A broken laptop screen is immediately visible and immediately alarming. But in most cases it's a straightforward repair — and almost always cheaper than a new laptop.
Types of Screen Damage
Cracked LCD is the most common — pressure or impact breaks the LCD panel. The display shows black patches, coloured lines, or a spider-web crack pattern. The laptop itself is completely fine; only the screen needs replacing.
Backlight failure — the screen appears very dim or completely dark but you can faintly see the desktop if you shine a torch at an angle. The panel is fine; the backlight LED strip or inverter has failed.
Dead pixels — individual pixels stuck on white, black or a fixed colour. Small numbers are tolerable; larger patches usually warrant replacement.
Flickering — can be the screen itself, the display cable (often the cheapest fix), or a driver issue. Worth diagnosing before committing to a panel replacement.
What a Screen Replacement Costs in Melbourne
For most Windows laptops (HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer), screen replacement costs $150–$350 including parts and labour, depending on screen size and resolution. 4K screens and touchscreens are more expensive than standard 1080p panels.
MacBook screens are significantly more expensive: $300–$700+ depending on the model. MacBook Pro Retina panels are especially costly. We always give a firm quote before starting.
Can You Connect an External Monitor?
Yes — while waiting for a repair or to confirm the laptop itself still works, plug in an external monitor via HDMI or USB-C. Most laptops output video fine even with a completely dead screen.
Is It Worth Repairing?
If the repair cost is more than half the replacement value of the laptop, the maths get difficult. We'll always tell you honestly whether repair makes sense for your specific machine.