Ridiculous MacBook repair pricing

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Prof.

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My 2019 MacBook Pro's display recently got a crack in the LCD, I'm not sure how it happened, which makes me think it's quite fragile. Regardless I sent it in at the iStore to get a quote on repair.

They want over R21k (!) to replace the LCD, which seems ridiculous given that you can buy some brand new MacBooks for that amount. Their quote even states that the parts used may be refurbished parts and not even new?

So does anyone know if you can get a MacBook display replaced for a reasonable amount?
 
Prof. said:
My 2019 MacBook Pro's display recently got a crack in the LCD, I'm not sure how it happened, which makes me think it's quite fragile. Regardless I sent it in at the iStore to get a quote on repair.

They want over R21k (!) to replace the LCD, which seems ridiculous given that you can buy some brand new MacBooks for that amount. Their quote even states that the parts used may be refurbished parts and not even new?

So does anyone know if you can get a MacBook display replaced for a reasonable amount?
Click to expand...
I got a R16K quote to repair my 13" MBP retina. They have to replace the entire to case, not just replace the screen. Nobody keeps stock of cheaper alternatives locally unless you find someone with spares.

I imported an original replacement top case from Hong Kong for R7K all inclusive.
 
I know that is in the US, and not here, but I doubt our local guys would be any better at this.

MBPs do seem to have a problem with cracking screens though:
forums.macrumors.com

Applied Pressure to Lid Causes Cracked Screen in Touchbar Macbook Pro?

I recently purchased a brand new 15in Macbook Pro with touchbar for a king's ransom and it turned out to be one of my favorite pieces of hardware I've ever owned. I've been a loyal Apple customer since college, but at this point I have to question the quality of their hardware after my latest...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
I actually took my 2018 MacBook Pro 15” for repairs because the “a” key fell out. Took it to Digicape and they said the keyboard is cover by the extended keyboard warranty that Apple announced and would be replaced free of charge R9k part as it includes the whole top half of the case including the battery. So getting a new battery in the process. They also said the screen was showing signs of Delamination which I hadn’t noticed and therefore will also replace the screen which is a R16k part also free of charge. I was actually very surprised. Total parts came to R25k and no labour charge maybe try take to Digicape see if the crack is maybe a fault and would be covered.
 
Last edited:
fish said:
I actually took my 2018 MacBook Pro 15” for repairs because the “a” key fell out. Took it to Digicape and they said the keyboard is cover by the extended keyboard warranty that Apple announced and would be replaced free of charge R9k part as it includes the whole top half of the case including the battery. So getting a new battery in the process. They also said the screen was showing signs of Delamination which I hadn’t noticed and therefore will also replace the screen which is a R16k part also free of charge. I was actually very surprised. Total parts came to R25k and no labour charge maybe try take to Digicape see if the crack is maybe a fault and would be covered.
Click to expand...

I do normally advise people go to Digicape.

But doubtful this is a warranty issue or will be treated as one.

Digicape still work through Core just like iStore.

Both keyboard and oleophobic coating are standard warranty items, a cracked screen not so much.

***

If there is no obvious external damage to the aluminium one could potentially argue that the screen cracked by itself.

OP didn’t sound surprised at the fact it was cracked though, so I suspect they know how it happened.
 
I recently had a similar experience. Battery failure on a 2018 MBP 13”. The iStore estimated that it would cost around R13k to replace the battery. Obviously I walked away.
I went to MacShack at The Campus in Bryanston. Paid about R3200 or so and the service was excellent. They have a proper ticket system and communication was great. From book in - assessment - quote - repair - pick up took about 3 days.
For a screen replacement, according to their website you are looking at about R8900 (13” with Touch Bar) to R14900 (15” with Touch Bar). I think the owner is a member on this forum too.
 
K213N said:
I recently had a similar experience. Battery failure on a 2018 MBP 13”. The iStore estimated that it would cost around R13k to replace the battery. Obviously I walked away.
I went to MacShack at The Campus in Bryanston. Paid about R3200 or so and the service was excellent. They have a proper ticket system and communication was great. From book in - assessment - quote - repair - pick up took about 3 days.
For a screen replacement, according to their website you are looking at about R8900 (13” with Touch Bar) to R14900 (15” with Touch Bar). I think the owner is a member on this forum too.
Click to expand...

MacShack service was great for me, 2015 15'Macbook Pro battery replacement, R3k and took about an hour.
 
K213N said:
I recently had a similar experience. Battery failure on a 2018 MBP 13”. The iStore estimated that it would cost around R13k to replace the battery. Obviously I walked away.
I went to MacShack at The Campus in Bryanston. Paid about R3200 or so and the service was excellent. They have a proper ticket system and communication was great. From book in - assessment - quote - repair - pick up took about 3 days.
For a screen replacement, according to their website you are looking at about R8900 (13” with Touch Bar) to R14900 (15” with Touch Bar). I think the owner is a member on this forum too.
Click to expand...

R15000 that is basically two secondhand i5 laptops.I bet i could get replacement screens for both as well.
It just shows time and again, people with more money then brains...
 
fish said:
I actually took my 2018 MacBook Pro 15” for repairs because the “a” key fell out. Took it to Digicape and they said the keyboard is cover by the extended keyboard warranty that Apple announced and would be replaced free of charge R9k part as it includes the whole top half of the case including the battery. So getting a new battery in the process. They also said the screen was showing signs of Delamination which I hadn’t noticed and therefore will also replace the screen which is a R16k part also free of charge. I was actually very surprised. Total parts came to R25k and no labour charge maybe try take to Digicape see if the crack is maybe a fault and would be covered.
Click to expand...

I have a keyboard issue - keys not working on butterfly keyboard on a 15" 2017 model). I know they'll probably replace keyboard, battery and some of the chassis too - but I'd be really really happy if they did my screen (as the shitty LG LCD in here ghosts BADLY after about 1-2 hours of use - lines on screen and if you use for much longer it becomes unusable until it's been left closed for a while...)
 
wizardofid said:
R15000 that is basically two secondhand i5 laptops.I bet i could get replacement screens for both as well.
It just shows time and again, people with more money then brains...
Click to expand...
I haven’t seen prices recently, but you probably won’t have to settle for second hand.
In any case, anyone who buys a modern laptop/“ultra book” with a slimline design and “pretty” screen must be prepared to cough up when things need replacing or fixing. These devices are not made to be easily fixable, parts are expensive and there isn’t an abundance of stock locally. Same applies for any brand too, not just Apple.
 
K213N said:
I haven’t seen prices recently, but you probably won’t have to settle for second hand.
In any case, anyone who buys a modern laptop/“ultra book” with a slimline design and “pretty” screen must be prepared to cough up when things need replacing or fixing. These devices are not made to be easily fixable, parts are expensive and there isn’t an abundance of stock locally. Same applies for any brand too, not just Apple.
Click to expand...

Apple is just worse than pretty much every other manufacturer.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is just as bad as the apple devices, but Dell's larger XPS line, like the 15 and 17, and to some extent the "normal" XPS13 allow you to at least easily replace the RAM and SSD. Considering their size compared to the Apple MBP, Apple doesn't have a good excuse.
 
Barbarian Conan said:
Apple is just worse than pretty much every other manufacturer.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is just as bad as the apple devices, but Dell's larger XPS line, like the 15 and 17, and to some extent the "normal" XPS13 allow you to at least easily replace the RAM and SSD. Considering their size compared to the Apple MBP, Apple doesn't have a good excuse.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, as long as they are making money hand over fist, they will not change. When it’s time to replace my MBP, as much as I like the machine, I will probably look elsewhere unless things have changed a lot by then.
 
Prof. said:
My 2019 MacBook Pro's display recently got a crack in the LCD, I'm not sure how it happened, which makes me think it's quite fragile. Regardless I sent it in at the iStore to get a quote on repair.

They want over R21k (!) to replace the LCD, which seems ridiculous given that you can buy some brand new MacBooks for that amount. Their quote even states that the parts used may be refurbished parts and not even new?

So does anyone know if you can get a MacBook display replaced for a reasonable amount?
Click to expand...

Ag shame. Who could have seen it coming?
 
Went to check if they will do the screen replacement on the Macbook air 2017 i got because of the screen staining issue thats notorious on all apple laptops ... "unfortunately the recall is only for macbook pros in south africa " was the response of the techie at sandton istore. nice
 
enzokahn said:
Went to check if they will do the screen replacement on the Macbook air 2017 i got because of the screen staining issue thats notorious on all apple laptops ... "unfortunately the recall is only for macbook pros in south africa " was the response of the techie at sandton istore. nice
Click to expand...
It was a "notorious" issue on the 2012-15 MBPs with retina screens. Not all laptops.

If Apple issues a recall it's global and Core will honour it. My 2014 MBP had two screen replacements on the house.
 
Prof. said:
My 2019 MacBook Pro's display recently got a crack in the LCD, I'm not sure how it happened, which makes me think it's quite fragile. Regardless I sent it in at the iStore to get a quote on repair.

They want over R21k (!) to replace the LCD, which seems ridiculous given that you can buy some brand new MacBooks for that amount. Their quote even states that the parts used may be refurbished parts and not even new?

So does anyone know if you can get a MacBook display replaced for a reasonable amount?
Click to expand...

I don't understand your logic..

Get yourself a well specced new windows notebook for R10k with a 3 year warranty and let the other R11k earn interest.
 
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