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FlyingTexan

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 13, 2015
941
783
Have the M1A that took a nice long drop onto an aircraft hangar floor. As you can tell it took quite the shock. Doesn't power on. Screen is shattered. Even a couple keys bounced out. Is there anything useful with this thing? If the motherboard and cpu/memory are still intact is there anyway to make use of it? Luckily my credit card is replacing it since I hadn't had it the 120 days.

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D.T.

macrumors G4
Sep 15, 2011
11,050
12,467
Vilano Beach, FL
Wow, it looks like it was launched from a catapult, that thing really came apart.

Funny, it's air travel / aircraft related, as the one other time I saw a MB (in this case a much older MBP) get that decimated, a biz partner of mine was working on a presentation waiting for the plane, it wound up being a walk-across-the-runway smaller aircraft. He gets up to the top of the entry stairs and kind of spins around to see where I'm at, and loses his grip, the MBP launched, and while it was really beat up, case dinged, kind of separated a bit (like yours), cracked display, it actually still worked!

I guess if it were me, and I was getting a replacement __and__ they didn't want the carcass back, I'd try to get it running, external display and KB, maybe transplant it into some kind of generic PeeCee case[?] I mean, I'm sort of a tinkerer, so I'd do it just for fun (or "fun", depending on your perspective :D)
 
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mi7chy

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2014
10,623
11,296
Keep the system board then transplant into nearly new shell but burnt out system board from USB-C hub when it pops up for cheap. Keep the battery too for spare.
 
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FlyingTexan

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 13, 2015
941
783
Wow, it looks like it was launched from a catapult, that thing really came apart.

Funny, it's air travel / aircraft related, as the one other time I saw a MB (in this case a much older MBP) get that decimated, a biz partner of mine was working on a presentation waiting for the plane, it wound up being a walk-across-the-runway smaller aircraft. He gets up to the top of the entry stairs and kind of spins around to see where I'm at, and loses his grip, the MBP launched, and while it was really beat up, case dinged, kind of separated a bit (like yours), cracked display, it actually still worked!

I guess if it were me, and I was getting a replacement __and__ they didn't want the carcass back, I'd try to get it running, external display and KB, maybe transplant it into some kind of generic PeeCee case[?] I mean, I'm sort of a tinkerer, so I'd do it just for fun (or "fun", depending on your perspective :D)
Yea I had walked up some stairs to the second story of an aircraft hangar and was leaning against the rail and it just slid right out of it's sleeve which I obviously thought was zipped close. Fell and landed pretty flat right on the concrete.
 

Quackers

macrumors 68000
Sep 18, 2013
1,938
708
Manchester, UK
I suppose there could be any number of reasons why it won't start up.
Something's become disconnected, power unit damaged etc etc
I'd definitely keep the logic board and anything else that doesn't look physically damaged. iFixit would tell you how to strip it.
Maybe a computer place could test the logic board.
It's worth a bit of work to find out.
 

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
Keep the system board then transplant into nearly new shell but burnt out system board from USB-C hub when it pops up for cheap. Keep the battery too for spare.
I'm not sure it is smart to keep the battery. Given the damage to the case, I think it is possible that the battery is damaged too. Is there any easy way to test if a battery has been damaged?
 
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Argon_

macrumors 6502
Nov 18, 2020
425
256
I'm not sure it is smart to keep the battery. Given the damage to the case, I think it is possible that the battery is damaged too. Is there any easy way to test if a battery has been damaged?

If any of the cells are ballooned up, remove it at once. Lithium fires aren't easy to put out, so even if it looks fine, the risk is still considerable.

If the board survived it could become a media PC.
 

mblm85

macrumors regular
Apr 3, 2010
146
516
Yorkshire, UK
I'd be very wary about saving the battery of such a damaged machine for future use. It can be difficult to tell what internal damage its suffered from the fall. There's a risk of fire, personal injury, and potentially wrecking the machine it's installed into in the future.
 
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makeitrainnaren

macrumors regular
Dec 9, 2020
125
151
I'd be very wary about saving the battery of such a damaged machine for future use. It can be difficult to tell what internal damage its suffered from the fall. There's a risk of fire, personal injury, and potentially wrecking the machine it's installed into in the future.
naw he will be fine. I fix computers and phones for a living. And it's pretty obvious to see punctured or bent batteries because it will immediately smell, be warm, or worst case catch on fire. If it's doing nothing, you're probably good. Put it in a plastic bag if you want to be extra safe. Unless there's significant creasing or bubbles youre ok.
 

profcutter

macrumors 68000
Mar 28, 2019
1,550
1,296
I dropped my old MacBook Pro as I was rushing to the plane in the Cairo airport, the day of the military coup. I had just been put through the wringer at security, and the huge camera/laptop bag I was using was tricky to get closed. I was filling out a form for my visa, and they called my plane. I twisted around quickly and my computer flew out of the bag and slammed on the marble floor. Dented the side, but kept working anyway. This just reminded me of that adventure.
 

Mac_tech

macrumors regular
Oct 7, 2020
240
194
Iowa, USA
I dropped my old MacBook Pro as I was rushing to the plane in the Cairo airport, the day of the military coup. I had just been put through the wringer at security, and the huge camera/laptop bag I was using was tricky to get closed. I was filling out a form for my visa, and they called my plane. I twisted around quickly and my computer flew out of the bag and slammed on the marble floor. Dented the side, but kept working anyway. This just reminded me of that adventure.
Woah glad it sill works. Apple makes devices that can withstand a lot. I'm reminded of the iPod that saved someones life in war as a bullet was fired and the iPod in the front chest pocket took the blow of the bullet and not the person.
 

profcutter

macrumors 68000
Mar 28, 2019
1,550
1,296
Woah glad it sill works. Apple makes devices that can withstand a lot. I'm reminded of the iPod that saved someones life in war as a bullet was fired and the iPod in the front chest pocket took the blow of the bullet and not the person.
Hah yeah, not a bullet, just me being clumsy and stressed. That was a few MacBooks ago, maybe a 2011 mbp? As for the OP, I think either save it yourself, or pass it on to a tinkerer if you don’t feel like selling it for parts.
 

DudeDad

macrumors 6502a
Jul 16, 2009
717
309
Have the M1A that took a nice long drop onto an aircraft hangar floor. As you can tell it took quite the shock. Doesn't power on. Screen is shattered. Even a couple keys bounced out. Is there anything useful with this thing? If the motherboard and cpu/memory are still intact is there anyway to make use of it? Luckily my credit card is replacing it since I hadn't had it the 120 days.

View attachment 1721667 View attachment 1721668
If you have insurance on your cell iPhone, see if it covers an extra device. I have the ATT insurance on three phones and it will cover a 4th device, even a laptop.
 

Zazoh

macrumors 68000
Jan 4, 2009
1,516
1,121
San Antonio, Texas
I’d open it further just to see what makes it tick. Then, I’d drill out or hammer the storage and toss it. If the entity that is replacing it doesn’t need it.
 

waronxmas

macrumors newbie
Oct 30, 2007
22
-12
What would be the point of keeping the battery and logic board, when the OP is getting a new M1?

Selling the complete unit for parts is the better plan, in my opinion. Let someone else take it apart.
Right. It’s not like you could Frankenstein something from those parts like you would with comparable PC. Hell, even for a PC retain such things would be pretty useless.
 

mi7chy

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2014
10,623
11,296
It's like cars. Most fender benders you just fix up or replace the panels and reuse the core.
 
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soulreaver99

macrumors 68040
Aug 15, 2010
3,709
6,420
Southern California
Check your credit card to see if you have purchase protection. My American Express insures freak accidents and theft for 90 days up so you could probably get the whole thing replaced or cover the repairs

edit: duh you already mentioned that in your post lol. Lucky!
 
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