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It used to be that if your screen cracked on your laptop, you'd just replace the LCD and be done with it. That unfortunately is no longer the case. With the introduction of the Unibody Macbook and Macbook pro models, Apple changed the design of the display assembly. Now, there is a glass panel assembly that is placed on top of the LCD panel. The good news is that it is possible to crack just the glass panel and save yourself some money. The bad news is that it is also possible to crack both the glass panel and the LCD.
For more Mac Repair guides as well as replacement parts, visit:
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/mac-repair.php
If you take your Macbook to most repair companies with a cracked display, they'll undoubtedly say you need to replace the entire display assembly and charge you some astronomical figure. It really isn't an extremely difficult procedure to do yourself however, and so we've created the guide below to show you just how to do it.
For more Mac Repair guides as well as replacement parts, visit:
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/mac-repair.php
If you take your Macbook to most repair companies with a cracked display, they'll undoubtedly say you need to replace the entire display assembly and charge you some astronomical figure. It really isn't an extremely difficult procedure to do yourself however, and so we've created the guide below to show you just how to do it.
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The Procedure:
To begin, use a heat gun to loosen the double sided adhesive strip that holds the glass in place. Use caution, and heat the glass in short segments as over heating can cause damage to your LCD.With the glass heated, place a strong suction cup on the glass and pull up and away from the glass.
If heated properly, you'll be able to see a small gap between the glass and the and the rest of the display. Insert a thin piece of plastic such as a credit card or movie rental card into the opening. Work the piece of plastic in enough where it can be slid along the seem of the glass. This will break the adhesive strip holding the glass in place.Repeat this procedure along the entire edge of the glass assembly. When you meet resistance, heat the area and repeat.
Once you have used a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the adhesive strip, use a strong suction cup to begin to separate the glass from the display assembly.
To begin, use a heat gun to loosen the double sided adhesive strip that holds the glass in place. Use caution, and heat the glass in short segments as over heating can cause damage to your LCD.With the glass heated, place a strong suction cup on the glass and pull up and away from the glass.
If heated properly, you'll be able to see a small gap between the glass and the and the rest of the display. Insert a thin piece of plastic such as a credit card or movie rental card into the opening. Work the piece of plastic in enough where it can be slid along the seem of the glass. This will break the adhesive strip holding the glass in place.Repeat this procedure along the entire edge of the glass assembly. When you meet resistance, heat the area and repeat.
Once you have used a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the adhesive strip, use a strong suction cup to begin to separate the glass from the display assembly.
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I broke the glass cover of my MacBook, so I ordered a replacement from PowerBookMedic.com (poor service, by the way). I tried to lift the cover using a suction cup. The cover did not come loose at the bezel, but instead it shivered into a gazillion of small parts. Removing it from the bezel was a biiiig PITA. I also used a heat gun to soften the sticky tape that held the shards on the bezel. Not good for the display...
To make a long story short: If you care about your MacBook, have it reparied at a good repair service.
- The suction cup will not hold on areas where the glass is cracked. Latch on where you can and be patient heating and pulling. The glass is thin and will crack easily if you pull too hard.
- Beware to keep glass shards and glue goo off the LCD.
- The tape on my replacement glass did not hold... I am still trying to get it to stick and imagine I'll need to get more double sided tape or another adhesive.