Mac Mini and iMac Logic Board Problems

[sjk33]

In the past 8 months, the logic board on my iMac (2009 model) and my Mac Mini (2010 model) both failed. I didn't buy AppleCare because I didn't realize it was mandatory. I was primarily a PC user, but steadily migrated to Macs over the past 3-4 years. In the 20 years I've owned a PC, I've never had any of my computers crash. And now, I 2 Mac's crashed in a short period of time. Should I be worried or should I expect my other Mac's to crash? Is AppleCare really mandatory?

What can I do to prevent the logic board from crashing. The computers are used very moderately. I watch a movie every other week on the Mac Mini. The iMac was used more heavily, but still very lightly compared to most. I thought it might be electrical, but since they are in different houses, I can't imagine that's the cause. They are both connected to a voltage stabilizer.

-Frustrated Mac Owner

 

[philipma1957]

bad luck I am just guessing.

Here is my secret to being a mac owner I buy apple care in the 10th month of ownership. I sell the machine in the 20th month of ownership . the warranties transfer. the macs hold value. so I use the machine 20 months or so . cost me about 200-250 net to sell and buy new every 20 to 24 months.

here are some 2010 mac minis on ebay. they hold price well.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sac...rom=R40&_nkw=mac+mini+2010&rt=nc&LH_Auction=1

second part of the secret is buy direct from apple. refurbished have full warranties.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

 

[GGJstudios]

I didn't buy AppleCare because I didn't realize it was mandatory.

It's not mandatory. It's optional.

Should I be worried or should I expect my other Mac's to crash?

Out of over a million Macs sold per month, a small percentage are going to be defective. Millions of Mac owners never have problems like you've had, while some seem to get a run of bad luck, as in your case. It's not common for Macs to fail, but it happens, just like with any brand of computer.

Is AppleCare really mandatory?

No, it's not. All Macs come with a 1 year warranty. AppleCare is optional and extends that coverage for 2 additional years, for a total of 3 years from the date the Mac was purchased. There are hundreds of threads discussing whether AppleCare is worth it, with about 75% saying it is.

What can I do to prevent the logic board from crashing.

Nothing. They failed because they were defective, not because you did anything.

 

[paulrbeers]

I rarely buy AppleCare. Many consumer protection groups state extended warranties aren't worth it, simply because most issues will either show up during the basic warranty period or after th extended warranty period is up. With that said, when I bought my 2009 27" iMac, there were a lot of issues with the screens so the $169 for the extended warranty seemed worth it on a $2000 machine. However, I haven't bought it since and probably won't. I figure if I saved the $150-350 dollars I would spend on AppleCare per machine, I would easily cover the cost of a replacement machine that died in the first 3 years of it's life (and I tend not to hold on to my computers for longer than a couple years anyway).

 

[Linz0004]

I am having a similar problem with my '09 MacBook. Out of nowhere it completely shut off and stopped working. Went to apple---logic board needs to be replaced. I was told it was simply "defective" I did nothing wrong and this is a rare problem. I went home feeling like if the product is defective- why wont the repair it for free. Called customer service. Spent over an hour and talked with 4 different people. When I explained it to the first lady, she called the apple store and listened to the explanation by the manager as to what was wrong and how to fix it. When the manager hung up..she said "how do you feel about his answer? I told her I understood but it just doesn't seem right- if a problem is so rare...and the product is defective I shouldn't have to pay. She agreed with me. But in the end it was decided I have to pay. The computer is 2 years old! I have friends with mac books from 6 years ago! I just don't understand- people walk in with broken screens on their iPhone because they dropped it and wall out with a new phone- with no apple care. So I'm just "unlucky" and have to deal with it? It makes me not want to buy again bc what if I'm "unlucky" again....should I bother trying to escalate again? Or will I hear $300.is a good deal to fix a problem that was destined to happen no matter what I did

 

[GGJstudios]

So I'm just "unlucky" and have to deal with it?

Pretty much. All computer manufacturers have a relatively small percentage of defective models. They all have a limited warranty that provides free repair or replacement of defective models for some time period. If your computer proves to be defective during the warranty period, it's covered. If your computer proves to be defective after the warranty has expired, it's not covered, even though it's defective. You had an opportunity to buy AppleCare to extend your coverage to 3 years, but you elected not to. That's your choice.

 

[philipma1957]

I am having a similar problem with my '09 MacBook. Out of nowhere it completely shut off and stopped working. Went to apple---logic board needs to be replaced. I was told it was simply "defective" I did nothing wrong and this is a rare problem. I went home feeling like if the product is defective- why wont the repair it for free. Called customer service. Spent over an hour and talked with 4 different people. When I explained it to the first lady, she called the apple store and listened to the explanation by the manager as to what was wrong and how to fix it. When the manager hung up..she said "how do you feel about his answer? I told her I understood but it just doesn't seem right- if a problem is so rare...and the product is defective I shouldn't have to pay. She agreed with me. But in the end it was decided I have to pay. The computer is 2 years old! I have friends with mac books from 6 years ago! I just don't understand- people walk in with broken screens on their iPhone because they dropped it and wall out with a new phone- with no apple care. So I'm just "unlucky" and have to deal with it? It makes me not want to buy again bc what if I'm "unlucky" again....should I bother trying to escalate again? Or will I hear $300.is a good deal to fix a problem that was destined to happen no matter what I did

you gambled and lost.

see my advice on owning macs.



buy a refurb

after 10 months add applecare.

when you have about 10 months left on applecare sell it on ebay.

you owned the machine for about 22 to 26 months and your cost was 200 to 300 bucks.

this is the least risky way to own a mac.