MacMedics Macintosh Service & Consulting Blog

Macintosh Consulting, Service, & Support

Archive for the ‘Lanham’ tag

MacMedics Is Now Offering Apple iPad Broken Glass Repairs

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Due to our hugely successful iPod and iPhone repair programs, MacMedics is please to announce that we are now offering Apple iPad Repairs as well.

iPad Glass repairs are $199. If you’re a Facebook fan you can take $10 off.

Questions? Give us a call at 1-866-MAC-MEDICS or stop by our Millersville, Maryland office to drop off your broken Macintosh, iPhone, iPod, or iPad. We’re the only company in Maryland that fixes all Apple devices.

Reminder: MacMedics is an Apple Authorized Service Provider, and we can service your Macintosh computer that is under Apple’s Limited Warranty or AppleCare. iPhones, iPods, and iPads that are under warranty need to be serviced at the Apple Store or mailed back to Apple.

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, iPhone, or iPod 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.

If you’re looking for “local” Macintosh, iPhone, or iPod 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 repairing Macintosh computers in Maryland since 1989.

When you’re looking for local Mac, iPhone, iPod, or even iPad service from a reputable service provider, come see us at MacMedics.

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 here. The majority of our our Apple warranty 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!

Be sure to see our Blog post on why shipping your broken Mac or iPhone off to parts unknown is something that you should really think twice about.

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.

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.

Once Again, MacMedics To The Data Recovery Rescue

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A new client in our Washington DC office, brought us a MacBook that had a dying hard drive. He needed the data, so Mike H, one of the talented MacMedics in Lanham was able to recover it all.

Folks, this would be so much easier if everyone had data back ups. I promise you that even without countless “Data Recovery” cases coming in every day, we’ll still be able to stay in business. If you don’t have a tested, working, and automatic backup working for, it’s TIME to get one. We can help if you need guidance.

If you have a back up, then test it, and please consider a clone back up and an off-site back up to boot. You can never have TOO MANY back ups.

Our client in Washington DC sent this:

“Dear Mr Stibolt

I want to let you know that I received excellent service from Mike at your DC location near Bowie, Maryland. My MacBook was very ‘sick’ and Mike helped repair it, and save my data

I will surely recommend MacMedics to friends and family…

Best regards,

Steven S.”

Stop! Before You Make A Trip To The Annapolis Apple Store, See This Checklist First

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Before you make an appointment for the Genius Bar, drive to the mall, find a parking spot, and then lug your Mac through the Annapolis Mall to get to the Apple Store, please consider supporting your local neighborhood Mac shop!

Need more convincing? Take a look at these comments that were sent to Apple from clients who we performed Apple Warranty or AppleCare service for recently:

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!!!!

Stop! Before You Make A Trip To The Annapolis Apple Store, See This Checklist First

Visit MacMedics in Millersville (near BWI airport) or Lanham, Maryland (near RT 50 & I-495) the next time you need Mac sales or service.

See our Blog post with all the details on why to come see MacMedics instead of trekking to the Apple Store. Clients that come to see us, often tell us they will never go back to the Apple Store for Macintosh sales OR service!

Or review this quick top 11 reasons here:

1. No appointment is needed: No need to call ahead when you’re ready to come visit MacMedics! Just walk in and our Apple Certified Techs will take great care of you.

2. No lines: We’re always busy, but there’s almost never a wait to speak to a MacMedic Tech.

3. Quick Check In: Tell us what your Mac’s issue or problem is, and we’ll get right on the case!

4. No lugging your iMac, Mac Pro, or G5 through the mall: Our front door is less then 10 steps from our parking lot.

5. Quick Turn-Around: Our goal for in-lab service it to have it done in less then 72 hours. Most repairs take less time, and if that’s the case then your Mac will be back to you even quicker! The majority of our Apple Warranty or AppleCare repairs are done in about 24 hours.

6. Hassle free warranty: Got a Mac that needs out of warranty service? The Apple Store only offers a 90-day service warranty. MacMedics “Hassle Free” warranty is a full 1-year!

7. Need a new Mac? We’ve got them: Come pick out what Mac you want, and we’ll be happy to help with no sales hype! Best of all you don’ have to wait your turn.

8. Full Repair Services for iPhone & iPods: The Apple store might do a whole unit replacement for an exorbitant flat-fee, or offer a small discount for buying a new unit (and trading in your old iPod), MacMedics will fix just the problem your iPhone or iPod has, thus saving you money.

9. Same day service for iPods & iPhones: In most cases if you drop off your iPod or iPhone in the morning, we’ll have it done later that same day!

10. MacMedics CAN fix the stuff the Apple Store can’t or won’t: If you’ve been quoted an exorbitant amount of money to have your Mac fixed at the Apple Store, MacMedics can help! Be it Liquid damage, a fried logic board, SuperDrive replacement, broken LCD or MacBook Pro glass, and severe Macintosh laptop case damage are all offered at MacMedics and often for hundreds of dollars less then Apple (or anywhere else!). ALL repairs are covered by our 1-year warranty.

11. The Apple Store Can’t Upgrade Your Hard Drive: MacMedics Can! See our new blog post from 1/30/10 to get all of the details. A common issue we help clients with here at MacMedics is “upgrading” or “retiring” a failed (or perfectly good) hard drive. What many people don’t know is that we can “upgrade” your computer to a larger size hard drive, even if your hard drive has failed under Apple warranty.


More client accolades for MacMedics Washington DC

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One of our MacMedics Washington DC clients just submitted this review for MacMedics:

“My Procedure: Installs of 8GB RAM and a 500GB hard drive in a MacBook Pro 13″ about a month ago.

Comments: Wow, this system has been flying since the upgrades! I run Parallels with Windows 7, 64-bit, in Crystal Mode. Even with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote, Visio, and Project running in Windows (which is a pretty heavy load), the experience is incredible.

I looked one day and found that I had started about 20 programs between the Mac environment and the Windows environment without a problem. Before the upgrades, both environments were sluggish and jerky, with just a few programs running in each. Now that each has 4GB RAM allocated, they both are wonderful!

I have set up Parallels to start the Windows environment when booting the Mac and just leave Parallels running. I’ve had no problems with speed or crashes in either the OS X environment or in the Windows environment.

MacMedics in Lanham, Maryland did an excellent upgrade. They were fast (I got the system back the next day) and quite reasonably priced for what I got.

I highly recommend you visit them for anything Apple-related!”

Floyd W.
Glenn Dale, MD

Top Ten Reason Not To Wait In Line At The Apple Store. Come Visit MacMedics Instead!

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Update 7/16/10 The Apple Stores continue to get crushed by crowds, so much so that Apple is restructuring the way the Genius Bar works. See this Blog post from ifoAppleStore.com about the topic. There is an alternative, just come to MacMedics. Read my post below for all the details.

Update 6/1/10 If you read my Blog post below you’ll see my ten reasons for coming to visit MacMedics vs. making a trip to the Apple store. I love the Apple Store and what they do there, but as a local business owner, I hope you’ll come visit our two local MacMedics locations instead. As the owner of MacMedics I do have my reasons, but don’t just take my word for it. Take a look at the first two Yelp.com reviews for the Apple Store in Annapolis.

Lots of MacMedics clients and Mac friends I’ve been talking to recently have commented on the longevity of MacMedics. If you have not heard, we’re now in our twentieth year of business (pretty cool). It’s nice that I no longer have to explain that Apple is NOT going out of business, why Apple has no market share, why Macs cost so much, why would anyone want a Mac, aren’t PC’s so much better then Macs for business, and why Macs are not just for hobbyists, gamers, and people who wear sandals?

Now, the conversations are much more positive! The most prevailing questions seem to be related to be how on earth can MacMedics’ TWO Maryland based Macintosh sales and service locations continue to proper and expand when we have to compete directly with Apple’s very strong retail store presence in Maryland and Virginia?

The MacMedics Millersville/Baltimore office is in the middle of three local Apple Stores in Baltimore-Annapolis area, (Annapolis, Columbia, and Towson, Maryland) and the MacMedics Lanham/Washington DC office also in thick of Apple Store country (including first Apple Store in Tysons Corner as well as Bethesda (soon to be in it’s own new “store front” location on Bethesda Ave.), Clarendon, Pentagon City, and also Annapolis).

First of all, Apple sends tons of people to us directly from the Apple Store and from AppleCare telephone support. The folks at Apple know that for many repairs, MacMedics’ labor pricing structure and service parts costs are different (and usually LOWER) than Apple, so for most repairs, MacMedics is less expensive than Apple (and many others as well). When you factor in that all MacMedics “out-of-warranty” Macintosh repairs we perform are covered by our 1-year “no hassle” warranty. This fact makes MacMedics the BEST choice for ALL Apple out of warranty repairs. The Apple Store and other AASP’s only offer a 90-day warranty on Apple service repairs.

When faced with a major repair like a logic board or LCD replacement, our price is hundreds of dollars less than the Apple Store. The Apple Store also does not offer full repair services for their iPod and iPhone family of products. They will exchange certain units in certain circumstances, but not always and generally a “whole unit” exchange is MORE expensive then just having the exact problem fixed by MacMedics.

What about AppleCare and Apple Warranty repairs? Well, as an Apple Authorized Service Provider, MacMedics is the place for that as well. With no lines, no lugging your Mac gear though the mall, and our award-winning in-lab service, it’s pretty clear that we are on our game. At the Apple Store you have to compete with the crowds, and those crowds mean that there’s an equally large amount of Apple hardware in the back room waiting for the Genius team to get to it. We almost always start your repair the same day you bring it to us. As soon as we have a repair plan and cost estimate we’ll call you and give you all of your choices. You never have to worry if we’re push you one way or another when considering to buy a new Mac (or used Mac) or to perform a repair. It’s always your choice, and we’ll advise you like family when it comes to making a decision about replacing an older Mac or one that may not be worth investing any more money in. As an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller, MacMedics is well suited to help you find a new Mac when you’re ready for one.

We’re also quite proud of the fact that MacMedics almost never uses Apple depot (mail-in) service. We perform any repair we can in-house, and that translates into a faster turn around time for you.

MacMedics’ Millersville headquarters is a hassle-free place to come when you need Macintosh support. We have over 3000 square feet dedicated to ONLY Macintosh, iPod, and iPhone service. That’s larger then most Apple Stores, and far more “service” space then pretty much anywhere else. Don’t forget that our Lanham, MD location is just as well suited to handle your Mac service and sales needs.

Here’s TEN great reasons to come see MacMedics Mac Lab in Millersville or Lanham:

1. No appointment is necessary at MacMedics: Just walk in and our Apple Certified Techs will take great care of you.

2. No lines: We’re always busy, but there’s almost never a wait to speak to a MacMedic Tech.

3. Quick Check In: Tell us what your Mac’s issue or problem is, and we’ll get right on the case! We’ll call you to talk in detail when we have an idea of what’s going on with your unit and what ALL of your options are. MacMedics offers an initial Macintosh Dialogistic for your computer at no charge. If we have to dig deep with part testing or advanced software testing our fee is only $49, and only if you choose NOT to have your machine repaired.

4. No lugging your iMac, Mac Pro, or G5 through the mall: Our front door is less then 10 steps from our parking lot. You can bring your Mac in, or come in and get us, and we’ll carry it in for you.

5. Quick Turn-Around: Our goal for in-lab service it to have it done in less then 72 hours. Many repairs take less time, and if that’s the case then your Mac will be back to you even quicker.

6. Hassle free warranty: Got a Mac that needs out of warranty service? The Apple Store only offers a 90-day service warranty. MacMedics “Hassle Free” warranty is a full 1-year!

7. Need a new Mac? We’ve got them: Come pick out what you want, and we’ll be happy to help with no sales hype! MacMedics is an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller, so you can get the equipment you need coupled with the very best advice from the experts at MacMedics.

8. Full Service for iPhone & iPods: While the Apple store might do a whole unit replacement or offer a small discount for buying a new unit, MacMedics will fix just the problem your iPhone or iPod has, thus saving you money. All iPhone and iPod repairs MacMedics perform come with a full one-year parts and labor warranty.

9. Same day service for iPods & iPhones: In most cases if you drop off your iPod or iPhone in the morning, we’ll have it done later that same day!

10. Advanced, complex, or difficult repairs are performed at MacMedics every day: If you’ve been quoted an exorbitant amount of money to have your Mac fixed at the Apple Store, MacMedics can help! Liquid damage, fried logic boards, SuperDrive replacements, broken LCDs or MacBook Pro glass, and severe Macintosh case damage are all offered at MacMedics and often for hundreds of dollars less then Apple (or anywhere else!).

New Bonus Reason: The Apple Store Can’t Upgrade Your Hard Drive. MacMedics Can! See our new blog post from 1/30/10 to get all of the details here. A common issue we help clients with here at MacMedics is “upgrading” or “retiring” a failed (or perfectly good) hard drive. What many people don’t know is that we can “upgrade” your computer to a larger size hard drive, even if your hard drive has failed under Apple warranty.

Update 5/26/09 Need another reason? We are pleased to announce that Apple has selected MacMedics for a quarterly Commitment To Excellence service award for the second time. Only 179 Apple Service locations were honored with this award putting MacMedics in the top 5% of all Apple Authorized Service Providers in the United States and Canada. Get the scoop here.

MacBook Air gets slammed into user by an airbag in car accident

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Before Mac Repair: MacBook Air with warped LCD and screen back (and cool fake desktop picture).

Before Mac Repair: With MacBook Air display assembly detached from computer.

After Mac Repair: After damaged Apple MacBook Air was successfully repaired. The display assembly was the only service part we needed in order to complete the repair.

Well, the unusual Macintosh repair and services cases never seem to stop. Just after we rescued 2.2 MBs off a 20 year old Mac IIci, and thought we’d be back to normal Mac repairs and service, this fascinating case showed up in the lab today. We’re pretty sure that out of all of the cases that came to our Millersville repair center today this one takes the cake.

So this nice fellow with a really sore chest brought this crumpled MacBook Air by MacMedics today (he’s okay by the way!). This MacBook Air was involved in a pretty serious car accident. The client who brought it to us was in the passenger seat with the MacBook Air on his lap, when he was suddenly in a serious car accident.

The bent screen housing and the warped LCD where caused when the open MacBook Air on his lap was “piledriven” right into his chest by the deploying air bag. (I never thought I would be writing this to an insurance company).

Needless to say, this MacBook Air is super smashed! Best of all is the amazing black and white “desktop picture” of a majestic mountain that was left behind as memento of the accident.

We’ve just started our work on the unit, but despite being slammed into it’s users chest the unit seem to still work.

BTW: If your MacBook Air just has a broken LCD, MacMedics can help! Just drop it off or mail it in using this form.

We’ll keep our Blog readers posted on what we find out about this “smashed” MacBook Air. Enjoy the video!

Update 7/15/09: The display assembly was the only service part we needed in order to complete the repair. The MacBook Air was fine other wise and passes ALL Apple service diagnostics. There was no other case damage to the unit, other than the “taco” shaped LCD.


Thanks to the following for the mentions:

http://www.fscklog.com

http://cultofmac.com

http://www.apfeltalk.de

http://forkbombr.net