The latest Apple news from the experts in Mac, iPhone, iPod, and iPad Repair. This blog covers everything from new repair guide releases to tips and tricks to the latest take aparts on the newest gadgets.
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.
13” Macbook Glass - $59.95
13” Macbook Pro Glass - $59.95
15” Macbook Pro Glass - $69.95
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.
The guide below is for the 13 Inch Macbook and Macbook Pro Unibody models. The 15 Inch procedure is similar, but not identical. We’ll have that guide available shortly.
If you’re not up for the repair, our Mac Service Center can do the job for you for $154.95 for a 15″ Macbook Pro, $154.95 for a 13″ Macbook or Macbook Pro, or $164.95 for a 17″ Macbook Pro.
The Procedure: (Video Format)
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The Procedure: (Text and Photo Format)
Click on any photo to go to a higher detail photo.
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.
Caution: When pulling up on the suction cup, you should have to exert some force. However, do not apply excessive force as this could crack your glass or LCD. When you meet resistance, heat the area and repeat. At a certain point the glass will easily come free from the rest of the display assembly. Set the glass to the side on a clean, dust free, surface.
Next, remove 4 philips head screws ( 2 on either side ) holding the LCD to the display frame. Then remove the 2 philips head screws at the bottom of the display.
Next remove the clutch cover by sliding it to the side and applying a gentle upward pressure.
Flip the display assembly forward, and the LCD will come free from the backing.
Gently work the LVDS cable out of the opening in the bottom of the display frame to remove the LCD from the display assembly.
All of the pieces of the Macbook Unibody Display Assembly
To reassemble, place the LCD back in the frame, and insert the LVDS cable backwards through the opening in the bottom the display frame. Then pull the cable through the opening. You can use a plastic pry tool to assist you in routing the cable. Be very careful with this cable as it can be easily damaged.
Line the bottom of the LCD up with the bottom frame, and slide it into the groove in the bottom frame. Then make sure the 6 screw holes are properly aligned. Replace the 6 philip head screws.
Before putting the glass back on, use a cloth to glean any dust or fingerprints from the LCD and glass panel.
We just added a slew of Mac Pro and Intel iMac hard drives to the site. The drives are all Hitachi brand and come with a 3 year warranty. Here’s the rundown:
Today we began carrying 750GB Internal hard drives for the Macbook Pro Unibody models. (The drives also work with the 17″ Macbook Pro with silver keys.) This drive will not work with other models as it has a taller form factor.
Today we unveiled a whole new interface for our repair videos and take apart guides. Our main goal with this overhaul was to provide an overall better user experience when using our free mac repair guides.
The first place we started was with navigation. We wanted to be able for our customers to be able to access all of our videos and guides with as few clicks as possible. What we did was to completely scrap our old drop down selection system in favor of a device type category navigation. Now, all you have to do is click on your device type, click on the model type, and click on the video you would like to view.
Below is a screenshot of the new interface.
Our next goal was to make the actual video interface more interactive and more intuitive. Before, we were using the standard YouTube Player to distribute our video guides. Now, we’ve written our own distribution system.
In the main real estate on the video guide page, you’ll have the video you’ve selected. On the right hand side you’ll see all the other videos which make up the manual you are watching.When a video ends, it will automatically begin playback of the next video and show you what video is currently playing.
Below the player you’ll find a user star rating system that you can use to rate the particular video you are watching, and below that you’ll find a comments section that will allow you to comment or ask questions on the video you are watching.
Some guides have both videos and pdf manuals, and you’ll be able to access the PDF manual from this same interface.
Below you’ll see a screenshot of the new video interface page.
We’ve got a lot more planned for this new manual distribution interface. If you’ve got any comments on the interface or suggestions on ways to improve it, we’d love to hear your input.
The new iPod Nano with Camera is out, and what better way to celebrate than giving one away!
This week we’re giving away a Black 16GB iPod Nano with Camera. Retail value $179.00. Contest ends on September 11th at 12:00 P.M. CST.
How To Enter the Giveaway:
There are three ways to enter this week’s giveaway. You can enter multiple ways, and each individual can end up with up to 7 entries.
1.) Join us on Twitter (Click Here to visit our Twitter page) and Retweet the following message “RT @powerbookmedic is giving away the new iPod Nano: http://tiny.cc/o2aJK”
The retweet counts as 1 Entry. (You must still be a follower when the contest ends to be eligible.)
2.) Join us on Facebook and comment or interact with our wall. (Click Here to visit our Facebook Page.)
This counts as one entry. (You must still be a fan at the end of the contest to be eligible.)
3.) Write a blog post about us or the giveaway with a link back to our site and email the link for the post to twitter@powerbookmedic.com.
One blog post will count as 5 entries. Only one blog post per individual.The total number of entries possible per individual is 7. The contest is over on Friday September 11th at 12:00 PM CST.
Rules and Regulations
No purchase necessary
Must be 18 years or older to enter to be eligible to win the prize
Void where prohibited by law
PowerbookMedic reserves the right to refuse any submission for any reason
Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received
Winner will be listed on the website, twitter, and notified by email
Prizes are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash
Entries will be accepted through Friday September 11th at 12:00 P.M. CST.
Employees of PowerbookMedic, affiliates, and their families are not eligible to enter
All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply
Participating entrants agree that PowerbookMedic, its subsidiaries, participating sponsors, their affiliates, officers, directors, agents and their employees shall not be responsible for lost, misdirected, illegible or late entries
The iPodwillshipviaUPSGround for free unless the winner is located internationally. If the winner is located internationally, they will be responsible for the shipping charges.
PowerbookMedic is not responsible for any International shipping, duties, or taxes should the winner be located internationally.
By enrolling, contestants accept these rules and agree to be bound by the results of the prize drawings. All decisions made by PowerbookMedic are final
When you stay as busy as we do, sometimes things get put on the backburner. Today we’re releasing one such project; the iPod 4th Generation Teardown video…better late than never!
The video is embedded below, and is also available form the link below:
