You study at the UvA, the VU, the HvA or another school in Amsterdam, and your MacBook breaks. Just before a deadline or exam week, of course. A MacBook repair for students is about two things: not losing your work and getting back to it as soon as possible. This article explains what to do right away, how to save your files and what to watch for in a repair.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, including for students.
First: save your work
- Working in the cloud? Files in OneDrive, Google Drive or iCloud Drive are also online. Log in on a university or library computer and carry on.
- Does the MacBook still half work? Copy your most important files straight to a USB stick or the cloud.
- Does it no longer work? Do not try to open the MacBook yourself. Files can often still be saved; see MacBook data recovery.
A deadline coming up?
Let your lecturer or study adviser know as soon as possible that your laptop is broken. Many programmes allow an extension or another solution for technical problems, especially if you report it early. Meanwhile use the computers in the university library or a loan laptop if your programme offers one.
Common student problems
- Coffee or tea over the keyboard: turn it off immediately and do not charge. See liquid spilled.
- Cracked screen from a full backpack: see screen cracked without a drop.
- Battery no longer lasts through a day of lectures: see battery draining fast.
- Charger lost or broken: see which charger fits.
Prevention is better
- Turn on automatic backups: iCloud Drive for your Desktop and Documents, or Time Machine on an external drive. See backing up.
- Use a sleeve and do not put your MacBook at the bottom of a full bag with books on top.
- Do not put drinks next to your MacBook in the lecture hall or library.
- Close the lid at the edge, and first check there is no pen on the keyboard.
Repair or replace?
A repair is almost always cheaper than a new MacBook. With an older MacBook you can consider whether a refurbished MacBook is wiser. See buying a refurbished MacBook and which MacBook suits me.
A second-hand MacBook for your studies?
Many students buy a used MacBook. Then check the battery health, whether the MacBook still gets macOS updates, and that it is no longer tied to the previous owner's Apple Account. Also test the screen, keyboard and ports. See Find My Mac and Activation Lock.
Insurance
If you have home contents or travel insurance, check whether damage to your laptop is covered. For accidental damage part of the repair is sometimes reimbursed. Then ask for an invoice or damage report.
Pickup or shipping
If you live in student housing and have no time to come by, see pickup and delivery. If you study in Amsterdam but are home in another city at weekends, shipping works too. See sending your MacBook in for repair.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We first tell you what is wrong and what it costs, so you can choose yourself. More on our page about MacBook repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my thesis?
Usually not. With most repairs your files stay. Still, always make a backup.
May I have my MacBook repaired if I got it through my school?
Check with your school or supplier first if the MacBook belongs to them or was bought through them.
What is the cheapest fix for a slow old MacBook?
Often a new battery or clean cooling. See updating an old Mac.
