To say the MacBook Air (MBA) lasted just over two weeks before it met its match with an old game that pushed the graphics just past the limit of what it could handle would be an understatement. Fortunately, this incident occurred within the first month, allowing Apple to honor the warranty and offer the option of getting AppleCare+.
Repair Estimate Breakdown
The repair estimate for the MBA is as follows:
- Logic Board, M2, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16 GB, 1 TB - Item Number: 661-34310 - Price: $633.09
- HARDWARE REPAIR-LEVEL 1 - Item Number: S1490LL/A - Price: $129.00
- Touch ID Board, Midnight - Item Number: 661-34701 - Price: $93.62
Total Price: $855.71
There are two lines of thought regarding this situation. One perspective is that Apple didn’t do a very good job of conducting any sort of SOFTWARE TESTING on the MBA they were selling as refurbished. It seems as though if it turns on, it's considered good to go. The other perspective is that APPLE PRODUCTS are paper-thin in terms of functionality and can break by merely looking at them wrong—or in this case, by running some software that Apple doesn’t sell on the App Store.
Given the repair costs, opting for AppleCare+ at $0 seems far cheaper than paying $855.71 to get it fixed the next time I try to run some actual software on it. With the care package, there’s less worry about whether a program is too much for Apple Silicon to handle.
This incident highlights the importance of considering extended warranties and care packages when purchasing high-end electronics like laptops. While Apple products are renowned for their sleek design and cutting-edge technology, this situation serves as a reminder that even the best products can encounter issues.
In conclusion, whether it's a matter of inadequate SOFTWARE TESTING or inherent fragility in APPLE PRODUCTS, having a WARRANTY and opting for AppleCare+ can provide peace of mind and financial protection against unexpected repair costs.
