How hard is it to work on tablets and get parts for them?

[katz]

I've never done any work on tablets.

I've played with them a few times, got a network going, etc., that's about it. Are they much more difficult than a laptop? DC jack/motherboard work about the same?

How about parts availability? How about virus removal & OS re-installs? I am guessing OS re-install would mostly be done via. USB? Have you experienced any issues with the re-installs?

A potential new business client may be providing me with several tablets for repairs - I don't want to bite off more than I can chew with something I'm not yet that familiar with.

As always - all comments/suggestions welcome!

 

[dgiles79]

Tablets are usually fairly easy to work on. I do mostly screens, and they are usually easy to get hold of. I find motherboards are usually too expensive to be worth replacing. DC jack is usually a micro USB soldered on the board for androids, or a flex cable on iPads.

I have never had a virus removal on a tablet, and OS restores are usually done using internal boot menus.

I don't expect them to be a problem, as long as you are comfortable with the hardware.

 

[katz]

What about the parts for the iPads? In regards to the recent thread about the feds cracking down on the replacement parts, I'm kinda concerned about the ebay sources for iPad parts.

And, if the motherboard is junk, you scrap the tablet?

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

What about the parts for the iPads? In regards to the recent thread about the feds cracking down on the replacement parts, I'm kinda concerned about the ebay sources for iPad parts.

And, if the motherboard is junk, you scrap the tablet?

I try to stay away from ebay -- but sometimes they are the only option.

And yes if it's a bad mobo, toss it.

 

[16k_zx81]

I've never done any work on tablets.

I've played with them a few times, got a network going, etc., that's about it. Are they much more difficult than a laptop? DC jack/motherboard work about the same?

How about parts availability? How about virus removal & OS re-installs? I am guessing OS re-install would mostly be done via. USB? Have you experienced any issues with the re-installs?

A potential new business client may be providing me with several tablets for repairs - I don't want to bite off more than I can chew with something I'm not yet that familiar with.

As always - all comments/suggestions welcome!

If you read through the established threads here you will see that ipads are generally regarded as hard to work on, with a number of people having taken them on and then stopping servicing them entirely

Regarding parts, they are very easy to get, with suppliers all over the world vying for price and supply relationships

My suggestion if you arre starting out on tablets is to make sure you have plenty of money in the bank - to replace the ones you break

I started in jan this year and have spent close to 4k on replacement tablets.

Jim

 

[katz]

My suggestion if you are starting out on tablets is to make sure you have plenty of money in the bank - to replace the ones you break

I started in jn this year and have spent close to 4k on replacement tablets.

NO!

Say it's not so! I'm a very careful tech; I've not broken a laptop yet, although years ago I busted up a game boy getting it apart! (Long story, I was "sick" at the time...)

I will check out the threads you mentioned. So, most techs steer away from iPads or send them to the Apple store, I guess?

I'm up for a challenge, but I don't want to break costly stuff if it is built stupidly and almost an impossibility to get it apart without damage.

 

[Gary Rockliff]

Yeah I would have to agree with 16k_zx81.

These things are not meant to be fixed. If you are going to get into it, you really need to practice to get it down pat before you start fixing customers tablets and that will be expensive and to have a quick turnaround time you will need to spend a far bit on stock, people want there phones and tablets fixed yesterday. I have only done iPods and iPhones and I broke cables on the first few ipods and had to replace them, very costly lesson. I found the biggest problem to be that the screens never sit perfectly on them once they have been replaced.

I don't do them anymore, I refer them to a partner to get fixed.

 

[AlaDes]

The biggest issue with tablets is not the availability of parts but the cost of them.

 

[katz]

You guys that repair tablets;

What are your "typical" repair charges? I know that's a loaded question & prices probably vary a lot, but give me some ballpark figures so I can get a general idea.

 

[katz]

Replacement screens for tablets -

To determine which one you need, is it as involved a process as with a laptop, or is it as simple as "archos 101 replacement screen" - buy & install.

In other words, are there several variations to look for within the same model as is the case with a laptop?