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Archive for the ‘Apple Authorized Service Provider’ tag

MacMedics Is An Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller

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MacMedics is an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller and an Apple Authorized Service Provider, as well as being Certified Members of The Apple Consultants Network and Apple Developers. With two offices in the State of Maryland, and one in Philadelphia, we are well positioned to provide our famous, award-winning support and service to the Baltimore and Washington DC areas, as well as Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Delaware, Philadelphia Metro area, and Southern New Jersey.

The Apple Value Added Reseller authorization is top tier reseller designation by Apple. Apple Value Added Resellers and Apple Specialists are the same level of Apple sales authorization. Apple VARs generally have a deeper focus on Apple solutions as well as consulting and service. Apple Specialists usually have more of a retail sales focus. Both Apple VARs and Specialists are Apple Authorized to resell Macintosh computers, Apple software and accessories, as well as iPads, iPods, and Apple TV. Neither are permitted to resell the iPhone.

With MacMedics’ 22-years of service and support to the Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia areas, we’re proud to be authorized by Apple for both Apple sales AND service. As an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller, we are authorized by Apple to resell Macintosh computers, the Apple iPad, the Apple iPod, and the Apple TV.

Here’s more information on Apple Authorized Value Added Resellers from Apple:

Independent Apple Value Added Resellers (VARs) are professionals authorized by Apple to deliver customized, market-specific solutions. Combining their technical knowledge with industry experience, Independent Apple Value Added Resellers can help you simplify and enhance your technology—leading to improved business processes and increased success.

Working with an Independent Apple Value Added Reseller, you gain:

• Customized multi-platform solutions
• Professional, industry experience
• Apple trained and certified expertise
• Proficiency in Apple and complementary products
• Additional services to support your business

Specialized Solution Expertise

Trained in Apple and complementary technology, working with independent Apple Value Added Resellers means that you’re getting high quality service and expertise. In addition to providing technology solutions, many independent Apple Value Added Resellers also provide additional services, such as: strategic planning, system design, and training.

Things to consider when choosing an Independent Apple Value Added Reseller:

• What is their specialized expertise
• What are their qualifications and certifications?
• Are they an Apple Authorized Service Provider?
• What other services do they offer?
• Will they integrate third-party products you need?
• Do they provide on-site services?
• Will they provide customer references?

Sell Or Trade In Your Broken Mac, iPhone, iPod, Or iPad To MacMedics

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MacMedics will accept your working, non-working, or damaged Apple hardware as a trade in credit towards a new Apple Macintosh computer, Apple iPad, and Apple iPod. You can also apply a trade in credit towards service on your existing Mac that might be in need of repairs or data recovery.

If you have broken or outdated gear just lying around, MacMedics will even purchase some broken, liquid damaged, or outdated Apple Computers, iPads, or iPods for cash. Older equipment, or units with extreme damage can be dropped off at either Millersville or Lanham for free e-waste recycling.

Both our Millersville and Lanham offices can accept stuff for trade. Call us at 1-866-MAC-MEDICS to discuss what you have and how it can be valued.

Your Macintosh Service Advantage: MacMedics Is Exclusively Apple!

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Your Macintosh Service Advantage: MacMedics Is Exclusively Apple!

As the Apple Macintosh family of computers and other Apple devices like the iPod, iPad, and iPhone become increasingly more popular, more and more computer repair places are offering “Mac Repairs” as a “Side Business”.

It’s tempting for PC centric computer shops to try and grab a new revenue stream by cashing in on the increased number of Macs in the marketplace. Do you really want a PC guy/gal at a PC shop or at a big box store, who is not trained, certified, or authorized in Apple service guessing their way though your Apple repair? We didn’t think so.

We’ve seen some amazing cases of Apple service gone horribly wrong at both big box stores and at independent shops. In fact, we’ve had situations where a computer repair place has tried to fix a Mac, botched or misdiagnosed the repair, only to bring it into MacMedics for us to bail them out of a tough Mac repair situation.

When you’re looking for an Apple Authorized Service Provider for your broken Macintosh or Mac data recovery case, you really should seek out an experienced and professional Macintosh service organization with ALL of the Apple Credentials and Authorizations, such as MacMedics.

MacMedics is a very well established (since 1989) Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller, as well as Certified Members of The Apple Consultants Network. We have an impressive 22-year history of exclusive dedication to the Macintosh computer platform. We were offering a third party alternative to stuffy Apple Dealer service way before the Apple Store, and way before anyone else in the State of Maryland. In fact, MacMedics was offering on-site Macintosh service in the late Eighties during a time where such a service was considered “in-shop” and “on the bench” everywhere else.

Our Apple service part inventory is quite likely the largest collection of Apple service parts in the Mid-Atlantic region. Since MacMedics bought out macUpgrades of Bethesda, Maryland we acquired all of their Apple Authorized service parts. That’s like having a DOUBLE 20-year accumulation of Apple factory service parts and other supplies! Not only do we have hundreds and hundreds of genuine Apple service parts in stock, we also have tons of vintage and obsolete Apple service parts so we can repair any Macintosh computer ever made. We also have our own Macintosh computer museum so if there is a special service situation where we need to access data from 20 years ago, or make something work in order accomplish a special task, we can do that too!

So when it comes to the most basic Mac repairs, or services like hard drive replacements/upgrade and memory upgrades (ours come with a lifetime warranty by the way), or the most advanced services like Macintosh data recovery or liquid spill rescue, you can count on MacMedics to be there to provide an accurate diagnosis and the correct and appropriate repair for your Macintosh computer.

Macintosh Service is our claim to fame, but we’re also quite well known for Apple Authorized sales as well. MacMedics is an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller, and as such we have the Authorizations from Apple to not only sell the full Macintosh Computer line, but also to resell the iPad, iPod, and Apple TV.

If you have a unit that is beyond repair, or just one that you put to the side a few years ago, we’ll accept it as a trade in on a new hardware purchase or as credit towards a repair or data recovery. Even if the hardware you have is very old, or extremely damaged, we’ll still accept it for e-waste recycling. So, drop off your broken PC, Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPod, cell phone, or other small electronics like hard drives, small printers, or other reasonably sized electronics, cable, power supplies and adapters for free recycling.

With our two fully staffed Apple Authorized Sales and Service locations serving the Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington DC area as well as the entire Washington DC and Baltimore region, we’re a great place to drop a sick Mac off for repair. Our office in Millersville is 1/10 of a mile off I-97 and our office in Lanham is 1 mile outside of I-495/I-95 and 1/2 mile off of RT 50. No appointments are ever necessary!

If you live in Annapolis and commute to Baltimore or Washington DC or vice versa, then you drive right past one of our offices on every trip you make on I-97 or RT-50. Stop in to see us with your sick or broken Mac, or swing by to pick up a cable, power adapter, iPod, iPad, or anything else Apple related!

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MacMedics Has Purchased Apple Specialist, macUpgrades Of Bethesda, Maryland

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A letter from Craig Hirai / Amy Wooden of macUpgrades:

Dear Former macUpgrades Customer,

We are pleased to let you know that MacMedics, in Lanham, Maryland, has purchased all the assets of macUpgrades. Dana Stibolt, President, and Kory Barrett, Vice President, have been a real pleasure to work with, as we have completed this rather complicated transaction. Their professionalism and competence have been most refreshing. We would encourage you, your friends and neighbors, and your business to work with MacMedics as you would have worked with macUpgrades.

Thank you, again, for all your support over the years. We hope you will give MacMedics the same loyal support.

Kindest regards,

Craig Hirai and Amy Wooden

You can jump to the newest information available as it is now posted on the MacMedics website by clicking here.

macUpgrades of Bethesda, Maryland, a long-time Apple Authorized Specialist lost their lease, and sadly they have closed their doors after supporting the Bethesda and Washington DC area’s Macintosh community for more than 20-years. In an effort to continue and preserve their long standing legacy of Apple service and repair and to provide outstanding support to their long-time clientele, we enthusiastically welcome former macUpgrades clients to MacMedics!

macUpgrades has endorsed MacMedics as their recommended Macintosh sales and service provider. We are proud to have earned their endorsement and pledge to do our very best to provide previous macUpgrades customers with the high level of support that MacMedics and macUpgrades are both famous for.

Like MacMedics, macUpgrades had been serving the area’s Macintosh community for more than 20-years. We hope to be able to continue their tradition of outstanding support to Apple customers no matter where they are located. MacMedics is both an Apple Authorized Service Provider, and an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller, so MacMedics is a logical and natural fit for long-time Macintosh clients who have been serviced over the years by macUpgrades.

As was the case with macUpgrades, MacMedics is Apple Authorized to resell the entire Apple line of products. That means that MacMedics can supply Apple Macintosh computers, Apple iPads, Apple iPods, and the Apple TV. The only item not available from Apple Specialists or Apple Authorized Resellers is the Apple iPhone. That item must be purchased from Apple, AT&T, Verizon and a small handful of other retailers like Radio Shack and WalMart.

Click on the picture below to see pictures of the MacMedics Washington DC office:

We welcome former macUpgrades clients to contact the Washington DC office of MacMedics for Macintosh service, sales, and support.

We can be reached by telephone Monday – Friday 8:30 to 5:00 at:

1-888-4-DC-MACS (1-888-432-6227)

or anytime via e-mail at: DCservice@macmedics.com

Please stay tuned to http://www.macmedics.com/macupgrades for more information as it becomes available.

Thinking of stopping by one of The Apple Stores in Bethesda or Georgetown for a Mac Repair? We offer a number of compelling reasons to visit MacMedics instead. Our clients tell us that the number one reason that people come visit MacMedics for Mac service vs. The Apple Store is that no appointments are ever required to receive expert Mac repair. Also we offer 24-hour warranty repair (for most warranty repairs), Low cost rental computers (if needed), 1-year parts and labor warranty on all out-of-warranty repairs (The Apple Store only offers a 90-day warranty), Hard Drive upgrades (The Apple Store will only replace your drive with the same size), Advanced Macintosh Data Recovery, and we repair all Apple computers right here in our shop. We do not ship units out for “Depot Repair” as is the practice for many cases at The Apple Store. Plus, we offer a VIP repair program for Walk-In service that blows the doors off of Apple’s One-To-One, Joint Venture, or even AppleCare. Our VIP repair program can cover your future repairs for as little as $99 (Mac Pros and MacBook Pros are $149).
Also, we love to talk on the phone. You do not need to be a client to call and talk shop. Call us to discuss your Mac problem or purchase a new Mac today: 1-888-4-DC-MACS

Written by Dana Stibolt

March 3rd, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Another 5 Star Review For MacMedics Baltimore From Yelp

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Another 5 Star Macintosh Service Review For Mac Medics Baltimore From Yelp.

One of the things that we’re famous for is taking care of older Macintosh hardware. In the case below, the client had a dead G4 iMac, and it was obviously beyond repair. She ended up making a visit to the Annapolis Apple Store, and it was too old for them to work on. So while cracking open a dead iMac is not super advanced “data recovery”, we still could do it, and we knew how to do perform that particular operation. This is where the 50,000 plus Mac service work orders we’ve logged since 1989 come into play. Add that to our Apple Certified employees who have well over 200 combined years of Macintosh experience, and well, we can take care of just about anything!

Come visit our fully stocked and staffed service center in either Millersville or Lanham, Maryland, where our square footage dedicated to Apple Authorized Service is larger then most Apple Stores you find in the mall.

MacMedics is terrific. All the staff: Dana-Jason-Tinika are really helpful/knowledgeable/patient. They can do anything/all that an Apple Store can do, but they know so much more. I took in my ancient-one of the first iMacs and they removed the old drive/loaded that plus all what I wanted into my new iMac. I even purchased AppleCare. I can’t say enough about how good the customer service is. Grade? A+.

A definite recommend.

C.C.
Annapolis, MD

MacMedics Is Annapolis, Columbia, & Baltimore’s Original, Independent Mac Shop Since 1989

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MacMedics is Washington, DC & Baltimore’s Original, Independent Mac Shop Since 1989 and we just expanded by buying one of our former competitors, Apple Specialist, macUpgrades of Bethesda, Maryland. Like MacMedics, macUpgrades was also founded in 1989. You can read more about this purchase on our website at http://www.macmedics.com/macupgrades.

Our purchase of macUpgrades now makes MacMedics the oldest Macintosh service and consulting firm in Maryland. MacMedics are Apple Authorized Value Added Resellers and Apple Authorized Service Providers, as well as Certified Members of The Apple Consultants Network. MacMedics has been in business and fixing Macs all over Maryland since way, way before the Apple Store or anyone else. In fact, our headquarters in Millersville AND our location in Lanham are larger than most Apple Stores, and our Mac Service Lab has over 100 feet of bench space.

MacMedics was founded in the Annapolis, Maryland area in 1989 by Dana Stibolt during a time when Apple Service was kind of a side business for Apple Dealers. MacMedics began offering an alternative to the stuffy Apple Dealer mentality of the “Service Department”.

Two things:

1. All Apple service was carry-in only, and generally pretty slow. Plus, it was a burden to our clients to be without a computer for a week, so MacMedics came to you and performed your Macintosh service both quickly and inexpensively.

2. The Apple service warranty then AND now is only 90 days. Nobody else offers a full one year warranty on out of warranty Apple repairs. When you choose MacMedics over the Apple store and other Apple Service locations for your broken Macintosh, you get a 1-year warranty parts and labor on whatever repair you had performed.

MacMedics is the only Mac shop that offers a low-cost extended warranty that includes ALL parts AND labor (for replacing bad parts). For MacBooks, Mac minis, and iMacs, pay just $99 for our Walk In Service Plan and your entire Mac is covered for a year (MacBook Pros and Mac Pros are $149). Also, with WISP, you get two free check ups per year and three phone or remote support incidents. Plus, if your Mac needs service down the road, your repair will be moved to the top of our repair queue for FREE priority Mac service.

With our army of Apple Certified Technicians and Consultants, MacMedics serves the entire Mid-Atlantic region with the area’s largest fleet of Apple loaner/rental hardware. MacMedics also stocks an amazing array of Apple Service parts, new and used Macintosh computers, hard drives, computer memory modules, software, and a TON of other accessories and Apple related items. Plus, with our purchase of macUpgrades we now also have all of their retail inventory at Millersville and Lanham, as well as their own massive collection of Apple Service parts which when combined with our collection, might be the Mid-Atlantic’s largest and most complete Apple Service part inventory. Also, with our combined inventories and stockpile of junked Macintosh computers of all types, we have an enormous collection of obsolete and vintage parts that can be harvested and used to repair a Mac that is too old for the Apple Store to even check in for service.

It’s also important to note that MacMedics is a Maryland based and locally owned company. When you’re working to support locally owned businesses in your community and keeping the dollars in the local economy, don’t forget about MacMedics. There are other Mac companies operating in Maryland that are not based in this state (for instance, the Apple Store is not a locally owned company). It’s also important to note, that MacMedics has had only one owner in it’s history (Dana Stibolt), so unlike some firms, our roots are deep in both the Macintosh community and in Maryland.

If you need Macintosh assistance, help, training, Apple Authorized Service, Apple Authorized Sales, iPhone, iPod, or iPad repairs without the hassle of:

A. Getting to the mall or driving into the city.

B. Finding a parking spot and in some cases even paying for parking as well.

C. Lugging your Mac desktop (if you don’t have a laptop) and walking all the way thru the mall or down city sidewalks.

D. Trying to first get an appointment with an Apple Genius, and then not really getting enough time to really pick their brains for expert Macintosh advice.

It’s also important to know that the Apple Store does not perform data recovery. If you think your data is at risk, setting up your computer on the Genius Bar to copy your data, is generally not a good idea. As hard drives fail, they generate heat, and as they generate heat they fail more. We’ll remove the drive from your computer and put it right on our data recovery equipment to try and rescue your data. Our fee for this type of recovery is only $199, for any size, single hard drive. Read more here.

(Plus, as an added bonus ALL Macintosh laptop repairs are performed locally right here at MacMedics. The Apple Store will often send your laptop away for Apple Depot Service where it’s out of your control and their’s)

Our expert Apple Certified employees stand ready to help at anytime. As a two time “Best of Baltimore” designated Mac Repair Shop, we are super proud to be an award-winning Apple Authorized Service Provider and Authorized Apple Value Added Reseller. We’re a great alternative to either buying a new Mac or bringing a sick Mac computer to the Mall. We’re famous for our “Computer Store on the corner” personal service.

MacMedics is also a multiple repeat winner of Apple’s “Commitment To Excellence Award”. In fact, we’re the only Apple Authorized Service Provider In Anne Arundel or Prince Georges counties to win this award according to Apple. MacMedics IS the ONLY Apple Authorized Service Provider and the only independent Apple Authorized Reseller in all of Prince George’s county in Maryland.

The Commitment To Excellence Award recognizes MacMedics for several things, but most importantly for accuracy and speed of Macintosh repairs. There’s a reason that MacMedics is the most frequently referred service firm for tough Mac service cases, like LCD replacements, liquid damage, vintage or obsolete Mac equipment, and Macintosh data recovery. With well over 60,000 in-lab and on-site service cases and our staff’s combined Mac experience of over 200 years, MacMedics IS the place to bring your sick Mac!

Speaking of speed of Apple repairs, nobody is FASTER than MacMedics. In 90% of Apple Warranty or AppleCare repairs that come in for service, we have the repair complete and back in the customer’s hands in less than 24 hours. Not fast enough for you? We have a number of rental computers of all Apple models, so if you’re having a Macintosh Emergency, we have a way to keep things running for you.

We also perform Hard Drive Upgrades (under warranty or not) and expert Macintosh Data Recovery, two things you simply can’t get at ANY Apple Store. Plus, if you do need a new hard drive, we can upgrade the size, speed, and you get a 3-year warranty, compared to like-for-like hard drive swap at the Apple Store, plus there you only get a 90 day warranty.

Come visit either of our TWO fully-staffed and stocked Macintosh Service & Sales locations in Millersville, MD (near BWI Airport 1/10 of a mile from I-97) or in Lanham, MD (1 Mile from I-495/I-95 just inside the Beltway of off Rt 50 and Martin Luther King Hwy.)

Got a problem? Wanna’ talk about it? Just pick up the phone and call your nearest MacMedics office. It’s unlikely that you can get anyone at the Apple Store on the phone, and most other places just send you to voicemail. You will only get voicemail here if everysing phone line we have is tied up (and that does happen).

One other great thing about coming to visit us, is the fact that parking is here is not an issue, and it’s free and 10 easy steps right into our office. So, avoid the soul-sapping search for parking when you’re trying to find someplace to park in Bethesda, Hampden, Fells Point, or at the Mall.

MacMedics: A Local Mac Repair Shop That Is Really Local To Baltimore, Maryland And Washington DC

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Lots of places that offer nationwide Macintosh service will try to you lure you to their website by saturating their webpage with geographic keywords that make it appear that they are “in” your area. This is kinda’ scammy and is often a turn-off anyways.

If you’re looking for “local” Macintosh service or repair that’s really “local” to the Baltimore, Maryland or Washington DC areas, then you’ve found the right place. MacMedics has been performing Macintosh service since before the Apple Store was even an idea. In fact, our headquarters in Millersville is LARGER then most Apple stores.

Our two walk-in service centers in Millersville and Lanham, Maryland are both Apple Authorized Service Providers fully staffed by Apple Certified Technicians who are ready to help you.

MacMedics has been repairing Macintosh computers in Maryland since 1989.

When you’re looking for local Mac service from a reputable service provider, come see us at MacMedics. We help Mac users from all over the Baltimore & Washington area.

Thinking about going to the Apple Store for service? Our service is faster, usually less expensive, and carries our full MacMedics 1-year service warranty. See our Blog post about that at http://www.NOappointments.com. The majority of our our Apple Warranty or AppleCare repairs are complete and ready to return to you within 24 hours. Need a rental while your unit is in the shop? We can do that too!

MacMedics is also and Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller, and as such, we are authorized to resell the Macintosh computer line, the Apple iPad, iPod, and Apple TV.

Unbelievably Awesome AppleCare And Apple Warranty Client Reviews For MacMedics

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As Apple Authorized Service Providers, we perform quite a number of Macintosh warranty repairs on behalf of Apple’s customers. We also do so for many of our own customers whom have purchased their Apple gear from MacMedics.

Over the last six months or so, our Apple service business has basically doubled. The Apple Stores in the area are so overwhelmed; many Apple owners are finding out that there is an alternative to making an appointment or waiting around in the mall for a face-to-face with a Genius at the Genius Bar. See our recently updated Blog post on why it makes sense to come visit MacMedics in either Lanham (1 mile from I-495 at RT 50) or Millersville (5 minutes from BWI Airport or 10 minutes form the Annapolis Mall)

When we perform an Apple Warranty or AppleCare repair for someone, Apple sends them a survey to ask how well we performed the service on Apple’s behalf.

Apple then forwards these remarks and the accompanying scores to us with the idea that they will help improve our service.

In the latest round feedback from Apple, these anonymous comments praise MacMedics in such a level of detail it almost looks like we wrote them ourselves.

These are direct from Apple, and we’d like to thank our loyal customers for supporting us. THANKS!

-Very customer focused.

-The service was the best I have ever had on any product. Thanks!

-Technician was helpful and provided additional information on a completely unrelated topic. It was a very good experience.

-My experience with Mac Medics was amazing. I felt at ease leaving my MacBook in their hands.

-Just want to say that Mac Medics offers the best quality service for your products

-They were fantastic the service was quick the people were friendly and willing to answer all of my questions

-I was extremely satisfied with the expertise and professionalism of Mac Medics I will not hesitate to use them in the future and I have already highly recommended them to my co workers for all of their Mac needs.

-I could not be more happy with the combined service of Apple and Mac Medics. Mac Medics had it couriered to their location and I had it back on Tuesday after the Holiday. I mean serious who works this fast? While the rest of the country enjoyed their 3-day weekend somebody was working on my problem. My satisfaction is off of the charts and I have told many peers and coworkers this amazing story. Thanks again!!!!

-They went above and beyond what was required of them. Very professional and thorough.

-Great company! Easy to use. Nice people.

-Repair was done in timely manner. Personnel were helpful, professional & courteous. Repair was completely satisfactory.

-The Apple Authorized Service Provider was EXCELLENT!!!!

-Thank you very much. All of the staff were knowledgeable and personable. There was open and honest communication promotions and deals were shared and customer service was exceptional.

-Matt at Mac Medics knew right away how to resolve my problem.

-Great service builds on Apples’s reputation of great service.

-Mac Medics was convenient in location SUPER QUICK and professional.

-I cannot remember EVER having such a good experience with a repair of ANYTHING. I have already shared my happy experience with everyone I know who owns a Mac – and even some who don’t!

-MacMedics said it was a video card issue. Seems like they were right. So far I’ve had no black screen issues since the repair was performed.

MacMedics Case File: White MacBook With Spectacularly Broken LCD

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MacMedics Case File: White MacBook With Spectacularly Broken LCD.

This white, plastic Macbook came into the MacMedics shop via one of our institutional Macintosh repair contracts. It looks like someone dropped something on the top of the unit to puncture the screen back (the part with the Apple logo on it) and broke the LCD hard enough that a convex lump is visible on the front of the LCD.

See this picture large size here.

See this picture large size here.

See this picture large size here.

No problem! We have the parts to fix it in-stock so we had it fixed same-day.

If your MacBook or MacBook Pro has a broken LCD, MacMedics can fix your laptop! The Apple Store charges as much as $1200 in some cases to fix this problem. We can usually fix most LCDs from $349 to $549. All commonly used LCD are in stock. WE stock over a dozen different types and sizes.

MacMedics has also become quite well know for our MacBook and MacBook Pro Uni-Body glass repair. We can fix this issue as well, and again for hundreds of dollars less the Apple Store.

If you are in the Baltimore or Washington DC area, just stop by our Millersville or Lanham office and we can get your Apple laptop repaired and back to you very quickly (most cases are handled in 24 hours). If that’s not fast enough, MacMedics does offer low-cost MacBook rental units to keep you up and running is you’re headed out of town or on a deadline.

Getting An Accurate Macintosh Repair Diagnosis Is Important. You’ll Always Get One At MacMedics, And Never For More Than $99

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Getting An Accurate Macintosh Repair Diagnosis Is Important. You’ll Always Get One At MacMedics, And Never For More Than $99

Recently, a MacMedics client showed me an on-line review of another Apple Authorized Service Provider that shares the Metro area with one of the MacMedics offices. To keep things as fair as possible, I won’t name names or locations.

Here’s a copy of the review that was marked 1 out of 5 stars:

“Let me fill you in on my story. I’m a sophomore in college, and I own a MacBook Pro. One day the display just stops working. External displays don’t even work. So I bring it to an Apple store nearby. They tell me they can’t cover it under the warranty because of the “external damage” (really nothing more than a few scratches and a small bump or two). So, they want to charge me $1300 for repairs. I figured I’d just take it to an Authorized Service Provider, and have them fix only the parts that aren’t working. Little did I know that about a week later I’d get a call saying they couldn’t do anything for me and that they’d have to charge me $125 for “Diagnostics” when they can’t even tell me what’s wrong with the thing. Overall, if it’s a hardware problem, I’m not even sure if it would be worth trying to save the computer. You may as well just buy another one?”

Let me tell you why this type of situation never happens at MacMedics:

1. If you bring in a unit that is obviously beyond our help or obviously not worth a repair, we won’t try to entice you to check it in for a diagnostic if we don’t think it’s going to be worth fixing. In many cases, if you stop by with your sick Mac, we’ll be able to tell pretty quick if we think it’s worth fixing or even worth looking into. We’ll often plug a unit in to see what’s up with it while-you-wait if we have the open bench space when you stop by. We know that nobody wants to be without their computer, and in many cases if we find out your issue is a simple problem like a bad power adapter, bad battery, corrupt power manager, or a bad stick of RAM it can often be repaired right on the spot.

2. If we do have to open up your MacBook or MacBook Pro to look inside for trouble, and we deem that it needs a repair that is either too much for you, or just to expensive in general our fee for the diagnostic and surgery is only $99. That fee is only charged IF you decide NOT to fix your Mac laptop. Otherwise that $99 diagnostic fee is 100% applied to whatever repair is needed, if you choose to have one performed.

3. If you bring us a Macintosh computer for service, we will usually have an answer for you the same day and always within 24 hours of drop off at the most. Never a week or more as was the case in the review mentioned above.

4. If your unit is super sick (like it needs a $1200 repair) it may still have salvage value. A. We’ll help move you into a new Mac and transfer all of your data (if your data is healthy) for a flat fee of $99. B. If you unit has any value to us, we’ll offer a trade-in value for it. (That’s not something Apple does or anyone else we know of.)

5. If your MacBook laptop has suffered a liquid spill, we offer a $150 “estimate” service, which will get you an estimate on the total repair, and 1-way take apart on the laptop. We’ll remove the logic board, look under the hard drive and even try some basic cleaning and testing to see what is wrong with your MacBook. Unlike our $99 fee, the $150 liquid estimate is work we have to perform, so it’s really like the first leg of the repair, so any needed repairs and parts are in addition to the $150 estimate fee. See this MacMedics Blog post for more info.

6. Our in-lab techs will be honest with you. We will try to find the cause of your computer’s issue, and report back to you with ALL of your options. If we can repair your Mac cost effectively, we’ll go in that direction. If your repair is more than 50% the cost of replacing the unit, we’ll most likely recommend replacing it.

In some cases of a major hardware failure, MacMedics, might be able to move you into a pre-owned Mac. We often can move over your upgraded hard drive and/or RAM to try and maximize the value of what you have already paid for. We’re flexible, and we’ll do whatever we can do to help you get your Macintosh repair (or help you buy a new Apple computer) completed as cost effectively as possible.

We really do love what we do, and no matter what your situation is, we would LOVE to talk to you about your problem. Give us call, send us an e-mail, or just stop by either of two Apple Certified Mac Labs in Millersville or Lanham, Maryland.