Mac guru advice

[enabb]

Would appreciate your thought,s (sorry it so long, oerr)

Bought a i book for work 11/02 (i know years ago),
the ferking thing cost a arm and a leg, but was under the assumption they were bullet proof and stable.
Bought the extra apple warranty just in case (£199), and a good job too

Last year a new logic board was fitted cos it went tit,s up (a common
problem by all accounts).

Last week same problem again....... logic board-tit,s up........no warranty coz apple care expired 4 months ago

The new logic board was fitted 14 months ago, but was only guaranteed for 90 days anyway

Ever the optimist phoned apple customer services to appeal to there good nature

Out come is they need the serial no off the new logic board before they will discuss any further, to get this the local supplying dealer will charge 1hrs labour (£65) to take it to bits, Already want 65 quid for diagnosis
To fix it anyway will be minimum £415 , can buy a new pc for that


Question,s,
Is apple customer care any good ?, (along the lines of bmuu) has anybody had any dealings with em !
Am I just being a tight twat ? and expecting too much !
Is just over 3 years all you can expect from a mac ?
Can you only get new logic boards from apple or is there a cheaper way (other than e-bay)
Should I just say feck it and ride me bike

Just like to add I think the mac system is ace, but am loathed to chuck money at another one after this...?

Would appriciate you thoughts

 

[ianf]

There's 3rd party companies that do this sort of maintenance - plenty of ads in macworld, might prove cheaper than apple. prominent ad has logic boards for one model at:-

http://computercarecentre.net/used/index.html

That said, they most likely want the serial no of the board because it's such a known problem they're supposed to fix it free if it qualifies. Sounds like yours is the right age.

Read http://www.apple.com/uk/support/ibook/faq/ and see if it's covered though they have a getout clause on 3 years:-

How long is the Expanded iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program available?
The program covers affected iBooks for three years after the first retail sale of the unit or until March 18, 2005, whichever provides longer coverage for you.

 

[johnnybravo]

Never had an ibook so I don't know about them but in general macs are really well made - in my experience they refuse to die, I've got machines as much as 12 years old still running - can't bear to throw out working computers and soon I think I'll have to set up a bloomin museum I've got so many!

There is a logic board repair programme as mentioned above so I guess they must have had a problem there. I'd suggest you take it to the Apple store in Manchester or Sheffield (book in an appointment with a 'guru' on the web) and get them to open it up. Is it definitely the logic board serial no. they need? The machine's serial can be found inside the battery compartment.

Hope this is some help.

 

[enabb]

Thanks for your input and links lads,

Have got the serial numbers of the logic board now, tec guy phoned from shop, he managed to see it through memory slot

Phoned apple customer services, yes the logic board was in the batch of faulty ones, but seen as i book is more than three years (3yrs + 4mts)old it isnt covered

However had to fax original sales invoice to the lovely Donna (she may be reading this ) to evaluate and then discuss further, so all may not be lost yet
Will see what next week says

 

[enabb]

So after sending the same faxes 6 times, (they go to Holland first evidently so get lost eaisly )
Spending up to 45 minutes at a time on hold
Waiting for return calls that never happen,
Ending up losing the plot with customer services (SWMBO not me )


RESULT

A repair authorisation code has now been issued

(Got the impression they were trying to sicken us off, but stayed with it )

 

[johnnybravo]

Hoorah,

good news, it should be fixed in time for the release of the new ibook/macbook(?) and you'll wonder why you bothered!!