Apple Identifies Logic Board Issue With 'Very Small Number' of 2018 MacBook Airs, Will Fix Free of Charge

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Apple has identified an undisclosed issue with the logic board in "a very small number" of 2018 MacBook Air units, according to an internal document distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers on Friday. The document was obtained by MacRumors from a source who has proven reliable.

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Apple will replace the main logic board in affected ‌MacBook Air‌ units, free of charge. Apple will also send an email to affected customers to let them know that their notebooks are eligible for a main logic board replacement. Apple did not provide any specific details or symptoms pertaining to the "issue."

2018 ‌MacBook Air‌ owners can visit Apple's support website to schedule an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. When the serial number of an affected ‌MacBook Air‌ is entered into Apple's internal repair system, a message will direct technicians to replace the logic board.

Apple will authorize coverage within four years of the ‌MacBook Air‌'s original purchase date. If the notebook has accidental damage that the customer does not want repaired, technicians are instructed to proceed with the logic board replacement at no cost as long as the damage does not prevent completion of the repair.

If accidental damage does prevent the logic board replacement from being completed, Apple says the customer must pay for necessary repairs in order to get the logic board replaced at no cost.

Apple has not publicly announced this repair policy, likely due to what it believes is a very small number of affected customers. While we are confident this information is accurate, as it comes from a consistently reliable source, we cannot guarantee that all Apple employees will acknowledge the policy.

This is at least the third repair program that Apple has introduced in the past five weeks, alongside its 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro battery recall and replacement program and 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro display backlight service program.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
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Related Forum: MacBook Air

Top Rated Comments

snowboarder Avatar
51 months ago
Is the number as "small" as those broken keyboards or even smaller?
Score: 65 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SkippyThorson Avatar
51 months ago
Note to self; don’t purchase any Apple laptops made from 2015 and later. Opt for a desktop with a classic, replaceable, functional keyboard. Got it. -Self
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
51 months ago
"Apple has not publicly announced this repair policy, likely due to what it believes is a very small number of affected customers. While we are confident this information is accurate, as it comes from a consistently reliable source, we cannot guarantee that all Apple employees will acknowledge the policy." Like employees in the cafeteria might not know?

Seriously bad claim. You seem to think that Apple can't look up computers on its own in-house computer system for doing eligible repairs? Come on, pretty lame!
Hey - I'm just covering my ass. Do you know how many times Apple posts these things internally and then a customer goes to an Apple Store and the employee says "I'm unaware of this" or something along those lines. Then they come back emailing me asking why. I don't know why. I report what I see. The info is legit.

TL;DR: Your mileage may vary.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nt5672 Avatar
51 months ago
"Apple has not publicly announced this repair policy, likely due to what it believes is a very small number of affected customers. While we are confident this information is accurate, as it comes from a consistently reliable source, we cannot guarantee that all Apple employees will acknowledge the policy." Like employees in the cafeteria might not know?

Seriously bad claim. You seem to think that Apple can't look up computers on its own in-house computer system for doing eligible repairs? Come on, pretty lame!
Does not surprise me, these days Apple has become pretty lame with their desire to hide everything that even smacks of a problem.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Rebar Avatar
51 months ago
Gotta give Apple some credit for this program. The rest goes to Rossman.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drinkingtea Avatar
51 months ago
The logic board has failed two times on my MacBook (2015). Apple won’t replace it without charging me $400+. I have a brick now because I won’t pay that price. I’m so disappointed in Apple. I’ve never had so many issues with a MacBook before. And this isn’t counting the audio and keyboard issues as well.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)