MacService review
So after getting my computer back from MacService with a shiny new logic board and putting it through its paces for a few days, it’s probably about time for a review of the whole thing.
Background: My 12” PowerBook (1.5 GHz) had its VRAM fail on it… which unfortunately meant that the whole logic board (motherboard, to PC users) needed to be replaced. I was fully ready to just sell it on eBay, but could only expect maybe ~$150 for a broken PowerBook. Then the parents said they’d use it if I repaired it so thus began the repair process.
Price: 10/10. It was the cheapest site for logic board repairs that I could find. I even tried looking up logic board components alone, and those were still higher than the $495 at MacService (all shipping and parts included!). I also got a $50 student discount, so it was only $445 for me. Around the price of a perfectly working PowerBook 12” on eBay.
Service: 8/10. They sent out a safe shipping box the day after I placed my order. It seemed like a basic box, but was actually very secure and nice. They run a free full diagnostic on every computer (including taking out the hard drive and testing it in a separate enclosure). They called me to ask about additional repairs (apparently, my hard drive had “bad sectors”), and unlike what a previous reviewer reported, they easily agreed when I said I did not want my hard drive replaced at that time (like every other repair place, they charged pretty well for a replacement hard drive: $165 for 120GB, over twice the cost of the 120GB drive I eventually bought myself). Just to be safe, though, I did NOT claim I was going to do the repairs myself and used the “I am a poor college student” excuse instead (I didn’t want the girl on the phone sales-lecturing me). Though I told the girl on the phone that I didn’t want the hard drive replacement, they didn’t acknowledge it and start on my logic board repair until AFTER I wrote a note on my order page, stating I didn’t want additional repairs. After that, though, it only took them 24 hours to get it done and ship out my laptop.
Components & installation: 8/10. My computer is in perfect working order, which is MAINLY what matters. Unfortunately, the techs over-tightened the screws and I had a HELL of a time taking my computer apart again to put in a new hard drive. I think we went through (as in destroyed) 5 or 6 tiny Philips head screwdrivers just trying to get back into the PowerBook (of course, half our fault for buying crappy screwdrivers from Ocean State Job Lot). The components also seem to be working perfectly… I haven’t tried hooking up my external monitor up and REALLY stressing it, though.
Speed: 9/10. They stated typical 24-hour turnarounds, and they were serious! Though total speediness depends on how close you are to their repair center (in Santa Clara, California) and how quick you are responding to their additional inquiries. I live on the East Coast, so it takes packages a whole week via UPS ground to get to Santa Clara. I placed my order for the repair on 5/5/08, they sent out the box the next day and it got here a week later, another week to send in my computer, 3 days total at the repair center, and another 8 days to ship back. I got my working computer on 5/30.
Overall: 35/40. That’s a B+, but I’ll give it an A-. Overall, it’s a great service that I’d recommend. I sent my PowerBook in for probably the most difficult install, and they did wonderfully. My only complaint is the over-tightening of the screws, but if you never have to take your computer apart, it won’t matter to you.
