iPod Special Report: Repair difficult, replacement often cheaper: Cracked LCD screens and more

iPods are difficult and often expensive to repair. Most authorized repair centers will recommend a replacement if your iPod is not turning on due to an electrical problem, the screen is broken, or a variety of other problems occur.

As such, many users have chosen to enroll in the US$ 59 iPod AppleCare protection program, which provides a greater umbrella of repair/replacement options, and also provides a quicker turnaround than the standard Apple warranty.

Meanwhile, MacResQ offers a flat-fee repair service for Apple iPods. The service will purportedly offer 24-hour turnaround on repairs and nationwide, as well as overnight pickup and delivery at the user's location. The cost of the iPodResQ 24-Hour Repair Service is US$29 This includes the 3-way overnight shipping, the initial diagnostic service, and the iBox, which the customer may keep for future use. The "iQ" Battery Replacement priced at US $79. More.

Cracked LCD Screens iPodhead.com has some rather gruesome photos of an iPod mini with cracked LCD.

The owner of the broken iPod mini said "My son just got an ipod mini last week. (He) had it in his pocket, sat down and cracked the display. I took it to the Apple store in Houston. They told me it would cost less to buy a new one ($249)!"

She went on to say that "This is going to be happening all the time because the minis are much thinner and relatively flexible."

As stated in Apple's iPod one-year limited warranty, coverage does not include "damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, misapplication, or non-Apple products"

Another MacFixIt reader writes:

"I bought a 15 GB IPod for my son a month ago. He loved it! But yesterday it got banged in his bag and the screen was damaged, so it won't work now. When I asked how to get it repaired, I was told it would be a $249 charge. I fully expected to pay for the repair, but Apple is essentially saying that they will not support the product and to just buy a new one. At these prices, Apple should provide reasonable repair service and support their products."

• When songs won't play
• Warning about Windows DRM and the iPod
• Using Apple's Disk Utility, other disk tools to solve iPod directory/permissions problems
• USB 2.0 synchronization/data transfer problems
• Audio dropouts, pauses
• Revitalizing a frozen/unresponsive iPod
• Sudden, Unexpected Resets
• Repair difficult, replacement often cheaper: Cracked LCD screens and more
• Quirkiness when synchronizing with high-power USB 1.1 ports
• Mac freezes when going to sleep with iPod connected
• iTunes-purchased tracks won't transfer to iPod
• iTunes crash on iPod connection; solutions
• iSight interference
• Falling Asleep (appearing off) suddenly
• iPod-stored tracks cannot use some iTunes features
• Updater software issues
• Shuffle USB connectivity issues
• Remote Control problems
• iPod not showing up in iTunes
• Batteries: Charging, maintaining capacity, maximizing life; more
• Preferences not sticking
• Extracting files from an iPod to a Mac
• Distorted/static sound
• Dealing with Smart Playlists
• AppleCare for iPods
• Complaints about Apple earbud quality; alternatives
• Data loss -- Music disappears from iPod

Resources