Sept 2010 Mac Mini Logic Board Failure

[d21mike]

Just got the word from a Mac Mall Repair person that my Logic Board has failed. I took it in because it would not power on. He told me the cost to replace the Logic Board from Apple is $474 + $120 Labor (I have to pay $89 for Diagnostics which can be applied to the cost). Since I do not have Apple Care I am thinking of getting a new machine. However, pretty unhappy this machine only lasted 1 year and and 5 months. This was my first Mac. All my other Windows Machines (30 years worth) seem to last much longer and when I did have to replace the Mother Board it was maybe $120 - $150 (mostly standard size machines). For these reasons I never ever my "insurance" like Apple Care.

Not a lot I can do about the past but I am now thinking of the future. What has been your experience? Do you always buy Apple Care? I do have a business so at least I can write it off but still not really happy with Apple at the moment.

Regarding this Machine. I will probably use it for spare parts. My daughter has the same machine and my son has the "prior" generation. Also, I have 8gb of memory in this machine but I understand the memory is a slower version then what comes in the new machine. Any other thoughts?

 

[Supra Mac]

I hope you get some good responses on buying extended warranties. Its seems to be big business these days. I'll give you my take on this as it has worked out for me.

I have always chossen to self insure when it comes to extended warranties. If I added up all the times I've passed on this option when offered for anything, I could buy several minis or replacements. Once in a while you will have to use your savings. For example, I pass on tire replacement certificates and loss one a couple months old, however I have passed on that option about 3 times, 12 tires at 20 bucks a pop, easily covered that cost.

Over time the choice will be easier, I'm way in the black, passed on a extended car warranty, $1500, car has 200K only had to put $100 in it.

 

[blazerdude20]

I would contact Apple about this. You might not get anything positive from it but then again maybe you will. Always worth a shot to see what they say.

Good luck!

 

[tom29786]

If you bought that mini with a major credit card some of them extend the warranty for 2 years. Check your paperwork you got with your credit card.

 

[KScottMyers]

Just got the word from a Mac Mall Repair person that my Logic Board has failed. I took it in because it would not power on. He told me the cost to replace the Logic Board from Apple is $474 + $120 Labor (I have to pay $89 for Diagnostics which can be applied to the cost). Since I do not have Apple Care I am thinking of getting a new machine. However, pretty unhappy this machine only lasted 1 year and and 5 months. This was my first Mac. All my other Windows Machines (30 years worth) seem to last much longer and when I did have to replace the Mother Board it was maybe $120 - $150 (mostly standard size machines). For these reasons I never ever my "insurance" like Apple Care.

Not a lot I can do about the past but I am now thinking of the future. What has been your experience? Do you always buy Apple Care? I do have a business so at least I can write it off but still not really happy with Apple at the moment.

Regarding this Machine. I will probably use it for spare parts. My daughter has the same machine and my son has the "prior" generation. Also, I have 8gb of memory in this machine but I understand the memory is a slower version then what comes in the new machine. Any other thoughts?

My two cents on this..

Take it to an Apple store for a repair quote. Apple seems to be very fair about repair costs in my experience. You may be surprised.

Apple Care is great, but I never saw its value on a lower priced machine like a mini. If you are planning on keeping the machine for 3 years minimum, then maybe so. If I had the machine and it died outside of the warranty as yours has, I'd just put the money into a new machine, not a repair that costly.

I've had many Macs through the lasts 25 years. Rarely have I ever seen one die that quickly, but it does happen. Nothing's perfect.

Goog luck.

 

[wpotere]

I had AppleCare on both of the Macs that I had and have used it on several occasions. I even took the Mrs. MBA right before it expired to have it checked out and they replaced the screen, keyboard and hard drive before it expired to ensure it was working well in the future. Unlike many other extended warranty, AppleCare is, in my opinion, worth the money.

I highly recommend AppleCare to people and it is a shame that you didn't have it. You could call Apple and see if they might be willing to help but as others pointed out, if you used a credit card, you might have some type of recourse through them.

 

[calderone]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

My hi-res display just went bad. $500 repair, cost me $0. So the AppleCare paid for itself.

To give another perspective in contrast to the above. Extended warranties are always a gamble in terms of payoff.

Some get really lucky, like Supra Mac and others not do much. Over the years I have had AppleCare on all my macs and while I haven't had to have many repairs, the ones I have had covered the costs of all the AppleCare I have purchased.

That said I generally avoid most extended warranties, but I like the fact that AppleCare is first party and with quick service. I also generally only put AppleCare on mobile products.

You were just unlucky, I'd say the few hundred dollars is worth it in most cases.

 

[philipma1957]

Just got the word from a Mac Mall Repair person that my Logic Board has failed. I took it in because it would not power on. He told me the cost to replace the Logic Board from Apple is $474 + $120 Labor (I have to pay $89 for Diagnostics which can be applied to the cost). Since I do not have Apple Care I am thinking of getting a new machine. However, pretty unhappy this machine only lasted 1 year and and 5 months. This was my first Mac. All my other Windows Machines (30 years worth) seem to last much longer and when I did have to replace the Mother Board it was maybe $120 - $150 (mostly standard size machines). For these reasons I never ever my "insurance" like Apple Care.

Not a lot I can do about the past but I am now thinking of the future. What has been your experience? Do you always buy Apple Care? I do have a business so at least I can write it off but still not really happy with Apple at the moment.

Regarding this Machine. I will probably use it for spare parts. My daughter has the same machine and my son has the "prior" generation. Also, I have 8gb of memory in this machine but I understand the memory is a slower version then what comes in the new machine. Any other thoughts?

You could list it on ebay as is.

even quote that a Mac Mall repair person said you have a dead logic board.

you may get 200-300 if you list it as buy it now for 350 or best offer.

 

[d21mike]

Thanks for all the replies. I have never applied for Credit Card Extended Warranty reimbursement before but it looks like I may be covered. Not sure I have been in a position with this large of a repair bill where it made since to turn it in. Anyway, I am going to make sure I get approval before I have it repaired. Lucky I have an Mac Air (hooked it up to my large screen) so am able to keep working while I sort this out.

I will let you know how this all turns out. I have a Business Visa Card with BofA.