Laptop Screen Cracked: Repair Cost and Options
Have a cracked laptop screen? This is one of those laptop repair things where the first question is "How much is it going to cost?" Good question, it depends on your laptop.
At RescueTECH in Regina, a typical new Windows laptop screen replacement is around $280. Used can be cheaper at around $150 - 180$ installed. Touchscreen laptops can cost more. When it comes to MacBooks and other Apple laptops, the price can be considerably higher. Screens on those typically range from about $450 to $1,200 depending on the make, model and year.
There are also different options when it comes to the replacement screen itself. Depending on the laptop, we may be able to offer an aftermarket screen, a used OEM screen or a new OEM screen in the laptop screen repair.
We prefer to give customers options when possible, rather than automatically installing the most expensive part available.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Cracked Laptop Screen?
There isn't one price for every laptop screen replacement. The make and model of the laptop makes a big difference. For many Windows laptops, a screen replacement will typically cost around $280. That can change depending on the laptop and the type of screen it uses.
Touchscreen laptops can be more expensive to repair because the display assembly is more complicated and the replacement parts can cost considerably more. Apple laptops are another story.
For MacBooks and other Apple screen replacement can range anywhere from approximately $450 to $1,200. The price depends on the model, year and which type of replacement display we can source.
When quoting a laptop screen repair, we aren't just looking at the size of the screen. We need to know exactly what laptop we're dealing with and what replacement options are available.
Why Are MacBook Screen Repairs More Expensive?
One of the biggest reasons is how Apple designs its laptops. With many Windows laptops, we can replace the LCD panel itself. The laptop display can be disassembled and the damaged panel replaced without necessarily replacing the entire lid assembly.
That isn't generally the case with MacBooks. Since around 2014, Apple laptops have required us to replace the entire display assembly rather than simply replacing the LCD panel. This makes MacBook screen replacement inherently more expensive.
Instead of replacing one relatively inexpensive component inside the display, we're dealing with a much larger assembly that includes the display and other components. This is one of those situations where the design of the laptop has a direct effect on the cost of the repair.
What Are My Options for a Replacement Laptop Screen?
Aftermarket Screens
An aftermarket screen is a replacement made by a manufacturer other than the original laptop manufacturer. Aftermarket doesn't automatically mean bad. There are good aftermarket parts and there are poor-quality aftermarket parts, which is why the source of the part matters. For some laptops, an aftermarket screen can be a good way to keep the repair cost down while still getting the laptop back into working condition.
Used OEM Screens
Another option is a used OEM screen. OEM means the display was originally manufactured for the laptop by the original equipment manufacturer. A used OEM display may have come from another laptop that was being parted out or otherwise had a usable display. In some situations, this can be an excellent value.
You aren't necessarily getting a brand-new screen, but you may be getting an original display at a substantially lower price than buying a brand-new OEM replacement. And at RescueTECH, when we install a used screen, we still back it with our six-month warranty.
New OEM Screens
Where available, we also offer new OEM screens. This is generally the most expensive option, but some customers prefer having a brand-new original display installed in their laptop.
For Apple laptops in particular, we may be able to offer the customer a choice between a new OEM display, a used OEM display and an aftermarket option, depending on what is available for that particular model.
Our philosophy is simple: give the customer the information and the choices, and let them decide what represents the best value for them.
What Causes a Laptop Screen to Crack?
Most cracked laptop screens are the result of some type of physical impact. Dropping the laptop is an obvious one. If the laptop hits the floor, the display can easily be damaged. Something falling onto the screen can also crack it.
But the laptop doesn't necessarily have to be open for the damage to occur. An impact to the top cover of a laptop can also damage the screen underneath it. People sometimes assume that because the laptop was closed, the display was protected. Unfortunately this is not the case.
Something Left on the Keyboard
Another common cause of screen damage, particularly with MacBooks, is something small being left on the keyboard when the lid is closed. A small object sitting on the keyboard can create enough pressure against the display when the laptop is closed to damage the screen leading to an expensive Macbook screen repair.
We've seen this happen with things that people didn't realize were sitting on the keyboard before the lid was closed. The space between the keyboard and a closed display is very small. There isn't much room for anything that shouldn't be there.
Is It Worth Repairing a Cracked Laptop Screen?
Generally, the biggest factor is cost. If you can replace a laptop screen for roughly half the cost of replacing the entire laptop, most people are comfortable going with the repair.
Laptop prices have gone up over the years. Replacing a laptop isn't necessarily cheap. This can make repairing a cracked screen a better financial decision than simply throwing the laptop away and buying another one.
Laptop Screen Repair in Regina
If you have a cracked laptop screen and you're in Regina, bring the laptop into RescueTECH. We can determine what type of display you need and see what replacement options are available.
Where possible, we'll give you choices. That might mean a new OEM screen, a used OEM screen or an aftermarket screen. If a used screen is available, it can often provide an excellent balance between cost and quality.
Our goal isn't to automatically sell you the most expensive screen available. We want you to understand your options so you can decide what makes the most sense for your budget and how long you intend to keep the laptop.
Need Laptop Repair in Regina?
If your laptop screen is cracked, don't assume you need to buy a new computer. Give us a call or text us at (306) 205-7522 and tell us the make and model of your laptop. We can help you figure out what your options are.
You can also bring the laptop into our Regina location at 2225 14th Avenue and we can have a look at it.
Our hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Whether you need a Windows laptop screen replacement or MacBook screen repair, we'll look at the available options and help you decide whether repairing the screen makes sense or whether your money would be better spent on another laptop.
