How does Apple's warranty work?

[PaulWog]

I've tried googling this, but I have ended up having to sift through a ton of misinformation from people who are angry that their warranty is already expired, or this, or that.

I'm wondering: The Macbook Air uses a soldered in SSD. So if that SSD were to go bad, for example, then the whole Macbook Air would be a brick.

Let's say 8 months down the line the SSD goes. Does Apple actually repair the Macbook Air? Or do they give you a new replacement? Or do they give you a refurbished replacement?

 

[robbieduncan]

The MacBook Air SSD is not soldered in.

 

[GGJstudios]

Does Apple actually repair the Macbook Air? Or do they give you a new replacement? Or do they give you a refurbished replacement?

Apple will usually repair, rather than replace. They typically only replace if it's a serious enough problem, or if you've had 3 or more repairs.

 

[PaulWog]

The MacBook Air SSD is not soldered in.

Ohhh! I see. So that's just the rumored upcoming ones.

So the current one they can actually remove still?

Apple will usually repair, rather than replace. They typically only replace if it's a serious enough problem, or if you've had 3 or more repairs.

That's interesting.

I hope they don't solder the SSD in then. I mean, how many people will purposefully break their SSD by running an infinite read/write program just before their warranty is up?

 

[0007776]

So the current one they can actually remove still?

Yeah it's removable. It's not really a standard form factor, but it is possible to remove it. As far as repairs versus replacements go, it all depends on how many repairs you've had before, the type of problem, and the mood of the genius you get.

 

[robbieduncan]

That's interesting.

I hope they don't solder the SSD in then. I mean, how many people will purposefully break their SSD by running an infinite read/write program just before their warranty is up?

Even if they did that Apple could replace the logic board. The screen, case and battery could be retained. Apple have basically already accepted that risk for the RAM (as well as the normal CPU etc on the logic board) on the existing design.

 

[Cynicalone]

I believe even now the SSD is considered a non-user serviceable part. In other words if you open the Air and change it it voids the warranty.

I'm actually kinda surprised it is removable since Apple doesn't want you opening it.

 

[0007776]

I believe even now the SSD is considered a non-user serviceable part. In other words if you open the Air and change it it voids the warranty.

I'm actually kinda surprised it is removable since Apple doesn't want you opening it.

It's probably removable just because Apple doesn't want to pay to replace the entire logic board if the SSD goes out.

 

[robbieduncan]

It's probably removable just because Apple doesn't want to pay to replace the entire logic board if the SSD goes out.

And it makes for a lower combination of logic boards that they have to make/stock control. There are basically 4 right now (11"2Gb, 11"4Gb, 13"2Gb, 13"4Gb). It may be that there are actually only 2 if the 11" and 13" are the same. If the SSD was part of the logic board there'd be loads and loads which would lead to higher costs.