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Intro to How to Avoid Expensive (Change) Logic Board Replacement
“How much does it cost to change MacBook logic board?” People often ask us this question when they encounter MacBook or iMac issues and have sent their Mac to an official service center. After seeing the expensive quotation, they are now seeking more affordable alternatives.
An example of a quotation from an official service center is provided below:
The client experienced an accident where water was accidentally poured on the logic board. They rushed to an official service center for checking and few days later this quotation was provided and surprisingly costly. The total price exceeded the cost of buying a new unit with no repair option available, only replacements.
We want to emphasize once more that at our 3rd party repair place, we can provide repair services for you instead. We often ponder: if every time a car gets a flat tire, you have to buy a new car, how many people can afford to drive?
So how about we check your Mac to determine if repair is possible before you decide to change MacBook logic board.
Pro Tip 1
If your Mac’s standard warranty period from Apple has lapsed, it’s essential to be aware that both the official service center and some third-party repair places may charge you a checking (diagnose) fee.
However, we don’t have any such charges because we believe in providing a pressure-free environment for our customers before and after the checking process. Our primary goal is to give you an honest opinion, allowing you to make the best decision for your Mac.
To check your Mac’s warranty status, first, you need to identify your Mac’s serial number (follow this guide), and then check it on this website.
Mac Logic Board Issues: How Common Are They?
Just like any other part of an electronic device, your Mac’s logic board is susceptible to damage. If the logic board becomes faulty, it can lead to a system crash or prevent the device from turning on. However, you can identify the causes and signs of issues before they escalate.
Over time, your Mac’s logic board may undergo wear and tear, especially after several years of use, potentially resulting in faults or damage. Additionally, dust, dirt and hair follicles from humans and pets can contribute to motherboard issues.
Direct factors like physical impacts (drop and nock), liquid (water) spills, electrical surges and heat can also cause damage to your logic board. It’s important to be cautious and take preventive measures to safeguard the board from such incidents.
To keep your Mac logic board in the best condition, make sure to have it professionally cleaned and serviced yearly to remove dirt and dust inside. Additionally, reapply a good quality thermal paste on the processor (and graphic card) to prevent overheating. It’s crucial to exercise caution to avoid causing any physical damage, as most damage can be completely avoided with careful handling.
Pro Tip 2
If your macOS, applications or softwares system are experiencing issues, it can lead to overheating, which, in turn, may cause damage to the logic board. Therefore, if you encounter software problems, it is highly advisable to back up all your data and perform a reset. You can find the guide on how to do it here.
Identifying Logic Board Issues
How do you know if you have a logic board issue? We’ll help you understand the signs better so you can easily identify them and avoid being misled by some irresponsible technicians. We have heard and seen cases where other technicians needlessly exacerbated minor issues, purposely “misdiagnosing” them as logic board problems, leading clients to pay more than necessary.
Cannot Turn On
If you’re dealing with a MacBook, try using another similar charger to check if the issue lies with the charger itself. If it’s not the charger, then test out the battery. For other Macs like iMac, Mac Mini and Mac Pro, attempt to use another power cable or adapter. If after trying everything, the device still won’t power on, it might be a good idea to have the logic board checked out.
Intermediate Shut Down or Restart
If your Mac suddenly powers off without warning and restarts (stuck in a loop) while you are using it, it could indicate an issue with the logic board. If this happens intermittently, take note of the specific app or task you were performing when it occurred, such as rendering a high-resolution video. By carefully monitoring and providing this information to the technician, they will be able to identify the issue faster and fix your Mac’s logic board promptly.
Flickering on Your Screen
Flickering on the screen can either be a permanent or intermittent issue, which might indicate a problem with the screen itself or the graphic card responsible for processing the display. To help the technician easily identify the issue, take a photo or video when the flickering occurs. This will assist in providing valuable information for a quicker and more accurate diagnosis.
If your screen is flickering and displaying lines or bars of strange colours, you can perform a self DIY check to identify the issue. Here’s how: Connect your Mac to an external monitor display. If the external monitor displays normally, it means your Mac screen is faulty. However, if the external monitor also shows weird colours and patterns, it could indicate a problem with the logic board or graphic card.
No Audio Output (No Sound)
If, for whatever reason, you can’t select an audio output and there are no options to choose from, it could indicate two possible issues. First, there might be something wrong with the audio port, such as dust or small particles causing a jam. Alternatively, there could be a transmission circuit error on the logic board, affecting the connection between the speakers and the controller.
USB and Other Port Not Working
Similar to the audio port issue mentioned above, if you plug in a USB device and it cannot be detected, there are a few potential reasons for this. First, there might be something wrong with the USB port, possibly due to dust or small particles causing a jam. Another possibility is that a short circuit occurred from a previously connected device, which may have damaged the port. Alternatively, there could be a transmission circuit error on the logic board, impacting the connection between the ports and the controller.
Loud Noise
If your Mac continuously makes noise as loud as a jet engine for a long time, it could be attributed to three potential factors. Firstly, there might be a third-party fan controller app installed within the applications, which is intended to aid with cooling and that’s generally acceptable. Secondly, the loud noise could be due to a malfunctioning fan inside the Mac. Lastly, it’s possible that something is wrong with the logic board, causing severe overheating, which, in turn, forces the fan to operate at its maximum capacity, resulting in the loud noises.
Note: Apple has removed the fan from MacBook Air models starting from the M1 onwards. Therefore, all MacBook Air models after the M1 do not have a fan. Should you be worried about this change? No, you shouldn’t worry because Apple’s M processors do not produce as much heat compared to their Intel processor predecessors.
Pro Tip 3
If you frequently engage in heavy editing work with applications like Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premier Pro, Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve, we highly recommend installing a third-party fan controller to increase the fan speed inside your Mac before it overheats.
By default, Apple sets the fan to turn on only when the Mac has already overheated, aiming to maintain a quiet environment for the device.
Overheating can lead to damage to the logic board and other components. To prevent this, you can use the free and easy-to-configure app called Macs Fan Controller.
Pro Tip 4
If your Mac turns off or restarts halfway through the loading screen, it could indicate an issue with the hard disk (hard drive) storage device. Before jumping to the conclusion that it’s a logic board problem, have the hard disk checked out first.
Important things you should know change MacBook Logic Board with Offical Service Centre
If you choose to change the logic board of your MacBook or any Mac computer at a service center, it’s essential to be aware that the average cost will be around RM2000 and above. The turnaround time for this process typically takes one to two weeks, depending on stock availability. However, if your Mac computer is considered a vintage (obsolete) model by Apple, you won’t have the option to change the logic board or receive any kind of service for your Mac from them.
The service center provides a standard three-month warranty for any hardware parts replacement. Only for new Mac purchases, they offer a one-year standard warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Change MacBook Logic Board
Is there a performance difference between repair and changing a new logic board?
There will be no difference at all since we will conduct proper testing, stress tests and compatibility tests after the repair process. That’s precisely why we don’t advocate for fast repairs or make promises about quick completion. We understand that users might be in a hurry to use their Mac for exams or work, but for us, avoiding testing would be reckless because hidden issues could persist unless we perform thorough testing. We don’t want to associate ourselves with overpromising and underdelivering in repair quality.
Will all my data, files, pictures and videos still be there if I repair or change the logic board?
The presence of your data, files, pictures and videos after repairing or changing the logic board depends on the condition of the storage device (or chipset). If the storage device is undamaged, there is no need to format or delete your data unless the macOS is corrupted or the firmware chipset (controller) is experiencing issues.
Is my data safe? I have many private and confidential things inside my Mac.
Yes! Rest assured that we are bound by the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA) and take data privacy seriously. Therefore, you can be completely confident that any data within your device that you entrust to us is entirely safe and will remain private. In some instances, we may need your login password or passcode for testing purposes. However, please note that we will never open, copy, edit, read or view your data under any circumstances.
What if I do not want to share my macOS user login password?
If you don’t share your macOS user login password, it will restrict us from conducting some testing within the macOS system, such as brightness, overheating, sound, usability and Wi-Fi.
To address this, we advise you to create a Standard account inside System Preferences -> Users so that technicians and third parties can log in and perform basic testing while ensuring that your files and data, as the Admin, remain inaccessible to anyone except yourself.
Rest assured that Apple’s security system, especially with its T2 security chip, is virtually hack-proof, meaning no one can access your data files unless it is you.
Do we need your Apple ID and Password?
For basic repair services, we don’t require your Apple ID or password. However, it is only needed when you change MacBook logic board. It’s crucial to emphasize that we cannot access your Apple ID, know your password or view any information within your Apple ID and iCloud account.
Apple ID utilizes two-factor authentication, which usually involves sending you a 6-pin code to grant access, ensuring enhanced security and privacy.
Can I upgrade to a new year or model logic board?
Yes, you can upgrade or change to a new year or model logic board, but it depends on the specific model. Some models have the same design and connector points, making it possible to upgrade to a new year and model logic board.
Contact us
As dedicated Mac users for over 15 years, we understand the frustration and helplessness that arise when your beloved Mac computer unexpectedly breaks down. But fear not! At YP Mac, we wholeheartedly focus on addressing and resolving precisely those distressing situations!
We offer hassle-free Mac repairs, as highlighted by our tagline: “Simplify Mac repairs with us.” Our commitment lies in providing convenient solutions for all your Mac-related needs.
Our skilled technicians streamline the repair process, ensuring quick and efficient service. Trust us for a seamless experience and join our satisfied customers today.
Contact us now for any inquiries you might have or visit us at ypmac.com.my
