A cracked or damaged screen is one of the most common issues that can afflict a Mac laptop. While MacBooks are well-built machines, their screens are particularly vulnerable to breaking from accidental drops or impacts. When your Mac’s screen cracks or fails, you’re faced with an annoying dilemma – is it worth paying for a potentially expensive repair, or should you live with the broken screen, replace the Mac entirely, or explore a DIY repair? In this article, we’ll look at the key factors involved in deciding whether to repair a broken MacBook screen.
Assessing the Damage
There are several common types of damage that can occur to a MacBook screen:
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Cracked screen – This is perhaps the most obvious type of damage, where the glass panel over the LCD display has cracked or shattered. This can range from a small crack to large spiderweb cracks across the entire display. Cracked screens often impact image quality and usability.
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Dead pixels – Dead pixels are individual pixels on the LCD display that no longer function properly, appearing discolored or completely black. A few dead pixels may be acceptable, but clusters can be distracting and interfere with viewing the screen.
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Backlight issue – The backlight provides illumination for the LCD display panel. Backlight failure results in a very dark or black screen, though you may still faintly see the desktop or app contents. This makes the MacBook unusable without a backlight repair.
Carefully inspecting the type of damage can help determine the necessary repairs. Cracked screens often require full glass and LCD replacement, while dead pixels may be fixable by just replacing the LCD panel. Backlight issues typically require logic board or display assembly repair.
Sources:
[1] https://www.soldrit.com/blog/5-macbook-screen-issues-that-call-for-a-replacement/
Cost of Repair
The cost to repair a broken MacBook screen varies significantly depending on whether you go through Apple or a third-party repair shop. According to MisterFix, repairing a cracked MacBook screen at Apple typically costs around $99 if you have AppleCare+. Without extended warranty coverage, Apple charges $500-600 on average.
Third-party and independent repair shops generally charge much less, with prices ranging from $200-400 on average according to Apple Discussions. Factors like MacBook model, screen size, damage level, and location can impact the exact repair cost. Do-it-yourself kits are also available for under $200, but require technical skill.
In summary, Apple’s repair pricing is 2-3x more expensive than third-party options. However, Apple uses OEM parts and provides a warranty on repairs. Overall, the average cost to fix a broken MacBook screen is $99-$600, with Apple at the high end and DIY options at the low end.
DIY Repair Considerations
Repairing a broken Mac screen on your own is possible but challenging for an amateur. You’ll need to have the proper tools, replacement parts, and technical skill. According to Laptop World Store, the repair involves disassembling the entire laptop, removing the broken screen, installing a new one, and reassembling everything. This requires small screwdrivers, pry tools, replacement cables, and most importantly – an authentic replacement Mac screen. The repair is very precise and intricate, with little room for error when dealing with fragile ribbon cables and connectors. Patience and following online video tutorials step-by-step are key. Those without electronics repair experience may cause further damage or be unable to complete the DIY Mac screen replacement.
Data Recovery
If you did not backup your data before the screen was damaged, recovering the data can be challenging but is often possible. Some options include:
Connecting an external monitor, TV, or projector to the HDMI or Thunderbolt port. This will mirror the Mac’s screen and allow you to navigate and backup files. However, touchscreen functions may not work on a MacBook Pro or Air (source).
Creating a bootable installer drive on another Mac, then connecting the drive to the broken MacBook to backup files (source). This involves putting the Mac into target disk mode.
Using data recovery software or taking the MacBook to a repair shop to extract the data. This can be expensive but may be the only option if the display is damaged internally.
In worst case scenarios, the drive itself may be damaged. Professional data recovery services can attempt to recover data but costs often exceed $1000.
Replacement Cost
When your MacBook screen is damaged, you basically have two options – get the screen repaired or replace the entire laptop. Here’s a look at the costs for each option:
A full MacBook replacement will generally cost between $999 for a baseline model MacBook Air and $2,399 for a high-end MacBook Pro (Source: Apple.com). Of course, the exact cost depends on the specific model and configuration you choose.
Meanwhile, most MacBook screen repairs cost between $199 and $849 depending on the model year and if you have AppleCare+ coverage (Sources: Apple Support, MacScreenRepair.com). Key factors are screen size, display type (retina vs non-retina), and any Touch Bar or True Tone functionality.
In most cases, paying $300-600 for a screen replacement is more cost effective than spending $1000+ on an entirely new laptop. However, if your Mac is several years old, replacing it altogether may make more sense in terms of getting updated performance and features.
Resale Value
A repaired MacBook will likely have lower resale value compared to one that has been replaced or not damaged at all. According to Apple discussions, Apple will most likely just offer to recycle a MacBook Pro with a broken screen if you try to trade it in (source). Trying to sell a repaired MacBook yourself means having to disclose the damage, which will lower the price. One article notes that depending on the model, repairing a MacBook screen can cost $455 – $900. This is money that likely won’t be recouped when reselling (source).
In contrast, replacing the MacBook with an identical or upgraded model will provide maximum resale value in the future. The machine will be like new with no previous damage. Cosmetic damage has been shown to negatively affect Apple’s trade-in values, even if the machine functions normally (source). Therefore, replacing instead of repairing the broken MacBook screen is the better option for retaining resale value.
Warranty Implications
Getting your Mac’s screen repaired by a third party repair shop will void any remaining Apple warranty coverage. According to discussions on the Apple support forums, “Pretty much anything done by a non-Apple authorized repair service voids any further support” (source). The original Apple warranty does not cover accidental damage like a cracked screen. However, AppleCare+ does include accidental damage protection. Without this additional coverage, repairing a cracked screen yourself or through a third party repair shop will void the standard Apple warranty.
Some users on Reddit and Apple discussions have reported being able to get third party repairs and still having Apple honor the original warranty. However, according to Apple’s official policy, any non-authorized repairs void the warranty. So getting a cracked Mac screen repaired outside of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider does technically void the remaining Apple warranty, even though users have had mixed experiences with Apple still providing service.
Summary
When deciding if it’s worth it to repair a broken Mac screen, there are several key factors to weigh:
- Cost of the repair – Professional repair shops typically charge $200-600 depending on the Mac model. DIY kits can lower costs but have risks.
- Data recovery – Repairing the screen may allow you to recover data versus replacing the device.
- Replacement cost – Buying a new Mac or used one can be expensive, especially for newer models.
- Resale value – Repairing the screen may increase the resale value versus selling it broken.
- Warranty status – Repairs void any existing warranty, while a replacement may have a new warranty.
If the repair costs significantly less than replacement, and data recovery is essential, fixing the screen may be worthwhile. But for older Macs with low resale value, replacement may be a better option.
Conclusion
In summary, the decision to repair or replace a broken Mac screen depends on several factors. The cost of repairing the screen may be worth it if the damage is minimal, you need to recover data, or you cannot afford an expensive replacement computer. However, extensive damage, aging components, warranty considerations, and diminished resale value may make replacement the better option.
For newer Macs that are still under warranty or have AppleCare+ coverage, it is often best to go through Apple for screen repairs or replacements to avoid voiding the warranty. For older models, third party repairs may be more affordable.
Ultimately, if the cost to repair is more than 50-60% of the value of a comparable replacement Mac, replacing the computer altogether likely makes more financial sense. But if data recovery is essential and repair costs are low, fixing the screen can be worthwhile to salvage an otherwise functional laptop.