athenachristodolou wrote:
I purchased a MacBook Air 2020 (Intel) from a secondhand computer store. It did not have a battery when I bought it. After a week I was able to have a MacBook battery installed in the computer.
There are two ways to buy used computers. One way is through reliable vendors such as Apple and OWC who offer warranties (often 1 year), which they can only do if they verify that the computer is in good condition before they sell it. The other way is through unknown vendors who don't offer warranties and may be much cheaper but selling products of questionable quality. For the second way, one must always figure out what was the problem with the device and why was it offered for sale. In this case, clearly there was a problem with the battery and charging system. I can't imagine purchasing a laptop that does not have a battery. Laptops are meant to be operated from batteries!
I’ve taken my computer with me out of the province, which has been through airport security & through scanners. Normally, Airport Security scanners don’t cause damage to the MacBook.
Airport scanners do not damage computers.
My issue is that I didn’t charge my computer for two weeks.
Not a problem to not charge for two weeks if the computer and battery are ok.
There is no issues with the power outlet, my adapter or the cable. I plugged my computer in to charge it but will not power on.
So now you are finding out why the computer was sold used (and probably at a low price). It doesn't work.
There is no chime sound, no Haptic Touch. I had it charging for around 6 hours and it won’t power on.
The computer is broken. I think you know this already. It is part of the risk of buying a non-warrantied device in used condition that is delivered in flawed condition. Such computers are only of value to people who have the tools and skills to repair them themselves.
I can’t afford to replace my computer right now.
If this is really true, I think you will have to go without a working computer until you can afford to replace it. When you do, I would get a used Mac only from Apple or OWC and only with a warranty.
I’m trying to figure out if I need to replace the battery or if the logic board has completely failed. I don’t have AppleCare so I’m trying to get an estimate of the care costs.
The cost of fixing this Mac is likely to be more than you paid for it or would pay for a comparable used Mac that is in working condition. The cost of (another) battery and the labor to replace it will be hundreds of $ and replacement of the logic board could be more than $1000 but first one has to find a logic board and it will probably be a used one from another failed Mac. Not a good plan (in my opinion).
Is there anyone here who can help me solve this?
I would take this Mac to an Apple Authorized Service Provider (they are listed on Apple's web site). Ask them to diagnose the issue and provide a cost estimate to repair to working condition. You can also take it to an Apple Store as it is considered "vintage" but is not yet "obsolete." But AASP are sometimes more flexible about working on older devices and might offer you lower cost options.
A quick look at OWC's web site show it offering an Intel 2020 MacBook Air for less than $400, which I am guessing is comparable to the minimum cost of paying someone to replace the battery in your Mac and perform any other needed repairs. If the logic board has to be replaced the cost could be double that, maybe even more than that laptop cost when new. A much better M1 MacBook Air (2020) is available for less than $500. These OWC used Macs come with 1-year warranties.
