Replacing a Macbook LCD Without Removing The Top Case

One of the things I really enjoy about repairing computers is finding safe ways to speed up the repair process. While I’ll always follow the Apple service manuals to a T, the first few times I take apart a new machine, most experienced technicians would agree that there is usually extraneous information in the service manuals and that there are always shortcuts to be found.

A little over a year ago, I heard through the grapevine that some technicians were replacing LCDs on MacBooks (the polycarbonate kind, not the new solid aluminum ones) without removing the top case. I had already gotten to the point where I was replacing them without removing the entire display assembly, which is how the official take-apart prescribes it, but not removing the top case sounded pretty cool! Always up for a challenge, I decided to try it out, and by collaborating with my team of technicians, we were able to come up with a solution that knocked what can often be a 45 minute-plus repair down to 8-10 minutes.

Recently, I was helping out in the South Burlington store and I overheard the other technicians talking about a rumor that they heard about this LCD-replacement trick; they were debating whether or not it was a hoax. When I admitted that I often replace the LCDs without removing the top case I was asked to show them how, so I made a recording of how to do it.

This repair does take a decent amount of skill so I want to be sure to say that I don’t recommend average users try this at home; in fact I don’t recommend that any non-certified Apple Technicians fiddle with this unless you’re OK with potentially breaking an inverter board, LCD or clutch cover. It should also be reiterated that this is not the Apple-sanctioned way of replacing the LCD, so even certified technicians should proceed carefully.

All disclaimers aside, if you want to watch this neat trick, tune-in to our YouTube site:

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