MacBook Air Screen Replacement Guide

In early 2008, the MacBook Air was introduced as a sleek, lightweight Apple netbook computer designed to revolutionize computers for generations to come. Once the MacBook Air evolved and improved in 2010, it replaced the MacBook as Apple’s distinct line of consumer laptops. Technology pioneers like the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air run into malfunctions such as; dead pixels and learning to properly protect your MacBook Air, replacement costs and repairing your device on your own are all important.

How to Protect the MacBook Air Screen

The average price for the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air is $1,000 with a lifespan of 3-5 years. To extend the life of your device ensuring it lasts for years, we recommend the following tips to help protect your MacBook Air to avoid replacement & repair services.

• Moshi’s line of antiglare screen protectors
• BookBook offers genuine handmade leather cases, reinforced corners, and a cushioned spine to withstand outside impacts.
• iGlaze cases consist of two ultrathin plastic covers for the top and bottom of your MacBook Air that shields it from dings and scratches.
• Bodyguardz offers a carbon fiber armor that’s equipped with a PVC-based texturized film that adheres to your MacBook Air and enables your screen to remain scratch-free.

Regularly cleaning and disinfecting your screen will also keep maintenance costs low and ensure your device looks good too. Cleaning solutions by iKlear or Radtech’s OmniCleanz will scrub grime and grit off your MacBook Air’s screen and tight areas on your keyboard. To properly clean your MacBook Air’s screen, please do the following.

• Completely shut down your device and unplug the power cord along with any other connected devices
• Whether you use a cleaning solution or water, never spray directly onto the screen, but onto a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, then gently wipe the screen

No matter which protector or cleaning solution you choose, each will ensure you prolong the life of your MacBook Air’s screen.

MacBook Air Display Replacement Cost

Accidents happen, so if you need to replace your MacBook Air’s cracked screen, it’s highly recommended that you turn to expert technicians. However, there are other options, and you should consider finding one that best suits your needs.

Official Apple Service

If your Apple one-year limited warranty has expired, expect to pay a minimum of $700 to repair or change your broken MacBook Air screen. You can always invest in Apple’s Protection Plan for your MacBook Air that costs $249.00.

Competitors of CPR

There are also alternative repair solutions like uBreakiFix who charge $299.99 (labor not included) to repair the 11-in MacBook Air Unibody LCD screen and charge an additional $100.00 for the 13-in.

CPR Service

To ensure your MacBook Air’s screen is replaced for the best price, with the highest quality parts and the quickest turnaround, the technicians at CPR Cell Phone Repair are the experts to trust and rely on. To repair your MacBook Air Unibody LCD screen, the experts of CPR Cell Phone Repair charge $350.00 (labor included) for the 11-inch and $400 (labor included) for the 13-in with an average repair turnaround time of one hour. All CPR repairs are completed by certified technicians and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

How to Replace MacBook Air Screen – DIY Guide

If you are technologically savvy, follow these step-by-step instructions to replace your MacBook Air 13” screen by yourself. Before starting your repair, make sure you have the following tools.

• P5 Pentalobe screwdriver retina MacBook Pro and Air
• T5 Torx screwdriver
• T8 Torx screwdriver
• Spudger
• MacBook Air 13” display assembly

Step 1: The Lower Case

Before starting your repair, power down your computer. Close the display and lay top-side down. Proceed by removing the following ten screws:

• Eight 2.6 mm P5 pentalobe screws
• Two 9 mm P5 pentalobe screws
• Note: To remove the ten 5-point pentalobe screws, you’ll need a special screwdriver which can be found here.

Step 2

Carefully wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case. Gently pull upward and remove the lower case from your Air and set it to the side.

Step 3: The Battery Connector

So each component is completely de-energized while you repair, it’s recommended that you disconnect the battery.

Gently pull the clear plastic tab attached to the battery connector toward the front edge of the Air. Doing so will completely disconnect the battery from the Air’s logic board.

*Note: As you disconnect, do not lift upward on the connector.

Step 4: The I/O Board Cable

Using the flat end of the spudger, pry the I/O board cable connector up and out of the socket on the board.

Step 5:

Slowly peel the I/O board cable from the adhesive that’s securing it to the top of the fan.

Step 6

Slowly and gently pull the I/O board cable upward near the connection to the logic board, while using the flat end of the spudger tool to pry gently up on alternating sides of the connector to slide it out of its socket. Then you can freely remove the I/O board cable.

*Note: Be extremely cautious when disconnecting the following connector as it has a very deep socket. Going too fast with too much pressure could cause serious damage.

Step 7: The Fan

Using the tip of the spudger, slowly flip up the retaining flap on the fan cable ZIF socket. Ensure you’re prying up on the hinged retaining flat and not the socket itself.

Step 8

Gently peel the rubber gasket off of the adhesive on the top of the fan.

Step 9: Remove The Screws

The following screws must now be removed in over to free the fan to the upper case.

• One 3.3 mm T5 Torx screw
• One 4.4 mm T5 Torx screw with a short head
• One 5.2 mm T5 Torx screw

Step 10

Slowly lift the fan from the I/O board side and pull it from the upper case. When removing the fan, this will also disconnect the fan ribbon cable so be careful not to snag it on anything.

Step 11: The I/O Board

To disconnect the I/O board, gently pull its power cable away from its socket directly on the logic board. Slowly pull the cable parallel to the face of the logic board toward the right edge of the MacBook Air.

Step 12

Using the flat end of the spudger, gently pry the left speaker cable connector up and away from its socket located on the I/O board. It’s very important that you pry up from beneath the wires.

Step 13

Carefully flip up the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket using the tip of the spudger tool. Make sure you’re flipping up the retaining flap and not the socket itself or serious damage can occur.

Step 14

Remove the 4.1 mm T5 Torx screw that’s securing the I/O board to the upper case.

Step 15

Slowly de-route the camera cable from its notch on the I/O board and gently push it out of the way using the tip of the spudger.

Step 16

Carefully lift the I/O board from the logic board side and pull it free from the upper case. Once you remove the I/O board, this will also disconnect the microphone ribbon cable.

Step 17: The Display Assembly

Using the flat end of the spudger, gently pry each of the antenna connectors up and away from their sockets on the AirPort/Bluetooth card.

Step 18

Using the spudger tool, disconnect the camera cable connector. First, push on one side of the connector and then on the other side so that it gently glides out of its socket. Gently pull the camera cable parallel to the face of the I/O board toward the front edge of the Air ensuring to disconnect it from its socket.

Step 19

Carefully pull the plastic tab on the display cable connector to unlock it.

Step 20

Gently pull the display data cable connector straight out of the socket. When pulling the display data cable, ensure you pull parallel to the logic board and not straight up from the socket.

Step 21

Located on each side, remove the four inner 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws securing both the left and right display hinges to the upper case. Leave the outer screws in place as they’ll aid in disassembly.

Step 22

Carefully de-route the antenna cables out of the channel that’s cut into the upper case.

Step 23

With ease, open the display so that it’s perpendicular to the upper case.

Step 24

While steadily holding the MacBook Air, remove the remaining 5.6 mm T8 Torx screw from the left display bracket.

Step 25

Carefully turn the computer onto its opposite edge so you can easily access the right display screw. Prior to removing the last display screw, carefully hold the display and the upper case steady with both hands. Not doing so will allow the components to fall onto the table thus causing more damage.

Remove the remaining 5.6 mm T8 Torx screw that’s securing the display to the upper case.

Step 26

Slightly open your MacBook Air and allow room for the hinges to slide out of their notches. Then push the upper case slightly toward the display assemble, then slowly push it back from the hinges. Once both display hinges have cleared the upper case, remove the display completely and set it aside.

Step 27

When ready to reassemble, use the flat end of the spudger to tuck the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna back into its proper channel. To reassemble your MacBook Air, follow these steps in reverse order.

To ensure the most qualified technicians perform your MacBook Air repair with the highest quality parts, you can rely on the experts at CPR. To learn more about MacBook Air screen replacements, please contact your local CPR Cell Phone Repair shop today!