Batteries and SSD upgrades
These are the two jobs that give an ageing Air a second life. A tired battery that lasts an hour, or shuts the laptop down at 30 per cent, can be replaced. So can an SSD that is permanently full.
How far an upgrade can go depends on the model. Earlier Airs have a removable SSD that can be swapped for a larger one. On later models the storage is soldered to the logic board and can’t be changed. Tell us which Air you have and we will say straight away whether an upgrade is possible.
When we fit a new drive we move your files, apps and settings across, so the Air comes back as you left it, with more room.
What goes wrong with a MacBook Air
- Cracked or broken screen
- Liquid spilt into the keyboard
- Overheating
- Won’t turn on
- Faulty power adapter, or not charging
- Repeated kernel panic messages
- Apps crashing
- Trackpad not working properly
- Failed or faulty drive
- Logic board failure
Spilt something on it? Switch the Air off, unplug the charger and leave it off. Powering it up to see if it still works is what does the lasting damage.
Repairs we carry out
We replace screens, batteries, keyboards and trackpads, and treat liquid damage. Logic boards are repaired at component level where the fault allows, which costs less than a replacement board. Where it doesn’t, we replace the board.
If the drive has failed and the files matter, we handle data recovery and migration too. See Mac data recovery for how that works. There is no charge if the data can’t be recovered.
Costs and turnaround
Guide prices: a screen replacement is £60 + cost of screen, and an overheating repair is £135 + VAT to £165 + VAT. Logic board troubleshooting and repair is £285 + VAT on older models and £450 + VAT on newer ones with the T2 chip. Removing a forgotten EFI firmware password is £135 + VAT.
You will have a free estimate before we start, and the figure we quote is the figure you pay. Other rates are on the prices page.
An Air is easy to bring in, so most people drop theirs at North End Road. If that doesn’t suit, we collect and return for free. For the rest of the Apple range, see our main Mac repair page.
Questions people ask
Can the SSD in my MacBook Air be upgraded?
It depends on the model. Earlier Airs have a removable SSD that we can replace with a larger one. On later models the storage is soldered to the logic board and can’t be upgraded. Tell us which Air you have and we will confirm.
How long does a MacBook Air repair take?
Mac repairs are usually done within 24 hours. A diagnosis normally takes no more than 24 hours, and we tell you the cost before any work starts.
Is it worth repairing an older MacBook Air?
Often it is. A new battery or a larger SSD can make an older Air useful again. We give you a free, no-obligation estimate first, so you can weigh the cost against a new laptop before deciding.
What does a logic board repair cost on a MacBook Air?
Our guide price for logic board troubleshooting and repair is £285 + VAT on older models and £450 + VAT on newer models with the T2 chip. The estimate is free and the price quoted is the price charged.