If you’ve ever had the misfortune of damaging a speaker on a MacBook Pro without AppleCare, chances are the repair process left you frustrated. However, Apple now appears to be introducing more affordable speaker repair options for its 2024 MacBook Pro lineup.
Until now, the only option involved replacing the entire top box - a part that includes not just the speakers, but also the battery, keyboard and other high-cost components. This method led to very high repair bills, often in the order of several hundred dollars.
For example, in 2022, the The Verge analyzed Apple self-repair parts prices and found that replacing a top case can cost anywhere from $527.12 to $615.12.
But that seems to be changing...
According to the MacRumorsApple will now provide individual speaker components as repair parts for the latest 14-inch and 16-inch M4 MacBook Pro models. This is the first time since 2015 that Apple makes individual MacBook Pro speakers available for replacement.
And the news gets even better - a subsequent update suggests that Apple intends to extend this policy to all Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models. This means that replacing individual columns it could soon also be an option for the M1 Pro and M1 Max devices.
Repair options may not be limited to official Apple repair centers or authorized stores. THE MacRumors reports that Apple has already published a repair guide of speakers for the M4 MacBook Pro models. This strongly suggests that the individual speaker components will eventually be made available through Apple's self-service repair program.
Repairing MacBook Pro speakers on your own will not be easy
The repair process involves removing the tape holding the speakers together, which requires the use of Kevlar wire. This tape is dangerously close to the battery and logic board, which makes the task risky for inexperienced users.
Whether you decide to carry out the repair yourself or turn to a professional, the costs should be significantly lower than before. While AppleCare remains the best safeguard to avoid excessive repair bills, this new approach ensures that a damaged speaker You don't have to drain your bank account if you're out of warranty.
Also read:
Source: pplware.sapo.pt
