Powerbook G4 Screen

Bowen · Posted: Jan 20, 2005 12:27 pm Post subject: Powerbook G4 Screen

OK, I kind of had a freak accident yesterday w/ my computer. I litterally flicked a CD across the room (in a different direction than my laptop) and the CD flew around like a boomerang only to hit my LCD at full force. Now it is spider-cracked and messed up. I called Apple, and of course this isn't covered under my applecare (apple's extended warranty) b/c it isn't manufacturers defect. for Apple to fix it they quoted me between $1000, and $1200. My laptop was $1500 new. I checked a few online places and the cheapest place I found for a new screen was 600 on PBfixit.com, the downside is I would have to do it myself. does anyone have any suggestions? I can live w/ it for a while. Even for the new screen its almost worth it for me to just get a Mac mini for $500, b/c I already have mouse, keyboard, and monitor, but then I loose mobility. Any suggestions? I'll post pictures up soon...

Bowen · Posted: Jan 20, 2005 12:29 pm Post subject:

I just tried to take a picture, and my camera doesn't like to take pictures of LCD's...

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Damn, that sucks. Check ebay... I wonder if anyone's selling a pieced out laptop.

bluefish86 · Posted: Jan 20, 2005 2:33 pm Post subject:

That really sucks. Apple usually charges huge amounts for any service to their computers. I'd stay away from them for repairs if possible. Have you checked any local repair places yet? There should be some authorized apple repair places near you. Hopefully they'll charge less

Why would you get a mac mini when you could just use the monitor with your powerbook? What model is your powerbook? Depending on how old it is, you might be able to buy a similar used one for less than the quote apple gave you.

Bowen · Posted: Jan 20, 2005 3:54 pm Post subject:

I just threw the mac mini out there. But I already have an external moniter that I hook my powerbook up to, but then I loose the mobility.... I have a 12 inch G4 powerbook, 867 mhz. I checked w/ the local reapair places and they order their stuff from apple. One of them said they could get one for 500, but charge me 250 for the install. I asked if I could do it myself, they said yeah, but its literally the screen they will give me and not the houseing for the screen, and I dont' trust myself that much...

JamesWatts · Addict Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 685 City: Santa Monica

u can usualy find screens on ebay for like 50 bucks or so. get one and have an apple store install it..or a nerd friend
-James

RD · Addict Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 626 City: Discovery Bay

6 months ago a friend of mine's 15" titanium PB screen died and I ended up selling it for him on ebay for $700 by showing a picture of it running with an external monitor. The cheapest price he could find for a new screen was $700 installed and the PB was only worth $1200-1300 so he figured he came out ahead. I watched for used screens on ebay and other places for a while and never saw one at any price. Haven't checked lately but as this is the number one thing that dies on these things I seriously doubt if you will find a $500 screen for $50 on ebay but maybe something's changed since then. One of the big things at MacWorld was portable bags for the new 17" iMacs, evidently people are looking at those for use as a portable.

Bowen · Posted: Jan 20, 2005 9:53 pm Post subject:

They have a ton of 15" PB titanium screens on ebay right now for about $100. They also have them at www.pbfixit.com for not to expensive. The 12 inch is hard to find though. I'm gonna contact a friend at Texas Instruments who works w/ LCD and DLP technology and see if he knows anything. Like I said before, I can still use the screen, its just super annoying.

RD · Addict Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 626 City: Discovery Bay

That's good news. It was a real pi$$er at the time, the screen was worth more then the computer. LCDs are finally getting to be reasonably priced and I guess that trend will continue this year.

bluefish86 · Posted: Jan 21, 2005 6:41 pm Post subject:

Bowen · Posted: Jan 21, 2005 10:18 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I have an external monitor that I use...like i said, just annoying for mobility...

89comp · Posted: Jan 23, 2005 8:40 am Post subject:

well there are rumored to be new powerbooks coming out next week so maybe that will lead to a price drop on the soon to be "last generation" models. Maybe you could find a good deal from someone who wants to upgrade.