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mod project: retro fit MBA screen to the unibody MB?

C

cryonic49

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 23, 2008
93
0
So we all know that MBAs have better lcd panels than the MBs'. The part is B133EW03 according to ifixit. There are several versions of that panel, v.0 is matte, while v.1 is glossy...

after some searching on the net, it seems like the replacement panel is quite cheap, at around $250 a pop...

So maybe, just maybe.. we can replace our crappy MB's glossy screen with MBA's matte...

Does any one have high res photo of the both MB and MBA's panel connectors? and any guide on disassembling the macbook's display, ifixit didn't fully disassemble it :-\
 
Problem here comes that it would seem the Screen and the Glass come as one unit for the new macbook and must be bonded in someway.

So wouldn't be as simple as hoped, unless you can get hold of a replacement piece of glass.
 
Sounds more like a project for Apple. Shame they didn't take it on a few months ago. :mad:
 
hehe i like to see someone do this, although it would be hard on the late 2008 MB or MBP. Last time i heard, the LCD has to be replaced with the glass intact.
 
Tomomcd said:
Problem here comes that it would seem the Screen and the Glass come as one unit for the new macbook and must be bonded in someway.

So wouldn't be as simple as hoped, unless you can get hold of a replacement piece of glass.
Click to expand...

Well according to this video, the glass can be disassembled from rest of the body... i will try to see how easy it would be tonight
 
cryonic49 said:
Well according to this video, the glass can be disassembled from rest of the body... i will try to see how easy it would be tonight
Click to expand...

I love the animated videos. Geek porn...

Has anyone tried giving those guys a call and see if they think putting a better display or MBA display on the otherwise great MB. I emailed ifixit a few days ago and they said it probably couldn't be done.
 
yeah, ifixit just replied my inquiry about the connectors, apparently they are very different :-( So i guess it's no go on retrofitting..


that stinks...
 
cryonic49 said:
yeah, ifixit just replied my inquiry about the connectors, apparently they are very different :-( So i guess it's no go on retrofitting..


that stinks...
Click to expand...

DAMN! My work will basically buy any laptop that I need and I think the new MBs are the perfect size/performance point for me, except I'm not convinced the screen is any good. I was thinking I could just upgrade it in a few months if I was really dissatisfied. Total bummer. What to do...
 
cryonic49 said:
So we all know that MBAs have better lcd panels than the MBs'. The part is B133EW03 according to ifixit. There are several versions of that panel, v.0 is matte, while v.1 is matte...

after some searching on the net, it seems like the replacement panel is quite cheap, at around $250 a pop...

So maybe, just maybe.. we can replace our crappy MB's glossy screen with MBA's matte...

Does any one have high res photo of the both MB and MBA's panel connectors? and any guide on disassembling the macbook's display, ifixit didn't fully disassemble it :-\
Click to expand...


But, even after the mod is done. how are you going to fill in the place of the glass. You know the glass accumulates the screen + the bezel too.:confused:
 
So i've done a comparison of connectors myself, and it seems MBA and MB Alu's are the same.

So i ordered the b133ew03 (MBA's panel) today and it should be here next week.

Meanwhile, I got really annoyed by the reflection, so I figured, oh why the heck not, let's just try to open the panel for fun because:

1. even if I break the glass, I can make my own bezel..
2. if the new panel doesn't work - at least the glass reflection can be removed

so I got my t6 screwdriver (which finally arrived today), and separated the panel from the unibody. After removing black hinge plastic and the wireless components inside, I was discouraged by how seemly impossible it is to remove the glass.

Then I had an idea. I grabbed a replacement box cutter blade and wedged it between the thin rubber and the glass. After wiggling several times, the glass started to come out. (at this point, I realized that it isn't really glass, as someone told me in the forum, it's like a mixture of glass and plastic, but I will still call it the glass for now).

I was ecstatic and used more force to yank more the glass out. Then... I broke it.. hehe here is the glorious pic:
attachment.php


But I gotta say, the glass is definitely removable, it just requires a LOT A LOT of patience.


Now that I got that removed, the glare is so much more manageable.. yay. I just need to wait for the new panel to arrive and order a black macbook bezel. The bezel will require some cutting and sanding, but the basic size is the same.

Here is the picture of the glass off.
attachment.php



The back end label for the LCD:
attachment.php




I'll give more updates when the new lcd panel arrives.
 

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You're my hero LOL. This is being done for great justice. *says indescernable chants*
Haha can't wait to see if you're successful or not!!!
 
This is an example of what people do when they have too much time + money. The glare isn't much of a bother. I'd rather keep a new notebook in warranty in exchange for a (acclaimed) bad screen and just get an external. That's more professional than spending a excess of $300... Just my opinion. But if this works that would be pretty cool.
 
Whoa! You're crazy :eek::D

I think you're the first person to post pics with the glass removed, even iFixit doesn't have it.

Could you post higher resolution pictures? Maybe a close up of all the internal components such as the camera/etc? :)
 
Is ist possible to get the whole ting out of the aluminium houseing? I mean display + glas + everything, so you just face the bare aluminium?
I'd like to paint my MacBook so that would be cool :)

Very nice project indeed, are you going to use the display bevel in aluminium from the MacBook Air?
 
Philflow said:
Great work.


does the panel look different without the glass? If so, how?
Click to expand...

Less glare, not as reflective.. Viewing angle still the same, washed out color, the same...

blaskillet4 said:
Whoa! You're crazy :eek::D

I think you're the first person to post pics with the glass removed, even iFixit doesn't have it.

Could you post higher resolution pictures? Maybe a close up of all the internal components such as the camera/etc? :)
Click to expand...
I will when I get home tonight.


deadkenny said:
Is ist possible to get the whole ting out of the aluminium houseing? I mean display + glas + everything, so you just face the bare aluminium?
I'd like to paint my MacBook so that would be cool :)
Click to expand...
yes, once you remove the glass, everything is super easy to remove...

I really don't know how Apple managed to design the most beautiful and functional case and decided to glue the glass unto the backing. If the glass wasn't an issue, this would be the most mod friendly laptop, ever.

Very nice project indeed, are you going to use the display bevel in aluminium from the MacBook Air?
Click to expand...

I would love to, except there is none on sale. If you can find one, tell me! I already ordered a macbook black's bezel, so I'll be sanding the corners down to make sure it fits.
 
if you could post exact details how you removed the glass that would be cool. I have dust under my screen I'd like to get rid of ;)
 
acfusion29 said:
if you could post exact details how you removed the glass that would be cool. I have dust under my screen I'd like to get rid of ;)
Click to expand...

You should goto Apple first, they might cover it under warranty. There is a high chance of the glass breaking if you are not careful. I'll post more on what I did, and what I should have done when I get home.
 
I like how people take it into their hands to get what they want (like a better screen).:cool:

Honestly, I hope everything comes out great for you. Please when you are done, post a guide so other brave souls can follow your steps!!:D
 
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