How long does it take to replace a Macbook Pro screen

[mwaxx]

Hey guys,

i have blotches on my screen, i took this to apple, while addressing my broken charger, the guy was quite snappy about my charger, claiming it was my fault, but anyway thats another story. i asked about my screen and he was reluctant to do anything about it, but in the end he said 'i can fix it as part of your warranty but you wont want me to unless you dont want your mac for a week cause thats how long it'll take.' i was sceptical of this as it only took them 20 minutes to replace my trackpad, which i'd assume was only half the job of replacing the screen

so basically, how long should it take to replace the screen?

thanks guys!

 

[pigoo3]

...i was sceptical of this as it only took them 20 minutes to replace my trackpad, which i'd assume was only half the job of replacing the screen...

I would not assume this. I've replaced a couple "upper cases" (the part that is replaced when there is trackpad trouble). The display may take longer...but probably not LOTS longer.

Also remamber that your computer may not be the ONLY computer they have in for repairs (others may be ahead of you)...AND...it's also possible your Apple Store may not have the part needed...and may need to order it.

- Nick

 

[mwaxx]

@pigoo3

ah true, sorry man i wasnt sure, i just cant imagine replacing a small part such as the trackpad would take a substantial amount of time less than a screen.

in all fairness i find it hard to believe that they have THAT many repairs that they cant repair it for a week, after they did my trackpad within the same day. i mean, these guys repair devices all day long, surely they wouldnt have a weeks worth of repairs?

but no the guy said thats how long it would take assuming the part was in stock, otherwise i'd understand

 

[pigoo3]

@pigoo3

ah true, sorry man i wasnt sure, i just cant imagine replacing a small part such as the trackpad would take a substantial amount of time less than a screen.

in all fairness i find it hard to believe that they have THAT many repairs that they cant repair it for a week, after they did my trackpad within the same day. i mean, these guys repair devices all day long, surely they wouldnt have a weeks worth of repairs?

but no the guy said thats how long it would take assuming the part was in stock, otherwise i'd understand

Two things...just cause a part is small...does not mean that it's easy & fast to replace. Like I mentioned...when the trackpad is replaced...the whole upper case is replaced (palm rest area, keyboard, speakers, and the trackpad)...it's all one piece. But it doesn't take more than 20-30 minutes for someone to do that knows what they're doing.

As far as the repair guys having a weeks worth of repairs to do. Well they are "repair guys"...and Apple certainly doesn't want to pay employees to just sit around twiddling their thumbs. So they may have a backlog of repairs...and when they don't have repairs they probably work at the "Genius Bar" and maybe as salespersons.

It's really hard to say why the person you spoke with said that it would take a week. Could be:

- backlog of repairs
- need to order the parts
- bad estimate
- grumpy employee
- maybe a couple of the repair employees quit recently...and so they are short-staffed

Apple is usually VERY good about warranty repairs. Maybe if you have them do the work...it will be done a lot faster than the 1 week estimate.

So what's the deal...did you have them do the repair work...or are you still deciding?

- Nick

 

[gtirr]

I thought we were talking about replacing the screen (LCD), not the track pad?
He mentioned that he did already have his track pad replaced I thought?
Sounds like a poor Mac Book has had a rough life.....
Russ

 

[mwaxx]

@pigoo3
thanks for your replies man but when i had my trackpad replaced, it was only the trackpad that was changed, my keys were still the same i believe although im not 100% sure so i'll take your word for it. but it is a good point, i know they could've had a lot of repairs to do, but i have to be honest, i think it was down to the employee and time of day (was 5:30pm to be fair)

but no i didnt get it done, after arguing with the worker for a good 10 minutes over the fact the head of my charger (the magsafe bit that connects to the laptop actually came off the wire) because he was claiming it must have been someone tripping over the wire, when i said it wasnt, stating that would be impossible seeing as how that would defy the entire mechanism of the magsafe adapter and it genuinely wasnt, it wouldnt charge, and with no real pressure i removed it by accident. i just wanted to get out as quickly as possible and the worker felt the same about me i think. he actually argued over the screen issue, which i accept is minor, but at the end of the day its an issue that shouldnt be present and certainly not after i've paid £1000 for the privelidge! but hey, im not here to slate the apple employees i suppose.

@gtirr yeah it is about the screen replacement, i just used my trackpad repair as an earlier example. and it hasnt really, i suppose i've been picky but the trackpad cracked when i pressed it, the charger has been faulty TWICE and now i have this screen issue which i cant even seem to put down to my own doing at all. i cant even think of a reason its there, to me it looks like its a burn from the apple logo on the back but that is a bit farfetched and a clutch at straws i suppose

 

[6string]

To give you an idea of the work involved:
Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2009 LCD - iFixit

Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 LCD - iFixit

 

[mwaxx]

To give you an idea of the work involved:
Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2009 LCD - iFixit

Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 LCD - iFixit

just flicked through, for an experienced apple repair guy (probably not correct terminology) i wouldnt expect that to take more than an hour, maybe an hour and a half, i certainly wouldnt expect a week!

 

[6string]

As someone who used to be an electrician, and had my own appliance repair business as a service agent for Phillips and Breville, I can tell you that taking parts availability, labour, and jobs in the queue, that a week is fair.
Sure, it could be less, but if you were told 24-48 hour turnaround and it took 36-72, how happy would you be.
The more time you spend on here harping on about it, the longer it will take to have your Mac fixed?

Yes, the job itself would probably take 1-1 1/2hrs for the experienced person working on it, but you are not the only customer, and as advised, the part may not even be in stock.

Be happy that you're not dealing with Dell or some other company

 

[mwaxx]

@6string

thanks for your reply i actually think i'd have been fine with 72 hours, or even anything justifiable but a week in my opinion isnt, i mean, apple have a lot of staff that are employed to do just this. i suppose in comparison to other repair which took far less time, i just assumed that all repairs would be like that but obviously not. but yeah i suppose i should get around to it really
haha i can be thankful for some things i suppose!

 

[pigoo3]

@pigoo3
thanks for your replies man but when i had my trackpad replaced, it was only the trackpad that was changed, my keys were still the same i believe although im not 100% sure so i'll take your word for it.

You're probably right about the keyboard...I'm more familiar with MacBook's where the keys are replaced as well. I don't know which MacBook Pro model you have...but this is most likely the part that was replaced (or very similar) on your computer to fix the trackpad. As you can see...the trackpad is integrated into the "upper case":

MacBook Pro 15" (Model A1226) Upper Case (922-8036) - iFixit

- Nick

 

[pigoo3]

Sure, it could be less, but if you were told 24-48 hour turnaround and it took 36-72, how happy would you be.

Well said...I was going to mention this earlier as well. Always better to overestimate how long a job will take...and deliver early (or on time)...thus a happy customer. Than to underestimate...deliver late...and have an unhappy customer.

- Nick

 

[mwaxx]

yeah in all fairness i would prefer to be pleasantly surprised with a time. but in this situation, it just annoyed me, maybe it was the attitude it was delivered in.

assuming the part was in stock, and there was no mass overhaul of devices to be repaired, do you guys think a week is an acceptable estimate?

 

[6string]

yeah in all fairness i would prefer to be pleasantly surprised with a time. but in this situation, it just annoyed me, maybe it was the attitude it was delivered in.

assuming the part was in stock, and there was no mass overhaul of devices to be repaired, do you guys think a week is an acceptable estimate?

Well, I've given my input, as has Nick regarding this question, so I guess I'll bail out now as there is really nothing more to add.

 

[mwaxx]

haha cool well thanks for your help guys!

 

[pigoo3]

yeah in all fairness i would prefer to be pleasantly surprised with a time. but in this situation, it just annoyed me, maybe it was the attitude it was delivered in.

assuming the part was in stock, and there was no mass overhaul of devices to be repaired, do you guys think a week is an acceptable estimate?

If the folks at your Apple Store agreed to replace your display for free...under warranty (even if it's just a minor issue)...I would jump on the opportunity ASAP!!! Who cares if it takes a week...you're getting your display replaced for FREE!!!

Gotta stay focused on the big picture!

- Nick