How much do Apple repairs cost?

The most common Apple repairs are for Mac laptops and desktops. For laptops, most repair shops are asked to replace logic boards, hard drives and screens. The logic board is the foundation of the computer. Signs of trouble with your logic board are when your machine doesn't have any power, or if it shows just a white screen or a beeping noise when it does power up. Common signs of a problem with your hard drive include a flashing folder with a question mark when you boot up or being unable to access your information. Another common repair is fixing iPhone screens.

Repair shops also report a lot of the spinning beach ball of death, especially when the hard drive is about five to six years old. If you have a pre-2012 Mac, most repair specialists recommend upgrading to a solid-state hard drive to give your computer a new lease on life. After 2012, Apple soldered the memory in and implemented a hard drive that's proprietary to Apple, so it's more costly to upgrade or replace.

Many shops charge a flat rate for Mac laptop repairs, depending on the year and model. Others price based on an hourly rate plus the cost of parts.

Each company may have different flat or hourly rates, which vary based on the geographic location, the cost of living and the cost to do business in that region, the technician or company's background and experience, and product-related costs such as model, year and materials needed.

Here are some examples of typical laptop and MacBook repair costs:

• Laptop hard drive replacement: $225-$250, depending on make and year. Repair time is typically 1-2 days if the repair technician has the parts in stock.
• Logic board replacement: $400-$500 depending on make and year. Repair time is typically 1-2 days if they have the parts in stock.
• Logic board replacement: $349-$739, depending on make and year.
• Replacing touch bar and logic board of late-model MacBooks: $1,200 and up. The high cost is due to the new technology of the touch bar. Once new technology has been on the market for a while, the parts become cheaper, making the repairs cheaper.
• MacBook Pro hard drive replacement: $80 per hour of labor (typically 3-4 hours labor) plus parts ($75 for a 240-gigabyte to $260 for a terabyte solid-state hard drive).

The cost to replace a MacBook Pro hard drive  includes backing up all data and files, removing any harmful information from that backup, updating operating system, reinstalling app system, reinstalling data and other conveniences like reconnecting the printers to their network. Newer model Apple-compatible hard drives are typically more expensive.

Common repairs for Apple desktops include replacing the internal fans or repairing damage to the hard drive. Internal fans keep the processor and the inside cool and prevent overheating. Your fans may need to be replaced if your computer is overheating, spontaneously shutting down or making strange noises.

The national average price to replace fans is $89-$199. Repairing the hard drive in a desktop really depends on the year and model of the computer. For example, the iMac is all-in-one, so fixing or replacing the hard drive can mean taking the entire thing apart. A national average price range for hard drive repair or replacement is $159-$459.

The minimum cost for liquid damage repair is typically $129. Computers are highly sensitive to water and other liquid damage. In addition to the moisture, the sugars or chemicals in sodas and other drinks can be corrosive to the delicate logic board of your laptop.

Many people try the DIY strategy of using dry rice to absorb spilled liquid, but rice only dries the surface liquid — not the water that sits under the chips. The technician will completely remove any liquid from the logic board using a special non-conductive solution to clean it and a process chemical to dry it. If the logic board is too damaged, it may need to be replaced.

Cracked screens and issues with visibility or errors often result from dropping laptops. The retina screens that are standard on later models offer extremely high pixel density, which creates a seamless viewing experience, but — like the touch bar — is a new technology that costs more to replace when cracked or damaged. Repair experts recommend always keeping laptops or iPhones in protective cases.

Here are the typical repair costs:

• Screen replacement: $300-$500, depending on the year and screen size.
• Retina display screen replacement: $400-$500, depending on size.
• Screen replacement: $199-$499, depending on the year and screen size.

iPhone screen repairs are a common request, and most shops can replace a screen in less than 30 minutes. The cost to repair an iPhone screen ranges from $29-$329. However, prices depend on the phone model and screen size — the newer and larger the screen, typically the higher the cost. 

Battery failure, charge port problems, earpiece difficulties and data recovery are also frequent problems. Here are some examples of average iPhone repair costs, nationally:

• Battery replacement: $39-$89
• Screen replacement: $50-$200. Price depends on size and phone model.
• Data recovery for iPhones (such as pictures or old text messages): $80-$100
• iPhone unlocking services. Pricing depends on phone carrier. $50-$150

Another common repair on iPhones and iPads is replacing the Home button, which typically costs an average of $49. 

Also read, "How much does an iPad screen repair cost?"

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Apple repair technicians may charge for pickup or drop-off services, or may include transportation in their fees. Many technicians will provide a free diagnosis and an estimate of repair costs for customers who bring a computer or device to their location. Some repair shops even offer free diagnostics for laptops and phones when clients bring them in. Others may charge a minimum service fee that averages between $50 and $100, which can then be applied to the cost of repairs.

Viruses are now a real threat for Macs, which used to be nearly impervious to malware and ransomware. If you're experiencing pop-up windows, a technician can help clean your computer. Apple pros can also provide software support for glitches, updates and installations.

Many repair outfits offer a flat rate, starting at a national average of $69-$89, or up to $129 if they also need to do a backup and transfer. A very simple repair might cost as little as $39.

It's important to always back up your data to prevent any loss and to invest in anti-virus software. For most virus removal jobs, many companies offer a flat rate of $90 to clean up a laptop or desktop and get you operating smoothly once more. Many repair experts recommend the Avast brand of anti-virus software, but there are many available to suit your needs. Most repair specialists also recommend backing up your devices to a cloud-based storage system, in addition to an external hard drive, to ensure that a flood, fire, loss or theft doesn't destroy your work files, family photos and important documents. Anti-virus software and cloud-based storage are typically available for a monthly fee.

In most cases, customers can save time (and often money) by purchasing the replacement parts they need to upgrade or replace and then hiring a repair technician to install them. Consult someone at an Apple Genius Bar and/or the repair service first to find out exactly what to buy.

Always keep your iPhone and Mac updated with latest Apple software and make sure your phone is always backed up in iTunes.