Drop-Off Center: Checking Warranty & Sourcing Parts
- Roo Case
This is the information for how to check the warranty on various devices that we get in, and how to source parts for them.
Apple
What We Take:
We will accept any MacBook of any year. Older Macs may have a harder time sourcing parts for, but we can try. Depending on the circumstances, we can look at other Apple devices (removing lint/dust from a charging port, for example) but cannot take anything in for repair that is not a MacBook.
Warranty Check
To find the serial number, look on the bottom of the Mac.
Apple warranty can be checked here. You'll need the serial number, and to put in a CAPTCHA-like security code. The result screen will look like this:
We cannot work on devices such as this one, which has AppleCare+, AppleCare, OR a Limited Warranty. The user would need to contact Apple.
We can work on devices that have coverage expired, such as this one:
Sourcing Parts
Apple Silicon (2020) and newer
Apple's Self Service Repair Store is the primary location for finding parts for newer Apple Macs. They have most parts, and offer the customer a partial refund if the old/broken part is returned to them. They require the user who buys parts to enter a code, which can be found in the repair manual for their device. There's a template specifically for this in TDX. Apple will try to sell/rent the customer a tool set to complete the repair, this is not needed.
Non-Apple Silicon
Our standard go-to is iFixit. When looking for parts, start with the model number of the machine (located adjacent to the serial number on the machine) and go from there. iFixit will also try to sell a "Fix-Kit", this is also not needed.
Non-Apple
What We Take
We take all laptops that are not under warranty, and will take some desktop computers, depending on the issue. Check with Travis or the DOC manager.
We will not repair gaming consoles (Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo, etc), monitors, phones/tablets, or anything that requires acetone/solvent for adhesive removal.
Warranty Check
The following is a list of links, each to the respective manufacturer's warranty check page:
Microsoft
[Instructions from this link]Click on "Surface" under the "Devices" section
Scroll down and click on "Check your warranty" under the "More support options" section.
Enter the serial number of your Surface Pro tablet and click on "Check warranty".
The warranty status of the Surface Pro will be displayed.
MSI: MSI does not have a way to check warranty on their website without account creation. Use the customer service number 1-626-271-1004, explain you want to know the status of the warranty on this device.
Sourcing Parts
Sourcing parts for PCs is tough. Manufacturers make new versions of the same laptops with minor variations at breakneck pace, meaning that the secondhand market is often very confusing, and the manufacturers replacement part stock is often very inconsistent.
General non-brand specific sources
iFixit maintains stock on many devices, but exact models available vary considerably.
Acer
Source IT (Manufacturer authorized vendor)
Capital Data (Manufacturer authorized vendor)
Asus
Microsoft
Microsoft maintains their own store.
iFixit maintains a much wider selection of parts as an official vendor for Microsoft. Prices may differ slightly for the same thing.
MSI
EUROPEAN UNION PARTS (Should be last resort - long shipping times and potential tariffs and import duties apply here)
Look at general vendors first for MSI parts
Samsung
No official parts store for laptops
Samsung Parts USA (Not official vendor)
Samsung Parts (Not official vendor)
A few other things to note...
Not all screens are made alike. Even with the same model number, there may be 2-3 distinct connector types on the display panel. Make sure you are ordering the panel with the connector that matches the one on the original panel.
Top-case replacements are a pain to do. If a specific thing is non-functional (keyboard/trackpad/speakers) make sure that the inidvidual component can't be replaced.
Motherboard/mainboards make up a substantial cost of the computer itself. In cases where a new mainboard would be required, it's often better for the customer to buy a new computer.
When all else fails...
eBay & Amazon. Make sure to match up the model number of the computer EXACTLY.