This can sometimes be a difficult issue. Obtaining spare parts for Apples is not always easy, since Apple keep tight control over how can manufacture and distribute their components.
Second hand
Ebay is good place to find 2nd hand Mac parts, like a power supply or an adapter, or memory modules. Perhaps even a hard drive. However, you will have trouble finding much else for sale 2nd hand.
New parts
If your screen is damaged or the case of your laptop is bent or broken, where do you turn?
Your best recourse is to contact one of the Authorised Apple Mac reseller stores around the country. These guys have access to Apple spare parts, directly from the source.
Cost
Using an authorised reseller is more expensive than using an 'un-authorised' reseller - but often is the only option you have. As well as this, if your Mac is still 'in warrantee' you should use an authorised reseller for anything that requires opening the computer up, to avoid invalidating that warrantee.
The un-authorised people.
I do not want to convey the impression that those that are not 'authorised' by Apple are somehow inferior. Often, an independent Mac expert can know a lot more about the Operating systems and hardware problems than anyone else available. They will almost always be a lot cheaper to use. They simply do not have a business relationship with Apple.
Who to use?
This depends on the nature of the problem and the local availability of help resources. Most Apple support people will tell you over the phone whether or not they can attempt to deal with your Mac problem and, where they cannot, point you in the direction of the nearest authorised reseller. So call a local unauthorised firm first and tell them your requirements. It can't hurt and it might save you lots...
More articles and info is available at MacBrain: www.macbrain.co.uk
Monday, January 14, 2008
Monday, November 19, 2007
Macs and broadband support
Many times I find myself in the pub (bar, if you're American) with a pal and they say something like 'I want to get that great deal on broadband from so and so company, but they say that they don't support Macs' - I cringe inside, that people are led to believe that this means they cannot subscribe to that supplier. Depending on my mood, I either:
a: take a deep breath and embark upon a discourse about TCP/IP and networking.
b: tell them thats 'bull' and give them the abbreviated version of why.
c: nod and let my eyes glaze over to indicate that I have no interest in the subject.
Lets assume I'm in mood b: for the purpose of this blog. I'll try to write an abbreviated version of why this is nonsense - and you can use the ISP's services, even when they say they do not support Apple Macs.
What does support mean?
Firstly, when they say they do not 'support' a platform, what they mean is that - if you use their service and run into difficulties trying to make it work etc, and call them for help, the people on the end of the phone are not trained to be able to guide you if you are using a Mac. Often they will do anyway, its just the company policy to disclaim that they can.
If you think this is a big problem, consider this - do these support lines ever really yield anything meaningful anyway? Are they not just there to waste your time, then patronize you about your computer?
In short, it doesn't matter that they do not 'support' Macs - because support in this sense means very little.
TCP/IP
The Internet runs on TCP/IP.
To the best of my knowledge and barring any very special services, ISP's (Internet Service Providers) do not setup networks that are discriminate between Mac and PC client machines. In other words, when you connect to your ISP, it doesn't matter what type of operating system you are using. All that matters is that you have the right TCP/IP settings and a few other user account related settings, correct on your computer and/or the device that makes the connection for you (modem/router). when you signup to your ISP, they will send/post you the correct network settings for their network as part of their contract with you.
Find a local geek
Any self-respecting Internet geek will be able to help you get your computer online, using the accounts settings sent to you by the ISP. In fact, if you have a pal with a teenage kid, they could probably sort it out, if you chuck 'em a fiver or offer to buy them some alcohol. The point is that you should be able to subscribe to any ISP service you want, your Mac is not a barrier to that. The myth that Macs are not supported is as infuriating as the myth that Macs cannot read/write files created on PC's - aaaauuuggghhh !
More soon....
Macbrain is a Brighton based Apple Mac support company
http://www.macbrain.co.uk
a: take a deep breath and embark upon a discourse about TCP/IP and networking.
b: tell them thats 'bull' and give them the abbreviated version of why.
c: nod and let my eyes glaze over to indicate that I have no interest in the subject.
Lets assume I'm in mood b: for the purpose of this blog. I'll try to write an abbreviated version of why this is nonsense - and you can use the ISP's services, even when they say they do not support Apple Macs.
What does support mean?
Firstly, when they say they do not 'support' a platform, what they mean is that - if you use their service and run into difficulties trying to make it work etc, and call them for help, the people on the end of the phone are not trained to be able to guide you if you are using a Mac. Often they will do anyway, its just the company policy to disclaim that they can.
If you think this is a big problem, consider this - do these support lines ever really yield anything meaningful anyway? Are they not just there to waste your time, then patronize you about your computer?
In short, it doesn't matter that they do not 'support' Macs - because support in this sense means very little.
TCP/IP
The Internet runs on TCP/IP.
To the best of my knowledge and barring any very special services, ISP's (Internet Service Providers) do not setup networks that are discriminate between Mac and PC client machines. In other words, when you connect to your ISP, it doesn't matter what type of operating system you are using. All that matters is that you have the right TCP/IP settings and a few other user account related settings, correct on your computer and/or the device that makes the connection for you (modem/router). when you signup to your ISP, they will send/post you the correct network settings for their network as part of their contract with you.
Find a local geek
Any self-respecting Internet geek will be able to help you get your computer online, using the accounts settings sent to you by the ISP. In fact, if you have a pal with a teenage kid, they could probably sort it out, if you chuck 'em a fiver or offer to buy them some alcohol. The point is that you should be able to subscribe to any ISP service you want, your Mac is not a barrier to that. The myth that Macs are not supported is as infuriating as the myth that Macs cannot read/write files created on PC's - aaaauuuggghhh !
More soon....
Macbrain is a Brighton based Apple Mac support company
http://www.macbrain.co.uk
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