Fix or Buy a New One?

[miggyxlee]

Hi Everyone!

I’m in dilemma right now wether to Buy a new MacBook or fix my current one.

I have MacBook Pro 15’ 2017. Out of nowhere when I rebooted it says boot loop message “Critical update needed”. I tried upgrading the MacOS but that doesn’t fixed the problem. It’s functioning in safe mode and tried a bunch of things but when I reboot again, the same message pops in again. I’ve red that a lot have the same issue and it’s mostly because of the Touch Bar problem? I didn’t know how to fix it so I brought it to a Authorized Apple Service Center.

Bottomline, they told me it needs to change the logic board and battery. My MacBook is way pass the warranty, so they quoted around $1000 to fix my MacBook Pro ‘15 2017.

Is it worth fixing or not? What it after all the hardware changes it is still not functioning? What do I need to do?

If I need to buy a new one, I’m looking into MacBook Air M1 2020, is it much better than MacBook Pro 15’ 2017?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Fishrrman]

First, are you in the USA... or somewhere else?

Do you have a real brick-n-mortar Apple Store anywhere near?
NOT a "3rd party provider" -- genuine Apple.
If so, make an appt for the genius bar and take it to them.

 

[miggyxlee]

First, are you in the USA... or somewhere else?

Do you have a real brick-n-mortar Apple Store anywhere near?
NOT a "3rd party provider" -- genuine Apple.
If so, make an appt for the genius bar and take it to them.

I’m in the Philippines, we have authorized resellers and service centers here but no genuine Apple. All hardwares will be ordered and ship from Singapore.

 

[darngooddesign]

This is what I would do.

MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar 2017 Logic Board Replacement

Use this guide to replace the Logic Board in your MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar 2017. Don't forget to clean and re-apply thermal paste if you remove...

www.ifixit.com

If it really is a touchbar issue, I wonder if you can simply disconnect it.

Follow that guide and try fix it yourself with parts from eBay. You could end up with more RAM and a larger drive while you're at it for half of what Apple is charging and I doubt your battery needs replacing.

PS> If its functioning in safe mode, what does a fresh OS install do? What about booting from an external drive with a f res install?

 

[miggyxlee]

This is what I would do.

MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar 2017 Logic Board Replacement

Use this guide to replace the Logic Board in your MacBook Pro 15" Touch Bar 2017. Don't forget to clean and re-apply thermal paste if you remove...

www.ifixit.com

If it really is a touchbar issue, I wonder if you can simply disconnect it.

Follow that guide and try fix it yourself with parts from eBay. You could end up with more RAM and a larger drive while you're at it for half of what Apple is charging and I doubt your battery needs replacing.

PS> If its functioning in safe mode, what does a fresh OS install do? What about booting from an external drive with a f res install?

How to disconnect it? Let me check the video..

They’ve tried to update the MacOS thru external drive but same issue occurs. Thanks

 

[velocityg4]

Definitely not worth repairing. Especially since that defective keyboard design would still be looming over your head. Even without that issue. I wouldn't spend that much money. Not even half that much money to repair a four year old computer. Especially when a $1,000 Macbook Air will run circles around it.

As safe mode works. I'd try a clean install of the OS and don't restore anything at first. Not just an upgrade or install over. Wiping the drive a clean installing. Just to see if it solves the issue.

If it works. Then run Migration Assistant. If it returns after migration. Clean install again. This time just migrate user files or manually move them. Then manually reinstall software.

If it doesn't work. Try Bootcamp with Windows or Linux. See if one of those will work. If they do. Then just live with them as your main OS until you can get a new Macbook. Possibly tiding you over until the M1X/M2 16" comes out.

 

[miggyxlee]

Definitely not worth repairing. Especially since that defective keyboard design would still be looming over your head. Even without that issue. I wouldn't spend that much money. Not even half that much money to repair a four year old computer. Especially when a $1,000 Macbook Air will run circles around it.

As safe mode works. I'd try a clean install of the OS and don't restore anything at first. Not just an upgrade or install over. Wiping the drive a clean installing. Just to see if it solves the issue.

If it works. Then run Migration Assistant. If it returns after migration. Clean install again. This time just migrate user files or manually move them. Then manually reinstall software.

If it doesn't work. Try Bootcamp with Windows or Linux. See if one of those will work. If they do. Then just live with them as your main OS until you can get a new Macbook. Possibly tiding you over until the M1X/M2 16" comes out.

I’ll definitely look into this. Thank you for the advice.

 

[Gregg2]

If you can afford the new one, that will probably save you time, and be easier to accomplish.