Has anyone replaced a Macbook Pro screen?

[SAWYER]

There is one on my local craigslist that is a year old for sale. They are asking 750 but no way would I pay that but they need cash so will take considerably less, Im thinking 4-500. I have been talking to them about it and they say if you shine a flashlight on the screen you can see the computer working like it should so i assume the backlight is out.

How much could I expect to pay for a new screen if I decided to do this? Is it a difficult job? I can replace iphones screens

 

[TheStu]

If it is just the backlight then it could be the inverter which is a relatively easy replacement. But just have a look at iFixit if you want an idea of the work involved in anything less than a full assembly replacement.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I get parts from Powerbookmedic.com. Just feels safer than eBay.

If you know it's the backlight or inverter, you can price the parts and make an offer that's safe. It helps if you know specifically what model, year, etc. (Can you get the S/N?)

 

[SAWYER]

They are going to send the serial number when the get home from work

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Handy.

Then just do a serial number parts search on Powerbookmedic.

(Sorry, shoulda linked 'em before.)

 

[Rakehellion]

It's a pain, but doable. You have to pull off the front glass, which is sealed with double-sided tape, which separates unevenly leaving you with the task of scraping it off and adding new tape.

But if it's just the backlight, you won't need to replace the LCD at all.

 

[Rakehellion]

But hey, if it's a quad i7, I'll definitely buy it off you if the task is too daunting. You buy it for $500 and I'll pay you $600.

Holler.

 

[SAWYER]

The guy finally sent me the serial and it is a 2011 13" Macbook Pro. It also appears to be under warranty until 2014 so Ii am guessing the guy doesnt have a clue.

 

[umrigar]

if the failure was caused by a drop or "abuse," AppleCare will not cover it.

 

[smackababy]

if the failure was caused by a drop or "abuse," AppleCare will not cover it.

Sure it might not be free, but it couldn't cost that much to have it fixed I'd imagine.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Sure it might not be free, but it couldn't cost that much to have it fixed I'd imagine.

:|

I think it's awesome that you've obviously never needed to have an Apple product repaired out of warranty.

 

[smackababy]

:|

I think it's awesome that you've obviously never needed to have an Apple product repaired out of warranty.

That is true, I haven't. I have never dealt with any Apple product replacement. I don't generally break my things.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

That is true, I haven't. I have never dealt with any Apple product replacement. I don't generally break my things.

I haven't had to have a screen replaced, so I'm not sure on that particular, but a logic board replacement in a Macbook Pro is $650. Covered under warranty in my case though.

For an idea of what a value-oriented third party using used or salvaged parts will charge, see here:

http://www.iresq.com/macbook-repair/mbp-aluminum.html

Note that even there the $650 logic board replacement is $400.

 

[manly]

I haven't had to have a screen replaced, so I'm not sure on that particular, but a logic board replacement in a Macbook Pro is $650. Covered under warranty in my case though.

For an idea of what a value-oriented third party using used or salvaged parts will charge, see here:

http://www.iresq.com/macbook-repair/mbp-aluminum.html

Note that even there the $650 logic board replacement is $400.

(A few months ago) I've been quoted a MBP logic board repair in the low $300s by the Genius Bar, although that could vary by model. It's a lot lower than it used to be when they wanted close to as much as entire system replacement would cost.

 

[SAWYER]

Should I buy it?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Should I buy it?

Given that you may pay between $300 and $500 for a new screen/backlight/assembly/whatever, if you can get the laptop for $500, is $800-$1000 a fair price for the laptop?

And do you need a laptop?

 

[Syrome]

I have never taken apart the screen but it seems like the backlight is out. I would just see what the minimum he/she is willing to take for the machine and then go get it taken care of.

 

[smackababy]

I'd call Apple and ask for a rough estimate on the repair cost. If that, plus the $400-500 you will spend to buy it, is worth it, go for it. There might even be a place that can repair it, but isn't an official Apple place for less, around you.

 

[SAWYER]

I hoping Apple would fix it since it is under warranty

 

[smackababy]

They state they won't honor warranty on dropped or abused items. If you are willing to take that risk, go ahead and buy it. I don't think dropping would cause the backlight to go out, if that is the problem. I have heard many stories about them fixing items for free, despite their policy stating they won't.

 

[SAWYER]

But if it doesn't look dropped or abused how could they say that was the case?

 

[smackababy]

I guess they can't. I don't know how they would determine that. It is still a risk though. It might not actually be the backlight. Something could have been jarred loose on the motherboard from a drop or an entirely different component might have failed. Ask the seller if he / she has dropped it depending on how much you trust them.