I have the mid 2010 15 inch Macbook Pro with the Hi-Res screen. So my friend slammed the trunk onto my camera bag that had my laptop in it and I guess cracked my screen! :-( I went to Apple and they said in order to replace the screen, they have to replace the entire top part of the laptop since the screen is bonded onto there, etc etc. Is that true? My bf believes there is a way to replace the glass without replacing the top - is there? Because Apple wants $550 to replace it and that is outrageous. Does apple warranties cover physical damage? Or is there a way to replace the glass without replacing the top? or a cheaper option to do so at least? Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
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Cracked Screen - What are my options?
- Thread starter Grkbella03
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My boyfriend is a computer guy so he knows how to take apart computers and put them together & fix stuff, but the question is, is there a way to fix the screen by replacing the glass itself only or does the entire top have to be replaced instead? If so, how much are the parts usually?
If the LCD isn't defective then I guess you need the glass cover only and it's $82 shipped and here is the link again http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Unibody...Laptop_Screens_LCD_Panels&hash=item231791b524 Also check ifixit.com they have parts and tools there as well.
The Hi-Res screen does not have a separate glass in front of it. If there is a crack, it's the LCD panel itself that's cracked.
The panels are available separately from third parties, like iFixit or eBay sellers, so you won't have to replace the whole lid. Although if you manage to find the complete screen assembly with the panel, lid, frame, antennas etc. for a good price, it might be a good choice. Replacing the whole assembly is easier than taking it apart and replacing the panel only. Neither replacing the assenbly or the panel are daunting tasks, if you have the right tools, and know a bit of what you are doing. iFixit has great guides, that show you how the work is done.
With a quick search on eBay I found some panels for under $200, and whole screen assemblies for $300-$450. With those prices I would be tempted to take the offered $550 repair, as that includes labour, and comes with a warranty for the new screen and the work (and won't void remaining Apple Care, if you have any).
But with a bit of effort and patience I'm sure you could source a cheaper panel/assembly, which would make a DIY repair a really good alternative.
The panels are available separately from third parties, like iFixit or eBay sellers, so you won't have to replace the whole lid. Although if you manage to find the complete screen assembly with the panel, lid, frame, antennas etc. for a good price, it might be a good choice. Replacing the whole assembly is easier than taking it apart and replacing the panel only. Neither replacing the assenbly or the panel are daunting tasks, if you have the right tools, and know a bit of what you are doing. iFixit has great guides, that show you how the work is done.
With a quick search on eBay I found some panels for under $200, and whole screen assemblies for $300-$450. With those prices I would be tempted to take the offered $550 repair, as that includes labour, and comes with a warranty for the new screen and the work (and won't void remaining Apple Care, if you have any).
But with a bit of effort and patience I'm sure you could source a cheaper panel/assembly, which would make a DIY repair a really good alternative.
Well my LCD is not cracked at all. It is only the glass that is cracked. Even Apple confirmed it because I asked them why they needed to replace the entire LCD assembly instead of the glass, even though they said it looks like the glass is only cracked and not the LCD, they said they had to replace the entire thing regardless because the glass is a special bond onto the LCD, blah blah, the usual sales bs. Is that true though? For the Hi-Res screens, is it impossible to replace the glass and add a new one? That is what I want to know about.
If it's not impossible, then that helps assure me that I can replace the glass or not. My laptop according to Apple is worth $1200, so $550 to replace it at this point does not seem worth it to me at all.
If it's not impossible, then that helps assure me that I can replace the glass or not. My laptop according to Apple is worth $1200, so $550 to replace it at this point does not seem worth it to me at all.
Sorry, I was mistaken before. Only the antiglare Hi-Res version had a bare panel, the glossy version, which you most most likely have, has the extra glass! I apologise for the wrong information.
What itegypt said earlier is correct, you can get the glass fairly cheap from eBay, and it's possible to install it yourself. Instrictions are, once again, available from iFixit.
What you were told by Apple was also correct though, and not "sales bs". They only have the whole assembly available as spare parts, and, like they say, it's glued together. You'll see that from the repair instructuons linked above.
What itegypt said earlier is correct, you can get the glass fairly cheap from eBay, and it's possible to install it yourself. Instrictions are, once again, available from iFixit.
What you were told by Apple was also correct though, and not "sales bs". They only have the whole assembly available as spare parts, and, like they say, it's glued together. You'll see that from the repair instructuons linked above.
Fairly simple to replace the glass, but not what I would call "easy".
I did it with this stuff
Heat Gun (though a hair dryer on high would probably work as well)
4.5" large sucion cup (harbor freight tools- $3. Getting a smaller one might work too but I got a small one from ebay and it broke [lateral force]. Maybe try both?)
Guitar picks (to keep the glass from adhering once I took off part)
Old credit card
I like this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ_-vWdU0Kc
I had to heat mine a few more times than he did, just be careful if you do it not to put heat on it for more than a few seconds at a time without letting it cool.
If you can go for a few days without your computer, check out Mission Repair - http://www.missionrepair.com.
I had them replace the glass on my 2009 MBP a few years back and they did a great job. They have a $99 glass replacement service for cMBPs.
I had them replace the glass on my 2009 MBP a few years back and they did a great job. They have a $99 glass replacement service for cMBPs.
For no more than 15 seconds at a time, on low. I'm not going crazy and trying to melt my LCD, just weaken the adhesive. Plus, hot air rework uses the se principle (hot air over components to melt solder). Nearly every glass removal technique uses a heat gun.
Just be careful and if the glass it too hot to hold your hand on, it's too hot. And yes, a heat gun can destroy your computer if used improperly. Just use it wisely, like any tool. And I only said a hair dryer on high because that would probably accurately mimic a heat gun on low. A hear gun on high would melt things quite fast.
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You can do it but it's a pain in the ass since the glass is laminated to the panel. It's not fun and is going to be tedious since a cracked screen means multiple pieces of glass.
Apple replaces the entire top because that's how the part gets shipped to them. The store doesn't get glass, LCD, case separately and assemble them. Plus it makes for a much quicker and much easier repair with less chance of anything else being damaged in the process.
Apple replaces the entire top because that's how the part gets shipped to them. The store doesn't get glass, LCD, case separately and assemble them. Plus it makes for a much quicker and much easier repair with less chance of anything else being damaged in the process.
Posting this just to make sure no one takes rabidz7 seriously.
Uninformed heatgunning destroys computers. Informed heatgunning fixes computers.
Learn what you need to do, take your time, and you will be fine.