We work at component level. That means micro-soldering, hot-air rework, a stereo microscope, and ultrasonic cleaning for corrosion. Most repair shops swap whole boards. We isolate the faulty component and replace it. That difference saves Johannesburg Mac owners thousands of Rand every week.
What Macs Do We Repair?
Every Apple computer. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro across Intel and Apple Silicon. The 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch models. iMac, including the 21.5-inch and 27-inch Intel machines and the 24-inch M1 and later. Mac mini from the old Intel units through to the M1, M2, and M4. Mac Studio and Mac Pro towers.
If it has an Apple logo and a logic board, we have likely had one on the bench. Over 12,000 logic boards repaired in this workshop tells you we have seen your fault before.
Mac Logic Board Repair
The logic board is the brain of your Mac. It manages power, memory, the processor, and every connection between components. When it fails, the symptoms vary: no power at all, a black screen with the fans spinning, random shutdowns, or a battery that will not charge.
In our Hyde Park workshop we trace the fault to the specific component. A failed power management chip, a cracked solder joint, a blown capacitor, a damaged charging circuit. We replace that part under the microscope rather than condemning the whole board.
Apple and most shops quote board replacement at R8,000 to R18,000 depending on the model. A component-level repair often lands between R2,500 and R6,500. Same fix, fraction of the cost.
Liquid Damage Repair
Coffee, water, a glass of wine, the dog's water bowl. Liquid is the single most common cause of Mac failure we see across Gauteng. Johannesburg humidity makes it worse, because corrosion keeps spreading after the initial spill.
Here is what matters. The liquid rarely destroys your storage. It causes oxidation and short circuits on the logic board. The longer you leave it, the more the copper traces corrode. If you spill something, power the Mac off immediately, do not try to charge it, and bring it in.
Our process starts with the ultrasonic cleaning tank. That lifts corrosion out of areas a brush will never reach. Then we inspect every affected component under the microscope, replace what has failed, and test. We have brought back machines that owners were told were write-offs.
Battery Replacement
A swollen battery is dangerous. If your trackpad has lifted, the case will not close flat, or the Mac rocks on the desk, stop using it. A swelling battery can push hard enough to crack the screen or warp the chassis.
We replace MacBook batteries across all models. Most replacements cost between R1,800 and R3,800 depending on the model and battery size. Turnaround is usually same day or next day once the battery is in stock.
Screen and Display Repair
Cracked screens, lines across the display, backlight failure, dead pixels, and the dreaded flexgate horizontal lines on certain 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models. Some of these are display assembly faults. Some are backlight circuit faults on the logic board itself, which is where component-level skill pays off.
We diagnose first. If it is a backlight fuse or a coil on the board, that is a far cheaper fix than a full display assembly. If the panel is genuinely cracked, we quote the assembly honestly.
Keyboard and Trackpad Repair
The butterfly keyboards on 2016 to 2019 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models fail often. Sticky keys, repeating keys, dead keys. We replace keyboards and the top case where needed. Trackpads that will not click, register ghost touches, or feel dead usually trace back to either the trackpad itself or a swollen battery pressing against it from below.
Data Recovery
This is the one that keeps people up at night. Years of client work, family photos, a thesis. On 2018 and newer Macs the SSD is soldered directly to the logic board. There is no drive to pull out and plug into another machine.
We recover data from these machines by repairing the board enough to read it, or by working at chip level. On T2 and Apple Silicon Macs encryption adds a layer of complexity, which is exactly why you want a specialist rather than a general shop. We have recovered data that owners had given up on.
How Load-Shedding Damages Your Mac
I have to mention this because we see it constantly. Load-shedding is not just an inconvenience. The power surge when electricity returns can damage charging circuits and power management chips. Charge through a surge-protected plug or a UPS. If your Mac stopped charging right after a load-shedding event, that is almost always a board-level charging fault, and we fix those weekly.
What Areas Do You Serve?
We are based in Hyde Park and serve clients across Gauteng within roughly 60 km of the workshop. Sandton, Rosebank, Bryanston, Morningside, Melrose, Fourways, Randburg, Midrand, and the wider Johannesburg area. Most clients drop off and collect, and we keep you updated over WhatsApp throughout.
How much does a Mac assessment cost?
Our assessment starts from R599. That covers a proper diagnostic, not a guess. We tell you exactly what has failed and what the repair costs before we proceed. You decide with full information.
Do you charge if you cannot fix it?
We work on a no-fix-no-fee basis where applicable. If we cannot repair your Mac, you do not pay the repair fee. The assessment fee covers the diagnostic time and is discussed upfront.
How long does a Mac repair take?
It depends on the fault. Battery and screen swaps are often same day or next day. Component-level logic board repairs typically take two to five working days, because corrosion cleaning, part sourcing, and proper testing cannot be rushed. We give you a realistic timeframe after the assessment.
Is component-level repair as reliable as replacing the whole board?
Yes, when done correctly. We replace the failed component with the correct part and test the board under load before it leaves the workshop. The fix is permanent. The advantage is that you keep your original board, your soldered storage, and your money.
My Mac is old. Is it worth repairing?
Often, yes. A 2015 or 2017 MacBook Pro with a single failed component is frequently worth a R3,000 repair rather than a R20,000 replacement. We give you an honest view. If a machine is not worth saving, we tell you that too.
Can you recover my data if the Mac will not turn on?
In most cases, yes. A dead Mac does not mean dead data. The storage usually survives. We repair the board enough to read it, or recover at chip level. The sooner you bring it in after liquid damage, the higher the success rate.
Do I need a backup before sending my Mac in?
If your Mac still powers on, back it up first. Always. If it will not turn on, bring it to us and we handle recovery as part of the job. Once repaired, set up Time Machine so the next failure is just an inconvenience, not a crisis.
Book Your Mac Repair Today
Do not let a small fault turn into a write-off. The longer corrosion spreads or a swollen battery presses on your screen, the more it costs to fix. Bring your Mac to a workshop that repairs the actual fault.
WhatsApp us on 064 529 5863 with your Mac model and a description of the problem, and I will give you an honest first view. Or book online at zasupport.com/book and drop your machine at our Hyde Park workshop.
Courtney Bentley, CEO and Apple Certified Expert Consultant, ZA Support.
