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juleso
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Joined: 02 May 2011
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 7:36 pm Post subject: Logic board lasts only 1 year? |
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One month after my year warranty expired on my apple store purchase of a new Mac mini while downloading a software update the fan started running and will not stop. I took it to an Apple store and they told me it's the logic board and it would cost $390 to repair.
Seriously, can they tell me a brand new computer is only guaranteed to function for one year? I feel completely taken advantage of. Can anyone offer any suggestions as to where I might register a complaint?
I've always praised Apple's customer service until now.
Thanks for any advice.
Jules |
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ez061111
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Joined: 29 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for your bad experience. There is a 'contact us' link on the Apple web site.
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Bandit Bill
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
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Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: Logic board lasts only 1 year? |
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| juleso wrote: | | Seriously, can they tell me a brand new computer is only guaranteed to function for one year? |
That's exactly what Apple can tell you. Your manufacturers warranty was for one year. This is pretty much the industry standard.
You could have purchased AppleCare and extended the warranty to 3 years. With AppleCare, Apple is gambling that nothing will happen to your computer between year 2-3. If you don't purchase AppleCare you are gambling that nothing will happen to your computer between year 2-3.
Let me express my sympathy. I personally think AppleCare is overpriced on a mini and I wouldn't purchase it (on a Mac mini). I didn't on either of my 2 minis. My G4 from 2005 is still going strong and so is the 2007 C2D. Mac minis are probably the most reliable computers on the planet. However, they are a mass produced consumer electronic device and sometimes there are a few bad apples.
If you purchased the mini with a credit card, likely your credit card policy doubled the manufacturers warranty to 2 years. Hopefully this is the case and you're covered.
Best of luck. |
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dungeon92
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Joined: 01 Mar 2006
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Location: St. Louis/Rolla, MO
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| Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Logic board lasts only 1 year? |
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| Bandit Bill wrote: |
If you purchased the mini with a credit card, likely your credit card policy doubled the manufacturers warranty to 2 years. Hopefully this is the case and you're covered.
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Is that a common thing? Never heard of that before, probably going to be getting a credit card later this summer in my name since they seem to want to hand them out to students (with heavy restrictions).
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Bandit Bill
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 5793
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: Logic board lasts only 1 year? |
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| dungeon92 wrote: | | Bandit Bill wrote: |
If you purchased the mini with a credit card, likely your credit card policy doubled the manufacturers warranty to 2 years. Hopefully this is the case and you're covered.
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Is that a common thing? Never heard of that before, probably going to be getting a credit card later this summer in my name since they seem to want to hand them out to students (with heavy restrictions). |
It is fairy common, but it's not the case with all cards. You can get a VISA with or without this protection. Personally I make sure that my cards have this feature. Make sure you read your policy that comes with the card. In your case you may want to read the policy before you apply for the card.
Below is a link with a wealth of information on the topic.
It compares many of the cards.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardware-components-aftermarket-upgrades/64951-note-free-extention-warranties-via-credit-cards.html |
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Smithcraft
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Joined: 09 Nov 2008
Posts: 3011
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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The logic board may last a day or it may last forever.
SC
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[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8
[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)
Make sure it has pins! |
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JayMax
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Joined: 31 Aug 2009
Posts: 75
Location: Charlotte, NC
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| Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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I for one can feel your pain. I just went through this. My mini's logic board lasted a little more than a year ( by a few months ), but being paranoid I did get Applecare. Well worth it, because you'll find that $390 becomes more, since evidently they will need to replace your airport card, bluetooth antenna, and something more. Basically the cost with labor will make you consider just buying a new mini, with Apple care.
Whatever you choose to do, hopefully your experience goes much better than mine.
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juleso
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Joined: 02 May 2011
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 2:24 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks everyone, especially BanditBill as my credit card does indeed cover the repair costs with an extended warranty. |
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Bandit Bill
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 5793
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 11:22 am Post subject: |
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| juleso wrote: | | Thanks everyone, especially BanditBill as my credit card does indeed cover the repair costs with an extended warranty. |
Wooooohoooo!!!
Let us know how this turns out. We'd love to follow the process. Hopefully everything goes smooth.
Good luck!!! |
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juleso
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Joined: 02 May 2011
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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BanditBill,
I'm happy to report that MasterCard has paid the entire cost of my Mac mini fan repair.
Apple replaced the logic board for $425. I paid @ $600 for the mini so needless to say I wasn't thrilled that after only 1 year and 1 1/2 months of use I was asked to pay almost the entire cost of the computer. But, I guess, that's how all this works.
Now the question is do I purchase Apple Care since the extended warranty will only cover me another 10 months and they only guarantee the new logic board for 90 days.
I thank you again for making me aware of the extended warranty that most credit cards offer. You saved me a lot of money and frustration.
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Bandit Bill
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 5793
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Although I would typically recommend AppleCare on most products, I think it is overpriced relative to the cost of the mini. That being said you luck hasn't been good and insurance has been your friend. In your case you may want to consider it. I'd probably wait and see if a new mini is introduced and see if that effects your decision. |
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philiparcario
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Joined: 19 Jun 2006
Posts: 4567
Location: Howell NJ USA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:58 am Post subject: |
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| juleso wrote: | BanditBill,
I'm happy to report that MasterCard has paid the entire cost of my Mac mini fan repair.
Apple replaced the logic board for $425. I paid @ $600 for the mini so needless to say I wasn't thrilled that after only 1 year and 1 1/2 months of use I was asked to pay almost the entire cost of the computer. But, I guess, that's how all this works.
Now the question is do I purchase Apple Care since the extended warranty will only cover me another 10 months and they only guarantee the new logic board for 90 days.
I thank you again for making me aware of the extended warranty that most credit cards offer. You saved me a lot of money and frustration.
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you are not able to buy applecare for your mac mini. you have the first year to buy it that has past.
you have a repaired computer that has 10 months coverage via the credit card and 90 days for the logic board.
(at least the repair was free). I would put it up for sale asap!
you may get a gift card for a new apple product at this link
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/reuse_and_recycle
if you have a 2.4 2010 mac mini you would get about 365 gift card or sell the mini on ebay
here is an auction
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Mac-mini-MC270LL-A-2-4-GHz-2-GB-320-GB-Mac-/300577569683?pt=Apple_Desktops&hash=item45fbd1bb93#ht_500wt_1413
I would not keep the machine why because I am not sure what killed the board.
If the board was killed by another part (possible) it will die again. I have had over 100 Mac minis modded and sold most times the logic board dies it had a bad part. One time I had bad ram and it killed 2 logic boards so getting rid of the machine would be my move. Of course I had sold so many I don't have much thought or fear about letting one go.
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