"A real Apple service can save even a spilled MacBook," says Miloslav Boudník from Unfixables

Commercial message: Big problem today Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), the thing about computers is that if you spill a MacBook from the latest line - and you spill it so much that you can't turn it on - you have to replace not only the damaged motherboard, but also the processor, graphics card and, nowadays, the SSD drive. As a result, you pay unnecessarily for the replacement of components that do not need to be repaired, but because the manufacturer integrated them there and you only have a problem in the motherboard, you pay for the replacement of everything.

It's such a fashion trend these days. Manufacturers are trying to integrate into one chip components that were not even part of the board before. It is given by the architecture and how everything is miniaturized. "Every manufacturer tries to make a sexy board with a thickness of only 1 mm, but they are no longer interested in its durability," says Miloslav Boudník from the company unfixables Mac Support, which sells new and used Macs in addition to Apple service. "Based on these facts, there is no other option than to learn how to repair motherboards. If even a single drop gets on the board and in just the "right place", it will easily cause data loss or completely disable the computer. Every service will tell you that the board needs to be replaced and no one is responsible for your data if you don't have it backed up somewhere."

How long have you been repairing motherboards?

Since 2016 I guess. About 4 years ago, computer design changed very fundamentally, see above. I started to encounter this thanks to customers - more and more of them asked if we can repair the motherboard. At that time, however, we only performed standard repairs, in the form of replacements, for a lot of money. However, many customers are looking for a more economical way of repair, because they cannot or do not want to afford the expensive option. He then rather throws away the computer and buys a new one - which is a great shame and creates a pile of electrical waste from equipment that could be repaired without any problems. Of course, manufacturers don't deal with this, because they are primarily interested in sales.

If my computer is dead, I have nothing left Tedy nothing but replace the board or buy a new one? 

Exactly. Today's computers practically consist of only 3 main parts: LCD, keyboard (top case) and motherboard. As a rule, Apple will not replace other parts. So if, for example, you only have a problem with the battery, you need to replace the entire part of the keyboard, including the aluminum part, and therefore you also pay for the replacement of what still works for you.”

How did you get the idea to repair motherboards? 

I was tired of just changing components and doing work where you don't have to think too much. So I decided to look for a way to implement repairs to the components themselves. I became a member of several global communities that solve this problem and gradually I started to try the repairs myself and learn how to do it correctly. Today, I regularly fly to China several times a year for professional training, where I try to find new solutions and procedures that have a long-lasting effect of a well-executed repair.

There is in Czechia also anyone else repairing MacBook and iPhone boards? 

Considering that I move more in international circles and I have never met any Czech there and I don't even know any personally, I don't dare to guess. That is why most computers that no one can fix end up with us.

Does this mean that you also repair for European services? 

Yes it's right. We have several large clients from Germany, Italy and the Netherlands who send us damaged or overheated MacBooks.

I have to say that the ke me received several offers from Russian engineers. So how is it really with repairmen at U.S?

I personally tried to use their services several times, but the repair was either unsuccessful or took a very long time (usually several months).

"We usually manage to repair the board in 2-5 days."

Jwhat warranty do you provide for macbook motherboard repair?

We provide a 1 year warranty. On the other hand, if you pay for a new motherboard, you only have a 3-month manufacturer's warranty on it. And many users don't know that. So if your new board fails again after 3 months due to the same or a different problem, all you have to do is buy another board and spin around in a circle of non-functioning computers and wasted money. Part of the board repair is the replacement of all visibly damaged components and professional ultrasonic cleaning, which we perform twice. First we remove the corrosion and liquid residues from the board, after replacing the components we remove the flux residues and the repaired motherboard looks and works like new.

So what are the benefits of motherboard repair u MacBooku?

First of all, it is in the price and time of repair. Sometimes you have to wait 2 weeks for a new motherboard. But if we are repairing it, we can do it in a few days. Another advantage is the aforementioned warranty: 1 year for repairs versus 3 months for a new board. As an example, let's use the board replacement of a MacBook Air 13” – a new board costs approx. 12 CZK at the manufacturer, while the repair costs only approx. 000 CZK for the end customer. Of course, for service partners, retailers and schools, we also adjust these prices depending on the number of Macs delivered.

"Up to 60% of costs can be saved by repairing the motherboard"

Do you also do other repairs?

Of course yes. We continue to provide component replacements, upgrades and acceleration for iMacs, MacBook service, MacBook Air/Pro, Mac mini, etc. iPhone repairs (most often display or battery replacements), as well as iPad repairs. We can also do the Apple Watch, but here it's really a watchmaker's job.

"Every month, among other things, we upgrade and speed up over 100 MacBooks and iMacs"

It's no secret that, thanks to the entire spectrum of repairs and many years of experience, they also send competing services to us. They save the cost of qualified technicians and we take care of the quality of the repair (warranty). You can find more information on the website unfixables.macpodpora.cz.

DFor those who have spilled their MacBook, do you have any recommendations on how to proceed?

Turn off immediately, do not turn on, do not blow dry and definitely charge. This is such a basic first aid, then, of course, the equipment should be disassembled and the damage checked, dried, cleaned and any shorted components replaced.