As a school requirement I purchased a Macbook Air in 2014. Accidentally we cracked the display on it. Can happen to anyone. I went today to an authorised repair centre since Apple has no free appointment any soon.
Guess how much it would cost. $710 for the part + $149 for the installation. Of a 13 inch display. That pretty much is the value of the computer.
Never seen such a greedy and overpriced bunch like Apple.
It doesn't take that long to get an appointment. Just book on your phone. You will get one within a couple of days. A lot of you are overlooking the positives of Apple service. I broke my MacBook Air screen a few years ago, and claimed it on house insurance. I booked an appointment, took my computer in and it was fixed within 20 minutes. Try that with a Surface Pro.
took my computer in and it was fixed within 20 minutes. Try that with a Surface Pro.
No thanks! If I am unfortunate enough to have another problem with my SP3 I expect the same thing to happen: a couple of short emails and phone calls and a few days later a new SP3 arrives with a satchel to send the old one back.
Microsoft charged $754.54+GST to repair SP. :(
It just so happens that I was in the exact same situation with a 2014 MacBook Air. I made an appointment online, went in to the Apple Perth store, ~$435 and 3 days later the screen has been replaced. It's strange that you are being charged so much more.
They went to an 'authorized repair centre' not Apple themselves.
Apparently they contacted apple and the price was the same as quoted, but I feel like they made it up due to other comments here.
That's because he asked at a third party and is making some bullshit up about it taking a week to get an appointment. You don't even need an appointment, just go in for store opening and they will sort you out.
@dosada
What laptop do you plan to buy next and what is the replacement cost of the screen on that?
I think you will find this problem is not unique to Apple.
Bad news if this is a case, coz OP would not spent a cent on anything if this thread is any indication of his spending trend.
school requirement
Macbook Air
Bloody private schools.
Funded by your tax dollars too
I know of public schools that require self-bought iPads, so not necessarily.
Name and shame WTF
I wish, not private at all. Public school
Name and shame WTF
Alamanda school in Point Cook
What will you do with that information? Oh yeah, just like everything else, not a damn thing.
Interesting story over at IBM. They now have the largest deployment of Macs for any organization (90,000) and are finding (over a four year lifespan) them up to $543 cheaper to own than a PC, partly due to the reduced support calls required.
https://www.jamf.com/blog/debate-over-ibm-confirms-that-macs…
*Why I will never again buy a laptop. Pretty much everything laptop manufacturers charges around this price. Warranty is essential for laptops considering you take all around unless your really careful and get a case.
I've been using laptops every day for at least the last 16 years and have yet to have one badly damaged. About the worst accident was having a bag strap break and getting a slight dent in one corner of a MBP a decade ago.
A case is definitely a must, but it's easy enough to take care of a laptop.
Aliexpress. Or buy one with a dead motherboard off eBay and do a transplant.
This is probably the way to go - just make sure the model numbers are the same as little things like the ribbon cables and hinges won't be compatible. When you're done put your smashed screen back on the dead one and sell that ("for parts only") and recover maybe $50.
I used to work at an Authorised Repair Centre for Apple. Yes, they charge far too much for repairs, particularly for cracked screens.
Apple being Apple want to make money off these repairs, hence the steep price. If it's done by Apple or an authorised repair center, they will remove the entire top lid + screen + webcam + hinge assembly and replace that. This is because it's really hard work to get a good result gluing down the new LCD and glass, getting it flush with the rubber lining, etc. These repair centers are also forced to use Apple's parts, Apple's approved procedures all at Apple's shitty prices. Again, hence the high cost.
I agree with what many others here are saying - it's not a whole lot different to how any other manufacturers would price this service, and the installation cost is reasonable at $150.
I'd be pretty pissed off if it happened to me. My advice would be to buy the LCD + glass on eBay and try the installation yourself. It'll be a pain in the arse and there's a fair chance you'll end up with a screen that pops out of the lid assembly. But it will cost you a lot less.
Otherwise, go with a different brand and don't smash the screen. If you do, boycott that brand too, rinse and repeat.
I managed to drop my macbook pro and the screen cracked had a few dents on the casing aswell, booked an appointment explained to the specialist what happened and they showed me the price… almost shit my pants but they said they'd repair it for free for the whole casing and screen. I'd say try your luck by talking to the specialist, just incase they feel generous and offer a free repair. I think the reason why it's extremely expensive is because they replace the whole casing (clam shell) of the screen
It's not just Apple. That price is in the ballpark for all laptop manufacturers.
Just replace it yourself, it's pretty easy if you're handy with this kind of thing (depends if you buy the whole screen assembly incl top part of the case - simple install, highest price, or if you only get the LCD panel and front glass if your case is ok - a bit trickier, but cheap).
As for the warranty, oh well.
I had a full HD screen replaced on a dell XPS 17 inch laptop at Q Flow Technology in Eastwood for $264 last month.
That's exactly what I am taking about. Lower end screen bit more than three times the cost.
That screen is almost certainly shared between the Inspiron, XPS and Alienware lines. It's possible that it's not dell specific and used by other laptop manufacturers. Economies of scale help.
It also probably weighs 50% more and is three or four times thicker than a MacBook Air panel too.
I'm not saying it's a fair price, but PC components and servicing can be just as expensive as Apple.
This is completely different to the experience i have had with Apple and i will always give a cent to Apple after all they have done for me. I had cosmetic wear on the edges of my screen of my MacBook Pro. It was my fault admittedly because i used the wrong type of cloth to clean the screen causing scratches. I showed it to them and they fixed the issue without a single cost. The best part about this is that it happened again and they replaced the screen again FREE OF CHARGE. They even offered to fix it ASAP and i got it back the same day. Apple is known to have incredible customer service and thats what you pay for when you buy a product. You do realise that the screen also comes with a warranty after it is replaced by Apple?
Yes, but doasada
- hasn't experienced "incredible customer service".
and
- All local installers & screen suppliers would need to supply a warranty.
Well, that is the other side of the coin. You did basically the same like me. Just twice and got it replaced for free.
I did it once and was prepared to pay a fair amount. Unfortunately they ask for a hand and a leg.
However you didnt go to an Apple Store. You went to an authorised repair centre. Theyre gonna charge higher prices than Apple to earn some revenue. Try going to the Apple store and see what they say im sure they will do something about it!
that's why i prefer a chromebook, chromebox and a mac mini so if any keyboard gets a drink on it or the screen breaks etc i can replace a cheap part - and the chromebook costs a few hundred while an underpowered osx lappy is 4x that… i do want one of those nice dell touch chromebooks tho and even andromedia o/s where decent android apps can be used :) good luck but i agree with u, screw apple. (try a few other repairers maybe they can do it cheaper)
I would personally never let any apple cone into my house. However, when school says it's a much I don't have much of a choice.
yeh i pretty much keep the apple as i work on it for my business delivering business documents etc.. chrome is almost but not quite there.. tho i find i use my $400 4gb i3 chromebook (and $200 chromebox) more than my $2k 16gb ram SSD/fusiondrive i7 mac mini
Never tried one of them. I always assumed they would be just a Android phone with bigger screen.
I noticed different level of service from authorized 3rd party purchasing stores vs Apple's own outlet. I always go to Apple owned stores.
Agree, much cheaper if you go with Apple stores. Sometimes they offer great replacement for faulty parts.
Oh & BTW… A group of apples isn't called a 'bunch' but rather a 'bushell'
I just hope you are not as useless as your comment.
Why won't they help you again?
i also hope that you are not as obnoxious as your thread
I am not surprised…
An authorized repairer would normally put a lot of margins on top of their product and Apple is NOT the only one doing this.
Telling you the truth, a Samsung laptop screen repair from an authorized shop would cost you $450-500 (Ativ Smart PC Pro 700T - now worth only 300-400 on Ebay). Apple could be worse but they are about the same strategy doing business.
PS: I am an IT guy. My suggestion is: if you don't want to pay that money, try a DIY fix…
iSheep here, I replaced my screen two times already- free of charge. (I have a MBP retina 2012)
The first time it was in 2014 , just before the warranty wore off.
The second time was last week 😌 two years after my warranty, they still decided to replace my screen for free due to coating problems.
…yes, but OP broke his screen by his own doing so can't get help.
authorised repair centre for any company is third party. you needed to shop around.
So let me get this straight.
You bought a product, YOU broke said product, then you took it a 3rd party company who's practices don't align with Apple, but now you're blaming them.
This sounds more like misdirected anger to be honest, and you're trying to discount your own failures by saying it 'can happen to anyone'.
Mobile electronics, particularly screens are never cheap to fix. Go buy an ASUS, Dell, Toshiba etc laptop and break that and tell us how much it is.
Obviously you didn't read the whole thread. I was told by Apple that the price and terms would be the same. I was sent there by Apple support with the reason that I would get a sooner appointment.
I don't need to read the whole thread, I can just read the OP to see that you're perceiving this situation in a very distorted way and coming across as very entitled.
Again, Apple may have referred you there to provide you with a solution of sorts, but its still not Apple.
You don't get mad at the car manufacturer because a car manufacturer specialist workshop tells you it'll be $XXXX dollars to fix a car that YOU damaged.
And another thing.
There seems to be a wide-scope view that Apple in general is very expensive, which in turn exponentially increases consumer expectations.
That might be that case and to an extent I agree, but before you just label them as simply an overpriced technology brand and mount your consumer expectations high horse, just remember the sheer financial outlay that they expend to facilitate the customer service experience that they offer, which i might add no one else has really matched thus far (honorable mentions to microsoft/samsung for their emulated attempts).
Dedicated customer service provisioning channels (online, phone, RETAIL), particularly the last one is a HUGE expenditure. An expenditure that has to be accounted for some where.
Think about how many other companies invest into customer service the way Apple does. Where are the Dell shops, the Lenovo shops, the HP shops that you can walk into, get free advice, tech support and customer service from.
Just like to chime in here for a little bit to agree with @ptenkae, and also to add my own 2 cents.
I understand you had to purchase the laptop for your course but we don't really know how the damage to the laptop screen happened? Neither does apple care or most service centers that people go get their equipment repaired. No doubt those service centers have the same vocal customer's complain about GASP how expensive it is to repair laptops. This isn't really related to Apple or PC hardware in general. Simply put most mass production today doesn't include the schematic diagrams along with the device that could reduce (considerably) the turn around time for the repair of the device. Apple to my knowledge is the only mass consumer electronic producer that does have a market for schematic diagrams of their boards (Outside of their ecosystem). Having the diagram drastically reduces the cost of servicing and repairing a device from a electronic perspective.
I don't really see how Apple or any electronic store is ripping you off? An Apple employee has re-directed you to a 3rd party certified apple repair center. They've given you a fixed price qoute to repair your device (Without having any knowledge of your device). Then you come online to pro-claim that you will never give a single cent to apple? Then you go back and inquire about waiting to let them fix the device?
Same with other Windows OEMs too unfortunately. Recently had to DIY a relative's laptop screen because it would cost an arm and a leg to send it back.
Not related to your problem but Macs are less expensive than PCs in the long run. (https://www.jamf.com/blog/debate-over-ibm-confirms-that-macs…)
So kids in grade 4, (9 year olds, right?) are REQUIRED to have an expensive, easily broken piece of tech?
Crazy….
I mean, even if your own kid is ultra careful, what happens if any of them manage to break someone elses laptop?
Blaming Apple yet you didn't even go to Apple and now have a made up story about phone support. Wow get over yourself
The uncritical adoration that Education Victoria has for iPads is not supported by any real evidence base. The only study they undertook said that "the iPad can be an effective learning tool". No study on whether it was more effective than a laptop, pound for pound.
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/08/whats-t…
So how much cost is imposed on a student at a public school to buy one of these?
Why are educators so faddish and ignorant of the facts? No evidence that computers in the classroom improves pupil results.
Personally I wonder if it is a social engineering attempt on the part of the school to exclude poorer students.
Good to see it's already been posted … I work in advertising and we always have issues with the PCs from the account services department. The creatives on the MACs have way less issues. Also people are idiots and after we have deducted the computers they sell for ridiculous money
Apple are crooks.
Hey everyone there wool has been lifted, we can see the light; all hail the mighty ribze1 for showing us the way.
If something breaks and its your fault (smashing the screen) then you should pay for it. Apple aren't cheap and you probably should have expected that kind of price from Apple. I don't really see the issue here.
Do not go to authorized repairer. Instead go to apple first. Often you will find you don't have to pay a cent sometimes even if it's your fault and out of warranty. Happened to me a handful of times. Very happy customer.
Booked an appointment and will report how I went
Shame the school doesn't pool all the broken computer parts.
My Lenovo Yoga 900 screen cracked while travelling.I claimed on travel insurance. The repair quote from Lenovo is $880
Correct me if I am wrong. A QHD touchscreen is normal to cost more than a simple 1440x900 screen?
After all the comments and feedback here I have made a new appointment with Apple direct. I will report how it went after I have been there.
I accidentally cracked the windscreen on my Audi. I took it back to the dealership and they said it'll cost $700 to replace. I will never give a cent to Audi again!
not defence for apple
but first…they indeed use only A+ IPS panel, not cheap…
second….well…ALL parts price in Australia is indeed ridiculously high….not just apple….check car parts……Australia hurts…
replacing any brand laptop parts, or let's just say any electronic device's parts in Australia…cost a lot.
my friend has a 15inch alienware, one of USB port not working and passed 1 year warranty, called Dell, received repair order….$598 parts+$170 labour…oh, don't forget to pay shipping cost… my friend just ignored them let the faulty USB ports stay there.
i really want to know what kind of school will require a macbook? give them my mid finger…….
but for your case, i would say, try some Chinese/Indian operated computer shop and see if they can fix it, because for what i know, they use substantial penal, maybe not original APPLE BRANDED or second hand apple macbook panel, but might be cheap, just ask for warranty. you do have a chance to save a lot of money.
but first…they indeed use only A+ IPS panel, not cheap…
The Air uses a TN panel.
damn so expensive and they only us TN panel???? SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIT
Your friend has 2 years statutory warranty on his purchase. He could have had it repaired under warranty
Apple are a horrible company selling overpriced tech that's behind the times anyway
It's such bulls##t that the school "requires" you have a Mac when Apple only has 10% market share. Urghhggh. If they are going to have compulsory computers running a niche OS, should make all the kids run Linux so they'll learn something at least.
The thing is having a niche OS means you end up with having to get more support staff experienced in Linux
Traditionally Apple deployment and App management works beautifully, whilst it is overpriced junk, the reduction in school support calls for a friend of mine has been the biggest factor in why they chose this platfrom
Whilst I definately don't agree with giving children 800 dollar + laptops and the choice of budget options for struggling families, I think schools should use a more affordable system to help the struggling families, demograpghically though, the western suburbs schools of Sydney aren't going to going for an Apple ecosystem when the familes are struggling on low to mid incomes
Whilst you have the schools closer to the city / private schools (who pay 20K a year in fees for each kid) being able to afford laptops for their children, it is a very unfair system but from an IT point of view, Apple OSX deployment is much more refined in my eyes than a Windoze server system and it all just works beautifully
Not to say apple is superior, its just government spending likes to be wasted on all this technology, but they have 1 staff member, or 2 if theyre lucky supporting each school network and you'll find keeping it Apple reduces support costing
My theory anyway
If they were running Linux, if anything (profanity) up, kids can boot off a preconfigured usb. I dunno. A state school making kids buy $1000 Macs when there are $200 lappys making the round that would be totally adequate seems wrong.
Loving that French guy smashing iPhones in the retail shop with metal ball. Do you feel like doing the same too at George St? I think so too. They are massive ripoff. You wonder why ppl get angry!?
Hadn't seen that, loved it. The French accent makes it seem so surreal. Normally it's gangbangers or rednecks or bogans in videos like. Was like watching Judi Dench kick a puppy.
If only the French had been so passionate in earlier times…
I've had nothing but good experiences with Apple since they've opened their Rundle Mall store in Adelaide. Bought a fitness tracker (Wahoo), didn't work, so they replaced it no questions asked. Went to use the new one, still didn't work and allowed me to return it no questions asked.
My iPhone 6, which I bought on release day and is just out of the 2 year warranty period had battery issues (it kept dying around 10-20%). They tested it and found nothing wrong with the phone, yet put it down to an issue not relating to the battery itself and replaced it for me.
My iPhone 5 had the slightest backlight bleed but was within warranty, and they replaced it on the spot.
I've also recently bought a 128GB Jet Black Plus, but plan on returning it and the leather case I bought with it as it's too big. Going to buy the regular iPhone 7.
I guess it depends on who you get as a Genius, and how they're feeling. But yeah, nothing but good experiences on my end :) Hope you get everything sorted!
I guess as long as you don't get those so call geniuses who take pictures of ladies and perv on them then it's alright?
How is that apples fault? They've already terminated those involved.
Im an android man myself, however my wife loves Apple
I bought her an iPhone 6+ last year, accidentally smashed the screen - made an appointment with Apple (3 week wait)
Only paid $110 to replace the iPhone.. "Manager Discount" - I didnt even have to ask for it.. this has happened twice for me now
Yes they are a rip, yes the product is generally behind current tech but the service has always been top notch for me
if you would've bought a Toshiba satellite or Sony vaio before going out of computing market the case was going to be exactly the same if it wasn't even more, screen replacement prices are ridiculously expensive… same goes with Acer, Asus, HP and all major computer manufacturers not only Apple, same story goes with TV panels replacement!
You certainly sound like a foolish shopper and I for one am glad to not have to wait behind you in the queue @Apple stores in the future.
They have been an incredibly generous company with a high customer service rating and invest in peoples lives. Moronic people, OP included just are too naive to understand how to work the system.
What a rip. I'm a salesman in a computer sales and repair store. We fix them for like 300-500 depending on the model.
If mum and dad purchased it from a school, it may be covered under insurance, best to check with the IT people at school
i broke my screen and apple wants to charge me to fix it.. what assholes.
Rip off…
Very smart comment. Helps us all
What are the name of these wondrous educational programs that can only be seen on a Macbook Air and for which there is no cheaper alternative?
I wrongly assumed Apple authorised repair centres charge the same for parts, although different prices for labour. I had to get a new battery for my MacBook Pro after 5 years. The first place shocked me with their price, but fortunately they didn't have the battery in stock. The second was much cheaper, and what I expected to pay, and had it in stock. Therefore shop around.
authorised repair centre
There's your problem. Go to Apple directly.
lol
What do you expect. This is Apple!
Go to an Apple store.
Update
After many here recommended i took the macbook to apple cheltenham. Got it repaired without being charged for it.
Maybe i did make up my opinion to soon, it however was based on the information i received from a support agent through the apple chat.
Just wanted to put things right.
Seriously just grow up, you'd be in the same situation with Dell, Lenovo or any other manufacturer.
Laptop parts are not cheap and working on them is not easy.