Apple care, how does it work?

d0b33

d0b33

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2004
Messages
17,506
Reaction score
493
Location
Western Cape
I have a late 2007 macbook that needs its DVD drive replaced, what's the best way of going about getting it fixed locally? and will I have any surprises with the bill?

If possible I would like to fix this myself but can't find a local site to source parts from...
 
I would assume the best way would be to go to an iStore or authorized dealer (i don't want anything second rate in mine, sure you wouldnt want either). Or phone first to get a quote.

My only story with apple store is;
Have brought mine in for RAM to be put in (to not break the warranty) and was done free and quick. So maybe the free part is a sign..though my maid cracked my screen once, and went to them and even under warranty was to cost R7000 and a week, went to insurance and they fixed it for free in 1 day.
 
Glad to hear they finally offer AppleCare with local products!

How much extra was it?
headsore said:
My only story with apple store is;
Have brought mine in for RAM to be put in (to not break the warranty) and was done free and quick. So maybe the free part is a sign..though my maid cracked my screen once, and went to them and even under warranty was to cost R7000 and a week, went to insurance and they fixed it for free in 1 day.
Click to expand...
On most Mac's RAM is usually a user serviceable item. (IOW it shouldn't affect your warranty unless you break something else going in.)
 
Thanks, I have a very strange problem though, DVDs work but normal CD's don't. I would like to think that it's a dirty lens that I could clean because I fear parting with my laptop for even a day.

headsore said:
My only story with apple store is;
Have brought mine in for RAM to be put in (to not break the warranty) and was done free and quick. So maybe the free part is a sign..though my maid cracked my screen once, and went to them and even under warranty was to cost R7000 and a week, went to insurance and they fixed it for free in 1 day.
Click to expand...
See this also scares me, I don't like surprises like this... Maybe I'll just get a new macbook and hand this one down.
 
Last edited:
Aqua_lung said:
Thanks, I have a very strange problem though, DVDs work but normal CD's don't. I would like to think that it's a dirty lens that I could clean because I fear parting with my laptop for even a day.


See this also scares me, I don't like surprises like this... Maybe I'll just get a new macbook and hand this one down.
Click to expand...
By kid accidentally broke the hinge on my Titanium Powerbook . . . and that's how the missus got her iBook (insurance;))
 
bwana said:
By kid accidentally broke the hinge on my Titanium Powerbook . . . and that's how the missus got her iBook (insurance;))
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you get yours off amazon and shipped for free you lucky.... ;)
 
bwana said:
How much extra was it?On most Mac's RAM is usually a user serviceable item. (IOW it shouldn't affect your warranty unless you break something else going in.)
Click to expand...

Well free for them to do it. Went from 1GB made of 2X512, to 2GB. This was about 2 months back. Since then maybe things have changed, cos I phoned them ahead of time and they told me it would break it. Thought it was quite silly myself.
 
headsore said:
Well free for them to do it. Went from 1GB made of 2X512, to 2GB. This was about 2 months back. Since then maybe things have changed, cos I phoned them ahead of time and they told me it would break it. Thought it was quite silly myself.
Click to expand...
If you dont mind me asking what model?
 
Aqua_lung said:
I have a late 2007 macbook that needs its DVD drive replaced, what's the best way of going about getting it fixed locally? and will I have any surprises with the bill?

If possible I would like to fix this myself but can't find a local site to source parts from...
Click to expand...

Ur machine should still be under warranty, especially if u have apple care.
The best option is to take it to an authorized dealership, if its under warranty all parts and labour are free...

If its not under warranty you are in for a shock... The original part runs around 3-4k. Ridiculous i know, but thats what it costs....If you would just like the part a local dealer can sell it to you as well.

If its late 2007 get it in asap, usually repair centres can push it through even if its a little out of warranty....as long as ur not a pain in the ass :)
 
headsore said:
Of mac? Normal MacBook white, not Pro. Bought early this year.
Click to expand...
you can confirm on apples site but I'm 99% positive the ram and HDD are both user serviceable on that. I talked my mother through the process on the phone :)
 
hard drive and ram on macbook are user serviceable. On the pro the hard drive is not.
 
thealluseless said:
Ur machine should still be under warranty, especially if u have apple care.
The best option is to take it to an authorized dealership, if its under warranty all parts and labour are free...

If its not under warranty you are in for a shock... The original part runs around 3-4k. Ridiculous i know, but thats what it costs....If you would just like the part a local dealer can sell it to you as well.

If its late 2007 get it in asap, usually repair centres can push it through even if its a little out of warranty....as long as ur not a pain in the ass :)
Click to expand...

Yeah I should get it serviced but thinking of getting a new macbook instead, not impressed with my crackbook, happy to get rid of it for the new aluminum...
 
bwana said:
you can confirm on apples site but I'm 99% positive the ram and HDD are both user serviceable on that. I talked my mother through the process on the phone :)
Click to expand...

thealluseless said:
hard drive and ram on macbook are user serviceable. On the pro the hard drive is not.
Click to expand...


Awesome, thanks for the info. :D
 
I have exactly the same model - late 2007. The DVD drive is not user serviceable (not without voiding the warranty, anyway), but it is doable, if you're good with following instructions and fine screws. I replaced the combo drive in mine with a 3rd party RW, since Apple won't upgrade the combo drive to an RW.

Be aware that the third-party drive has to have the apple firmware on, otherwise the machine won't even see it - they're tricky to come by.
 
Aqua_lung said:
Yeah I should get it serviced but thinking of getting a new macbook instead, not impressed with my crackbook, happy to get rid of it for the new aluminum...
Click to expand...

They are damn nice, but overly priced i think..Maybe wait till january, i get the feeling it will be a bit cheaper then...or import it :)

koffiejunkie said:
I have exactly the same model - late 2007. The DVD drive is not user serviceable (not without voiding the warranty, anyway), but it is doable, if you're good with following instructions and fine screws. I replaced the combo drive in mine with a 3rd party RW, since Apple won't upgrade the combo drive to an RW.


Be aware that the third-party drive has to have the apple firmware on, otherwise the machine won't even see it - they're tricky to come by.
Click to expand...

thats not entirely true, i know we do quote on replacing a normal drive with a super drive, but its just so ludicrously expensive almost no one would do it with original apple parts...
 
Aqua_lung said:
Yeah I should get it serviced but thinking of getting a new macbook instead, not impressed with my crackbook, happy to get rid of it for the new aluminum...
Click to expand...

I took mine in to replace that (under warranty). When I got it back I asked the guy if the replacement ones are made stronger - I mean, will it last this time around? He said that he doesn't know, but they'll replace it, even if the warranty runs out. I haven't found anything official stating this - I hope it's true.

thealluseless said:
thats not entirely true, i know we do quote on replacing a normal drive with a super drive, but its just so ludicrously expensive almost no one would do it with original apple parts...
Click to expand...

That's what the pimple-faced genius at the Regent Street (London) store told me. Maybe he was wrong. I would have paid.... Anyway, I got one off eBay that works just dandy.

Side note: my MacBook turns one this week :)
 
koffiejunkie said:
I have exactly the same model - late 2007. The DVD drive is not user serviceable (not without voiding the warranty, anyway), but it is doable, if you're good with following instructions and fine screws. I replaced the combo drive in mine with a 3rd party RW, since Apple won't upgrade the combo drive to an RW.

Be aware that the third-party drive has to have the apple firmware on, otherwise the machine won't even see it - they're tricky to come by.
Click to expand...

Ok thanks, on the Apple forum some guy says he had the same problem and he just cleaned the laser lens of his drive and it works 100% again, I think that's all that is needed because DVDs play perfectly for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X