Two MacBook Air logic board failures in less than 8 months

Hi All,
I purchased a new MacBook Air in early 2011. 14 months later the logic board needed replacement. 8 months after that the logic board needs replacing again. I don't take the Air into extreme temperature/humidity environments. The computer has never been dropped or had anything spilled on it. This is the 4th latop I've owned since 1995, but all of my previous laptops have been PCs. Is this normal for Apple? Any suggestions on how to avoid yet anoter $280 repair (because of course the latest logic board failure is out of warranty from the initial logic board replacement 8 months ago...)?

Let me get this straight - you consider the need to have the logic board replaced twice in less then eight months on a computer that is less than two years old to be a good deal?!? Both logic board failures were diagnosed at an Apple Genius bar in person. It shouldn't matter if it was the hard drive, battery pack, or whatever. To have a major harware component and its replacement fail twice in a very short period of time is inexcuseable! I can understand the first failure - someone has to lose the quality control lottery. However, to have the exact same component need replacing twice strongly suggest shoddy manufacturing/rebuilding.
Are logic board failures so common on Mac Airs that the discussion is about the best repair price and not the frequent failure rate?

Similar Messages

Macbook Air, Logic board failure, what happens to data?

Hello,
My Macbook Air died today with 90% battery and will no longer turn on. SMC and PRAM reset did nothing, it's completely unresponsive. I think it's a logic board failure. I have a question regarding a repair with Apple; I realise they will replace the logic board inside my computer with a new (or refurbished) board and the faulty one will be shipped to Apple. Considering the Macbook Air has flash memory on the board will this mean my data is now unrecoverable? I have everything backed up, I'm not worried. I have some err personal photo's of me and my partner in iPhoto and I'm wondering what will happen to the sensitive data.
Thanks for dealing with this lets say awkawrd topic

I don't think that your flash memory files are unrecoverable. That's because the logic board of the MacBook Air hasn't got the flash memory soldered. However, I don't know if Apple will replace the logic board, "recycling" your flash memory, or if they will install a whole new logic board replacing the flash memory, although the first option makes more sense and it would be the normal option.
Anyway, as you have a backup on an external drive, you don't have to worry about that

Number of address book contacts on MacBook Air using iCloud is one less than my other iDevices using iCloud. Is this a known bug?

Number of address book contacts on MacBook Air using iCloud is one less than my other iDevices using iCloud. Is this a known bug? I've checked for duplicates on my iDevices and I can't find any. Additionally, I have wiped all the data from the Application Support folder of the address book and re-connected to iCloud, but it always shows 308 contacts instead of 309 found on iCloud and the rest of my devices. Any ideas?

Number of address book contacts on MacBook Air using iCloud is one less than my other iDevices using iCloud. Is this a known bug? I've checked for duplicates on my iDevices and I can't find any. Additionally, I have wiped all the data from the Application Support folder of the address book and re-connected to iCloud, but it always shows 308 contacts instead of 309 found on iCloud and the rest of my devices. Any ideas?

Macbook air logic Board has died two months out of warranty. Is this common?

Initial Diagnosis
connected machine to known good power adapter
magsafe LED lights up
machine does not power up
machine makes no signs of powering on
removed bottom case
machine extremely dirty/dusty
mould is starting to grow inside machine
removed battery
connected known good power adapter to machine
powered on machine with power-on pads
machine does not start up
issue traced to logic board
requires replacement logic board before further diagnostics (apples procedures)
replacement logic board - $843
installation - $129
This is the quote to repair

machine extremely dirty/dusty
mould is starting to grow inside machine
You titled the thread something that would imply your logic board just failed for some reason. Then you ask if it si common. Logic board failures are not common on Airs. Airs in general are very reliable. They are extremely popular and regularly have the fewest posts on the forums (which implies fewer problems). However, I would expect failures to be more common among machines that are "dirty/dusty" or that can be described as having mold growing in them.
This doesn't really sound like a failure due to a manufacturing defect so much as a failure as a result of the environmental conditions in which the machine was kept.

Macbook Pro Logic board failure

Hi,
On 07 July 2013 I bought a new Macbook Pro from a local iStore. about 1 year later, the monitor failed with a black screen and I submitted the unit for repairs, as it was still under warrantee. The Apple Core Group noted that they had replaced the screen and the main logic board as this was the issue. On receiving the unit back, I noticed that the built-in microphone does not function. This was not a problem for me at the time as I never used the microphone and left it. Fast forward another year and a half, I now have a bigger need for the microphone to function for conference calls etc. About two and a half weeks ago I submitted the unit in for repairs at the same iStore, which was sent away again to the Core Group who deals with repairs on Apple products.
With communications in the past two weeks, they have claimed that the unit does not want to boot up anymore while running diagnostics and eventually told me that the main logic board has failed, and thus the reason it is not working anymore. Today the Core Group sent me a quote of R9200 (+- $750) since my unit is out of warrantee.
This doesnt sound like a valid reason and what am I supposed to do in this case? Am I responsible for dishing out $750 since I left the Macbook in fully working order when I handed it in to Apple Support? Why would the main logic board fail again after it was replaced about a year and a half ago.
Any advice is much appreciated.

There are no widespread hardware failures endemic to that model. Lacking any indication to the contrary, the repair facility itself begins to look suspicious. Of course I'm biased since all I have is the information you provided.
... the boot failed while running diagnostics
Obviously it means nothing in the end, but it is commonly accepted that when a repair facility accepts an item for repair, the item remains in their care from that moment until you accept it from them, after which it is returned to your care. The fact it failed while in their care does not appear to be in dispute. You have no way of determining how that occurred, nor should it be your responsibility to determine it. They could have dunked it in water for all you know. How is that your responsibility?
How do you prove that in any case?
Recording the logic board's serial number and comparing it to the one returned to you is one way to ensure it hasn't been swapped with a defective one, but even that can be circumvented if the repair facility is motivated enough to modify it. Anyway, my sympathies are all I can offer.

Mid 2010 MacBook Pro - Logic Board Failure - Advice Needed

Hello all,
I could really use some advice.
I have a MacBook Pro that I bought through the Apple Online Store roughly around September of 2010. A couple of weeks after buying it I had to take it to the Apple Store in London's White City due to a keyboard backlight issue. About a week later I collected the MBP and the following day had to take it back as the technician that worked on it had not tightened the display brackets up leaving it a bit floppy.
Now I have serious issues with it. Recently the MacBook has been suffering from freezing up, booting issues and the display randomly shutting off (going black, no pixelating or anything) to the point the machine has become unusable. 2 days ago I took the MBP along to an appointment at the Genius Bar at London's Regent Street Apple Store, I also took along a copy of an Apple knowledge base article regarding this very issue. The knowledge base suggests that on any OS below Mountain Lion a software update is required, for ML or Mavericks an appointment with a service agent is required. During the appointment the Mac Genius suggested it may be a software issue, they would wipe the system and re-install Mavericks then test the machine, I told him I had done this a few days earlier but I guess they have to follow process. He then went on to suggest the display may be faulty, I told him I had no reason to suspect that was the case and moved the screen forwards and backwards at varying speeds without a glimmer of a flicker. At this point after reading about this issue on various forums prior to the appointment I felt that the guy was trying to imply anything maybe at fault but deliberately steering clear of suggesting the logic board, this is just my gut feeling however and i'm perfectly capable of being wrong but I do not feel I am! Anyhow I then proceeded to demonstrate the issue whilst the machine was on, warmed up and right in front of him. I gently and slightly lifted the front left corner of the machine a little way off of the counter, just enough to obviously flex the logic board by a minuscule amount and immediately the display went into a frenzy of going off and on.
So I left the MBP with them for the guys to do their thing. Today I received the following email:
"We have attempted to repair your machine by erasing all the data off your machine and reinstalling the latest operating system, Mavericks. This has not resolved the issue of the screen going black when in use. The issue has occurred again for a very short and brief few times once the machine had fully turned on and after testing the issue did not appear again.
I'm sure the issue will more likely occur again, to repair the machine we would need to replace a part known as the main logic board. This repair is very expensive and will come roughly to £418.80."
£418.80 GBP, that's pretty much 25% of the original purchase price of the machine new, a Premium 'Pro' labelled machine just 3 years old at that. I cannot possibly afford to pay for the repair. I really despair.
This MBP has done no work hard enough for it to get stressed. It is used for some web surfing, online shopping, email, online flash based games but mostly for my kids homework. It has spent it's entire life on a table in our living room with the exception of it's Genius Bar trips.
I love Apple products, it's why as a family we own so many off them. Too many to list on a public forum as I don't want would be burglars inviting themselves around sometime. This issue has tainted my perception of both Apple and it's products. Not so much because of the fault, machines become faulty. No because it's a premium machine that cost me £2100 new and is little more than a paperweight at present just 3 years down the line. Some part of me if i'm honest was wishing but more than that expecting a company like Apple to say along the lines of "This has happened, it shouldn't have and will be repaired at no charge". There are many people suffering this kind of problem with this model and the existence of the knowledge base article must mean Apple knows it too. Just 3 years, £300 PCs last longer than that i'm sure. It does seem to be a very short lifespan for such a high end machine.
My apologies for droning on but I can neither afford the repair or do without the computer, my son is in his final GCSE year at school and my daughter in her pre GCSE year so a computer is critical for school homework research etc. I just do not know how to move forward, I haven't even picked the machine up yet!
This isn't a stomping Apple, one man crusade. I just need my MacBook fixed.
If anyone has had this problem and had it satisfactory resolved, knows who to speak to that may help resolve the issue please let me know.
Any other advice will be more than welcome.

Ive repaired 1000s of laptops over the years (translate: diagnose and replace parts).
Its not that old, Ive owned 100s of laptops (most were free) ....some I still have are nearly 13 years old and still perfect, ....some extremely expensive ones died in under a year.
other than becoming obsolete at some point, there isnt really any "will spoil on" data like Milk for solid state computer parts, ....alas.
You can have a $5000 laptop die in 4 months, and a junker one keep kicking after 10 years.... Ive seen that firsthand countless times.
Common logic dictates that "very expensive = long life" in computers,..... but all the repair people will tell you just the opposite.
I know you have a gripe, I get that all too well honestly .

13 Inch Macbook Pro Logic Board Failure

I've my 13 inch macbook pro (mid 2010) working fine till last week and all of a sudden it gone off while i'am working with it.
When i tried it it switch it on, it is not coming up back. No response at all, when i press the power button even the brething light is not coming up.
No issue with the battery as it is fully charged and even the MagSafe is connected.
I gave it to Apple authorised service center for repair, they initially asked 1000+ buck (INR) for checking it and after checking it i got a response that it is a logic board issue no power is being send to Logic board and it needs an expensive replacement of Rs 33,600.
Not sure why this logic board can't be repaired rather than an expensive replacement..??? Are they doing service or only replacements?
Bought it for 80k and spending another 35k in 3 years is the most annoying thing - a brand new windows laptop costs 35k
Thanks,
Subbu

Apple or an AASP do not "service" logic boards...everything is soldered in place...they replace them.

2011 Macbook Air - Multiple logic board failures - possible causes?

I have a 2011 i7 macbook air - 7 months old. About a month ago I went to use the computer after allowing it to sleep and it was totally dead. Apple authorized repair center said the logic board failed and needed to be replaced. Fast forward a month and I finally get the machine back. It works fine for 6 hours, I put it to sleep, and soon as the screen went out, I hear a pop, fizzle, then the machine is dead again. The authorized repair center wants to replace the logic board again, which should get me up and running, but its not likley that that is the root CAUSE of the problem here, since it happened twice now. I suggested to them that perhaps the power adaptor, battery, or some other component is the issue and they don't think so. I'm located overseas, and every repair attempt takes 1 month b/c of parts (total joke if you're listening apple!!). My biggest concern is that they replace the logic board again, I'm out of commission for 2 months now, and it just fails again. Does anyone have any suggestions on the possible causes of this problem?
As FYI - I'm using the same power outlet and power strip with another laptop and haven't had any similar issues. Thanks for the help!

I have logic board problems too. I have had a late 2010 mac book air for 2 and half years. Its been a great machine in general - although it did go back within the warranty period for the track pad
Now it has logic board failure - symptons are the sound going and the battery is dead and it is unable to charge which means every time you put the power lead on the computer thinks it is starting from scratche.
I have been quoted over £400 for the repair! Like the above post I do not believe that this part should fail - and if it does then it is a major design problem and Apple should be doing something for us. I just dont know where to start.
I have used macs for 14 years and owned eight along the way. Most have them have lasted many years with full functionality the record was my G3 imac which was still working after 13 years.
I really cant believe the situation I am in and rather think I have bought my last mac!
alistair

Logic board Failure after 2 years - Macbook Pro 13''

Hi! Does anyone had problems regarding logic board failure on Macbooks Pro 13''?
I've bought mine 2 years ago and it started to fail. I took it to the technical support and was told that the logic board was damaged and it had to be changed. The warranty expired last november, so I have to pay for it. The problem is the logic board costs almost the price of a new macbook pro.
It is not possible that Apple think it is ok that a notebook that expensive lasts only two years.
I'm in Brazil and here there is no Apple store. So I'll probably have to buy another laptop ( and sadly I don´t know if I'm going to buy a mac again... not with it lasting as little and being the parts so expensive. )

Hi! Does anyone had problems regarding logic board failure on Macbooks Pro 13''?
I don't have the problem, but it's been percolating on another discussion for several years now:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2675881?start=0&tstart=0
You might think about posting there, too, so others can read about your issue.

MacBook Pro won't start up... possible logic board failure?

I bought my MacBook pro in March 2008, 15 inch, and it is now out of apple care.
It freezes on start up on the white screen with the apple logo and the spinning thing.
Did hardware test and got error code 4SNS/1/40000000: TC0D - 107.500
Is this a logic board failure, or possibly something that could be fixed much easier and cheaper?
Thank you for any help.

whitdare4 wrote:
Did hardware test and got error code 4SNS/1/40000000: TC0D - 107.500
That error code is listed as a hard drive sensor error. It may mean that the temp sensor on the hard drive needs to be replaced, or the logic board might be at fault.
It could also get caused from another fault peripheral device as the code describe generally a "connection fault".
You should remove usb mouse or other usb devices and try to boot in safe mode to eject all attached drives proper.
Lupunus

MacBook Pro Retina Display Logic Board Failure

There are a lot of threads discussing the logic board failures in MBP's. I have a brand new MBP with Retina 2012 that failed due to a bad logic board. Apple is replacing the machine, but is this a bigger problem others are having?
Data backup/recovery has been an issue since Apple's policy prevents users from retrieving data from the working and intact solid state drive (SSD) attached to a broken MBP. It seems ridiculous, but it is true that Apple stores are NOT equipped with external enclosures to read data from a SSD like a spinning HD.

There are a lot of threads discussing the logic board failures in MBP's. I have a brand new MBP with Retina 2012 that failed due to a bad logic board. Apple is replacing the machine, but is this a bigger problem others are having?
Data backup/recovery has been an issue since Apple's policy prevents users from retrieving data from the working and intact solid state drive (SSD) attached to a broken MBP. It seems ridiculous, but it is true that Apple stores are NOT equipped with external enclosures to read data from a SSD like a spinning HD.

Multiple Logic Board Failures... Advice?

My black MacBook is less than two years old. Starting this past January, I have had a total of three logic boards fail, along with other hardware failures, including the SuperDrive and Keyboard/Trackpad Module.
Every time the board fails, it is because of a different problem than the last time. First, a connection wire was faulty, causing the Super Drive to be replaced as well. The second time I don't know what was wrong with it, but it was replaced along with the Keyboard/Trackpad Module. This last time, the Speaker/Headphone connections were stuck, which again, caused the Geniuses to replace the Logic Board. The LCD screen was also replaced, but because of dead pixels. Also the hard drive quit working (thank god for backups). I am now on my 4th Logic Board in less than 6 months.
My computer is still covered by AppleCare for another year and a half, but the repeated servicing and re-registering programs is getting a bit ridiculous. Not to mention, if this keeps happening after the warranty runs out, it will be very expensive. I have no money to buy a new computer. The only reason I have this one is because I got it for my 18th birthday from my family.
Is there anything that I and/or Apple can do in this case?

Many things can cause a logic board to fail, from environmental problems to a run of defective parts used in the manufacture of a particular batch of boards. What you can do to help prevent problems are:
1) avoid giving your system (or any electronic device or component) any sort of static shock. Static electricity can easily damage solid-state devices. If in the area in which you have your computer you're regularly getting shocks when you touch metal or grounded devices, you need to take steps to reduce the static electricity buildup.
2) make sure you're properly grounded whenever you access the internals of the system, such as to remove or install RAM or hard drives, and install only quality components verified as compatible with your computer.
3) use high-quality power protection devices on the AC power to your computer and any connected devices (printers, scanners, networked devices, etc.) The $10 "hardware store special" surge protectors generally do more harm than good; get high-quality surge protectors or, better, a power conditioner or uninterruptible power supply with good power filtering.
Beyond that, it's rather the luck of the draw. But MacBooks in general have as good a track record of reliability as any laptop and better than many.
Regards.

Is it normal that 2 years old macbook pro logic board died

is it normal that 2 years old macbook pro logic board died.i Went to apple repair plase and they said that logic board is ded.is it really OK that in 2 years it dies.

Hi,
No it is not normal nor it is a gamble. It will be a shame if anyone within Apple thinks that you were gambling on the quality of their products by not buying an extended warranty.
When someone buys a machine like a MacBook Pro from Apple you are not gambling with quality. But investing by forking out a higher amount of money than people do find less expensive solutions. This is, of course, a personal choose.
When a computer dies within two years anyone can see that the machine was not build for such a period and therefore it is not more than reasonable to have it repaired or replaced on the costs of the manufacturer.
In growing amount of (European) countries customers are protected against the approach of limited warranty. Apart from the one year warranty, people are entitled to have a device (in your case a computer) on which they can rely on for many years, unless stated differently (except for wear and tear for which a manufacturer is not responsible for).
Buying an extended warranty (as a warranty against a failure of the product) is no more than a commercial exploitation against which consumers should be protected. Which only can be achieved through proper legislation in the country you live in.

Macbook air + logic x latency

Hi!
I have a Macbook air 1,7 GHz Core i7 with 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3. When running Logic X with Logic or Mainstage i´ll get "glitches", "hick" with I/O buffersize set to 128. I have an old macbook pro from 2009 that handle this without any problem at all. Someone that has an idea of what kind of problem it is!?
Sincerely
/Tomas

You will need to remove the internal storage from that 2010-11 MBA, and put it in an external USB3 enclosure for use with a 2014 MBA. The assumption here is that the logic board failure did not corrupt the internal storage contents.

MBP 2011 logic board failure

Hi!
I had a logic board failure a while ago. i got it replaced and now i just had the same issue that i had just before the crash of my previous board.
I have a late 2011 mac.
so this is what happened first:
i was working in photoshop cs6 and my display suddenly moves for about 10 centimeters to the left. the left side shifted to the right side actually. and there were artifacts everywhere.
i rebooted, all was fine again, but soon thereafter it happened again, and again, every time on booting photoshop, and after that my macbook just stopped loading at the apple screen, and it had horizontal green lines.
i was told that my graphic card crashed that was on the logic board, you know the drill.
when it crashed i was scanning an image.
so today i was working in indesign cs6 and i was printing when my screen shifted again. i rebooted, all is fine. i noticed that i was using the same (old) USB cable as when i first got the crashes.
i was wondering now, could it be that an external USB device, or cable, could make a crash and even kill the logic board? i paid 650 euros for a new logic board and sure as **** want this thing working properly now.
thank you alot!
Mathieu

Please ***Send Feedback to Apple:*** This is the most important. IF there is going to be a replacement program, you're going to have to start an official case with them. Might as well do it now. This will also help Apple diagnose the issue (we want a permanent fix, right?). They probably already have, but officially document your case!!!
Everyone should write a registered letter to Apple reporting an official complaint:
Apple European Headquarters:
Hollyhill Industrial Estate
Hollyhill, Cork
Republic of Ireland
Apple USA:
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 996-1010
More info at: https://people.cam.cornell.edu/~zc227/extras/early2011mbp_graphics.html#permfix

Two MacBook Air logic board failures in less than 8 months

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