the logic board and hdd are the most expensive components - if suggest looking into this before making a decision. 🙂

Reply

Answer 7

brnlng Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 13, 2014 1:25 PM in response to carl wolf

They still have my MBP in the shop for diagnosis so I haven't paid the 700$ yet. I will ask them about the "fixed shop repair" when they call me back. However, I remember someone saying that this "depot repair" is only available for US residents only? I'm in Canada so I'm not sure if they have that option here.

I spoke to on the geniuses, and he mentioned that the logic board replacement that I was going to get was a refurbished one. I was not aware of this, as I thought a 500$ "repair" meant getting a new logic board.

Is this true? if it is, this 700$ "repair" is ridiculous. If this is the case, I might just invest in a new MBP.

Reply