Mac Laptop/Notebook Parts And Repair Alternatives to Apple's High Service Fees
by Charles W. Moore
Portable computers are more of a challenge to service and repair than desktop machines, which of course makes things more expensive, as well as difficult to access. ‘Book owners in large cities will likely be able to find local shops that can service PowerBooks and iBooks, but out in the hinterlands, it may be a problem.
Parts availability can also be difficult. Apple is picky about what repair and service parts they release to the public, and what is available tends to be expensive. Apple of course offers their own repair service for portable Macs, which involves shipping the ‘Book to their facility in Texas, but this is astronomically expensive for machines that are beyond the standard warranty and/or AppleCare extended warranty period. Apple will charge you more than $300 just to look at your computer, and it goes up from there.
Happily, there are alternatives. In this article I’ve compiled information and links to some more prominent ones. I make no claims that it is exhaustive, and if there are other services out there that I haven’t included, and which fit within the general context, I’d love to hear about them.
In the meantime, if your ‘Book is ailing, the outfits profiled below should be able to help you at a tariff significantly less than you will encounter dealing with Apple Service if you’re off warranty. They appear in no particular order.
TechRestore
Concord, California-based TechRestore offers a variety of repair services to PowerBook, iBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook users.
Repair and upgrade services for PowerBooks and iBooks include:
Mac Laptop Self-Restore Service - If you don’t need TechRestore’s Overnight door-to-door courier service in the U.S., or you’re a Canadian, Alaska, Hawaii, or International customers, the Self-Restore repair service is the quickest and most economical method to get your PowerBook, iBook or MacBook repaired. Get a quick diagnosis, repair quote and return overnight shipping for $19.00.
PowerBookRestore Overnight Repair Service with 48-hour Turnaround - free Nationwide Pickup and a 1-year warranty on all repairs - $49.00.
PowerBookRestore Overnight Repair Service with 24-hour Turnaround - free Nationwide Pickup and a 1-year warranty on all repairs - $79.00
Overnight Laptop Hard Drive Upgrades
TechRestore offers overnight laptop hard drive upgrades from any location in the continental U.S. Prices include overnight pickup of your laptop, installation, data transfer and return overnight shipping. They also send your old drive back to use as a backup. Prices start at $149.00.
PowerBook G4 Stainless Steel Hinge Replacement
TechRestore says their Stainless Steel hinges are over 50% stronger than the standard original TiBook equipment hinges. The Stainless Steel Hinge replacement service includes everything you need to get your G4 Titanium PowerBook back up and running. There is a TechRestore 1-Year Warranty, and the price is $249.00.
PowerBook & iBook Superdrive Upgrades start at $119.99.
LCD Overnight Screen Repairs At Reasonable Prices
Has your screen gone dark, or has a fall damaged your MacBook, PowerBook or iBook LCD screen? TechRestore now offers an Overnight flat-rate LCD Screen Replacement for MacBooks for $399, for MacBook Pro 15.4-inch for $499 and for MacBook Pro 17-inch for $699, which I’m sure will beat whatever Apple charges for screen replacements when these machines are out of warranty. The TechRestore prices These prices include a brand new LCD screen, installation and a 1-year warranty. The replacement screens are new, not refurbished, and there are no additional charges for cracked or broken screens.
For more information, visit:
http://techrestore.com/xcart/home.php?cat=328
Visit:
http://techrestore.com/
or phone:
888 647 3786
PowerBook Medic.com Offers Powerbook Parts, Installations, Repairs
Whether you need Powerbook repair or Powerbook parts (or iBook Parts / iBook Repairs) or now MacBook Pro parts or MacBook Pro Repairs, Powerbook Medic can help whether your ‘Book is a current Apple laptop and iBooks or an older model - even iPods.
The cost for any repair is a flat labor fee (as shown below) + part cost. (Titanium Hinge repair prices include part cost.)
Powerbook G3, Powerbook G4 Titanium, Clamshell iBook - $75
White iBook G3 or G4, Aluminum G4, & MacBook - $95
Titanium G4 Hinge Repair ( One Hinge) - $195
A Diagnosis Service is $50.00
Powerbookmedic.com offers installation on parts including hard drives and RAM.
Services offered include:
Hard Drive Upgrades
Ram Upgrades
Processor Upgrades
Keyboards & Keys
Battery Replacements
Titanium G4 Hinges
Wireless & Airport
LCD Display Replacements
Optical Drive Upgrades
Take Apart Manuals are also available for:
Powerbook G4 Aluminum
Powerbook G4 Titanium
Powerbook G3 Pismo
Powerbook G3 Lombard
Powerbook G3 Wallstreet
White iBook G3 (Dual USB)
White iBook G4
iBook Clamshell
Mac Mini
MacBook Pro
Some Older Powerbooks
For more information, visit:
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/
or call:
1.866-PBMEDIC
PowerBookResQ Powerbook Repair Service
PowerBookResQ, will provide PowerBook users throughout the United States and Canada with a source for service parts and labor.
PowerBookResQ Next Day Nationwide PowerBook and iBook Repair Program - $99.00
PowerBookResQ 3 Day Nationwide PowerBook and iBook Repair Program - $49.00
PowerBookResQ Next Day Canadian PowerBook and iBook Repair Program - $129.00
NOTE: This $129 service is only available in Canada, for any other international location, please contact us for a quote. We will perform this service for anyone in the world, but a nominal charge to cover shipping will be added to the initial $129 price.
Upon receiving an order, an empty PowerBox is sent via express service to the client. The client then places their PowerBook inside of the PowerBox and calls a toll free number to schedule an express shipment back to PowerBookResQ’s repair center. The repaired computer is then shipped back to the client via express service.
PowerBookResQ addresses the difficulty that most users face when they encounter a technical problem with their PowerBook. Users of older PowerBooks face a tough challenge trying to find a local source for older parts and service. If a local repair center is available, costs are usually high and turnaround time is unacceptable for users who rely on their PowerBooks on a daily basis. Users of newer, but out-of-warranty, PowerBooks often have no choice but to send their systems back to the manufacturer for an expensive repair due to parts limitations and service policies.
PowerBookResQ Hinge Repairs are offered for 17” G4 Aluminum, 15” G4 Aluminum, 12” G4 Aluminum, PowerBook G4 Titanium, 14” G3 iBook, Pismo or Lombard PowerBooks, 12” G3 iBook, 12” G4 iBook. The price includes all parts, labor and 3-way round-trip overnight shipping anywhere in the U.S. ($199.00 - $299.00).
LCD Display replacements are offered for all the aluminum PowerBook models, all iBooks, the Pismo and Lombard PowerBooks, and the PowerBook 1400 ($169 - $699).
For computer resellers and repair centers, PowerBookResQ offers discounted rates on products and services. Computer dealers can send overflow service work or seamlessly outsource their entire PowerBook repair operation. Volume discounts are available for schools, corporations and government agencies.
For details about PowerBookResQ’s services, visit
http://www.powerbookresq.com/
or call:
1-866-MAC-REPAIR
Wegener Media Mac Portable Parts And Repair
Wegener Media offers both parts and service for Apple portables, and says that that they stock 99.5% of the items listed on their Website.
Wegeners specializes in Mac laptops, and have decades of experience in repairs on Powerbooks, claiming to know just about everything there is to know about any portable Mac.
If your ‘Book needs service and you’re not sure about doing the installation, Wegeners offer a simple, flat-rate system for service. Their $50 fee covers diagnostics and installation of any parts you may need. Just call 803.926.1555 for scheduling.
A Wegener specialty is PowerBook and iBook LCD Screen Replacement. Wegener Media’s LCDs are new, OEM product for the specific machine noted.
There are 2 ways to repair your Powerbook’s screen with Wegener’s assistance:
(1) Purchase Only
They supply the LCD; You install it yourself. They don’t include instructions, but if you’re technically savvy, save some bucks. Wegeners don’t recommend DIY screen installs for the Titanium PowerBook. The LCD assembly of a Titanium is bonded together, and is virtually impossible to disassemble completely without the use of specialized equipment. This is NOT a do-it-yourself project, even for the most trained computer technician. Wegeners have invested in the proper equipment to do this repair, and are able to replace your LCD without damaging your casing. Do NOT attempt to disassemble it if you plan to send it to them -- the titanium skin is very sensitive and will scratch very easily.
(2) Full replacement service
Wegeners pick up your machine, install the LCD, and return it to you. Their in-shop repairs take 24hrs, or choose the RUSH service for same-day service.
You can upgrade your Full Service Repair from the normal 3 day shipping to RUSH. This upgrade gives you full Standard overnight delivery of your laptop to Wegeners and and standard overnight delivery of your laptop back to you, and gets you same day service in their shop. Rush shipping is $49.00 extra.
If you are overseas, Wegener has relationships with great shops in London, Australia, and several other locations.
For more information, visit:
http://www.wegenermedia.com/
MicroDoc Mac Repairs Offers One Year Warranty
MicroDoc of Eugene, Oregon offers a wide variety of parts and repair service for Apple portables, and a full one year warranty on repairs.
MicroDoc repair service features:
• PowerBook, G4, and iMac repairs.
• Free estimates on repairs.
• Fast turn-around. Most repairs are completed and shipped within 24 hours.
• Predictable fees. All repairs are flat-rated.Ê
• No repair; no charge. If your unit is not repairable, you pay nothing but the shipping charges.
• Exchanged boards carry OEM warranty
• Special ultrasonic equipment to clean computer boards with liquid spills
• MicroDoc offers a full one year warranty on repairs
Click here for the complete repairs price list:
http://www.microdocusa.com/pricelist.html
All repairs are flat-rated. There are no additional charges for parts, excluding socketedÊ components (some CPUs, RAM, ROM, for example). Rates apply only to as-failed items. Complete computers will receive an reasonable additionalÊ surcharge to cover the cost of whole-system diagnostics. A diagnostics fee will be assessed for items submitted in working condition.
For more information, visit:
http://www.microdocusa.com/
or call:
1-800-203-5337
iFixIt
iFixIt.com offers parts for the following machines:
MacBook Series
• MacBook Pro 15”
• MacBook Pro 17”
• MacBook
G4 Aluminium
• Aluminum 12”
• Aluminum 15”
• Aluminum 17”
G4 Titanium
• Titanium DVI
• Titanium Onyx
• Titanium Mercury
G3 PowerBook
• PB Pismo
• PB Lombard
• PB Wallstreet
iBook G4
• G4 iBook 12”
• G4 iBook 14”
iBook G3
• G3 iBook 12”
• G3 iBook 14”
• iBook Clamshell
Mac Mini
Install your new PowerBook or iBook parts yourself using IFixIt’s excellent free Fixit Guide Series of teardown guides.
For more information, visit:
http://www.ifixit.com/cart/catalog/
or call:
1-800.61.FIXIT
PowerBook Parts Offers Mac Portable Repair Alternatives
PowerBook Parts stocks parts for the MacBook Pro, MacBook, Aluminum PowerBooks Titanium PowerBooks, all iBooks, Pismo, Lombard, and WallStreet,and iBook, and 1400.
Located in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area, PowerBook Parts is a reconditioning and recycling facility for Apple laptop computers and components. The company tries to keep a complete inventory of parts on hand, and whatever you need, they will do their best to get it for you at a reasonable price.
Their parts carry a 90 day warranty when they install them, and installation is free. They offer a 30 day warranty on parts that they do not install.
For more information, visit:
http://www.pbparts.com/shop/
PowerBook Guy Parts, Accessories, Upgrades And Repair Services
Powerbook guy specializes in quality PowerBooks, service parts, accessories, upgrades and repair services.
Whether you’re looking for complete machines, RAM upgrades, storage solutions, power accessories or service parts, you can find most everything for your machine at PowerBook Guy.
Orders of in stock items received by 12 noon pst Monday-Friday are typically shipped same day.
PowerBook Guy offers repair services for all PowerBook models. For a repair quote, email or call 415/386-0200.
For more information, visit:
http://www.powerbookguy.com/