"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Is PMIC repair cheaper than buying a new MacBook?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Yes. A new MacBook 14-inch costs upward of R35,000. PMIC rework or replacement runs R1,500–R4,500. Even factoring in the diagnostic fee (R599), repair is 80–90% cheaper. We've restored MacBooks worth R15,000–R25,000 for under R3,500."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Can I use SMC reset to fix my PMIC permanently?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "SMC reset (shutting down, waiting 15 seconds, powering on) can temporarily restore charging or power response by clearing a transient fault state. However, if the PMIC is physically damaged (cracked, corroded, or thermally degraded), SMC reset masks the problem rather than solving it. The fault returns within days or weeks. Professional rework addresses the underlying issue."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How long does PMIC repair take?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Diagnosis takes 1–2 hours. Rework (reflowing solder joints, cleaning corrosion) takes 3–4 hours. Full PMIC replacement requires 5–7 days to source the correct OEM part, then another 3–4 hours for installation and testing. We offer express turnaround (48 hours) for an additional R500 fee if parts are in stock."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Will my warranty be affected if I get PMIC repair outside Apple?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Apple's warranty does not cover liquid damage, physical damage, or component failure from wear. If your MacBook is out of AppleCare+, repair through ZA Support voids nothing—you've already lost Apple's coverage. We provide up to 3 years warranty on our repairs, which exceeds Apple's standard 12-month hardware warranty."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Is liquid damage always fatal to a PMIC?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Not always. Liquid damage causes corrosion on circuit traces and solder joints around the PMIC, but the chip itself often survives if the liquid dries quickly and doesn't conduct a short circuit. We've successfully repaired PMIC failures in MacBooks exposed to water and coffee by cleaning corroded traces and reflowing solder joints. Success depends on extent of corrosion and time elapsed since exposure. The sooner you bring the machine to us after liquid exposure, the better the outcome."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Can I replace my own PMIC to save money?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "We do not recommend this. PMIC replacement requires a rework station (BGA/micro-soldering equipment costing R50,000+), thermal profiling software, lead-free solder expertise, and clean-room techniques. A single mistake—overheating the chip, bridging solder joints, or using incompatible solder—renders the logic board unrepairable. Professional technicians train for 12–24 months before attempting PMIC work. The R1,500–R4,500 repair cost is insurance against a R15,000+ logic board replacement."
}
}
]
}
