Anybody ever replace a laptop case?

[DaveNV]

So, about a month ago I dropped my Apple laptop on the floor. (Slippery leather chair + tile floor = terrible Oops! moment.) It didn't break anything, but it landed on the edge, and the corner where the power cord attaches is bent, making attachment a challenge. It isn't something I can straighten out myself. I have to be really specific on how I connect the cord, or it doesn't charge, or won't stay connected. If I try to use it with the cord attached, it easily gets slightly out of alignment, and disconnects. I'll be typing along, and suddenly the laptop shuts down, because the battery died. Frustrating.

I'm considering having Apple replace the case with a new one. (Do they even do that?) But I question whether it's worth the hassle and expense to do that. This laptop is four years old, but was a top of the line custom-built model when I got it, (i7 processor, high-end graphics card, 1TB SSD drive, etc.) It works fine, and has plenty of storage left, so in my mind is worth hanging on to. As I closely look it over, now I'm seeing nicks and scratches on the screen, worn places on the keyboard, and other things that make me wonder whether it's worth it to just change out the case, or if I should just bite the bullet and just buy a new laptop. The closest Apple store is in Las Vegas, so about 90 minutes away. With Covid going on, I'm not sure whether they are even doing this sort of work.

Has anyone else dealt with this sort of thing? I can't be the only one to have dropped a laptop. What did you do about it? And specifically for any Apple folks, what was your experience? Would you do it again? How expensive was it?

Dave

 

[Luanne]

Not an Apple user, and don't have a laptop, but wouldn't something like one of these work?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/search...rue&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&keys=keys

 

[dioxide45]

Not an Apple user, and don't have a laptop, but wouldn't something like one of these work?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/search...rue&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&keys=keys

I think it is too late for that. That might help protect the actual laptop, but in Dave's situation, the laptop is bent and that case likely won't even fit now.

 

[Luanne]

I think it is too late for that. That might help protect the actual laptop, but in Dave's situation, the laptop is bent and that case likely won't even fit now.

Thanks. I didn't read Dave's post closely enough to see that it was the case of the actual laptop that needed to be replaced.

 

[Sea Six]

There's probably a local computer repair shop nearby that could give you a good answer. I found one to replace my iPad screen that is certified to do Apple products. I won't drive 90 miles to an Apple store, but considering their cost, I would start by doing a Google search.

 

[DaveNV]

Not an Apple user, and don't have a laptop, but wouldn't something like one of these work?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/search...rue&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&keys=keys

I think it is too late for that. That might help protect the actual laptop, but in Dave's situation, the laptop is bent and that case likely won't even fit now.

Jeremy is right - that kind of case is a shell covering for the entire laptop, not a replacement for the actual case. Mine needs a replacement, either of the case, or of the machine, I'm afraid.

Dave

 

[dioxide45]

Jeremy is right - that kind of case is a shell covering for the entire laptop, not a replacement for the actual case. Mine needs a replacement, either of the case, or of the machine, I'm afraid.

Dave

Does your computer only have one USB-C port that it can charge through?

 

[DaveNV]

Does your computer only have one USB-C port that it can charge through?

Mine has only a Magsafe port. I don't have any USB-C ports.

Dave

 

[isisdave]

I think this won't be cost-effective if you ask Apple to do it. Look on eBay for a dead or "for parts" equivalent; if you find one, maybe you can do the swap, or your local repair guy. They're pretty amazing people.

Another idea is that possibly the local computer guy could put a small hole in the case and wire up a different charging route.

And if you get to opening the case, see about swapping in a SSD for the original hard drive.

 

[dioxide45]

Mine has only a Magsafe port. I don't have any USB-C ports.

Dave

Oh, time for a replacement. USB-C ports are the best. You need USB-C ports!

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

Might want to poke around here:

MacBook Pro Parts and Repair Kits | iFixit

MacBook Pro parts for DIY repair. Batteries, SSDs and small parts all tested and guaranteed with fast shipping and easy returns.

www.ifixit.com

 

[SandyPGravel]

Do you have a "U Break I Fix" in your area? They are wonderful to work with and at least ours, very honest. My DH took his tablet in to have the screen replaced bc it was cracked. Turned out the screen protector got cracked, the actual tablet was fine. They called him to come pick it up. No charge. Now they could have installed the new screen and we would have been none the wiser.

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks, all. Small town, so limited options here without traveling to a larger city. If things get terrible, I'll dig deeper into my options.

The laptop plug "does" work, as long as I'm careful with how it is connected. It's a magnetic catch on the plug, that sometimes just falls off, so it could be the magnet itself has worn out.

I'm going to try and limp along until the new M1 chip MacBook Pro's are available. From all reports, it's the next step forward. This laptop is only four years old, but is already a generation behind.

Dave

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

This past January I ended up replacing the MacBook Pro I bought in March of 2014. I use it all day for work during the week and outside of that for personal activities at night and weekends, so I got some good use out of it. In late 2014 I bought a MacBook Air to take with me when I travel or for some other occasional activites and that is still running strong. I was starting to have issues with the screen on the MBP and it seemed to be running hot at times, so I bit the bullet and bought a new one.

 

[DaveNV]

This past January I ended up replacing the MacBook Pro I bought in March of 2014. I use it all day for work during the week and outside of that for personal activities at night and weekends, so I got some good use out of it. In late 2014 I bought a MacBook Air to take with me when I travel or for some other occasional activites and that is still running strong. I was starting to have issues with the screen on the MBP and it seemed to be running hot at times, so I bit the bullet and bought a new one.

I think mine is an "Early 2015" model, bought new in 2016. I've used the heck out of it, and have no real complaints about having gotten my money's worth. Although I'm being warned now about the battery needing service, and the machine does seem to be running hotter than it used to. I've also noticed since upgrading to iOS Big Sur that it takes a lot longer to boot up than it did previously. So a new machine may be in my future whether I want one or not.

BTW, if that's a typo on your username, you can ask the Moderators to edit the name for you. OCD Me notices things like that.

Dave

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

BTW, if that's a typo on your username, you can ask the Moderators to edit the name for you. OCD Me notices things like that.

LOL on the username. I just signed up as a member about a month ago. I'll send a note to a Mod to fix it Ewe kan slep whel tonite nowing that

 

[DaveNV]

LOL on the username. I just signed up as a member about a month ago. I'll send a note to a Mod to fix it Ewe kan slep whel tonite nowing that

Ur 2 gud 2 mee.

Dave

 

[DrQ]

Macs can be VERY model specific for repair parts. I upgraded my SDD to a M.2 NVMe interface 1 TB drive on my MacBook Pro.

I just upgraded to Big Sur over the weekend.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

DaveNV....Check out my user name. I'M FIXED! Thx

 

[DaveNV]

DaveNV....Check out my user name. I'M FIXED! Thx

Nice. Now THAT'S a username!

Dave

 

[shorep]

So, about a month ago I dropped my Apple laptop on the floor. (Slippery leather chair + tile floor = terrible Oops! moment.) It didn't break anything, but it landed on the edge, and the corner where the power cord attaches is bent, making attachment a challenge. It isn't something I can straighten out myself. I have to be really specific on how I connect the cord, or it doesn't charge, or won't stay connected. If I try to use it with the cord attached, it easily gets slightly out of alignment, and disconnects. I'll be typing along, and suddenly the laptop shuts down, because the battery died. Frustrating.

I'm considering having Apple replace the case with a new one. (Do they even do that?) But I question whether it's worth the hassle and expense to do that. This laptop is four years old, but was a top of the line custom-built model when I got it, (i7 processor, high-end graphics card, 1TB SSD drive, etc.) It works fine, and has plenty of storage left, so in my mind is worth hanging on to. As I closely look it over, now I'm seeing nicks and scratches on the screen, worn places on the keyboard, and other things that make me wonder whether it's worth it to just change out the case, or if I should just bite the bullet and just buy a new laptop. The closest Apple store is in Las Vegas, so about 90 minutes away. With Covid going on, I'm not sure whether they are even doing this sort of work.

Has anyone else dealt with this sort of thing? I can't be the only one to have dropped a laptop. What did you do about it? And specifically for any Apple folks, what was your experience? Would you do it again? How expensive was it?

Dave

I had AppleCare,did a similar thing, they asked for the serial number, sent me a replacement,(it was the base),all the screws and a small screwdriver and courier bag to send back the damaged one, very good service, or you could let them do it.