Water Damaged MacBook

[steve nasty]

Hey guys!

 

Save your MacBook comments if you don't mind.

 

Anywho, I bought a 15.4" MacBook Pro on eBay a couple weeks ago for a really great price, as it was described as the Touch ID not working, and the speakers being distorted. I brought the device to a local apple store to get the Touch ID repaired for about $70 which I think would be a good investment. They couldn't end up fixing it because its a motherboard issue due to liquid damage. (Don't know if its water or not). I'm totally cool with JUST the Touch ID not working and the speakers. What I'm worried about is it deteriorating over time.

 

I have the open to return it via eBay and PayPals return policy, due to the description not accurately describing the problem. Is the risk of keeping this liquid damaged device serious? Is there some way I can fix it or should I just return it.

 

Thanks!!

[Zando_]

I'd return it, anything newer than a 2012 MacBook Pro or 2011 iMac is really hard to repair, and even the older ones are still like $500 or more for a mobo.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

1 minute ago, VengefulCelery said:

Hey guys!

 

Save your MacBook comments if you don't mind.

 

Anywho, I bought a 15.4" MacBook Pro on eBay a couple weeks ago for a really great price, as it was described as the Touch ID not working, and the speakers being distorted. I brought the device to a local apple store to get the Touch ID repaired for about $70 which I think would be a good investment. They couldn't end up fixing it because its a motherboard issue due to liquid damage. (Don't know if its water or not). I'm totally cool with JUST the Touch ID not working and the speakers. What I'm worried about is it deteriorating over time. I don't exactly know what liquid was spilled, and I've heard that liquid damage on laptops can get worse over time due to corrosion.

 

I have the open to return it via eBay and PayPals return policy, due to the description not accurately describing the problem. Is the risk of keeping this liquid damaged device serious? Is there some way I can fix it or should I just return it.

  

 Thanks!!

Considering that you don't know the history of the damn thing and that pretty much it will require an entirely new logic board, I wouldn't. 

[steve nasty]

7 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

I'd return it, anything newer than a 2012 MacBook Pro or 2011 iMac is really hard to repair, and even the older ones are still like $500 or more for a mobo.

Do you think there is major risk for this item bricking itself after a while?

[Zando_]

Just now, VengefulCelery said:

Do you think there is major risk for this item bricking itself after a while?

IDK. Sometimes they brick and then unbrick themselves. Got a mid-2014 13" rMBP from my uncle that was dead from a champagne spill, worked for a bit for him then it died. I powered it on first thing, has worked fine since then and I traded it to a friend.

[steve nasty]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

IDK. Sometimes they brick and then unbrick themselves. Got a mid-2014 13" rMBP from my uncle that was dead from a champagne spill, worked for a bit for him then it died. I powered it on first thing, has worked fine since then and I traded it to a friend.

I see. Not quite sure how to proceed. You would still return it?

[steve nasty]

3 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Considering that you don't know the history of the damn thing and that pretty much it will require an entirely new logic board, I wouldn't. 

You wouldn't do what? Sorry

[Zando_]

Just now, VengefulCelery said:

I see. Not quite sure how to proceed. You would still return it?

Yep, unless you got a killer deal on it or can find a good condition mobo for cheap, I'd return it to be safe.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

Just now, VengefulCelery said:

You wouldn't do what? Sorry

Keep it. 

[steve nasty]

2 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Yep, unless you got a killer deal on it or can find a good condition mobo for cheap, I'd return it to be safe.

I really did get a killer deal. Damnit.

[steve nasty]

2 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Keep it. 

Damnit. I got a killer deal.

[Zando_]

Just now, VengefulCelery said:

I really did get a killer deal. Damnit.

If it's a killer deal and it's running fine right now you could risk it. So long as it didn't still cost so much it'd be a big oof to lose it, it's likely to still work. Though the mid-2014 one has everything still working except the screen, which is cracked. IDK if the speakers not working is a sign the water damage is pretty bad.

[steve nasty]

27 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

If it's a killer deal and it's running fine right now you could risk it. So long as it didn't still cost so much it'd be a big oof to lose it, it's likely to still work. Though the mid-2014 one has everything still working except the screen, which is cracked. IDK if the speakers not working is a sign the water damage is pretty bad.

The seller just got back to me and said he bought it new and possessed it for 6 months, and was not the culprit of the liquid damage. He wasn't aware.

 

Edit: It would be kind of an oof. I spent 1000$ on it and I don't rake it in.

[steve nasty]

2 minutes ago, Arika S said:

doesn't matter if they were not aware, they are responsible for knowing what they are selling and if you received something that is not as described then you have every right to send it back for a full refund. $1000 is still a lot of money to risk on something with an uncertain future. I would return it.

Yeah, for sure. He said he would totally take it back, just makes me wonder if he's had it for 6mo then I wonder if I really have that much to worry about.