Mac logic board — faults, testing, repair and short circuits
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Quick answer
A logic board fault doesn't have to mean 'buy a new Mac'. At the component level, we repair power-management ICs, USB-C controllers, GPUs and short circuits — typically DKK 1,800-4,800 versus DKK 6,000-15,000 for a new logic board at Apple. We're often 50-70% cheaper because we only replace what's actually broken.
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What is a logic board fault?
The logic board (or motherboard) is the Mac's main board with the CPU, RAM, charging circuit, USB controllers and hundreds of other components. A 'logic board fault' can be anything from a single faulty IC to an entirely dead board. Symptoms: won't start, black screen, kernel panics, dead ports, no charging.
How do you test a logic board?
Professional diagnosis involves: 1) visual inspection under a microscope for burnt components or corrosion, 2) measuring voltages on critical rails (12V, 5V, 3.3V) with a multimeter, 3) thermal imaging to find overheating components, 4) boardview schematics to trace circuits. Home users can only test via NVRAM/SMC resets and symptoms. We have the equipment for real diagnosis.
Can a logic board be repaired?
Yes, often. Unlike Apple (who always swap the entire board), we do component-level repair. The most commonly repairable faults: failing charge IC (PMIC), failing SMC, failing T2 chip, GPU faults ('radeongate'), failing USB-C controller, corrosion from liquid damage. Price: DKK 1,800-4,800 depending on the fault. See current pricing at macmo.dk/reparation.
What does logic board repair cost?
Between DKK 1,800 and 4,800 depending on the fault — DKK 1,800-3,500 for micro-soldering a single IC (PMIC, SMC, USB-C controller), DKK 2,000-3,500 for a GPU replacement, DKK 4,000-4,800 for full component-level repair on extensive corrosion. A complete board swap (when not repairable): DKK 5,000-8,000. Apple's price for a new board is typically DKK 8,000-15,000. See current pricing at macmo.dk/reparation. (We don't offer reflow — it's only a temporary fix that often fails again.)
How do you find a short circuit?
Professional short-circuit diagnosis uses: 1) a thermal camera that shows the shorted component as a hot spot, 2) injecting low voltage (1-2V) and measuring current draw to locate the short, 3) diode-mode measurement on every rail to find the burnt component, 4) boardview schematics to trace signals. It's specialist work — we are one of the few in Denmark who do it.