How much for a macbook keyboard ?

April 6, 2008 11:15 AM

MacRepairPrice Filter : Trying to figure out on which deal is the best, being the proud owner of a macbook (MAC OSX version 10.4.11), now about a year old, I wonder wether or not i should go for the extra 2-year guarantee, which will cost me 200€ a year.

The only thing i'd like to know are the respectiv prices of the replacement of the keyboard, and of the "mouse" item.

Also, which other parts would need a closer watch over time due to their lack of resistance ?

Thanks a lot

posted by Jireel to computers & internet (5 comments total)

iFixit says a new keyboard/mouse upper case (which is what you end up replacing if you hose either) is around $150 or so, depending on the color.

The other parts you might have issues with are the charger (MagSafe adaptors are being reported by some people as having fraying cords - simply do a Google on "MagSafe fray" and you'll get a buch). The main thing you have to think about here, though, is that labor is (like most things) way more expensive than parts. If you have faith in yourself that you'd be fine under the hood, then go for it. Otherwise, look at it like any other extended warranty - is it worth 200 Euro to feel more secure in your purchase?

What I might recommend (which may or may not be available, as you're asking in Euros and I'm in the US) is getting a "personal articles policy" or some equivalent from whomever you get your homeowner's insurance. This is quite a bit better than just a manufacturer's defect warranty, as it covers any accidental damage or theft - two things Applecare doesn't cover (again, in the US.) It costs me about $30 a year for my two Apple laptops, and provides loads more peace of mind than Applecare ever would.
posted by plaidrabbit at 11:34 AM on April 6

Buy Applecare on eBay. It currently sells "Buy it Now" for around 150$ which is ±95€ but I've seen even better deals. But before you do, ask the seller if she is willing to send you the codes by email. That saves on shipping an almost empty box (there is Techtool Pro in it, but I already use a competing product) and on ridiculous brokerage charges and sales tax. (Apple Care is just a code that you enter over the phone, together with your MacBook serial number. It is valid for three year from the day of purchase BUT you have to buy it before your computer is 1 year old. Check that first.

Laptop repair, certainly of Apple laptops, is ridiculously expensive so if you only have one thing that breaks it already pays for itself. I got, over the years, a lot of new parts and even once a complete new PowerBook, since the parts to repair my old, almost three year old one, were not available.

I always buy my Apple Care on ebay, it's so much cheaper than in Europe and even Canada. And it is valid all over the world.
posted by maremare at 12:20 PM on April 6

Get it. The fan. The damn fan. Mine is almost 3 years old and now, the cooling fans are going. Will easily cost more to replace than the AppleCare plan did.
posted by From Bklyn at 12:21 PM on April 6

I'm about as anti-extended warranty as they come, but not buying Applecare all too often results in tears. In my case, a Powerbook with a failed display at 18 months and a Macbook Pro with a failed fan at 14 months more than made up for buying it. My GF has been through at least 5 free battery replacements on her 18 month old Macbook.

Shop around for a bargain, but by all means, get the Applecare -- they're not perfect, but on the whole they're a whole lot more responsive than most warranty providers, extended or otherwise.

Like plaidrabbit, I'd also recommend a policy for what Applecare doesn't cover. I use "safeware" in the US. I've never had to file a claim, but I know others that have done so with good results.

Between the two of them, I'm a much more relaxed laptop owner...
posted by nonliteral at 1:07 PM on April 6

See this previous thread on Applecare in general and my comment in specific on how I use Applecare to defray the costs of a new computer.
posted by jeremias at 1:53 PM on April 6