macbook, matte screen installed

please do not try this at home.

got a deal on a black macbook core duo with a broken screen, and thought it a good time to try finding a replacement without the glare. i'm not a fan of the glossy screens. first impression is great, as it's really bright, amazing colors, and so on. but i find using one all day, every day, gets old with the reflection/glare.

so, i fix computers and deal almost entirely with windows systems. i had worked on several sony laptops with 13.3" 1280x800 panels that looked really nice, and found something similar through a wholesale supplier to try with my broken blackbook. toshiba and matsushita joined forces about 4 years ago to produce lcd panels, and supply most of the sony panels. home page is HERE. the panel i received is missing part of the model sticker, and i am still waiting for an email back from TM to try and clarify the specific panel i used. what i have so far is LTD133E OR B, and then a torn edge. a second sticker near the bottom of the panel has NRL75-DEXKA11A K6B06T7 0118. neither seem to bring up results in google at the moment. TM's current product lineup doesn't have any matte finish 13.3" panels listed, so that is no help. also sent an email to my supplier looking for additional info on model, or what model of sony laptop this panel was intended for. so, sorry on slim details right now. i will update this when i receive more information.

i can tell you this panel was an exact replacement, cables, screws, etc, and no modification was necessary to install the panel. i would also point out that i repair 2-10 laptops per week, can take powerbooks/ibooks apart from memory, and found this macbook to be one of the trickiest laptops to take apart i have ever encountered. you must take the screen completely off the laptop even though there are guides showing only the lcd panel/covers being removed. trust me. you have been warned.

tried to take pictures that showed the difference in the panels. first shot was side by side with a reflection. 2-4 were taken with the ceiling fan/light on to show the difference in the screen finish. not a good camera, but you get the point.

more pics

couple more pics with the macbook back together and turned on.





everything works the same. calibration, brightness control, photo booth flash, etc. seems very bright when side by side with a customers whitebook. overall, very happy with the results. the matte finish seems to match the finish of the blackbook better than the glossy. again, more details when i get them. peace out.

tylerboyo said:

Surely though, getting that new screen, and fitting it, you may as well just get a mbp?

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bottom line, i would LOVE to get a MBP, but really can't justify the cost for what i do. if i had not received this blackbook with a broken screen, i wouldn't have done the install/upgrade/downgrade...

i have less in this machine (2.0 CD, 2gb, 80gb, superdrive, matte) than the $999 base model blackbook at the refurb store. seemed like a good deal to me.

tylerboyo said:

...how much would an upgrade like that cost? a - to diy, b - to be done by a professional.

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A - $165 plus shipping, and 3 bottles of Fat Tire Ale.

B - quick search on google for macbook lcd repair shows $375-$395, plus shipping, and a couple day turn around.

that was not a fun repair, and i can see why they charge so much.

well, that was a waste of an email...

most helpful response received from TMDisplay:

Dear xxx

This is Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd..
Thank you for your access to our homepage and we are very
pleased to have your inquiries.

To respond to your inquiry, here are our answer.

a) Our answer

Please bring your Laptop PC to shop where you got or
contact to brand name where replacement of LCD to be done.
Replacement of LCD and lamp of LCD to be responsible by
brand name's service network who has capable person and
necessary parts for replace and repair these.

Just for your sake, please do not say that you opened LCD
Monitor case, because some PC maker's manual informed that
they will be free from warranty responsibility, or in worst
case they can refuse repair, once customer opened their PC
by themself.

Your understanding will be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

i never indicated this as a laptop panel or repair, so this must have been sent based on the partial model number i provided. sent back a very direct response, and a request for someone above office worker level to please look up the panel info. we shall see.