The Genius visit, once you can actually set one up (some locations
may not be able to see you; some users had to go in person to ask
about one, when the web site to do so said no appointment opening
existed at their nearest Apple Store, etc) the official Store genius is
said to be free; they can advise, some testing, etc. There are limits.
But that said, in my State there is only one Apple store; a recent one
and I've only been there once. I was totally ignored, no eye contact.
So I didn't buy a new Mac that I'd read about. Later I got one online
and it was shipped in a box. I also got AppleCare as a ritual, but not
sure if I would get any help there either... At least now there is a Store
there is a place to Try & Get help. Two hurdles in a tied-leg sack race.
{And in some cases, they may be able to offer a flat-rate service to
repair several items at once; that reportedly (when available) had
been said to be a good deal. They send those away to a center.}
Perhaps if you are fortunate and have more than one official Apple store
with Genius, you can get a reservation for appointment with one with a
exceptional expert on what your product issues are. And resolve them.
Certain product repairs out of warranty, can be handled by authorized
trained expert service personnel; the good ones use Apple replacement
or authorized replacement parts (OEM) and know their stuff. Reputable
ones who have a long-standing good Mac-centric reputation may be of
a regional nature. Some get outside area business thanks to parcel service
and the internet. I'd had some repairs done via wegenermedia.com some
years ago, to a portable Mac; read about them, then emailed, then called;
and sent a mac in a box to their repair center for inspection & estimate.
The price & expertise were both superior to anything locally; where the item
would have been sent outside state for lowest cost, then marked up to me.
So another option, as mentioned you can get tested parts from used macs if
that margin of saving - or harder to get parts, force you to use available ones
can be had in some circumstances; or new parts if you look further. The better
lower prices can be from those companies whose business is repairing Macs.
Already repaired older units may also be found with limited warranty, some
are not cheap; others may not look super nice but are restored at fair price.
Good luck in this matter; regading best results, under cost/value constraints..! 🙂
