Repair or Replace?

[Qua Sar]

Hello Guys,
I need some advice. I went to a fitness class I have (i am in college) and i put my computer then my notebook then a shirt then a nalgene pop-cap waterbottle (it's the size of a water bottle not one of the big nalgenes) that I have never had an issue with. Well, today i got to class opened my bag and water was EVERYWHERE. Suffice to say i started wiping the water off my computer and I guess during the process i hit the power button by accident. Instant corrosion and now it is dead. My question is (after taking it to the Genius Bar)... Is it worth the 860ish flat repair fee or should i just buy a new computer? I am unsure how well apple does with water damage repair. As well, on the apple site if i got a new computer I could get a 900ish dollar macbook or refurbished 999 macbook pro (which just showed up today and is what I have now).

So I guess my question is how well does apple deal with water damaged computers that are definitely dead and are corroding...

 

[rippingviper]

Just replace it and save yourself the hassle. Once theres water theres corrosion. once theres corrosion it never stops. I'd just replace it if it was my own. Sorry to hear about the loss bud

 

[Qua Sar]

Yea i just got it last semester. I am curious what to do only becuase the genius bar said they would send it away and replace all corrosive parts... including case. As long as they don't say it is economically unfeasable then I would think they'd pretty much be replacing everything which if they literally do do that, i am basically getting a new macbook pro... i mean water was all over, so wouldn't that mean it would be okay sine they'd be replacing 3/4 or even 4/5 the parts? (i know the ahrd drive works as i immediatly took it out and threw it in an external to get my senior project/project files for Information systems).

 

[rippingviper]

Depends on where the water go into. You may not see it but some water could've gotten into alot of components. I know its a pretty big loss to take but lesson learned right? Never put liquids in the same place as an electronic device. I always put mine into a waterproof sleave first or into its own case , Even in its own case i put the laptop into another case. Sounds a bit extensive on protection.. But I like to protect my investments lol.

In the end its up to you. It would just be sad if you paid the 900 to get it fixed and then something else died and you end up paying more then a new one to fix it up again.

 

[quin]

Get a new computer. Then try to figure out what to do with the old one later. At $860 for repair you are only $200, -$999-$70 tax, away from a refurb model. Easy decision the hard part is what to do with the old one.

Makes me wonder if Apple can take yours and give you a discount on a new one, not refurb. You might want to ask.

 

[Qua Sar]

I completely understand, that is what I am thinking too. I just thought i'd see if anyone on here has dealt with Apple dealing with macbook pro (or laptops in general from apple) and water damage and how good they are etc.


EDIT: trying to weigh all my options

quin: yea it's around 860ish I do not remember the exact numbers. The question is do i get anothe rmacbook pro (if i make the refurb model decision) or do i just wait for a cheap macbook haha.

 

[rippingviper]

Well depends the route you go. My macbook pro is a refurb and you wouldnt know by lookin at it man. Not a scratch on it at all anywhere I even opened it up and its minty. You'd never know it was a refurb and I got it almost 700 bucks cheaper then the brand new one.

 

[Qua Sar]

My problem really is not do i want a refurb (my pro was a refurb) ... it's how much do i want to drop at the moment and what do i want kind of thing... which is why if i did go refurb and still wanted the pro (the lowest pro version) i may as well check out the flat fee repair option.

But i agree... water and corrosion sound like a gamble to mess with considering if they don't get it all and what not then I am screwed if it's after whatever time period they have as a trial period.


Do you know if genius bar would test my ram for corossion etc for a smaller fee... as i upgraded the ram when i bought the refurb (if i did just get another refurb).

 

[rippingviper]

Yeah. well your decision really. I put in my .02 , Goodluck getting something new , I was actually considering getting an imac and one of those backpacks for em. haha

 

[Qua Sar]

Haha, whatever my decision I am definitely getting a proper laptop case cover since I carry it around a lot doing schoolwork etc. ... that way I CAN hold water in my bag and not have to worry.

 

[quin]

I completely understand, that is what I am thinking too. I just thought i'd see if anyone on here has dealt with Apple dealing with macbook pro (or laptops in general from apple) and water damage and how good they are etc.


EDIT: trying to weigh all my options

quin: yea it's around 860ish I do not remember the exact numbers. The question is do i get anothe rmacbook pro (if i make the refurb model decision) or do i just wait for a cheap macbook haha.

I would take the damaged notebook to Apples Store. Try to look completely sad and pathetic. Ask one of the Genius if they can do a discount on a new MBP in exchange for the damaged one. If you get one that's sympathetic it might be good. After all, you are not losing anything, just asking the question. Good luck. =)

 

[Qua Sar]

That is not a bad idea quin... i don't know if that will work since I assume there are strict bussiness issues with taking a fairly damaged laptop.

 

[RavingMac]

Two things to consider here:

1) What is the real replacement cost for your Laptop . . . I might have missed it but I didn't see it in your post. $866 to repair a system you can replace for ~$1000 is an almost nobrainer. But if you have $2000 invested in the water damaged laptop I would go to the second thought.

2) What warranty comes with the Apple repair? If you get a full warranty you are as you mentioned, essentially getting a new system.

My opinion, if you don't get a reasonable warranty and the cost to repair exceeds 50% of the cost to replace (unless money is exceptionally tight) I would replace.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

Save yourself a lot of money, time & trouble. Give it to a local school that offers computer repair classes. That will make them happy, and you can deduct the loss on your income tax. Then buy whatever you want. If you let them "fix" this one you're in for a big surprise. Apple is great at repairs, but once you've powered it up with it wet, or even a day or so later, it short circuits everything. I know they say it will all be replaced but that's not financially possible for them. It sounds good, but it would cost less for them to give you a new one which is not going to happen. Be safe, replace it.

 

[rippingviper]

Sympathy at an apple store? I wish we even had an apple store where I lived. Oh wait we do now it just opened but before then we never had one so that wasn't a possiblity. It was either call in and order a new one or ship out before haha.