For every person who’s capable of performing a repair, there’s probably a shade-tree mechanic who thinks he an fix anything but has no knowledge of electronics, another guy who has the ability but is so overconfident he never reads the manual, and a guy like me who’s competent and reads the manual but is also a klutz who’s been known to set his desk on fire with the soldering iron.
That's a good start. Now let us install any software we want to on the iOS devices we own as long as we agree to take the risks, just like we do on our Macs, PCs and many other devices.
On the face of it, a great move and much needed option.
I'm not sure about the requirement to return core parts but that's a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things.
Now they (and everybody else) need to design for repair.
They probably want the parts back to avoid a flood of broken parts being sold as functional on the internet. And to properly recycle them.
Historically, Apple will take some of the parts and analyze for failure mode, and will do component-level repair on others, and send them back to the repair supply chain.
Nearly every Apple service part after the initial batch come from refurb stock.
For every person who’s capable of performing a repair, there’s probably a shade-tree mechanic who thinks he an fix anything but has no knowledge of electronics, another guy who has the ability but is so overconfident he never reads the manual, and a guy like me who’s competent and reads the manual but is also a klutz who’s been known to set his desk on fire with the soldering iron.
The last big repair I did was using a kit from OWC replaced the DVD drive on my MacBook with a second HDD. It went great, worked flawlessly, but while I was in there I was sweating bullets. I got in too far to back out before I realized that everything was SO TINY AND DELICATE. A single slip and I would have been in the market for a new laptop. After that I just have Apple Care and don’t mess with internals too much. I still mess around in standard PC chassis, but nit any of the more tightly integrated devices. And phones or iPads? Fugettaboutit.
It’s quite possible that the part to be replaced will come complete with all the tools/glue/seals necessary to do the job with no option of buying the component without these items. These tools will also likely be designed for a “one off” repair and unsuitable for repeat repairs.
As a Mac user who, for years, upgraded my RAM and HD’s, I am curious if this will empower users to do those kinds of “repairs.” I have been really annoyed that I haven’t been able to do this sort of work on my current Mac mini to extend its useful life.
Apple is going to need a new line item in their financial reports for the dramatic increased in income they will be making fixing people's fix it mistakes. LOL.
Apple is going to need a new line item in their financial reports for the dramatic increased in income they will be making fixing people's fix it mistakes. LOL.
This is going to be a train wreck.
Yep, talk to any experienced auto mechanic about what they run into after DIY repairs go sideways. It’s one thing to replace disc brake pads and a whole different universe to replace a battery in an iPhone. A friend bought a brand new Dodge Magnum and then installed a ‘custom’ controller for the transmission with the promise of increasing performance. It bricked the entire car. He put the original factory part back in… it wouldn’t even start.
For every person who’s capable of performing a repair, there’s probably a shade-tree mechanic who thinks he an fix anything but has no knowledge of electronics, another guy who has the ability but is so overconfident he never reads the manual, and a guy like me who’s competent and reads the manual but is also a klutz who’s been known to set his desk on fire with the soldering iron.
The last big repair I did was using a kit from OWC replaced the DVD drive on my MacBook with a second HDD. It went great, worked flawlessly, but while I was in there I was sweating bullets. I got in too far to back out before I realized that everything was SO TINY AND DELICATE. A single slip and I would have been in the market for a new laptop. After that I just have Apple Care and don’t mess with internals too much. I still mess around in standard PC chassis, but nit any of the more tightly integrated devices. And phones or iPads? Fugettaboutit.
I added a 512 GB M.2 SSD to my worlds-slowest-hard-disk-only 2014 Mac mini and it was actually quite easy after watching a couple of YouTube videos and obtaining the correct security-torx screwdriver. I partitioned it as a single 1.5 GB Fusion drive and it completely transformed the performance of the machine from being a brick to being able to run macOS Monterey very nicely for 2.6 GHz i5 machine. It may have actually been faster had I kept the SSD and HDD separate, but seeing how well Fusion drives performed with relatively small SSDs assured me that a jumbo-Fusion setup would work well - and it does. My ability to do this was only possible because a third party built the required adapter to allow me to plug a standard SSD into the open socket in the Mac mini.
The ONLY thing that bothers me about this entire repairability topic is that it is being oversold on non-tech news sites as being something that will suddenly allow users to repair their own Apple devices, i.e., "Apple will let iPhone users repair their own devices." Hey, maybe I'm being overly pessimistic or underestimating the dexterity and mechanical abilities of wide swaths of the population, but I see this having a very small impact on the vast majority of users. I'm assuming they're all up on Amazon right now buying up ESD wrist straps and grounding adapters.
The ONLY thing that bothers me about this entire repairability topic is that it is being oversold on non-tech news sites as being something that will suddenly allow users to repair their own Apple devices, i.e., "Apple will let iPhone users repair their own devices." Hey, maybe I'm being overly pessimistic or underestimating the dexterity and mechanical abilities of wide swaths of the population, but I see this having a very small impact on the vast majority of users. I'm assuming they're all up on Amazon right now buying up ESD wrist straps and grounding adapters.
The only change is pulling the soapbox out from under the RTR crowd.
Customer: How much to replace my iPhone screen out of warranty? Third-party: $100 (making up a number)
For every person who’s capable of performing a repair, there’s probably a shade-tree mechanic who thinks he an fix anything but has no knowledge of electronics, another guy who has the ability but is so overconfident he never reads the manual, and a guy like me who’s competent and reads the manual but is also a klutz who’s been known to set his desk on fire with the soldering iron.
Massive fuck-you to Rossman and other independent shops (many who sell cloned parts and tell your they’re OEM or sell parts salvaged from stolen devices).
Now Apple has added the DIY repair-at-home option to existing authorized repair centers. This leaves independent shops in a wasteland. They could easily become Apple authorized service centers, but they refuse. Why would anyone not want to become Authorized by Apple so you can tell your customers you’re using genuine Apple parts and are certified by Apple?
Simple. Because, like most industries, warranty depots have procedures to follow. One is they must agree to audits to make sure they’re operating on the up-and-up. The last thing an independent shop wants is an audit. This would put an end to them buying cheap cloned parts from 3rd party manufacturers and passing them off as OEM (and making extra money). If you replaced 100 screens for customers you have to also show a purchase of 100 screens from Apple. Audits eliminate their ability to use alternate parts for repairs.
If you actually watched Rossman you'd know he has some very good reasons for not wanting to be an authorised shop that have nothing to do with knock off parts.
Rossman is a grumpy sod, but he's fighting a good fight.
He has no good reasons. Any you can list can be easily debunked.
Massive fuck-you to Rossman and other independent shops (many who sell cloned parts and tell your they’re OEM or sell parts salvaged from stolen devices).
Now Apple has added the DIY repair-at-home option to existing authorized repair centers. This leaves independent shops in a wasteland. They could easily become Apple authorized service centers, but they refuse. Why would anyone not want to become Authorized by Apple so you can tell your customers you’re using genuine Apple parts and are certified by Apple?
Simple. Because, like most industries, warranty depots have procedures to follow. One is they must agree to audits to make sure they’re operating on the up-and-up. The last thing an independent shop wants is an audit. This would put an end to them buying cheap cloned parts from 3rd party manufacturers and passing them off as OEM (and making extra money). If you replaced 100 screens for customers you have to also show a purchase of 100 screens from Apple. Audits eliminate their ability to use alternate parts for repairs.
I’m not that familiar with Rossman but doesn’t he do component level repairs? If he was an authorized service rep he wouldn’t be able to do that.
He does. 99% of shops don’t. He’s an exception. You can’t bend rules for an outlier.
At least in the AI article, I didn't read anywhere that Apple won't be charging you for parts (and tools). I expect the program will be something like this...
You need a new screen for an iPhone 12. The cost is $XX. The tools we suggest you use are "a" costing $Y, "b" costing $Z, and this manual (https://...). You can purchase now using your Apple Card or credit card, blah, blah, blah. If you return the screen to us using the prepaid shipping label that accompanies your replacement part, and you are covered by AppleCare+, your screen cost of $XX will be credited back to you. If you are not covered by AppleCare+ (out of warranty) and return the screen, you will receive a 50% credit on the cost of the new screen ($XX). It is your choice whether or not to return the screen to Apple for proper recycling.
So, Apple now generates a piddly profit selling tools, and perhaps some more money on non-returned parts.
At least in the AI article, I didn't read anywhere that Apple won't be charging you for parts (and tools). I expect the program will be something like this...
You need a new screen for an iPhone 12. The cost is $XX. The tools we suggest you use are "a" costing $Y, "b" costing $Z, and this manual (https://...). You can purchase now using your Apple Card or credit card, blah, blah, blah. If you return the screen to us using the prepaid shipping label that accompanies your replacement part, and you are covered by AppleCare+, your screen cost of $XX will be credited back to you. If you are not covered by AppleCare+ (out of warranty) and return the screen, you will receive a 50% credit on the cost of the new screen ($XX). It is your choice whether or not to return the screen to Apple for proper recycling.
So, Apple now generates a piddly profit selling tools, and perhaps some more money on non-returned parts.
Good points. I'm a sucker for tools, but when it comes to newer products of all kinds, not just iPhones, I find that a number of the tools you'll need to do a one-time repair are probably going to sit in your toolbox unused for the rest of your life unless you put them up for sale or donate them to a friend or charity. I have a plastic tub filled with tools that came with security cameras, standing desks, IKEA furniture, window blinds, etc., that are sitting idle - until the next garage sale I guess.
The common theme here is that just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should do something. As far as dealing with the fallout and potential downsides - viewer discretion is advised, same as it ever was.
Comments
Nearly every Apple service part after the initial batch come from refurb stock.
It’s quite possible that the part to be replaced will come complete with all the tools/glue/seals necessary to do the job with no option of buying the component without these items. These tools will also likely be designed for a “one off” repair and unsuitable for repeat repairs.
This is going to be a train wreck.
Customer: How much to replace my iPhone screen out of warranty?
Apple Employee: $200 (making up a number)
Customer: I'll repair it myself. I'd like to buy a repair kit. How much?
Apple Employee: $300 w/tools (making up a number)
Customer: Never mind, I just need the screen. How much?
Apple Employee: $250 (making up a number)
Customer: That's more than if you fix it?
Apple Employee: That include the core charge.
Customer: How much is the core fee?
Apple Employee: $50
Customer: humph.
Customer: How much to replace my iPhone screen out of warranty?
Third-party: $100 (making up a number)
Customer: Is that using an Apple OE/OEM part?
Third-party: Oh, that's $200 (making up a number)
Customer: humph
Hey! I know that guy!
So, Apple now generates a piddly profit selling tools, and perhaps some more money on non-returned parts.
The common theme here is that just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should do something. As far as dealing with the fallout and potential downsides - viewer discretion is advised, same as it ever was.
When do we see the antitrust case against Apple for harming competitors like iFixit by entering their market?