MacBook Air M1 screen replacement?

Barry Smalley · 30 Oct 2024 at 04:19

A couple of weeks ago, I was cleaning the black border of my screen with a microfibre cloth and came across a very small hard lump - a bit like a shard of a sweet. Wondered what it was and thought it might pick off with a little amount of pressure from my nail. I look after my gear so wasn’t rough with it at all.
Anyway after a bit of an attempt to shift it, I fail and get a green line down the screen and the lump stays where it is. Honestly, it’s minute. Maybe half a mil across.

Anyway, the screen has been getting worse as the MacBook boots but goes dark after a while, even though the keyboard is lit up and still responsive. This is getting more frequent. I can’t really see if being a GPU issue as it has never been dropped or damaged, so assuming it’s something to do with the screen and needs a new one?

Where would you send it or does anybody have any other suggestions of what to do with it. I’d upgrade, but I really like the wedge shape of the M1 airs and it’s been a cracking machine.

ChrisD. · 30 Oct 2024 at 07:12

No AppleCare+ on if?

Barry Smalley · 30 Oct 2024 at 13:01

No, it expired a few years ago. Should have probably kept it running in hindsight, although by now I’m sure I’d have paid out more than what it’s worth.

ChrisD. · 30 Oct 2024 at 14:36

Without AP+ I think it would be uneconomical to repair it through Apple.

I would still take it in and see what they say, they often do goodwill etc.

rp2000 · 30 Oct 2024 at 15:28

Barry Smalley said:
A couple of weeks ago, I was cleaning the black border of my screen with a microfibre cloth and came across a very small hard lump - a bit like a shard of a sweet. Wondered what it was and thought it might pick off with a little amount of pressure from my nail. I look after my gear so wasn’t rough with it at all.
Anyway after a bit of an attempt to shift it, I fail and get a green line down the screen and the lump stays where it is. Honestly, it’s minute. Maybe half a mil across.

Anyway, the screen has been getting worse as the MacBook boots but goes dark after a while, even though the keyboard is lit up and still responsive. This is getting more frequent. I can’t really see if being a GPU issue as it has never been dropped or damaged, so assuming it’s something to do with the screen and needs a new one?

Where would you send it or does anybody have any other suggestions of what to do with it. I’d upgrade, but I really like the wedge shape of the M1 airs and it’s been a cracking machine.

We had one without Apple are at my place of work (Air M1 2020). Iirc Apple charged tree fiddy to replace it! Possible with VAT added on top. This was a couple of years back.

rp2000

Barry Smalley · 31 Oct 2024 at 07:30

That’s not so bad then if it includes VAT. I’ve seen other places offering at £250 ish but it’s obviously better to pay the extra and get it done at Apple.

rp2000 · 31 Oct 2024 at 08:57

Barry Smalley said:
That’s not so bad then if it includes VAT. I’ve seen other places offering at £250 ish but it’s obviously better to pay the extra and get it done at Apple.

Sorry, to clarify they charged the VAT but as it was a business we deduct it etc. so factor in 20% more

rp2000

Barry Smalley · 31 Oct 2024 at 15:04

Thank you for clarifying though. I think I’ll nip into Apple and see how much it’s going to be.

JollyJamma · 1 Nov 2024 at 10:04

Barry Smalley said:
Thank you for clarifying though. I think I’ll nip into Apple and see how much it’s going to be.

Let us know when you get your answer?

Might be worth picking up a used screen and manually replacing it yourself.

You could also just run the Mac with an external monitor.

I have been looking to pick up a damaged Mac to repair for my own use but there are a lot of factors in what exactly happened to the unit as to if you can repair it.