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Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

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Re: Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

#91

Post by jen729w »

Jmcdd wrote: post #6

This is a shame and another setback for Macbooks / Macs. I'd agree with "planned obselescense" over security being the motive as the article pointed out. This will also not hurt Apple in the slightest, only their consumers who are blinded by their unwavering loyalty to the brand. Sent from my iPhone

I’m not “blinded by [my] unwavering loyalty to the brand” but the suggestion that this sort of thing is going to send me over to Windows or Linux is ridiculous.

I’m a normal guy who works in IT and does pretty much everything with my MBP. Work (Citrix, email, Office), play (Logic, Lightroom), development (Sublime, Chrome, the Terminal) ... I mean come on.

For my “loyalty” to be considered “unwavering” there would have to be a legitimate alternative that does just what Apple does, but lets me repair my own [incredibly powerful, thin, built-like-a-slab-of-rock, trivial to keep up-to-date] laptop. That laptop would have to seamlessly sync my phone and watch, there would have to be superb Bluetooth in-ear wireless headphones available for this ecosystem ... it goes on and on. I’m all-in on the Apple ecosystem for a damned good reason and, while I may not love this approach to repairs, that does not make me an unwavering loyalist.

Don’t tell me that I can get this all with Linux and a Dell. You know I can’t.

Re: Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

#92

Post by nerdponx »

Waterluvian wrote: post #84
thinkling wrote: post #46

Back when end users could replace (upgrade) RAM and storage, I cared about keeping that flexibility. Now those are soldered to the motherboard and generally non-upgradeable from the start. This change affects “display assembly, logic board, top case (the keyboard, touchpad, and internal housing), and Touch ID board”. I could see wanting an alternate, after-market keyboard, but otherwise am happy to stick with Apple p…

Requiring authorized/first party repair is manifestly bad. Consider what the automobile landscape would look like if the same were true.

See also: John Deere and tractor repair.

Re: Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

#93

Post by andr »

The impact of this will be much bigger outside of the US, as most countries outside of North America do not have a single Apple Store.

In those countries, usually there is a licensed repair provider, but the customer experience can be drastically different. In Bulgaria, I've had to wait of over 3 weeks for a simple in-warranty repair of a MacBook, like a keyboard replacement.

Using unlicensed repair stores has been the only choice.

Now that this option is gone, it will surely be harder to justify owning a MacBook as a business device.

Re: Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

#94

Post by beamatronic »

Waterluvian wrote: post #84
thinkling wrote: post #46

Back when end users could replace (upgrade) RAM and storage, I cared about keeping that flexibility. Now those are soldered to the motherboard and generally non-upgradeable from the start. This change affects “display assembly, logic board, top case (the keyboard, touchpad, and internal housing), and Touch ID board”. I could see wanting an alternate, after-market keyboard, but otherwise am happy to stick with Apple p…

Requiring authorized/first party repair is manifestly bad. Consider what the automobile landscape would look like if the same were true.

It’s true for Tesla. Especially for body work. Takes many weeks due to backlog.

But anecdotally, after many many years of disappointing experiences with independent repair shops, when I could finally afford repairs at the dealer, I was no longer disappointed.

Re: Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

#95

Post by jeswin »

wemdyjreichert wrote: post #47
crankylinuxuser wrote: post #40

So, with more of this happening, I have a bigger question for HN. Why does used Apple hardware command a premium, even years later? Is this really come down to status? I don't think I need to discuss the anti-user features that Apple does. This crowd is more than aware.

Have you looked at the hardware cost to price on new iMac Pro? About a $313 markup. And factoring the T2 chip (which is worth a whole lot) and slick chassis plus some support, a great deal. https://www.cultofmac.com/485914/imac-pro-pricetag/

That PC being compared to is way more capable than the $5000 iMac Pro. 1080 Ti vs Vega64, that $650 motherboard has better expansion options etc.

Re: Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

#98

Post by docbrown »

Waterluvian wrote: post #84
thinkling wrote: post #46

Back when end users could replace (upgrade) RAM and storage, I cared about keeping that flexibility. Now those are soldered to the motherboard and generally non-upgradeable from the start. This change affects “display assembly, logic board, top case (the keyboard, touchpad, and internal housing), and Touch ID board”. I could see wanting an alternate, after-market keyboard, but otherwise am happy to stick with Apple p…

Requiring authorized/first party repair is manifestly bad. Consider what the automobile landscape would look like if the same were true.

While it’s not automotive, the farming industry has fallen victim to this at the hands of John Deere. Although, they can still use “authorized” dealers for repairs, there has become a black market for software and repairs. [1]

[1] https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/xykkkd/why-americ...

Re: Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

#99

Post by slr555 »

This is true for farmers in many places who buy or lease machinery from companies like John Deere. Using IOT, Deere can tell when a non-OEM part has been installed and they can remotely disable the machine until the "proper" part has been installed. Their customers are locked into their parts and service.

Re: Apple's Proprietary Software Locks Kill Independent Repair on New MacBook Pros

#100

Post by secabeen »

paavoova wrote: post #83
thinkling wrote: post #46

Back when end users could replace (upgrade) RAM and storage, I cared about keeping that flexibility. Now those are soldered to the motherboard and generally non-upgradeable from the start. This change affects “display assembly, logic board, top case (the keyboard, touchpad, and internal housing), and Touch ID board”. I could see wanting an alternate, after-market keyboard, but otherwise am happy to stick with Apple p…

> Back when end users could replace (upgrade) RAM and storage They still can, by purchasing an older laptop or newer "business class" device. A 2011 Sandy-bridge Thinkpad is perfectly usable even today, and is serviceable in most aspects from battery, SATA/PCIe slots, aftermarket display, and even the CPU on some models. > Now those are soldered to the motherboard and generally non-upgradeable from the start. Which i…

Yep. Lenovo T-series laptops are still chock full of Field Replaceable Units (FRUs). And they still publish the maintenance manual to tell you exactly how to replace them: https://ok2.de/media/ThinkPad/HMM/t480s-hmm_en.pdf
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