Apple Extends Self-Service For MacBook Air And Pro Users, Makes Repairs Cheaper

Apple provides self-repair for MacBooks. (photo: doc. pixabay)

JAKARTA - Apple is expanding its DIY (do it yourself) repair program to include MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops equipped with the M1 chip. Once the program officially opens on August 23, you'll be able to purchase genuine parts for the 2020 MacBook Air M1, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and 2021 M1 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro at the Apple Self-Service Repair Store.

The program expands on the repair program Apple launched earlier this year, which initially only included parts for the iPhone 12 and 13, such as the screen, battery, and camera. Unfortunately, the program is currently only available in the US. But Apple plans to bring it to Europe next. Maybe even to Asia, especially Indonesia someday.

Apple has made a number of MacBook components available for self-repair starting, display, a top case with battery, Touch ID, and trackpad. Just like Apple with its iPhones, they also offer credits that can be given for repairs after the owner's hands over the old parts that are replaced.

For the MacBook Air display, the owner or user can pay 395.12 US dollars, while the MacBook Pro's 14-inch screen and lid angle sensor cost 672.32 US dollars. Prices for the trackpad and Touch ID are the same for both notebooks, costing $95.92 and $87.10, respectively. As TechCrunch notes, prices for other Mac parts vary widely for example $5 for screws, $29 for speakers, and around $580 for the whole keyboard.

Apple also plans to expand this type of fix in the future and will also expand the program to more Mac models "later this year," such as the M2 MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac Studio Display.

If you don't want to buy the tools needed to carry out the repair, Apple also provides a kit rental for $49. But the device has to be much smaller than the 79-pound unit Apple sends customers to repair their iPhones.

Apple's press release doesn't go into detail about the actual process, but being able to swap out the Touch ID module or logic board (keyboard) at home means, as with authorized repair personnel, it needs to be serialized, either by tool or by Apple before parts are shipped.