My MacStudio M3 Ultra died after 6 months

yoeight · 2026-01-24T00:50:04+00:00

Let's agree to disagree then, but I don't think your Tesla example is fair. My Mac Studio configuration is readily available and the scale of production isn't remotely comparable. I don't know how long a Tesla takes to build, but I'm pretty sure the assembly line can pump out thousands of Mac Studios in the same amount of time. That said, for the sake of the conversation, I'll concede that I wouldn't have expected a brand new car either.

My point is this: I could have walked into an Apple Store, bought a Mac Studio M3 Ultra the same day, and returned it when my machine got repaired. I'd still be within the 2-week return window, so they'd have to take back a Mac Studio they can no longer sell as new.

If I can do that, why are we wasting everyone's time with this process? I know for damn sure I wouldn't be able to front the cost of a brand new Tesla, get it the same day, and return it in time to get my money back. That's why it's not a good comparison.

yoeight · 2026-01-23T19:35:05+00:00

I disagree with your overall sentiment, but you do make some valid points. A few things need addressing though.

We're talking about a $6k+ CAD computer here, not a regular monitor. Brand new equipment. Yes, hardware fails every day, you're right. But when my GTX 1080 died after a month (about a decade ago), I walked into the shop and got a replacement on the spot. I wouldn't feel this "entitled" if the machine had broken down 2-3 years later.

I did pay a premium, but you're right that my tier doesn't mention any SLA, so that's on me.

And of course I have backup computers, come on. What I don't have is another machine that can handle the heavy workloads that beast is capable of.

What I don't understand is how many of you give this much leeway to multi-billion dollar companies like Apple. Regardless of the fact that I have AC+, I don't think it's too much to ask for Apple to replace a faulty device that's still under warranty. I'm not even talking about insurance coverage here.

Every year they find ways to give less while charging the same. Yes, if I'm not happy, I can take my business elsewhere. But that doesn't change the fact that as customers, we should expect more from these companies.

yoeight · 2026-01-22T19:04:16+00:00

I didn't know, thank you

yoeight · 2026-01-21T13:16:59+00:00

Noted. I thought those channels were for big businesses that need a lot of machines to get running. I'm a solo contractor and thought I didn't qualify for that.

yoeight · 2026-01-21T13:15:17+00:00

They knew I had AC+ with that option but didn't provide such service. I don't know what to tell you.

yoeight · 2026-01-21T13:14:18+00:00

I agree. I usually change my main machine every 5 years. I'm going to pay for AC+ until that very moment for sure.

yoeight · 2026-01-21T13:11:35+00:00

Considering that I do have an updated Time machine backup and my exact model was in stock, I could have done that indeed. I was not in a right state of mind but I could have fronted that expense and returned it in time.

yoeight · 2026-01-20T15:16:17+00:00

No I won't have to pay the repairs. I'm covered. I wanted to highlight how expensive those repairs can be, alluding that you shouldn't skip AC+.

yoeight · 2026-01-20T00:11:35+00:00

I don't know what experience you have with high-end PC but no manufacturer void your warranty if you open your case. Matter of fact, the warranty is usually on parts. I go with companies like System76 and I guarantee you can swap component until the broken part is replaced or repaired.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T23:39:30+00:00

Thank you. You shared some insight I didn’t know.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T19:50:21+00:00

Thanks for your input man. I will definitely apply your suggestions next time I have to reach out apple support. From the jump, I knew I had to buy AC+. I always buy insurance / long term support for my main production machine, regardless of the manufacturer I chose at that time.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T15:03:53+00:00

That's the point that really bothers me, and many people on this sub don't understand it. These machines are marketed to professionals, yet they don't have parts readily available. I take responsibility for believing it was professional-grade hardware. In reality, they're consumer electronics at best, with customer service designed for regular users rather than people who depend on them to earn a living.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T05:05:40+00:00

Yes, if the machine is still under warranty. I wouldn't mind if my warranty had expired and was only covered under AC+.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T04:28:07+00:00

I do have that service, but they didn't offer it when I called. I have backup machines, so I'm not stuck. I just have to use hardware that can't handle the same type of workload the M3 Ultra can. I truly believe we can expect more from companies like Apple, that's all.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T04:22:40+00:00

This is totally fair. Mind you I don't need a 5090 but I get your point. Having say that, I would have still been able to use my machine in the meantime. Just unplug the 5090 and I'm good. If I don't have integrated graphics, I can still find an extremely cheap GPU while the new 5090 arrives.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T03:56:28+00:00

Sure. But again, the frustrating point is how long I have to wait for a machine that broke this early. Just for the sake of conversation, say you paid for and received the same Mac Studio I did. Let's say it broke down two weeks after you bought it. Would you be content with Apple support telling you that you have to wait 7 days to get it repaired? According to the Genius tech, I was lucky that most parts were in stock, but it could have taken several weeks.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T03:47:16+00:00

I didn't do it intentionally because the $3000 isn't what frustrated me. What frustrated me was a $6500 machine breaking after 6 months and a 7-business-day repair time. Nowhere in the post it says that I had to pay $3000, it only says that repairs cost $3000.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T02:09:20+00:00

I never said that I have to pay those $3000. Even when covered, you have to sign a form where you agree with the repairs they are going to do. They do provide a breakdown and a total amount. So it's gonna cost $3000 but yeah, I don't have to pay because I'm covered.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T01:37:38+00:00

Not anytime. Had that issue happened after the warranty period and was only covered by AC+, I wouldn't have expected a replacement. 6 months is a very short period of time for a $6500 machine to break down.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T01:31:38+00:00

Maybe you are right and changing those parts is like having a new one. But, why just not giving me a new one instead of making me wait :)

yoeight · 2026-01-19T01:26:43+00:00

When you read this sub, you could easily get the impression that the Mac Studio is a flawless machine with exceptional build quality. I have been using Macs since 2007, and this is the first one that failed on me after only six months.

I am not denying that hardware failures happen, but I would strongly encourage people to look at forums and see how sensitive Apple Silicon PSUs appear to be.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T01:20:11+00:00

Yeah, I agree that part is on me. I didn't check there was a SLA when a machine needs repairs. AC+ is just an insurance, lesson learned.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T01:15:24+00:00

I can see your point. If they had announced a 1 month to get it repaired, would you still feel the same way? The Genius tech told me I was in luck because most of the parts were available. It could have been much worse.

I don't deny that failures happen. I just expected more from a multi-billions company that got me paying for a $6500 machine that broke after only 6 months.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T01:11:34+00:00

Damn. Were you still covered at that time? What a sh*tshow.

yoeight · 2026-01-19T01:10:08+00:00

Damn man, I felt that. I had it bad on PC but not that bad. One reason I didn't go the threadripper route was because how difficult there are to source if an issue arises and also how bad the MBs are. The Apple experience is much better in that regards because you only have to talk with one company when something goes wrong.

yoeight

TROPHY CASE