How Much Does It Really Cost to Replace a Cracked MacBook Screen?

We’ve all been there – that heart-stopping moment when your beloved MacBook slips out of your hands and tumbles to the ground, landing with a sickening crunch. You slowly pick it up, dreading what you might see, and your worst fears are confirmed – the screen is shattered into a spiderweb of cracks.

As the shock wears off, the next thought that races through your mind is: how much is this going to cost me to fix?

Apple’s Official Repair Prices

If you take your MacBook with a broken screen to an Apple Store or authorized Apple repair shop, prepare yourself for some sticker shock.

For the latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, Apple charges the following amounts for a screen replacement, before taxes:

  • MacBook Air: $499 to $755
  • 13-inch MacBook Pro: $499 to $655
  • 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro: $570 to $850

Ouch. Those prices are steep enough to make you consider just buying a new laptop altogether.

Apple repairs are notoriously expensive, in part because they only use genuine Apple parts and because their repair process is time and labor-intensive to meet their high quality standards.

Third-Party and DIY Repair Options

If you can’t stomach paying Apple’s sky-high screen replacement fees, you have a couple other options to consider:

  1. Third-party repair shops: Many independent repair businesses offer MacBook screen replacements for significantly less than Apple’s prices – often in the $200 to $450 range. They typically use high-quality aftermarket parts rather than more expensive genuine Apple parts. However, using an unauthorized repair shop will void any remaining Apple warranty on your device.
  2. DIY repair: If you’re technically savvy and willing to roll up your sleeves, you can buy a MacBook screen repair kit and do the fix yourself. Reputable vendors like iFixit sell MacBook screen replacement kits for around $275 to $600 depending on your model. However, MacBook screen repairs are challenging and you risk damaging other parts in the process if you don’t know what you’re doing.

The Bottom Line

For most MacBook owners, spending $500 or more for an out-of-warranty screen repair directly from Apple just isn’t a palatable option. Considering Apple’s 1-year limited warranty doesn’t cover accidental damage, some might argue their repair prices are bordering on extortion.

Personally, if I had a MacBook with a shattered screen, I would probably take it to a well-reviewed independent repair shop and have them do the work for a more reasonable price, even if it meant losing the remaining Apple warranty.

Of course, I’d rather avoid the issue altogether by always handling my laptop with care and protecting it with a good case or sleeve!

At the end of the day, seeing that spider-shattered screen is going to hurt no matter what, but hopefully this info helps clarify your options so you can get your MacBook looking good as new again without totally breaking the bank.

Let me know in the comments what you would do or what you’ve paid for a MacBook screen repair!

And if you’re in the market for a new laptop, consider getting an extended warranty or accidental damage coverage plan so you’re protected in case of those dreaded unexpected drops.

Author

Mac Issues

At Mac Issues, we're dedicated to helping you learn how to use your Macbook properly. With tutorials, how-to troubleshooting guides & real reviews, hopefully we can make your day that little bit easier.

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