Apple Store vs. Repair Shop: What the Right to Repair Is All About | WSJ

Apple said it would cost $999 to fix a MacBook Pro. An independent repair store did it for $325. WSJ’s Joanna Stern went on a journey to repair two water-damaged laptops and show how new legislation could provide more options for fixing our broken gadgets.
Personal Technology With Joanna Stern
Technology is overwhelming and making decisions about what gadget to buy is harder than ever. WSJ personal tech columnist Joanna Stern makes it all a bit easier in her lively and informative videos.
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[@rossmanngroup]

I am obviously biased, but I thoroughly enjoyed this piece.

[@drabberfrog]

I also thoroughly enjoyed this piece.

[@CSab-ui2jt]

The only thing that could have made it better was an appearance from Clinton the cat

[@Jushwa]

Same, thanks for continuing to make us proud Louis.

[@allann.2632]

@@CSab-ui2jt *... peeing on a 2020 Macbook Air.

[@dejee]

Would you ever work for Apple if they offered?

[@ProPrince]

we allow a 16-year-old to change the brakes of a giant piece of metal that goes 80mph but changing a fan on a MacBook is "dangerous" these big tech companies are on something lol

[@pnnytx]

bruh, i swapped the entire motorcycle engine and it was fun and not so dangerous.

[@ProPrince]

@@pnnytx exactly, if these vehicles don’t need a “certified” professional to do it then neither does tech

[@pnnytx]

@@ProPrince idk, maybe it's because of the "safety" things. Kinda annoys me, tech are being harder to fix and getting harder exponentially.

[@ProPrince]

@@pnnytx yeah it’s getting smaller but they can make stuff as easy to fix unless they solder everything together

[@randomoverpopulatedworldid3286]

Cars will be next. Driverless and electric cars will not have repairs that are done anywhere besides the dealer.

[@AuthenTech]

Louis is the hero we didn't know we need!

[@ericmatthews8497]

He's overrated..

[@-Sean_]

@@ericmatthews8497 elaborate

[@ericmatthews8497]

@@-Sean_ He complains about the Apple Genius Bar experience. But I have asked him to publish the incident number for every case he described on his channel. Every support case has a number. Publish it so Apple can improve. He won’t. Then it occurred to me. He’s making these stories up to fuel his KZbin channel.

[@FeelsGouda]

​@@ericmatthews8497 "I have asked him, and he did not do it." Yeah. That is a sure fire sign the guy is all fake.

[@ericmatthews8497]

@@FeelsGouda The "Apple is Evil" thing is all part of his KZbin "SCHTICK!" And it drives people to his You Tube Channel. Many KZbinrs use the same ploy. He doesn't want this to change. Not even a little.

[@vanzonhl]

Apple's explainations basically say "We at Apple believe, that your money is best stored in our pockets". It's just worded differently.

[@MedalionDS9]

Apple... spend differently.

[@dinkarfowkar999]

@@MedalionDS9 nice tagline

[@_Digitalguy]

underrated comment

[@7654321220]

Think differently, your pay check isn't yours to begin with

[@mondlit]

Lol

[@reaperandyel]

Apple: We want our products to be fixed using our genuine parts. Also Apple: We don't sell our genuine parts to repair shops.

[@mechy2k2000]

Nor do they allow the makers of the part to sell them to third parties.

[@prhasn]

Nor do they allow repair shops to even know what parts are needed

[@jeffthekilller731]

Yup this summarised it

[@jcxdev]

As Louis mentioned in one of his recent videos, this claim implies that the parts independent repair providers use - parts from donor boards - are not genuine, which would mean that Apple are building devices using non-genuine parts… 🤨

[@EddyOver9000]

@@jcxdev Apple really are some goofies on that one

[@StarHelix-]

Probably one of the best journalistic pieces in recent history. No opinions, no garbage, just facts and investigative reporting with real people. Please make more content like this WSJ.

[@AceSeptre]

The words "Apple trained technician" is an oxymoron if I've ever heard one. Apple never does repair at the component level. The only "training" they have is how to remove and replace board scale parts. They are basically the glorified electronics equivalent of an oil-change mechanic.

[@carlangelo653]

I've worked with an "apple trained technician". And the way they fix laptops is like lego. A single busted capacitor, new mainboard. It was ridiculous.

[@AceSeptre]

@@carlangelo653Lego is a good way to put it. I would be willing to bet that most of the Apple "technicians" couldn't tell you what a capacitor or resistor is or does, and are totally clueless about any of the ICs on the boards. I wonder if you could even find a multimeter behind the doors of the black hole they take computers to for "diagnosis"?

[@1_ElFox]

It’s basically if the alternator dies, replace the whole engine.

[@ixionn563]

Apple's whole thing, if you actually make a real world comparison, is basically like a tech at a car dealership saying "Alright you have a blown head gasket, we can either replace your entire engine for 4 grand, or you can buy a similar year and mileage vehicle off our lot for around 7 grand. Your 'choice'." (This comparison would be even more realistic, if car makers made it illegal for auto parts to be sold/installed by anyone except their dealerships.)

[@tobiaslofi]

@@AceSeptre I’ve worked in a German authorized Apple Retailer with repair and we had 2-3 guys in repair and most surly they had that. But yes mainly they had a database to look up Macs, models, parts and prices and basic tools to run diagnostics.

[@xj3130]

Apple cares about the environment and doesn’t include chargers with iPhones anymore, yet they’re perfectly fine with their laptops in a landfill. Apple cares about privacy as long as they’re the ones going through your emails and photos. Any goodwill from any corporations is just branding - it’s money and power that they really care about.

[@nunopereira93]

Not being able to repair your machine it's absolutely awful for the environment, I wish Apple would stop pretending that they care.

[@altr.]

Dont forget about Samsung and other companies doing the same with chargers. No corporation cares if it comes to money.

[@invenom8894]

@@altr. company that actually cares is a fantasy

[@Me97202]

Because our society and our corporations have become greedy, dishonest and filled with hypocrisy.

[@RicePho]

Actually no they don't care about privacy as long as there isn't money involve. Check how they give Chinese citizrn info to the CCP

[@dollazNzentz]

Farmers are also dealing with this same issue with their John Deer tractors. Deer doesn’t want them working on their own tractors

[@NathanHedglin]

@Splint Meow and food prices

[@wazalak911]

The bad news for John Deere is that farmers may opt for other brands like Mahindra, Kubota, Yanmar, Caterpillar etc.

[@kalijasin]

That’s true.

[@Haldir111]

@@wazalak911 - Even better, they still use John Deere but have resorted to learning how to hack. Russians have cracked their ECM and other limiters. lol

[@keef4049]

Hospitals too

[@Aar69]

Right to repair is Anti-Poverty, Pro-Middle Class, and green. The ability for consumers to be able to fully exercise ownership of their product by repairing should they so choose is paramount to enabling us all to build better and more sustainable lives.

[@bigpod]

and by whom the they choose to repair said device.

[@Soandnb]

And you learn valuable skills AND save money!

[@bigpod]

@FedEXfright if you cant get parts dont know what anything is you cant realy repair it.

[@mysticfakir2029]

"it's odd to be a computer repair man and feel like the kid in high school selling weed out of the 4th stall of the lunch bathroom" -Louis Rossmann

[@MubashirAR]

Lol I just started reading this comment as he said it

[@windowsxseven]

mr rossmann selling weed to high schoolers confirmed

[@nextlifeonearth]

That's awfully specific...

[@TheBananamonger]

@@nextlifeonearth he says he doesn't smoke. He never said he didn't sell.

[@sirapple589]

DynamicAlteration He’s a businessman doing business.

[@jangabriel3117]

Oh snap, it's going to be real scary if apple releases their car. Imagine them wanting to replace the engine or sell you a car because your radiator Is leaking.

[@ThapeloMKT]

Or your car being remotely shutdown down cos you changed your own breaks or tires 😖

[@Colin0221]

basically Tesla lol

[@monsterrun]

worst it would have no windows.

[@Je_QzcY3mN0]

And the scariest part is that other manufacturers might start mimicking it, just like it happened in smartphones area

[@kiosy8]

@@Colin0221 Yeah. And I think Louis made a video about as well.

[@fbse4529]

Regarding Apple's fearmonguering claim about "security, the children..." is worth to note what the FTC stated: "There is no evidence that independent repair provides a greater or lesser threat to information security than branded manufacturer repair" - Federal Trade Comission

[@marioluigi9599]

That's not the point. The point is, in the great American "democracy", it's not the people who are in power, it's the rich greedy companies that buy out the politicians who then only do what they're bribed by them to do. So then the public suffers. Normal everyday American "democracy"

[@zyansheep]

@@marioluigi9599 thaaats how capitalism works! If we want to fix it we should pass single transferable vote, and raise the salaries of congresspeople while simultaneously passing laws that restricts the amount of money they can receive for campaigns...

[@marioluigi9599]

@@zyansheep yeah cos capitalism is such an amazing thing and the only alternative is SOCIALISM 😨😨😨😵

[@zyansheep]

@@marioluigi9599 capitalism is pretty good, under certain conditions... i would argue that most perceived "capitalist" societies are to some degree socialist, because they implement laws to protect their citizens from the forces of an unrestrained market.

[@marioluigi9599]

@@zyansheep it's not an amazing thing. It's literally just as basic as you can get, economically. Ripping people off with high prices, as high as you can put them without losing all your business from it. That's literally what everyone in history did. And back when the industrial revolution first started in England, all the rich barons who owned those satanic mills used basically slave labour to create their products. That's extreme capitalism and that's pretty evil. And it's the reason why people came up with a communism in the first place, as an attempt to counter that evil. (Of course you don't counter evil, with more evil - but that's another story)

[@joshualeesherman]

If we don’t have the right to repair, we don’t really own it. It’s like we are leasing their hardware if we can’t repair.

[@CharlieQuartz]

You can totally repair your devices, Apple just isn’t going to help you do it. Things were easier when you could see every element of the construction but now that design is so complex and integration is so tight, businesses can enact the intentions they always wanted to.

[@carlosk8103]

It's not about "right to repair" you can already do that and no one can stop you... it's about Support... Documentation ,tools and parts ect.....

[@Bash70]

@@CharlieQuartz No you can't twit. They explicitly banned manufactures from selling replacement parts and even use the government to confiscate parts at the border and have people charged or arrested for trying to source them. Sheeps like you just love defending and playing down the dirty tactics that these companies use don't you?

[@CharlieQuartz]

@@Bash70Perhaps I would listen to your argument more readily if you didn’t bloat it with insults and aggression. Your intentions aren’t to change my mind, but to satisfy your ego. Aside, of course Apple has the right to confiscate counterfeit products which infringe on their design patents. The rights of the creator are that they can make money from the work they put into the creation, otherwise there would be no incentive to create. As of 2019, Apple has given consent to licensed (free of charge) repair organizations to order parts from them and fix devices. The parts in their catalogue probably should be broadened, but the service is available for third parties.

[@TheMasterMind144]

@@CharlieQuartz This is a disingenuous argument, and Louis has brought it up multiple times. Yes, it is technically correct that some people CAN repair Apple devices, however for third party repair shops to be able to do this they need access to software and documents that are not legally obtainable as well as components which they have a very hard time buying separately, if at all. This is like saying that you can technically arrive from your home to work on foot, so there is no problem with a person locking you out of your car so you could not get there without having to go through significant and unnecessary extra effort. Apple is not only not going to help you do it, they will place every single possible obstacle in your path so that you cannot succeed and they are becoming more and more egregious as the years go by. Also, you miss the part in the video where Louis CANNOT repair the newest laptop and that is not only because he does not have the schematics for it, but he cannot buy the components needed for the repair due to Apple's silent agreement with the manufacturers of those components to not sell them to anyone but Apple (which is illegal as it is a form of goods tying). There are also a whole host of other issues such as the parts being serialized which prevent him from just taking components from a donor board. Unfortunately this videos does not do a good job of explaining all, or even the most important, problems that third party repair shops faces when trying to fix Apple devices. "Complex design and right integration" are buzzwords, and are used to obfuscate the real issue by conflating a legitimate problem (things becoming smaller and smaller does mean they will become harder to repair, but that is something only the repairman should be concerned about and it is ultimately their responsibility to figure it out) with Apple's intentional tactics to make third party repair unnecessarily harder or even impossible through artificial means. The two things are NOT the same and should not be confused.

[@kelvint.h1158]

Of course Apple's repair gonna cost more, they recommend their repair guy to breathe Apple-certified oxygen, use Apple-certified screwdrivers and wear Apple-certified underwear....

[@wanjohi]

xD This is the one

[@GriggsC123]

Well this is what Steve Jobs wanted. Close end systems, all about control.

[@r.rodrigues9929]

NGL, with those custom screws Apple use, you probably already have to use Apple certified screwdrivers! FOR SAFETY OFC!

[@MarcoEnAction]

The even eat Apple certified food, buy Apple certified house and born Apple Certified Children within Apple certified life

[@DarthVader1977]

is* going* to*

[@CSab-ui2jt]

"It's odd to be a computer repairman and feel like the kid in high school that was selling weed out of the 4th stall of the lunch bathroom" I love Louis, couldn't agree more.

[@michdo23]

Thats kind of suspiciously specific information, too lol

[@marvinfollero846]

so a repair business is not his first venture i see

[@imdyinginside1919]

Tf I fix a phone screen and mostly everyone see me as a cool tech guy Fixing a phone screen is easy but the board level repair is hard and apple doesn't offer that And if apple actually offer that many phone business that mainly depends on board fixing would go out

[@Elefantdomi]

I love seeing Louis being recognized by the WSJ. He is a modern day hero. Also I believe the WSJ should have additionally emphasized the ecological benefit of repairing a device, instead of re buying or replacing a motherboard because of a tiny broken chip.

[@dereksbooks]

Unfortunately, it heavily benefits mega corporations (that run the world) for planned obsolescence to continue unchecked. In most countries and probably US states, very little will be done by the government (which is funded by big tech and corporations on all party lines). Not only will companies continue to manufacture products TO FAIL after a certain time span (usually a few years after their warranty period), they will make it more and more difficult for us peasants to obtain the parts to repair ourselves. Apple is already making their products so highly integrated and needlessly complicated that even if we had the parts, repairing specific damaged components won't be feasible.

[@ctuan13]

@@dereksbooks "Apple is already making their products so highly integrated and needlessly complicated that even if we had the parts, repairing specific damaged components wouldn't be feasible." So then how did Louis get that MacBook Pro working again? Did you not watch the same video we did?

[@HyperMario64]

​@@ctuan13 Yes it can't be this hard, the thing has to get manufactured and assembled at some point using a process of relative precision. Also a lot of social progresses come by fighting one way or another. Spreading why right to repair is needed is good start. Also stop buying from companies that behave so toxically while having indecent margins would be very effective.

[@presidentpotato222]

He has branched out into crime fighting

[@xatoor]

​@@ctuan13 the pro was the 2017 model you dense cabbage, 4 years ago

[@spacedaway]

Miss the days when laptops could be opened up, had their parts swapped out and ran for years.

[@TheByrd]

It's still like that. It's just Apple RAM, Fans, hard drives, wifi/Bluetooth cards, heatsinks, battery, and sometimes (very rare) CPUs on non-apple laptops

[@scality4309]

Go the Lenovo way. Thinkpad series.

[@wazalak911]

Asians be like lol

[@wojciechsura]

Look up the Framework laptop.

[@heroninja1125]

@@scality4309 Yea I love sodered memory and storage so much, thinkpads are so good that you cant even upgrade a wifi card and you have to destroy the entire device just to swap a keyboard.

[@mta1567]

I saw Rossmann’s face, instant click. Then saw TheWallStreet Journal logo and instantly knew he’s finally getting what he’s been wanting for years and I’m excited for him!

[@OnlyCitrus]

Ikr I was waiting for a long time for him to get the recognition for the work he put it for years

[@EclipsaMyrtenaster]

*"Reliable repair is one handled by a trained technician"* Louis Rossmann has been repairing electronics since 2007 (probably even before that) *"Using Apple-genuine parts."* Sure but can't say the same for iPhones though. *"Continue to expand Apple's offerings to better meet our customers' needs."* I guess Apple really thinks that the people who use/buy their products don't need money.

[@HyperMario64]

I hoped they would have some choice words about Apple "reliable" repairs lol

[@Beebo]

This is what happens when MBAs run companies instead of engineers.

[@Dan16673]

Apple is the most profitable company ever. This move is genius. That being said, I'm glad I use no apple garbage

[@JohnMurrayOP]

Number of attorneys vs the number of engineers at Apple on payroll: I am guessing that the number is pretty close.

[@crackingbreznuts3343]

@@JohnMurrayOP not even close, over 50,000 people work at apple park they only have a few hundred lawyers.

[@pxnx]

Especially with Tech companies this is noteable :)

[@WycliffStudios]

Sanw with Boeing. They're going downhill due to the accountants and MBAs

[@cosmosaodyssey2188]

"and the genius I spoke to..." I love how incidentally sarcastic this sounds

[@ashuroking007]

Being a hobbyist repairman, i was so glad when i heard about the right to repair, and I don’t even live in America.

[@blackcountryme]

Your location doesn't matter, I used to buy cheapo tablets, and watch Indian guys fix them and mod them. Although some of the captions were a little off. If you can fix it, do so.

[@wweeks]

It affects you if you are not in America. Foreign techs are unable to repair also

[@varunemani]

🍷👍 Yup, Big shout out to people like Louis Rossmann's for being Vocal about it. Especially considering consumers around the world for whom every penny really matters!

[@Temo990]

@Rami Runner And if the U.S really passes the right to repair laws I would bet that other countries pass simular laws especially the EU. A lot of those tech companies are American companies, thats why I think that the strongest opposition of such a law comes from within the U.S. anyway.

[@RenanMsV_YT]

In Brazil there is a law that obliges manufacturers and importers of products such as Apple to maintain the supply of components and spare parts, even after production or importation has ceased, for a minimum period of five years. That obviously they don't obey and not surprisingly no one complains.

[@barfymann362]

I took my Macbook 2019 in for a Battery Replacement, they told me I should just upgrade because replacement would cost almost that much. I then googled and found this independent individual who does repairs from his home, he ordered the parts for me - and my Macbook is working perfectly now. Best part, it cost me $120. [Edit: It was an IFixit Replacement, which any one can Google and find the price of. They come with instructions, you can do it yourself. I couldn’t, that’s why I reached out to the individual to do the repair for me.]

[@culvuil]

@random viewer Your argument is out of context. What if you don't want to buy apple care? And it's not just the case with Apple. Many other companies make it harder for customers to get their products repaired and this makes them dictate the repair market and they can charge whatever they want to. If replacing a battery costs as much as getting a new machine then there is clearly a problem.

[@AlexanderGeorge]

@random viewer you're part of the problem mate. Hopefully most of apple customers will think differently

[@tenetgg]

@random viewer Did you troll every single comment here? How much do you get paid per comment?

[@tofuyam7361]

It shows up as 200-140$ on the USA website for recent macs. Did the person get confuse and thought it was a older mac? edit: i guess they prob claim you have some other damage and wanted more $$ to fix them

[@MrPnew1]

@random viewer why not just be honest here? Change your name to Apple sock puppet and we can all move on with full disclosure

[@jay-rus4437]

As a general contractor I need to start behaving like Apple. Just offer a warranty, that isn’t much of a warranty. Then when the warranty doesnt cover the repair, just tell the client that it will be $800 to repair a $1000 item. May as well just tell them that we need to gut that fairly new kitchen or bath. It’s absurd

[@KarlDahlquist]

Louis Rossman for the win!

[@wesss9353]

Mr Clinton's human!

[@nnnnnn3647]

He is greatest Apple hater. You cannot compare Rossman repairing with an authorized repair shop. This does not apply to Apple only - it does not apply to ALL manufacturers. Nobody will allow you to make additional tracks on the motherboard with wire. What Rossmann is doing cannot be done by an authorized technician, because in the event of problems, the company will be sued for millions of dollars. Motherboards are not designed to be repairable.

[@wesss9353]

@@nnnnnn3647 Apple shill

[@ArthurD]

@@nnnnnn3647 wah wah waaaaah

[@Bri-bn5kt]

@@nnnnnn3647 He is not the greatest crApple hater. That honor belongs to me.

[@syedzohaibahmed5176]

I have been following Louis' journey and struggle for Right to Repair for years now. As an Engineer, Hobbyist and Environmentalist, I believe it is paramount that we use our current devices and equipment to their maximum usable life. More power to you Louis.

[@Muhammad-sx7wr]

As an engineer I believe: This is essential to technology and progress.

[@jiamiekori6575]

Apple is quick to remove the charger from the box for environmental reasons. But we all know it's all about profit.

[@Peizxcv]

Yep. Take out the charger but includes a cable that doesn’t fit any of the old iPhone chargers you might have. The hint is pretty clear

[@sayeedalsifat1308]

"For environmental reason", but makes their product unrepairable and non sustainable and they it plot it like this (high prices) that you'll probably buy a new one if you break it. A machine that'll be usable by one repair that they won't provide nor make it possible for others to do

[@KashifNawaz85]

But the main problem is people still didn't realize how greedy Apple is.

[@sayeedalsifat1308]

@@KashifNawaz85 and if you say anything remotely bad about Apple, they'll call you "poor" and say "you're saying this because you can't afford one and you're jealous". Ask me how I know

[@hilal_younus]

You do know that Most OEM’s have followed suit, yes, apple was first, but that doesn’t mean others doesn’t deserve any blame, This is like Child labor, It wasn’t limited to one factory in 19th century , It was the fault of the government for not even making any laws protecting its citizens, History is just repeating itself , Showing how flawed capitalism is…

[@iau]

Simple: Once it's out of warranty, the manufacturer has no right to "guarantee safety or correct functioning". You should be able to go to whoever is capable of making the machine work again.

[@Cau_No]

The problem is when there is no one capable, as demonstrated with the Macbook Air. The goal of right to repair is making more people capable.

[@iau]

@@Cau_No Yeah, I understand that. Just saying that if that's Apple's excuse. It's a poor excuse.

[@Vendemiair]

@@iau Indeed, only Apple fanatics would swallow that kind of nonsense without second thought.

[@marceelino]

it's bull, because when they repair it you have a warranty on the repair or a possibility to complain about the repair and they have to fix it for free.

[@PhoneRepairGuru]

Rossman for president

[@flakgun153]

You forgot the biggest issue is that getting the parts he needs for repairs is nearly impossible. The back and forth time is insane.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

watch it again, they mention that at least 4 times...

[@NANOTECHYT]

That and customs seizures for the chip/part being "counterfeit", even if they're literally directly from the OEM that Apple uses or an actual Apple product via a donor board or donor phone/laptop/device. Thats not a counterfeit product, it's 100% original and authentic parts.

[@ScrewzMcDuck]

The term "APPLE GENIUS" cracks me everytime. Lol

[@nxtktube]

APPLE POSTMAN and APPLE POST OFFICE (aka Authorized repair service center)

[@perspective500]

Cringe af

[@marioluigi9599]

Yeah a genius that's so genius that he'll only be able to quote you a "repair" price that's 90% the price of a new unit.

[@ahmedanssaien6449]

Yeah, it reminds me of the good old GENIUS meme. 🍎🥴

[@ahmedanssaien6449]

And also Ian Hecox from Smosh (playing an Apple Genius) saying, "Yeah, actually we Geniuses don't know anything about Apple products. We just go in the back, and Google-search it." 😂🤣💀

[@Expert1911]

It is more than just Apple, it is farm tractors, baby monitors, and even home appliances. Multi-billion dollar companies and industry are putting the consumer in the corner to extract EVEN MORE profit.

[@leemacdonald6533]

Vote with your feet and use other brands/products.

[@meferswift]

@@leemacdonald6533 all of them start doing it. With some rare minute exception

[@wazalak911]

For those who don't know, John Deere is copying this Apple strategy with their tractors, and the farmers were not happy about it. 😅 This strategy is pure greed. Just imagine if Ford or Toyota do the same.

[@trla6505]

I wonder if they didn't think about doing that, or simply they couldn't

[@fachadolid3030]

Dont buy john deere then

[@M16-bf4ku]

@@fachadolid3030 nobody does anyway

[@thisguy4505]

When you purchase an Apple product you have willing agreed to be constantly ripped off. Burning money is part of the experience.

[@YawnMK1]

"Apple is powered by Dreams, Inspiration, and burnt money. Lots and lots of burnt money" An aquantaince Of mine asked me for help, for she has close to 0 computer skills, and needed a computer for work. I tried my best to offer her support and guidance, but in the end her _great friends_ convinced her she _needed_ a mac laptop, so they all could go out and match. So she asked me to go to a mac store and help her chose one. In that store a sales representative was "helping" us, and when my acquantaince asked "why is this one so expensive, what does it do?" The sales rep went and said "Oh. No no, if you worry that much about the price, you probably don't _deserve_ our computers" sorry for long story.

[@NarcissistMargarine]

The worst part is that it's not even as easy as just "not buying apple". Apple is one of many electronics companies that do exactly this. And worse even then is how it affects other aspects of tech, like the medical industry, the agriculture industry, the army, even the ice cream machines at McDonald's. We really need right to repair.

[@Omnihilo_]

@@NarcissistMargarine Apple is the Disney of tech.

[@Michael-ze1wl]

"Innovation" comes at a price...a stupid price to be precuse

[@YawnMK1]

@@Michael-ze1wl" innovation comes at a price.... Thats why we take other's innovation, paint it white, and charge again for it"

[@VineethJose]

Apple would take 1000$ from you, give you the new refurbished board, then take the old board, fix it just like you saw on the video and sell it as refurbished product for $1000 with a new aluminium case.

[@aaleeksii]

This is the most disgusting part. Or well, it’s still better than scrapping the device

[@nxtktube]

They won't give you the new board, but refurbished one.

[@bite-my-shinny-metal-ass]

It's a win-win (for Apple)

[@Dan16673]

brilliant.

[@joannot6706]

2:06 When I read $799 for that repair, I felt outraged.

[@NathanHedglin]

Yup. Gotta “love” monopolies

[@JaMaMaa1]

"...and shows his opinion on various topics" *shows mr. clinton meowing*

[@rkan2]

Clinton!!!!!! :D

[@MrPnew1]

Clinton is the real leader of RTR 🤣

[@Right-Is-Right]

@@MrPnew1 You are confusing the fearless leader of gamers nexus, Clinton is a naughty hisser but we love him all the same.

[@menotu000]

Well, Mr. Clinton's opinions ARE important.

[@joannastern4463]

So happy this edit was not lost on people!

[@kindalost1]

Louis is a consumer hero with no cape and tights.

[@pldaniels]

Nice - I can now officially say I've been (indirectly) featured in the Wall Street Journal. Thank you Louis!

[@rossmanngroup]

A celebrity, finally!

[@magnusharrison2715]

It's nice to see that Louis alongside with other people get more coverage about this issue that is plaguing into other companies not just apple

[@billytk1225]

Can you imagine if a car company worked like this? Oh, I see you have a front flat tire. We are going to have to replace the entire front differential and all 4 tires cause we feel that's the best way to fix this issue!!!

[@BuiltInBrooklyn]

Glad to see this very important issue getting more coverage. Right to repair is good for consumers and it’s good for the planet!

[@SilentEdits]

I dont have much respect for the WSJ but, respect where its due. actual journalism

[@fourdoorsmorehoes]

yeah, their website and paper is mostly trash but their youtube channel does deliver some unbiased stuff on occasion

[@athilima2934]

Crony capitalist apple is apalling to another MSM

[@benharris144]

One important thing not mentioned here is when confronted with the choice to either repair through Apple or buy a new laptop, is most people are forced to go down the repair route solely because of their work/data/media being stored on what is now a broken device. It makes it feel even dirtier when you're gouged so hard to get access to your own stuff.

[@________-by2px]

Unpluging the hard drive and pluging it back in another computer require no skill beside knowing how to use a screwdriver, and will allow you to recover your data. Unless Apple managed to make it impossible too. Also make backups because hard drive can die and laptop can be stolen.

[@benharris144]

@@________-by2px That's part of my point; in many cases they DO make it impossible.

[@________-by2px]

​@@benharris144 If Apple is sabotaging its products that much just don't buy these products.

[@benharris144]

@@________-by2px You're not getting the bigger picture here. That's fine.

[@katbryce]

Yes, but if they replace the whole logic board, your data is gone, because it is stored on the old board.

[@wildeyestudios5]

This video was beautifully structured and developed. Rossman is a genius with good intentions, been following him for a while, he's slowly making progress in the right to repair legislations.

[@meferswift]

His meeting with certaim senator makes all of this far

[@chascade5135]

Louis rossmann is by far pushing for things no one else thought possible years ago. As a customer, supporter, and fellow Tech enthusiast I cannot agree with this movement more.

[@Right-Is-Right]

Incorrect, he is pushing for things that did not need to be pushed for years ago, when you opened a device the schematic was stuck to the door on in a plastic folder stuck to the door and the manufacturer had no qualms about selling you the needed spare parts or they were freely available as commonly used parts in the wider market. It was not that it was not thought possible, it was not needed because the corporations actually wanted their customers to feel like they were getting a good deal and not just with the sale of the device. Now they are worried about how to better screw their customers.

[@Nzeropheonix]

It sounds like you still have no idea what right to repair is actually about

[@HarshvardhanKanthode]

Rossman is such an Intellectual, Apple would make so much money avoiding shady business and partnering up with actual repair shops

[@HyperMario64]

Well actually they would lose quite a lot and that's why they love so much to obfuscate everything

[@TheTarrMan]

As far as "putting intellectual property at risk", that's what copyright laws are for.

[@christophermartinez8853]

And we've seen the government disregard intellectual property rights during a pandemic by giving away the vaccine intellectual property to other countries. So no, those laws cannot be relied upon anymore.

[@Cathrac]

What good do they serve though, if the companies which enforce them end up ripping people off?

[@sonxuannguyen1207]

@@christophermartinez8853 vaccines are used to save life of billions on this planet dude, therefore they have to give away the intellectual property due to ethical reasons. On the other hand, people can live well without Apple products, which are not used to save life. It’s not an equivalent comparison dude

[@uncoveredtruth2088]

@@christophermartinez8853 False, we still haven’t given away any IP for our vaccines yet.

[@nathanielletourneau9952]

@@christophermartinez8853 Yeah that's not true.

[@FirstLast-vr7es]

Most manufacturers are doing this type of thing now. Just try upgrading the RAM in a laptop. You used to have a little door on the bottom on the unit. Remove one screw and boom. There's your RAM. Not anymore. You have to flay the entire thing to pieces just to gain access to it, and there are frequently booby traps to stop you. Delicate cables, multiple screw types, hidden screws, and components deliberately desired to break. It's infuriating, and these policies make the manufacturers directly responsible for the mountains of E-waste that are filling landfills and/or making their way to third-world countries to be burned an picked apart by children. More needs to be done.

[@KriKri0262]

"You can tell cats hates their owners for pissing on their computers" ~ wisdom from L.R.

[@nayutakani2055]

Yo WSJ you should probably remove that article called Right to Repair is bad for your health on your website. Kinda conflicting arguments

[@casinoroyal93]

Actually no they should not remove it if it has good arguments.

[@nayutakani2055]

@@casinoroyal93 why don't you go back and read it before commenting

[@nathanielletourneau9952]

At least it's an opinion piece, but yeah... It ain't great

[@diegoluengo8446]

This happened to me this year, my iPad Pro just died, I took it to a authorized reseller and basically they told me: your iPad is dead, we can’t fix it, we’ll give you a new one. BUT it would cost me the same price as if i bought a new generation one.

[@awolowiecki720]

Wow, Apple conveniently missing the 'reduce' and 'reuse' parts of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle... smh

[@zoidberg444]

Watched Louis for 5 years. This is well deserved for him. It should be noted Apple is actively collaborating with chip manufacturers to prevent parts from becoming available on the open market. Imagine the alternator dies in your Honda. Honda have told Denso who make that alternator not to sell it to anyone. Your only choice is a brand new engine fitted at the dealer for $10,000 or maybe being lucky enough to find an alternator in a scrap yard. Now for the moment there are many suppliers who sell alternators including just being able to buy one from the dealership but make no mistake. Corporations want to prevent repair altogether to force you to buy a new product every time one little thing breaks and its not just Apple or in the tech field this is happening. Car manufacturers including Toyota, Ford and GM spent millions lobbying against right to repair in Massachusetts.

[@ANSWERTHECALLOFJESUSCHRIST]

7:53 That was suspiciously specific. 😄

[@juandenzer637]

"And the genius I spoke to basically suggested . . " OMG the way she said it made me laugh. I know apple calls them 'geniuses', but it just sounded so sarcastic. haha

[@max_ishere]

I like how "shares his opinion on various topics is synced with a cat video"

[@niklasholgerson3779]

Well it's probably the only topic he is talking about besides fixing tech that won't scare off anybody :D

[@Crazyasian123456]

Clinton was asked a few times by Louis on his thoughts as part of the cat outreach program on right-to-repair. I hope that Clinton was fairly compensated with increase greenie allowance.

[@Hermiel]

You came close to, but neglected to mention the part where even if you do decide pay Apple $999 to 'fix' your laptop you don't get your data back. This is a consequence of motherboard swaps.

[@zawarudo1041]

Memory should by law be never soldered to motherboard 😂

[@vinceramces]

If apple supports environment friendly. Then they should start support right to repair, but instead want more money to take and risk of losing your data when it's fixed.

[@superslimanoniem4712]

They actually had internal debates about this, but chose to just leave it as is. The fools lol

[@MelaninMagdalene]

Apple supports whatever they think will make the customer feel good about using the products.

[@LtZetarn]

What is the risk of losing data that apple keep preaching about exactly... All i know is when someone bring their labtop or phone to Apple or their authorized repair shop , they would just format it all anyway. Hell...i even remembered the news about Apple authroized repair shop leaking client's sex video on the phone to the public. Are we really sure Apple really care about "SAFTY & SECURITY" at all, or just their "SAFTY & SECURITY" to "make money" out of you?

[@Jompe69]

Only thing what Apple wants is profits and turn their old products as e-waste as fast as possible. The profit comes from selling new products and dumping this e-waste to foreign countries. They are not just making a lot of e-waste. They are THE e-waste company, that everybody looks up to how to make more profits while trashing enviroment

[@sudipchatterjee]

Good to see Rossmann is getting coverage. He is spearheading this right-to-repair movement for quite some time now.

[@korenn9381]

Rossmann's videos get more views than this one though, lol

[@sudipchatterjee]

@@korenn9381 Agreed. But then, his channel is not a news channel, isn't it? Anyone can open a youtube channel and post anything. But coverage from an authentic news channel has significant consequences.

[@phugindomas]

They could've put Rossman in the description. He's basically the face of this whole thing is he not?

[@londomolari5715]

I haven't read all of the comments, but this is also a major problem for farmers, especially those who have John Deere tractors.

[@MrPnew1]

Louis talks about all affected industries and products, not just Apple and computers

[@LtZetarn]

Still wonder to this day , If tractors and car can drive on the roads. Why car's "rights to repairs" bill not covered the tractors too?

[@issamoshi]

I wish this guy all the best. Literally giving his time & energy to a greater cause.

[@IsabelleSt.Pierre-q2n]

We need more honest people like him.

[@robwhitmore3040]

Louis is a champion. And while I hope Right to Repair gets where it needs to, I hope that even if it doesn't, he's always remembered as a man who dedicated his life to giving consumers a better deal. It should be known as the Rossman Law so decades later, people can appreciate what he's done.

[@rafaelm.5148]

I believe the “right to repair” can be so impactful on the environment and limit pollution.

[@Lennox1492]

I support small business. Its just like a mechanic, i dont have to take my car to the dealership to get it fixed, i can go anywhere that has the skill.

[@devpr0nerd631]

right to repair is a necessity.👍🙏

[@Peizxcv]

1. Of course Apple don’t want you to repair. If you are still using your 3 years old laptop who is gonna buy the new MacBook? This is why iPhones have such tiny battery that will wear out after 2 years 2. You missed the most important part of becoming an Apple authorized repair shop. You are contractually required to NOT repair most Apple products if you are an authorized shop. Apple don’t want you to actually repair so they will only allow a few parts replacement at authorized shops

[@kevbo2981]

It is kind of ridiculous of the prices too. I have a cracked iPhone screen and that alone costs $300, and they told me I have to replace the whole phone which is $524.

[@tommyvasquez2708]

yeah rossmann brought it up in one of his videos that apple only provides these shops screens and batteries for iphones i think

[@unkown34x33]

Luis is my hero! he stand against apple's shady actions!

[@dookiepost]

Glad to see Louis getting the coverage he deserves on this issue.

[@michaeljf6472]

Ask yourself a question: "Is this a right thing to do?" If yes: [Apple won't do it] If no: [Apple will definitely do it]

[@jenniferlawrence9473]

Everyone seems to be missing the biggest solution and that's to not buy Apple in the first place.

[@jimsmith7326]

@@jenniferlawrence9473 Apple is a status symbol. It won't happen.

[@absolutium]

@@jimsmith7326 A status symbol which resembles a low status.

[@ChikyuuKun]

Meanwhile in China or SEA: Repair for $100 max.

[@ChikyuuKun]

@ant oml 😑 ... Southeast Asia

[@FormulaWill]

Right to Repair is strongly supported and long past due. Next step, a digital Bill of Rights, that allows users to own and manage their own data. Individuals should be able to keep private all of their data or grant access to those that choose to purchase it.

[@jacksonjegatheesan5045]

let's say that Apple increases its carbon footprint by leaving the consumer to buy an entirely new device instead of a small repair, at least then the gov might listen (p.s add a statement that more carbon emissions pollute the environment and reduce pp size 😹😹)

[@ApurvJyotirmay]

@random viewer hey random troll, did you miss your primary education?

[@RandomGuy-om1vy]

@random viewer reported, bye "random viewer".

[@phdcmd]

I'm not from USA, but I'm really looking forward for this bill. I think it will have great impact on the industry in general. It is not just about cheep repairs, but we actually might end up with better product design and fewer electronic wastes. Thank you for the story.

[@stephenmusic69420]

My 2015 MacBook Pro needs a new battery, it would be $200 but my Apple store said they have to replace my motherboard because the water damage sticker was activated, which brought it to $1300 even though it works fine. Just gonna buy a new top case and do it myself.

[@nxtktube]

The worst part is the cost of that battery to manufacturer is like 30$

[@dirkvr3815]

@@nxtktube I recently replaced the battery of my MacBook Pro 2015 myself. Cost $60. Works now without problems. You'll find instruction videos around. If you don't want to do this yourself, you can pay someone to do it. Price will still be far below Apple's.

[@nxtktube]

@@dirkvr3815 True, I'm still on a laptop with discrete power cells battery, which I refurbished - point welded recently for the third time.

[@yassinezammouri9877]

Rossman is a man's man, David vs Goliath

[@Chris-xr2bt]

Apple authorized repair: we'll send this out to someone else to repair and charge you labor.

[@AQuietNight]

When he plops in a chair, Louis just oozes authority.

[@ohtrueyeahnah]

Rossman is like a character in Watch Dogs 4 and Apple has sent shooters after him so you gotta protect him with your hacking skills.

[@jeycalc6877]

I wish you also talked about the huge environmental disaster that apple and other companies are causing by making it very difficult to repair. Just massive amounts of waste piling up all over the world

[@thankyouverymochi]

on every landfill in the earth, lays rich kid's dead airpods. they wondered as they fulfil their role as e-waste... Airpods: "when we'll get recycled by Apple ? Are we gonna die here and meet our ancestor, Steve Jobs in heaven ? but.. what about our papa's promise of green product and recycling?". iPod, iPad, and gen 5 IPhone: "first time ? ". Thinkpads, Rice cooker, Refrigerator, Blackberry: "aye, we are 10 years old now and still running strong".

[@jeycalc6877]

@@thankyouverymochi s not just rich kids, its everything being made now, nothing is designed to be fixed so that companies can sell you a new product and make more. We need laws to stop this

[@sushimshah2896]

Well, it's been 3 years since CBC also covered such an investigation even showing footage of what the "Genius" guy said for repair! I'm all for RtR, but going I'm still doubtful if we'll ever get there fully

[@chrisstearns10]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣the last line he says got me rolling 🤣 😂 😭

[@extendedclips]

🤣

[@em0_tion]

He knows MacBooks and is a good human being, so I support him and Right to Repair. He knows *squat* about cats though. 🤦‍♂️🤣

[@tenetgg]

@@em0_tion Did one of your cats write this comment? Suspicious. (It's a joke, relax)

[@Right-Is-Right]

@@em0_tion Yeah he only has a few cats, must know nothing about them, hope you learned something.

[@em0_tion]

@@Right-Is-Right I did, thanks to Jackson Galaxy, cause I used to have lots of cats and be completely ignorant about them. Cats don't pee on objects because of hate and that's a fact.

[@hark9447]

WSJ, actually doing journalism? I shouldn't be impressed, but incuragment leads to improvement. Good job.

[@jonasduell9953]

Dear WSJ, greetings from Germany. If I go out and buy myself a nice Miele or whatever local brand of dishwasher it comes with a parts list, supplier numbers, full schematics, and a proper warranty. Why should electronics manufacturers not follow the same standard? The wastefulness and shady business of apple literally forces me to boycott them and I recommend to anybody to do so too. They are not just ripping you off, they are polluting the planet with thousands of tons of unnecessary e-waste every year.

[@EddyGraphic]

Joanna X Louis the collab we didn’t know we needed.

[@senornaija126]

I watch Louis' channel for the cat to be honest

[@Bob-mn7ob]

I own some aging apple stuff, the most recent bought in 6 years ago. I keep holding off buying more after watching these vids.

[@ridhamh2966]

Great. Look out for the frame work laptop if it fits your needs ! They are awesome /repairable and not to mention sturdy despite being repairable

[@Durasi]

This is apple said as "Safety to consumer" This is I said as "Monopoly"

[@andrewstewart6172]

Louis Rossmann's channel is super informative and helps you solve your own electronic problems, I love his content

[@-INK-]

Thank you WSJ for covering this topic.

[@MR-to4yp]

"That's not what filing my nails looks like." LOL this chick

[@rossmanngroup]

She's filing them wrong.

[@skydivekrazy76]

Louis is a BIG cat lover. So that last sentence should be attended if you've had a cat do similar...

[@almed23]

Apple's Independent Repair Provider Program training manual: Chapter 1 What to do when you recieve a broken Apple product? Call Apple. The end.

[@Neilos-sd6ti]

I'm a simple man i see louis rossmann and i click.

[@smizmi5467]

“continue to expand Apple’s offerings to better meet our customers’ needs” meaning making literally zero progress over the span of a decade thanks very much.

[@MichaelJOneill333]

So happy to see Louis getting the recognition he deserves after fighting for this for so long!