Apple expands its independent repair shop program to Mac computers

(Reuters) – Apple Inc stated on Monday it had expanded a program that gives components and coaching to impartial restore outlets to cowl its Mac computer systems.

Apple initially launched this system final 12 months, nevertheless it solely lined iPhones, the corporate’s biggest-selling product. Mac customers beforehand both had to make use of Apple or a certified warrant service supplier to get fixes with components straight from Apple.

Apple final month reported an uptick of 21.6% in quarterly Mac gross sales to $7 billion as many staff shifted to working from dwelling. Its market share grew to 7.three% within the second quarter from 6.three% a 12 months earlier, in keeping with analysis agency IDC.

Apple’s shift in restore practices got here after years of calls from right-to-repair teams who had criticized the corporate for, amongst different issues, solely offering real components and coaching manuals to companies corresponding to Greatest Purchase Inc that have been to do warranty-related work on its units. Smaller outlets argued that program was too pricey to hitch resulting from quantity commitments.

With the impartial restore program, Apple started providing to promote components and supply free coaching programs to impartial outlets to carry out out-of-warranty work.

After beginning in america, Apple expanded this system to 32 nations in Europe in addition to Canada final month, saying 140 companies with a complete of 700 areas had signed up.