My MacBook Pro Retina 2012 15' had smears on the screen that wouldn't go away with water and careful cleaning, so I thought what the heck, it's glass, I'll clean it like glass. That was a mistake, the anti-reflective coating on the display is extremely fragile and of course some of it came off when I cleaned the display.
When we first purchase our Mac's they are the most exciting gadget in the world. Their technology amazes us and they improve our workflows. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents happen and parts of your Mac can be broken in the process. Many of these accidents are relatively cheap and easy to fix, but what do you do when your screen is broken? In this tutorial, I'll examine what you can do if your Mac's screen is broken.
Your Mac's Screen
Undoubtedly, the cost to fix your Mac screen is not going to be cheap. Out of all the hardware your screen the most expensive part, being one of the main reasons Apple can sell their Mac Mini's for such a reduced rate.
Screens cost a lot, yes. But, please be reassured that a repair from Apple is not the only option you have.
AppleCare and AppleCare Protection Plan
When buying a Mac Apple offer two different types of warranty. The first is standard Apple Care, which is free. With this you get 90 days of support on the internet/telephone and a year of hardware warranty against malfunctioning parts. The second is an AppleCare Protection Plan which comes at a significantly cost and lasts three years. Note, it must be bought within the first year of your Mac purchase. In the UK the Protection plan will set you back £199 on top of your Mac purchase and if you are buying as a student this is discounted by a large percentage.
The problem, however, with both these services is that they both specifically say 'does not cover accidental damage.' The chances are Apple won't believe that your screen broke spontaneously.
That said, if you do have the Protection Plan and you send off your Mac there is a slight chance that they may fix it with no cost to you. Although, from the reports I've heard the chances of this are very slim.
The other scenario is that Apple could say that they won't fix it and will charge you for the repairs. If you agree, they will probably charge you at least £500 ($700) minimum. This figure is likely to be higher. Of course, this is quite a sum of money.
For example, if a repair bill on a MacBook Air 11' is £600, that represents some two thirds of the price of your original purchase. Is it not just worth buying a whole new MacBook all together? This really depends on the age of the Mac, if you bought the device 3-4 years ago then buying a new one may be the best option for you.
The third thing which could happen with Apple Care is that after they state you need to pay for a new screen, you refuse. Apple probably won't be best pleased after they picked up your Mac and paid employees to take a look at it. If you do refuse you will be charged at a ballpark figure of around £50-70 ($100.)
If at this moment in time you contemplating sending your Mac to Apple please weigh up these three scenarios which could take place, with two of them giving you a considerable cost. And the other which is unlikely.
Third Party Companies
For those who do not want to include Apple in the process there are other steps which can be taken. The main option is that you use a third-party repairer to do the fix for you. Most will pick up and drop off your Mac, fix the screen and supply you with a one year warranty for a sum which is far lower than what Apple may have quoted you.
Readers in the UK could try Apple Laptop Screens. The company has shops all over the UK so hopefully there is a store of theirs nearby which can solve your problem quickly. Here you will be able to get a better quote than Apple direct. Alternatively, look for a trusted, independent Apple specialist such as MacFixer or Bramley Computers. As with anyone you deal with online, it is wise to read some reviews; do a little research so that you know who you are dealing with.
For readers in the USA there is a wider choice. Two major players are Mission:Repair and PowerbookMedic.
Make Do and Mend
There are two further options that will work out more cost effective than having Apple or an independent Apple specialist replace the screen for you.
External Monitor
There are plenty of monitors out there at reasonable prices which will allow you to still use your Mac. With my Mac Mini I use an Asus VS239HR IPS 23' display which only cost me around the £140 mark. This inexpensive monitor has good picture quality.
To attach your Mac to an external monitor you will probably need a Mini-Display to VGA Adapter. You can pick these up from Apple for £21 ($29.) I bought a brand new Apple official adapter from eBay for £10. It pays to look around before purchasing from Apple. There are also non-official adapters, but these may not work as smoothly.
To be frank, the method of using an external monitor and connecting it to your Mac is only really a short term fix. This may not work for users who want portability back.
Fix It Yourself
The second and possibly the cheapest of all is to fix the screen yourself. One search in eBay for 'MacBook Air Screen Replacement' gives me seventy different results, with some of them being around the £50 mark.
If you are going to go ahead with this method I would recommend searching first on Google. Many websites have outlined the techniques which effectively show readers how to go about the process safely.
I would only recommend following this method if you feel truly confident in this skill.
Wrap-Up
When your Mac screen breaks, don't assume you're going to break the bank fixing it again. In this tutorial, I've outlined a number of different ways in which you can overcome a Mac with a broken screen. The nature of the fix depends upon your budget. I'd recommend that you do not rush into the decision. Instead, weigh up all options before making a move.
Have you had any experience with broken Mac screens? How did you fix yours? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple has extended free repairs of anti-reflective coating issues for select MacBook and MacBook Pro models.
Apple has authorized coverage within four years from the original purchase date of affected models, according to an internal document distributed to Apple Authorized Service Providers and later obtained by MacRumors. Eligible models, listed below, qualify for a free display replacement within the four-year coverage period. Check your receipt to determine the exact purchase date of your MacBook or MacBook Pro.
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2013)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2013)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2013)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2013)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2014)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2014)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2015)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
• MacBook (12-inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook (12-inch, Early 2016)
• MacBook (12-inch, Early 2017)
Apple previously confirmed to us that this repair program continues to be handled internally rather than being publicly announced.
Affected customers can schedule a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store using the Apple Support app. Or, on the Get Support page, click Mac → Mac Notebooks → Hardware Issues → Display Issue and options should be presented to initiate a repair or contact Apple via phone, email, or online chat.
Apple's support website will ask for your Mac's serial number, which can be found by clicking on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and clicking on About This Mac in the dropdown menu.
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We've learned that Apple has supposedly prohibited support advisors from mentioning details about the anti-reflective coating repair program in online chat sessions, so visiting an Apple Store may be required. If you contact Apple by phone, asking for your call to be escalated to a senior advisor may help.Affected customers can also visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider to determine if their notebook is eligible for coverage. Apple's document states that these third-party repair shops can even replace displays with other damage free of charge so long as the anti-reflective coating issues are present.
Apple's internal document also states that customers who already incurred out-of-warranty costs related to this issue continue to be eligible for a refund, which can be initiated by contacting Apple support directly.
Apple first began this repair program in October 2015, and already extended it once, after some MacBook and MacBook Pro users experienced issues with the anti-reflective coating wearing off or delaminating on Retina displays.
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The damage appears to be caused by a variety of factors, including the pressure of the keyboard and trackpad on the display when closed, and the use of incorrect third-party cleaning solutions with microfiber cloths.
Best Glass Cleaner
Over 12,000 customers joined a Facebook group dedicated to the issue, and hundreds of others have claimed to be affected across the Apple Support Communities, MacRumors forums, Twitter, Reddit, and other discussion platforms. The website Staingate.org contains a gallery of damaged displays.