MacBook Air 13": repair or replace?

Velskoen

Velskoen

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My wife's 2013 MBA logic board has gone to Cupertino Shangri La. MacShack cost to replace is R5500. Cheapest replacement I can find is a 2017 MB Pro 13" (non touchbar) for R7900 or 2017 MBA 13" for R7500.

She uses it for some spreadsheet work, emails and internet. Very light usage but essential.

Repair or replace?
 
Left-field answer:

Are you able to cough up R5k more? Yes I know it is not chump change at this level but a new Silicon Mac with a warranty.

Your wife will be sorted for 5/6/7 years easy.

It will have way more bhp than your suggestions as well as longevity (still), a lovely screen & speakers, better keyboard etc


1737359741992.png
 
Velskoen said:
Cheapest replacement I can find is a 2017 MB Pro 13" (non touchbar) for R7900 or 2017 MBA 13" for R7500.
Click to expand...
Not sure if those will get much in the way of updates after Sequoia but I echo the sentiments - get an M1 Air while they're still available.
 
deathduedecay said:
Replace with an M1 Air https://www.amazon.co.za/Apple-MacBook-13-inch-8‑core-Unified/dp/B08VK9VB82. Who buys Intel in 2025 in the age of Apple silicon? Even a dead Michael Jackson is more alive than Intel.
Click to expand...
Just been making a few calls. It seems this may be good advice. Apparently Apple is no longer supporting 2013 machines from end 2025. The timing is just really bad right now and given her light usage, not something I want to spend much money on. But, as they say "goedkoop is duurkoop."
 
FiestaST said:
Left-field answer:

Are you able to cough up R5k more? Yes I know it is not chump change at this level but a new Silicon Mac with a warranty.

Your wife will be sorted for 5/6/7 years easy.

It will have way more bhp than your suggestions as well as longevity (still), a lovely screen & speakers, better keyboard etc


View attachment 1789391
Click to expand...

R9000 on carb

[For Sale] - Macbook Air M1 (256GB / 8GB / Space Gray ) | Apple

Item: Macbook Air M1 (256GB / 8GB / Space Gray ) CPU: M1 GPU: RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB Age: < 1 Year Price: R8999 Payment Method Accepted: EFT / Cash Warranty: Expires End Feb 2025 Warranty Holder: iStore Packaging: Original Included Condition: Excellent Battery Design Capacity: Normal...
carbonite.co.za carbonite.co.za
 
deathduedecay said:
Replace with an M1 Air https://www.amazon.co.za/Apple-MacBook-13-inch-8‑core-Unified/dp/B08VK9VB82. Who buys Intel in 2025 in the age of Apple silicon? Even a dead Michael Jackson is more alive than Intel.
Click to expand...

FiestaST said:
Left-field answer:

Are you able to cough up R5k more? Yes I know it is not chump change at this level but a new Silicon Mac with a warranty.

Your wife will be sorted for 5/6/7 years easy.

It will have way more bhp than your suggestions as well as longevity (still), a lovely screen & speakers, better keyboard etc


View attachment 1789391
Click to expand...
Nowhere I've looked for pre-owned M1s has available. And for new, this deal seems good. Thinking aloud, I may gift her my 2017 MBA and get myself this M1. Mmmmmmm🤔
 
RedViking said:
R9000 on carb

[For Sale] - Macbook Air M1 (256GB / 8GB / Space Gray ) | Apple

Item: Macbook Air M1 (256GB / 8GB / Space Gray ) CPU: M1 GPU: RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB Age: < 1 Year Price: R8999 Payment Method Accepted: EFT / Cash Warranty: Expires End Feb 2025 Warranty Holder: iStore Packaging: Original Included Condition: Excellent Battery Design Capacity: Normal...
carbonite.co.za carbonite.co.za
Click to expand...
Carbonite making me jump through hoops to view those links. 😡 So I have to read another Admin thread before I am allowed to open your links. After reading the Admin thread how do I get to the for sale link?
 
Velskoen said:
Nowhere I've looked for pre-owned M1s has available. And for new, this deal seems good. Thinking aloud, I may gift her my 2017 MBA and get myself this M1. Mmmmmmm🤔
Click to expand...
shia-labeouf-do-it.gif
 
Just buy an M-series machine new and save your money long term.

If you are in Cape Town try SA Computers who might be able to do an actual board level repair, but to pay to replace the entire logicboard doesn't make sense.
 
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