Laptop screen

[BO Terry]

What is your favorite source for ordering laptop LCD screens? I don't do them often but take them when they come along and time allows. I see laptopscreen.com in search results pretty often but haven't ordered from them. Of course, there is Amazon. of these two, laptopscreen.com seems to be about $10 more, mainly because of shipping cost vs Amazon's Prime.

I have already verified that the screen is a 30 pin and definitely bad. The laptop work's fine connected to an external monitor.

 

[sapphirescales]

It depends on whether it's important that I get a screen that works 100% the first time around. When I'm ordering for a client that's waiting on a repair, I use laptopscreen.com most of the time. Their service can't be beat and it's very rare that I get a bad screen. When it's something that I've gotten in on trade and I don't mind it sitting around for a few more days if I end up getting a bum screen, I buy the cheapest screen I can find used on eBay. Even buying used crap on eBay it's fine 90% of the time. It's also as much as 50% less than buying new from laptopscreen.com so it helps add to the bottom line.

We keep quite a few screens in stock (mostly ordered from laptopscreen.com) that we can use for a quick turnaround. There are only so many makes/models of screens. If we have to special order a screen, we typically buy 2 of them just so we have another one in stock. Then when we sell that one we buy 2 more. Some of these screens are virtually identical and will fit in many different models so we end up having a lot more than 1 or 2 on hand that will fit a lot of different laptops.

These are the factors used to determine whether a screen will work or not:

1. Screen size (duh)
2. Screen resolution
3. Screen aspect ratio (not such a big concern nowadays as 99% of screens are 16:9)
4. LDVS connection location (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right, etc.)
5. Pin layout and # of pins
6. Backlight type

So long as the replacement screen and the original screen have all these things in common, it will work 99% of the time. The make/model of the screen is irrelevant. There are often both glossy and matte variations of the screens, but that's more of a personal preference and doesn't affect compatibility.

 

[River Valley Computer]

We have over the years had very good luck with screencountry.com. Haven't yet received a bad one and they discount to service centers. They sell to us at 2+ quantity pricing.

 

[frase]

I just dissemble check model number code on back, and purchase via a supplier I have. Originally found them on Fleabay, is a business not far from me. So is usually next day delivery, I charge 80 for Install then add x to part - usually profit around $120. It does depend on the model though as some are simple others are a pain.

I don't bother with touchscreens, to much pain for little gain.

 

[BO Terry]

I charge 80 for Install then add x to part - usually profit around $120. It does depend on the model though as some are simple others are a pain.

I don't bother with touchscreens, to much pain for little gain.

I don't do touchscreen's either for the same reason.

You bring up another question. What do you mark up parts such as this? I have been marking most things x 1.2. FYI: I am a work from home with no storefront overhead.

 

[BO Terry]

It depends on whether it's important that I get a screen that works 100% the first time around. When I'm ordering for a client that's waiting on a repair, I use laptopscreen.com most of the time. Their service can't be beat and it's very rare that I get a bad screen. When it's something that I've gotten in on trade and I don't mind it sitting around for a few more days if I end up getting a bum screen, I buy the cheapest screen I can find used on eBay. Even buying used crap on eBay it's fine 90% of the time. It's also as much as 50% less than buying new from laptopscreen.com so it helps add to the bottom line.

We keep quite a few screens in stock (mostly ordered from laptopscreen.com) that we can use for a quick turnaround. There are only so many makes/models of screens. If we have to special order a screen, we typically buy 2 of them just so we have another one in stock. Then when we sell that one we buy 2 more. Some of these screens are virtually identical and will fit in many different models so we end up having a lot more than 1 or 2 on hand that will fit a lot of different laptops.

These are the factors used to determine whether a screen will work or not:

1. Screen size (duh)
2. Screen resolution
3. Screen aspect ratio (not such a big concern nowadays as 99% of screens are 16:9)
4. LDVS connection location (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right, etc.)
5. Pin layout and # of pins
6. Backlight type

So long as the replacement screen and the original screen have all these things in common, it will work 99% of the time. The make/model of the screen is irrelevant. There are often both glossy and matte variations of the screens, but that's more of a personal preference and doesn't affect compatibility.

Thanks for all the info! I ordered from laptopscreen.com yesterday afternoon and they have a shipping location in DE (I'm in NC so it should be quick).

 

[BO Terry]

We have over the years had very good luck with screencountry.com. Haven't yet received a bad one and they discount to service centers. They sell to us at 2+ quantity pricing.

I will save this info for next time. It is good to have options!

 

[mikeroq]

I don't mind touchscreens. I just don't mess with sealed ones. Some laptops have a touch panel that replaces pretty much the same as a normal panel.

If it's a sealed glass deal then I quote the whole assembly. I'm not going to mess with trying to get the raw panel out. Same if its non touch but sealed.

 

[sapphirescales]

I don't mind touchscreens. I just don't mess with sealed ones. Some laptops have a touch panel that replaces pretty much the same as a normal panel.

If it's a sealed glass deal then I quote the whole assembly. I'm not going to mess with trying to get the raw panel out. Same if its non touch but sealed.

It really depends on HOW it's sealed. If it's sealed with adhesive, it will likely be impossible to put back together without visual defects. But there are a lot of touchscreens that are just held together with clips. Those are almost as easy to replace as a regular, non-touchscreen. Unfortunately you don't know that until you try, so I let my clients decide whether they want me to try or not. Usually the thing is broken anyway so it doesn't matter if I make it worse, but when it's just the glass and my client is willing to live with a crack vs. spending $500+ for an entire upper assembly replacement it can get tricky.

 

[mikeroq]

It really depends on HOW it's sealed. If it's sealed with adhesive, it will likely be impossible to put back together without visual defects. But there are a lot of touchscreens that are just held together with clips. Those are almost as easy to replace as a regular, non-touchscreen. Unfortunately you don't know that until you try, so I let my clients decide whether they want me to try or not. Usually the thing is broken anyway so it doesn't matter if I make it worse, but when it's just the glass and my client is willing to live with a crack vs. spending $500+ for an entire upper assembly replacement it can get tricky.

Well yea by sealed I mean glued. Also if I am not familiar with the model I will check the service manual or other sources to confirm if it's glued or not.

 

[sapphirescales]

Well yea by sealed I mean glued. Also if I am not familiar with the model I will check the service manual or other sources to confirm if it's glued or not.

Unfortunately the service manuals don't usually say whether the screen is glued together or not. I just did a Dell Latitude E5250 with a touchscreen and there was adhesive crap between the glass and the LCD. It was clear so it was impossible to see until I started taking it apart and the glass started to bubble. According to the service manual, it just comes right off. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I ended up having to order the entire assembly.

 

[mikeroq]

Well with a design like that with the glass of course it would have adhesive. It seems they didn't include a section about the touch version. The manual clearly shows pictures of a non touch. They probably assumed the entire assembly would be replaced for a touch version.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 9 while driv ik gndjfhd

 

[frase]

I don't do touchscreen's either for the same reason.

You bring up another question. What do you mark up parts such as this? I have been marking most things x 1.2. FYI: I am a work from home with no storefront overhead.

I add + $30 to the cost of part

 

[Diggs]

I have been marking most things x 1.2

A 20% markup like you are doing is OK on higher dollar items ($100+) but probably should be higher on the low dollar stuff. Some of it depends on how you price it to the customer. Do you show the part price on your invoice or just a job total. If you are showing the part price separate (and in some places you have to do that) then the customer can Amazon or Ebay the part cost themselves and although some understand you need to make a profit on parts others will argue no matter how small the mark up. Best (if you can in your state) is just charge single price for the job. Then the customer can't pick you apart.

 

[frase]

I invoice as Screen Replacement + Installation myself - don't separate.

 

[Diggs]

I invoice as Screen Replacement + Installation myself - don't separate.

There are some places in the states where there is no tax on service but there is on the physical goods. Hence you have to separate the two. Here in Wisconsin there is tax on both so I combine. To keep things simple since I'm usually mobile I don't charge any taxes but I include it in my pricing because I do pay all sales taxes to the state. I would hate to quote a price and then when payment comes due I'd add distance charges and taxes and...... "But that's not what you quoted" says the customer and they'd be right. So - if I quote $250. It's $250. No adds.

 

[BO Terry]

I invoice as Screen Replacement + Installation myself - don't separate.

I can see doing this. Do you show the part(s) listed separately? Just curious in case there is a warranty issue on the part down the line. Also, for accounting purposes showing parts in vs parts out (vs parts used in house). FYI: I am in a state where, as of 2016, parts and service are both taxable at the same rate.

 

[Markverhyden]

I just bill as flat rate repair. If it includes an expensive part I'll have the customer but it. Small stuff, like a spindle, I purchase but do pay sales tax when I purchase it. No service tax here.

 

[ell]

What is your favorite source for ordering laptop LCD screens? I don't do them often but take them when they come along and time allows. I see laptopscreen.com in search results pretty often but haven't ordered from them. Of course, there is Amazon. of these two, laptopscreen.com seems to be about $10 more, mainly because of shipping cost vs Amazon's Prime.

I have already verified that the screen is a 30 pin and definitely bad. The laptop work's fine connected to an external monitor.

Don't make the mistake I made, touchscreen video fine on external, replaced with new but still bad, didn't check the cable. He didn't want to wait for a cable (and not 100% sure it wasn't still something with the mobo video connection) so I made one of these for next time!

 

[BO Terry]

Thanks for sharing @ell