[blktlr]

My dad's 12" iBook got dropped last month and the LCD is cracked from the top right corner to the bottom left. Everything works and I'm actually typing on it now, but through large black and green gashes all over the screen. I imagine that having CompUSA or Apple service and replace the computer would cost about as much as buying a new machine (it's a 900mhz G3). I've seen replacement LCDs for this computer on eBay, however, in the $100 to $150 range. Has anyone here replaced an iBook with one of these screens before? Is this a realistic task to perform? Is it terribly difficult?

Thanks for the input,

-blake.

[Applefreak01]

Generally speaking the LCD is the most expensive part to any laptop. Most broken LCD screens have to be or should be replaced by the manufacture of the laptop, it's not something the average user should do and you might damage something else in trying to do so. I would send it off to Apple and have them fix it. I'm not sure if this would be taken care of by Apple Care or not. I'm thinking not because it got dropped and it's not an out-of-the-box probelm. You can call Apple and see what they say about it being covered with Apple Care and get an estimate as to how much it's gonna cost. I would think the repair would cost you a good amount of $$$.

[Detrius]

Apple Certified Tech here. This is definitely not covered under any kind of warranty. Also, don't go to Apple to fix it, as that is the *most* expensive option. I've never seen a quality LCD for $100-$150. Generally, you will pay more for a replacement if the original is cracked, as it's something that can't be repaired (therefore, you can't get an LCD on an exchange basis).

I would check with Preowned Electronics (preownedelectronics.com). You will have to call them, but you can ship the laptop to them and they will do the replacement for you. Also, they give you a 6 month warranty on parts.

[blktlr]

Well, I found an LCD from another iBook on eBay and purchased it last week. It arrived today and I installed it on my dad's iBook (goodbye warranty, but replacing professionally would have cost as much as a brand new iBook). So it is possible and it's not too difficult. It's a matter of eight screws and just being very careful with the fragile LCD and the antennas that loop over the screen.

Having taken the screen assembly apart, it just doesn't look like there's much at all protecting the LCD aside the plastic case and some micro-thin foam that only covers 40% of the back of the screen. I'm really not sure that the iBook is any more durable than my 12" PowerBook. I guess they've tried to keep the machine as slim as possible, but I don't know that I'd mind sacrificing some width to add protection to the most expensive part of the computer. Then again, this sort of LCD will always be pretty fragile, I imagine.

-blake.

[ghporter]

If you want rugged, buy a Panasonic Toughbook. You can pound in nails with that one! The iBook is not particularly fragile for an ultralight laptop, but it isn't "roubust," either.

I'm glad you didn't have much of a problem replacing the LCD. I have an old Dell Inspiron 7000 that I need to do the same thing with, and screens for that are going for $300-$500! I wish my Dell was as inexpensive to fix as your Dad's iBook...

[nesuser2]

Well, parts are cheap when the units break alot. You will notice that powerbook parts are much harder to come by. This isn't really because ibooks are junkier, it's because more people can afford the ibook and less people fix their ibooks. So then in turn, people buy up broken ibooks and part out the good stuff, like the screen and the drives, DC inboard, shell and whatnot. Makes owning an iBook alot nicer. As well, I just wish the cases were a little more sturdy. If you walk with your ibook under your arm like a real notebook...does it not feel like you're going to squeeze the juice out? I try to be as friendly with it as I can when carrying it like this but it still feels weak. Almost like there is no frame in the thing whatsoever. Maybe I'll check out a powerbook, but ibooks are flimsy.