Tag: faq

SSD replacement and RAM upgrade are both ways to improve the performance of a Mac, but they have different effects:

1. SSD (Solid State Drive) replacement can improve the data access speed of the Mac. SSDs use chips to store data, and compared to traditional mechanical hard drives, they have faster read and write speeds, which can significantly improve the startup speed of the Mac, application running speed, file read and write speed, and more.

2. RAM (Random Access Memory) upgrade can improve the multitasking capabilities of the Mac. RAM is the memory used to temporarily store processes and data, and when the Mac runs multiple applications at the same time, having sufficient RAM can allow the Mac to access and switch between these applications faster, improving the overall performance and response speed of the Mac.

You can check whether you have enough RAM by opening Activity Monitor > Memory > Memory Pressure while you are working:

Red: Not enough
Yellow: May soon not be enough
Green: Enough

If the Memory Pressure is green and your Mac has not replaced the SSD, it is recommended to replace the SSD.

In general, replacing the SSD can improve data access speed, while upgrading RAM can improve multitasking capabilities. The choice of which method to use depends on your needs and budget. If the startup and application running speed of the Mac are slow, it is recommended to replace the SSD; if the Mac slows down or experiences lag when running multiple applications, it is recommended to upgrade the RAM.

The logic board, also known as the motherboard, is the main circuit board of a MacBook that connects and controls all the internal components, including the processor, graphics chip, and even the memory and storage for newer models. If the logic board is damaged or malfunctions, the entire MacBook may stop working or experience issues such as startup problems, frequent crashes, or hardware failures.

In some cases, a damaged logic board can be repaired by our technician. This may involve diagnosing and fixing specific issues, such as replacing a faulty component or repairing a damaged trace. Repairing the logic board can be a more cost-effective solution compared to replacing the entire board, as it involves only fixing the specific problem rather than replacing the entire part.

The advantage of repairing the logic board is that, in most cases, it allows you to retain your data and upgraded components such as CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD, etc. that you may have upgraded when you purchase it.

Replacing the logic board involves removing the existing board and installing another one. This may be necessary if the existing board is severely damaged. However, replacing the logic board can be an expensive repair, as the cost of a logic board can be significant for some models.

When deciding whether to repair or replace a MacBook’s logic board, it is important to weigh the costs and benefits of each option. Repairing the board can be a more cost-effective solution, but it may not be possible if the damage is too severe. In such cases, replacing the logic board may be the only viable option.

If you are experiencing issues with your MacBook’s logic board, it is recommended to seek professional repair services. You can bring your MacBook to our office located in Mong Kok for a free inspection. Our technicians will assess the damage and recommend the best course of action, whether that is repairing the existing board or replacing it with another one.

The following are abnormal situations that may occur with a MacBook Pro, mostly due to damage of the backlight flex cable of the display assembly, which is commonly known as Flexgate:

1. No backlight when opened to a certain angle or any angle.
2. Abnormal brightness changes at the bottom of the screen, which may appear as a stage light effect.

This problem usually occurs with MacBook Pro 13″ / 15″ models manufactured between 2016 and 2018 (2016-2017, Two / Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports, Model No.: A1706 / A1707 / A1708). Repairing this issue may not require replacing the entire display assembly and can be fixed by repairing the existing display assembly, with a cost of approximately half the price of a new display assembly.

We provide 180 day warranty and welcome inquiries.

Take the following measures immediately to minimise the damage after the MacBook gets wet:

1. Turn off the MacBook immediately: If your MacBook gets wet, please turn it off immediately to prevent further damage. You can press and hold the power button until the MacBook shuts down. This is because almost all circuits on the logic board are powered when the MacBook is powered on, and liquid containing impurities flowing through powered metal can cause corrosion and short circuits due to electrolysis.

2. Disconnect all external devices: Disconnect all external devices, such as chargers, USB devices, Thunderbolt devices, etc., from the MacBook.

3. Dry any liquid on the surface of the MacBook: Use a dry, absorbent cloth to wipe up any liquid on the outside of the MacBook. Avoid pressing the keys, as this may cause the MacBook to turn on and increase the damage.

4. Wait for the MacBook to dry: Let the MacBook sit and wait for it to dry. Avoid using a hairdryer or other heat source to speed up the drying process, as this may cause additional damage to your MacBook.

Due to certain circuits on the logic board of MacBook, such as PP3V8_AON and PP3V42_G3H, remaining powered even when the device is turned off to supply power to certain chips and wait for startup commands, it is important to seek professional repair services as soon as possible after the MacBook gets wet to assess any damage and perform necessary repairs, in order to avoid further corrosion and damage to MacBook parts.

There are many possibilities when a MacBook cannot power on. Before handing it over to a technician for repair, you can try the following basic resets and possible solutions:

1. Check battery and charger issues: Make sure the charger is properly plugged in and connected to power. You can try testing the charger with another MacBook that uses the same type of charger.

2. Try restarting: Hold down the power button for a few seconds, and then press the power button again.

3. Reset SMC: System Management Controller (SMC) is responsible for managing many hardware functions of the MacBook, including power and thermal management. To reset the SMC, you can refer to official guide from Apple.

4. Reset NVRAM: NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) stores some system settings, including startup disk settings and display resolution. To reset the NVRAM, you can refer to official guide from Apple.

5. Check the startup disk: If your hard disk or solid-state drive has failed, your MacBook may keep trying to find a normal startup disk. You can press and hold the ‘Option’ key after pressing the power button to see if there is a normal startup disk.

6. Check the display: Inspect the LCD panel and backlight. You can check if the display emits backlight in a dark environment and shine a strong light, such as the flashlight function on a phone, to check for a faint image.

7. Further check the display: You can use ‘Clamshell mode’ to connect an external display. First, make sure the charger is properly plugged in and connected to power, then connect the external display, and then close the MacBook to force the output to the external display.

8. Disconnect external devices: Unplug all external devices, such as chargers, USB devices, Thunderbolt devices, etc., from the MacBook and try to boot up again.

If you have tried the above basic resets and possible solutions but your MacBook still cannot power on, you can bring your MacBook to our office located in Mong Kok for a free inspection. Our technicians will locate the problem and provide corresponding repair solutions.

There are many possible reasons why a MacBook may not be able to charge, including a faulty charger, a damaged MacBook battery, poor contact between the charging cable and the MacBook, and problems with the charging components on the logic board of MacBook.

If you encounter any of the above problems and cannot solve them, you can bring your MacBook, charging cable, and charger to our office located in Mong Kok for a free inspection. Our technicians will locate the problem and provide corresponding repair solutions.

Although replacing the MacBook battery will not affect the hard drive or solid-state drive, in order to ensure the safety of your data, we recommend backing up all important data and files to an external hard drive or cloud storage before performing any repairs or replacing any parts, to prevent any unexpected loss or damage to data.

iCertified will not be responsible for any unexpected loss or damage to data that may occur during any repairs or replacement of parts.