The simple rule
To make the right decision, compare two prices: the cost of the repair (the part, plus labour if you’re not doing it yourself) and the price of a refurbished Mac that can do the same job as yours.
- Repair for less than half the price: if the repair costs less than half the price of the refurbished Mac, repair it. You keep your files, your settings and a Mac you know.
- Repair close to the price of another Mac: if it comes close to that price or exceeds it, consider a refurbished model instead, especially if your Mac is already several years old.
To find out the price of the part, you first need to know exactly which Mac you have: the same part varies from one model to another, and sometimes from one year to the next.
Find the part for my Mac
Not sure which model you have? Quickly identify the parts you need for this repair without making a mistake.
When to repair
These faults affect a single part, which can be replaced without touching the rest of the Mac:
- Worn-out battery: your Mac shuts down quickly or no longer lasts without the charger. It’s one of the most common repairs. Here are all the batteries available.
- Cracked or stained screen: you simply need to replace the screen. You can easily find the right screen for your model.
- Keyboard or trackpad: if they stop responding, they can be replaced too. Here are our keyboards and our trackpads.
- Slow Mac or full drive: a larger or faster SSD often gives it a new lease of life. Here are all the SSDs available.
- Noisy fan: if your Mac runs hot or makes a noise, the fan is probably to blame. You’ll find the right fan for your model.
When to buy another Mac
- Several expensive parts at once: if the logic board and the screen both fail, for example, the bill quickly approaches the price of another Mac.
- Extensive liquid damage: if liquid has reached the logic board and other parts, the repair can quickly become expensive. First assess the situation with our liquid damage guide.
- No more macOS updates: if your Mac no longer receives them and your software won’t install any more, a repair won’t change anything. To check, go to the Apple menu › System Settings › General › Software Update.
- Need for more power: if you expect more from your Mac than it can deliver, even with an SSD and more memory, another Mac will suit you better.
A Mac that won’t start up at all isn’t necessarily a lost cause: the fault often lies with a single part. Before deciding, follow our diagnostic guide for a MacBook that won’t turn on.
Repairing it yourself
This is the most cost-effective way to repair your Mac: you only pay for the part. Most repairs only require the right screwdrivers and a methodical approach.
- Tutorials: we offer illustrated tutorials to guide you step by step through replacing the part.
- Warranty and advice: our parts come with a 2-year warranty when you fit them yourself, and our team of technicians is on hand if you need any advice.
- Professional repair: if you’d rather have someone else do the repair, ask your repairer to order the part themselves. See Having a part fitted by a repairer.
What about your old Mac?
If you’re replacing your Mac, the old one is still worth something, even if it’s faulty: we buy MacBooks whether they work or not. Get a valuation for your Mac in just a few clicks.
