Can Apple check used Mac for water damage?

[Eastbay]

Just bought an open box M1 Air from Best Buy ($584), will the Apple store would be willing to check if there’s any water damage with a genius appointment?

Also, any recommendations on what else to check myself?

Diagnostics test from boot was fine, battery shows 4 cycles, and looks like it was originally purchased about a week before I picked it up. Visually it looks fine, no wear.

It’s considered “satisfactory” quality, and I’ve been told that means I can’t add AppleCare to it, but I haven’t verified.

 

[casperes1996]

Just bought an open box M1 Air from Best Buy ($584), will the Apple store would be willing to check if there’s any water damage with a genius appointment?

Also, any recommendations on what else to check myself?

Diagnostics test from boot was fine, battery shows 4 cycles, and looks like it was originally purchased about a week before I picked it up. Visually it looks fine, no wear.

It’s considered “satisfactory” quality, and I’ve been told that means I can’t add AppleCare to it, but I haven’t verified.

So what they could feasibly do is open it up and see if any humidity indicators are triggered. This doesn't necessarily prove water damage (or disprove it) but it's an indicator. Though after enough time, honestly, most humidity indicators will trigger just from normal air humidity in my experience.

If they have someone capable, they could also inspect the entire logic board under a microscope but it's timely, requires someone who knows what they're doing, and a microscope of course.

Honestly though you could probably fairly easily open it yourself and look to see if there are any humidity indicators that've changed colour

 

[Eastbay]

So what they could feasibly do is open it up and see if any humidity indicators are triggered. This doesn't necessarily prove water damage (or disprove it) but it's an indicator. Though after enough time, honestly, most humidity indicators will trigger just from normal air humidity in my experience.

If they have someone capable, they could also inspect the entire logic board under a microscope but it's timely, requires someone who knows what they're doing, and a microscope of course.

Honestly though you could probably fairly easily open it yourself and look to see if there are any humidity indicators that've changed colour

Thanks for the reply. I’m under the impression opening the bottom up does not void the warranty?

 

[pmiles]

If you open the case, yes, the warranty is voided. If Apple does it, no. Why did you purchase an open box item when clearly you want AppleCare coverage? It sounds like you want it fully tested before the return window closes with Best Buy... assuming they accept the return.

 

[casperes1996]

If you open the case, yes, the warranty is voided. If Apple does it, no. Why did you purchase an open box item when clearly you want AppleCare coverage? It sounds like you want it fully tested before the return window closes with Best Buy... assuming they accept the return.

In the US and Europe it is literally illegal to void the warranty because you open the computer. If Apple voids the warranty because you pull off the bottom they are breaking the law - If you are in the US, look at the Magnus-Moss Warranty Act. It explicitly specifies that to void your warranty because you opened up a product for inspection or repair the manufacturer needs to provide proof that what you did is the cause of the product failing. The burden of proof is on them.

 

[casperes1996]

Thanks for the reply. I’m under the impression opening the bottom up does not void the warranty?

Disregard the prior person's post about this. Opening the bottom does **not** void the warranty. At the very least in the US and Europe. support.apple.com says so, the law says so, Apple has had official guides on how to take the bottoms off their laptops - it's completely OK to do so. HOWEVER! If you damage the product yourself when doing it, lose a screw, something like that; That will void the warranty. But if you do not throw a water bottle at the logic board while the bottom case is off or throw the screws in the bin, you're fine

 

[Apple_Robert]

I would return it and buy a refurbished from Apple. Even though the M1 may be fine, it appears you are too worried about a possible problem.

Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air Apple M1 Chip with 8‑Core CPU and 7‑Core GPU - Space Gray

Originally released November 2020|13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch|8GB unified memory|256GB SSD1|Touch ID sensor|720p FaceTime HD Camera

www.apple.com

 

[Eastbay]

If you open the case, yes, the warranty is voided. If Apple does it, no. Why did you purchase an open box item when clearly you want AppleCare coverage? It sounds like you want it fully tested before the return window closes with Best Buy... assuming they accept the return.

Open box Macs from Best Buy still comes with the same AppleCare 1 year limited warranty(starting from date of Original owners purchase). The Best Buy return time period is 14 days.

I purchased this because it was $265 dollars cheaper than the already discounted $850 refurbished Apple with the same warranty and 14 day trial period.

I am just trying to do whats feasible to make sure the product is in as good quality as possible.

 

[Eastbay]

Thank you casperes1996 for the information. I’ll plan on having apple crack it open if possible, to avoid any mishaps done by myself.

 

[Apple_Robert]

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Your post didn't go through.

 

[Eastbay]

Your post didn't go through.

Yeah, I tried a double quote reply and messed it all up, sorry. I was going to say while that is a great deal on the refurbished, I cant really afford the price difference at the moment. I know my post gives off a lot of anxiety about the purchase, but I’m much more comfortable with the situation than it seems. Just trying to do my due diligence.

sorry for the 3 posts in a row y’all, thanks.

 

[profcutter]

Opening the bottom case is fairly trivial, you just need to get a screwdriver kit with the proper bits, like at ifixit or similar. You can ask the apple store folks to inspect, but if they say no or want to charge for it, you may be better off just looking yourself. You could also do a hardware diagnostic. If you are worried that you can’t get AppleCare for this device, try using the serial to see if it’s eligible.

 

[profcutter]

If you open the case, yes, the warranty is voided. If Apple does it, no. Why did you purchase an open box item when clearly you want AppleCare coverage? It sounds like you want it fully tested before the return window closes with Best Buy... assuming they accept the return.

I don’t know why people say things that are obviously not true, without even qualifying it like “I think that…” It just serves to confuse people and prevents them from getting real answers to their problems.

 

[Eastbay]

Opening the bottom case is fairly trivial, you just need to get a screwdriver kit with the proper bits, like at ifixit or similar. You can ask the apple store folks to inspect, but if they say no or want to charge for it, you may be better off just looking yourself. You could also do a hardware diagnostic. If you are worried that you can’t get AppleCare for this device, try using the serial to see if it’s eligible.

Thanks. Hardware diagnostics went fine, no issues.

I’ll have to check my toolkit, I put a new SSD and Ram into a 2011 Pro, not sure if the bits will matchup. Would rather not pay Apple for the check, I’ll just have to make and appointment and see.

It actually looks like it’s eligible for AppleCare+, went all the way to the review order screen. Also confirmed 1 year limited warranty is until June 22, 2022.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thanks. Hardware diagnostics went fine, no issues.

I’ll have to check my toolkit, I put a new SSD and Ram into a 2011 Pro, not sure if the bits will matchup. Would rather not pay Apple for the check, I’ll just have to make and appointment and see.

It actually looks like it’s eligible for AppleCare+, went all the way to the review order screen. Also confirmed 1 year limited warranty is until June 22, 2022.

If it is eligible for AC+, get it and don't worry about opening the case.

 

[Eastbay]

If it is eligible for AC+, get it and don't worry about opening the case.

I really can’t argue with that, think I’m being “penny wise and pound foolish.”

My original budget was $400 for a craptop that I could code (hobby) a little while I was on the road. When I saw this little beast for so cheap it was impossible to pass up. It’s really been a blast, an impressive machine.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I really can’t argue with that, think I’m being “penny wise and pound foolish.”

My original budget was $400 for a craptop that I could code (hobby) a little while I was on the road. When I saw this little beast for so cheap it was impossible to pass up. It’s really been a blast, an impressive machine.

It is a great machine. I have been very happy with mine.

You got an excellent deal. A forum member just sold a like new M1 etc on the forum Marketplace a couple of days ago and I believe it was in the $625-$650.

 

[KaliYoni]

It actually looks like it’s eligible for AppleCare+, went all the way to the review order screen. Also confirmed 1 year limited warranty is until June 22, 2022.

If an Apple Store isn't too far away from you, you could go to the AS to buy Apple Care. As I remember, the AS will run some diagnostics and do a visual inspection before selling an AC policy on devices that aren't in a sealed box.

 

[profcutter]

Damn. 584 is a hell of a deal.

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't open it.
Stop worrying.
Leave it alone.
Just... use it and be happy with the deal you got.