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Replace Laptop Screen Or Just Use As Desktop?

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October 23, 2022, 05:20 AM
4MUL8R
Replace Laptop Screen Or Just Use As Desktop?
MacBook Air 2020 with M1 processor, 8GB RAM, 240GB SSD.

Screen has a two inch band of weirdness, vertically, which you can still see through and use.

No impact damage visually on body.

This model, I am told, cannot drive more than one external monitor (sad face). It has only two USB-C format jacks, through which everything passes. So, without the display open, one has only the single external monitor.

What I LOVE about the laptop is the speed. For whatever reason, I hate waiting on pages to load. This one is amazing. Can't wait to try it on photos, office software, etc.

I have watched one YT video on how to replace the screen. I know I could do this. I would be stressed out by blowing dust off the backlight, aligning the double-sided tape, getting the rubber surround in place, etc. Paying for the repair, I would fear that the technician failed to take adequate care in doing all this.

As I was given the laptop, since the display is bad, I have not spent the $900 approximate cost for it. If the repair were half of the cost, at Apple, I would still have a nice MacBook laptop at Chromebook price.

If I were to attempt the repair, it seems only knockoff displays are available. Lots of labor, possible damage by me, suboptimal inexperienced repair, etc.

Maybe just a nice 34 inch curved monitor since it can only drive one, and leave it closed? About $300.


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Trying to simplify my life...
October 23, 2022, 06:01 AM
Aglifter
Go with the monitor. Not worth sinking money into a 2 year old broken laptop.
October 23, 2022, 07:18 AM
Black92LX
Who is telling you it will be $900??
A quick google search is showing $3-$400.
There are tons of nonApple folks that can do it.

Though if I were you and I did not really use it as an actual portable laptop I would buy a really nice large monitor.


————————————————
The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad.
If we got each other, and that's all we have.
I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand.
You should know I'll be there for you!
October 23, 2022, 07:42 AM
4MUL8R
$900 is new laptop. Replacement screen is $400. Seems like bad ratio cost to value.


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Trying to simplify my life...
October 23, 2022, 07:44 AM
V-Tail
There are many Dock Stations available for the Mac M1. They will support multiple monitors and provide additional ports for USB-A and other connections.

You can see a sample at this link, but there are a lot of other sources as well.

https://www.amazon.com/macbook...o+m1+docking+station



הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
October 23, 2022, 07:47 AM
shovelhead
As Black92LX said there are a lot of non Apple places around that can repair your laptop.

A quick story but an official Apple store showed me purported photos of the inside of my daughter’s MacBook fully engulfed in corrosion due to liquid intrusion. This was at 8 P.M.on day one just an hour or so after it happened. On day two at noon I took it to a non Apple repair shop. Only damage to it was the charging circuit, ran off battery only.

Apple store offered to dispose of the ‘Book as a service, personally I still think that their “expert” figured he could get it fixed for himself.

If you were in Michigan I’d refer you to the place in Ann Arbor that repaired this one.


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————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman)
October 23, 2022, 08:05 AM
P250UA5
Never done an Apple, but have replaced a lot of Dell laptop disays. Couple youtube videos & it's a pretty simple replacement & the screens are <$100 online.




The Enemy's gate is down.
October 23, 2022, 08:45 AM
Timdogg6
take it to an ifixyouri place, pretty sure they can fix any screen reasonably cheap


__________________________
The entire reason for the Second Amendment is not for hunting, it’s not for target shooting … it’s there so that you and I can protect our homes and our children and and our families and our lives. And it’s also there as fundamental check on government tyranny. Sen Ted Cruz
October 23, 2022, 09:09 AM
Georgeair
The 34” monitors come with software allowing you to split into 2, 3 and more screen views so it works like dual monitors easily.



You only have integrity once. - imprezaguy02

October 23, 2022, 09:16 AM
charlie12
quote:
Originally posted by P250UA5:
Never done an Apple, but have replaced a lot of Dell laptop disays. Couple youtube videos & it's a pretty simple replacement & the screens are <$100 online.


I have a old Dell laptop and I did the same thing. Watched some Youtube videos and ordered a screen off Amazon and changed it. Works great. It was less than $60


_______________________________________________________
And no, junior not being able to hold still for 5 seconds is not a disability.



October 23, 2022, 11:03 AM
ridgerat
Get a monitor, or a 4k tv. Much less expensive, and you'll love the extra 'real estate' so you can read easier, and without all the scrolling.



Endowment Life Member, NRA • Member of FPC, GOA, 2AF & Arizona Citizens Defense League
October 23, 2022, 12:19 PM
cparktd
Have you tried it on an external? It is not likely but not entirely impossible that it is not the display itself causing the problem.



Endeavor to persevere.
October 23, 2022, 03:23 PM
architect
Except that, if you take it to an Apple Store, assuming there is one local to you, and be civil with them, they may just fix it for free, irregardless of the warranty status. Another thing I have seen more often than not, is that they will gift you a new equivalent unit. If you go in demanding and whinging, probably not so much, but I have seen Apple practically give away the store to keep a customer happy.