A professional MacBook repair service requires Apple-specific expertise that general laptop repair shops do not have. MacBooks run macOS, use Apple-designed processors (M1, M2, M3, M4 on newer models or Intel on older ones), and are built with proprietary components that are different from any Windows laptop. The Retina display, the butterfly or scissor keyboard, the logic board, the T2 security chip, and the aluminum unibody construction all demand specific knowledge and tools during repair. A technician who treats a MacBook like a Dell or HP risks damaging components that are unique to Apple’s design.
At PC Mobile, our technicians repair every MacBook model in current use — MacBook Air (all generations including M1, M2, M3, and M4) and MacBook Pro (13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch, both Intel and Apple Silicon). We handle cracked Retina screens, failed keyboards, swollen batteries, liquid damage, logic board failures, and macOS recovery. Every MacBook repair comes with our 30-day warranty on parts and labor.
Silicon VS Intel
Newer MacBooks (2020 onward) use Apple’s own M-series processors — M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips. These Apple Silicon machines have the processor, RAM, and storage fused onto a single unified chip package. Nothing inside can be upgraded after purchase. If the logic board fails, the entire unified chip assembly must be replaced. Older MacBooks (pre-2020) use Intel processors with separate, sometimes upgradable components. This distinction is critical — we explain what is and is not possible for your specific MacBook before starting any work.
Display accuracy
MacBook Pro models from 2016 to 2019 used Apple’s butterfly keyboard mechanism — a design that was thinner than traditional scissor keys but notoriously unreliable. A single dust particle or crumb could cause a key to stick, repeat, or stop working entirely. Apple acknowledged the problem and ran a free Keyboard Replacement Programme for affected models, but that programme has expired for most devices. If your 2016–2019 MacBook Pro has stuck, unresponsive, or repeating keys, we replace the butterfly keyboard with the correct replacement unit. Newer MacBooks (2020 onward) use the redesigned Magic Keyboard with a scissor mechanism that is far more reliable.
newer
Flexgate is a known design defect in 2016–2018 MacBook Pro models (and some MacBook Air M1 2020 models) where the display flex cable connecting the screen to the logic board is too short. Every time you open and close the lid, the cable stretches slightly. Over months and years of use, the cable fails — causing a “stage light” effect at the bottom of the screen (bright spots along the hinge area), backlight flickering, or complete display failure. Apple ran a limited repair programme for the 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro, but many affected models were excluded. We diagnose and repair Flexgate on all affected MacBook models. If your MacBook Air screen is going dark, bring it in for a free assessment.
All iPhone models
Every modern MacBook uses a Retina display — a high-resolution screen with pixel density so high that individual pixels are invisible to the naked eye. Retina displays deliver exceptional color accuracy and sharpness, but they cost significantly more to replace than a standard Windows laptop screen. MacBook Pro models with Liquid Retina XDR displays cost even more. We use premium quality Retina replacement panels that match Apple’s original specifications for resolution, brightness, color gamut, and True Tone functionality.
Security
Intel MacBooks from 2018 onward include the T2 security chip, which handles encrypted storage, secure boot, and Touch ID fingerprint data. Apple Silicon MacBooks build this security directly into the M-series chip. These security features mean that certain repairs — particularly logic board and storage replacements — require specific procedures to maintain the security chain. A repair shop unfamiliar with T2 or Apple Silicon security may leave the MacBook in an unusable state after a logic board swap. Our technicians understand these security requirements and handle them correctly.
MacBook screen repair is our most common MacBook service. Cracked Retina displays, Flexgate backlight failures, dead pixel clusters, and screen flickering are all problems we resolve. Each MacBook model has a specific display assembly — MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13-inch, MacBook Pro 14-inch, and MacBook Pro 16-inch all use different panels with different connectors. We match the exact panel to your model and verify brightness, color accuracy, and True Tone after installation. Most MacBook screen replacements take one to three hours depending on the model.
Stuck keys, unresponsive keys, repeating keys, and keys that feel mushy or have no click response are all issues we fix. On 2016–2019 MacBook Pro butterfly keyboards, replacement involves removing the entire top case assembly because the keyboard is riveted into the chassis. On 2020 and newer MacBook models with the Magic Keyboard, the repair process is similar but the replacement keyboard is significantly more reliable. We also handle individual key cap and scissor mechanism replacements when the full keyboard does not need swapping.
MacBook batteries are glued into the chassis with strong adhesive. After three to five years of daily use, most MacBook batteries have degraded below 80 percent of their original capacity. You can check your battery health in macOS by holding the Option key and clicking the battery icon in the menu bar — if it shows “Service Recommended,” replacement is needed. A swollen MacBook battery pushes the trackpad upward, making it hard to click or causing phantom clicks. Swollen batteries are a safety concern. We replace MacBook batteries on all models using cells that meet or exceed Apple’s original capacity specifications.
The MacBook logic board is the main circuit board containing the processor, memory controller, GPU (on Intel models), and all I/O connections. Logic board failure causes symptoms like no power, no display output, USB ports not working, or kernel panics. We perform component-level diagnosis and, where possible, targeted repair on the existing board — replacing a failed capacitor, resistor, or IC chip rather than replacing the entire board. Board-level repair can save hundreds of dollars compared to full logic board replacement, especially on Apple Silicon MacBooks where the board contains the unified chip package.
A coffee or water spill on a MacBook keyboard is one of the most common emergencies we handle. Liquid enters through the keyboard and reaches the logic board within seconds. If this happens, shut the MacBook down immediately, flip it upside down to drain liquid away from the board, do not try to charge it, and bring it to us as quickly as possible. Our liquid damage process includes full disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning of the logic board and affected components, corrosion removal, and individual component testing. The faster we can open the MacBook after a spill, the higher the chance of a full recovery.
Older MacBooks use MagSafe magnetic charging connectors. Newer MacBooks use USB-C ports for both charging and data. MacBook Air M2 and newer models brought MagSafe back alongside USB-C. If your MacBook is not charging, the issue could be the charging port, the charging cable, the battery, or a power management IC on the logic board. We diagnose the exact cause before recommending a repair.
MacBook trackpads can become unresponsive, register phantom clicks, or feel physically stuck. A common cause is a swollen battery pushing against the underside of the trackpad. We diagnose whether the issue is the trackpad itself, the cable connection, or an underlying battery problem, and fix the actual cause.
MacBooks stuck on the Apple logo, caught in boot loops, showing a flashing folder icon, or failing to complete a macOS update all have software issues we resolve. We use Apple’s recovery tools to repair or reinstall macOS while preserving your data and settings whenever possible. When a clean installation is truly necessary, we perform a full Time Machine or manual backup first.
Some older Intel-based MacBooks support internal SSD upgrades — replacing a slower drive with a faster, larger one. Apple Silicon MacBooks (M1, M2, M3, M4) have storage soldered to the logic board and cannot be upgraded. We check your specific MacBook model and tell you honestly whether a storage upgrade is possible before you commit to anything.
MacBook Air is Apple’s most popular laptop and our highest-volume MacBook repair. Screen replacements and battery swaps are the most common services. The M1 MacBook Air (2020) is affected by Flexgate on some units — if your Air screen is going dark from the bottom edge, bring it in for a free assessment.
MacBook Pro is the highest-value MacBook repair. The 2016–2019 models are especially common — butterfly keyboard failures, Flexgate display issues, and logic board problems affect these generations disproportionately. Current M3 and M4 MacBook Pro models come in primarily for screen replacements and liquid damage recovery.
The 12-inch MacBook was Apple’s ultra-compact laptop, discontinued in 2019. We repair these on a case-by-case basis with confirmed parts availability.
If your MacBook is covered by AppleCare+, contact Apple first — you may qualify for reduced pricing. If your MacBook is out of warranty, Apple Store pricing is significantly higher than independent repair, and wait times are typically five to fourteen days. The nearest Apple Store (Tysons Corner) is a 25 to 30 minute drive from Sterling. We offer same-day service, lower pricing, and a 30-day warranty.
No. We are an experienced independent repair shop, not an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If your MacBook is under AppleCare or eligible for an Apple repair programme (such as the Keyboard Replacement Programme), we recommend contacting Apple first. If your device is out of warranty or Apple’s programme does not cover your issue, we offer same-day professional repair at a lower cost. Our 265+ Google reviews reflect the quality of our Apple repair work.
We serve MacBook owners from Sterling (20164), Ashburn (20147, 20148), Herndon, Dulles, South Riding, Cascades, Potomac Falls, and throughout Loudoun County, Virginia.
Ashburn, VA customers: We are just 10 minutes from Ashburn via Route 7. Ashburn repair pages coming soon.
MacBook screen repair cost varies by model. MacBook Air screens are generally less expensive than MacBook Pro screens. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with Liquid Retina XDR costs the most to repair. We provide a free quote specific to your model before starting any work — and we are typically significantly less expensive than Apple Store out-of-warranty pricing.
Yes. We replace butterfly keyboards on 2016–2019 MacBook Pro models. Apple’s free Keyboard Replacement Programme has expired for most devices. If your keys stick, repeat, or do not respond, we replace the keyboard assembly with the correct part for your specific model.
Flexgate is a design defect where the display flex cable inside the MacBook is too short, causing backlight failure over time. Symptoms include bright spots along the bottom edge of the screen (“stage light” effect), screen flickering, or a completely dark display when the lid is opened beyond a certain angle. We diagnose and repair Flexgate on all affected MacBook Pro (2016–2018) and MacBook Air M1 (2020) models.
It depends on your model. Older Intel MacBooks (pre-2020) sometimes support SSD upgrades that dramatically improve speed. Apple Silicon MacBooks (M1, M2, M3, M4) have the processor, RAM, and storage fused into one chip — nothing can be upgraded after purchase. We check your specific model and give you an honest answer.
Shut it down immediately. Do not try to power it back on. Do not plug it in. Flip the MacBook upside down in a tent position to let liquid drain away from the logic board. Bring it to us as quickly as possible. The faster we can open it, clean the components, and remove corrosion-causing moisture, the better the chances of a full recovery.
A new MacBook Air starts at $999. A new MacBook Pro starts at $1,599. Most MacBook repairs — screen replacement, keyboard swap, battery replacement, even many logic board repairs — cost a fraction of those prices. If your MacBook has a single fixable problem, repair almost always makes more financial sense than buying new.
Geek Squad does not repair MacBooks in-store. They send them to Apple for service, which typically takes three to six weeks. We repair MacBooks in our own shop, usually the same day you bring it in.
No. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Bring your MacBook and its charger. Call (703) 594-9339 or fill out our online quote form for a free estimate before visiting.
