Cracked Screen on my 2020 Macbook Air M1 (A2337) after opening it up.

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Cracked Screen on my 2020 Macbook Air M1 (A2337) after opening it up.

After buying a case, screen protector, and soft keyboard cover, my thumb is what it ultimately took to crack the screen on my MBA. I simply opened it up and used my thumb at the top of the screen near the camera to push it more open, and now there is a crack where my thumb was. Mind you, it's not like I applied some extraordinary pressure to the screen, it was a very light touch. It feels like this might have been some pressure point on the screen or something. I contacted Apple, and they quoted me about $450 to replace if I sent it by mail, and $328 if I went to an Apple store. From what I have read, this seems to be a bigger issue than Apple realizes. I am assuming there is no recourse here? I do not have Apple Care. Does anyone have any suggestions on a cheaper fix?

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Jul 9, 2024 11:06 AM

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Answer 1

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John Galt

Level 10

155,666 points

Jul 9, 2024 2:37 PM in response to thies11

You can investigate Apple's Self Service Repair, although I do not know how much less it will be than having Apple perform the repair:

Self Service Repair - Apple Support

Screen covers, keyboard covers, case covers or "skins" don't protect a Mac. They damage it. There are many anecdotal reports on this site, one of which described how an Apple Store asked a customer to remove the hard case before accepting it for repair. It was not possible to remove the case without damaging it, and then Apple refused to accept the Mac for repair.

Using a camera cover, palm rest, or keyboard cover on a Mac notebook - Apple Support

Don't close your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with a cover over the camera - Apple Support

Attempting to remove a screen "protector" will also cause irreparable damage to the display panel. Once applied to the screen, the damage is done.

This is a picture of my "unprotected" MacBook Air. It has been routinely transported all over the Western hemisphere, "unprotected", for thirteen years now.

I use a soft sleeve when transporting it.

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Answer 2

Jul 9, 2024 4:43 PM in response to thies11

MacBooks screens have many pressures points as they are so thin you can try to buy used screens they come from Macs with logic board damage this will only work on Macs without the notch as apple requires calibration after repair on newer models with software only available to apple 3rd party repair shops do exist but it may take longer then apple or repairing it yourself and it probably be more expensive then doing yourself with a used screen man sure to only buy from reputable sellers to not get scammed and I can't say much about 3rd party repair shops I haven't used them in a long time I other have been repairing myself or if it's something like tuchID or faceID I bring it to apple

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

155,666 points

Jul 9, 2024 12:51 PM in response to thies11

After buying a case, screen protector, and soft keyboard cover, ...

There you go. Apple specifically admonishes us not to use such things.

I am assuming there is no recourse here?

No. You broke your Mac.

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Answer 4

thies11 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 9, 2024 4:25 PM in response to John Galt

Well, lesson learned I guess. But there really is a part of me that can't fathom how a 0.2 ounce piece of plastic could damage the screen. Even with the case, I handled it delicately. By the way, I removed the case without any further damage, so not sure what you mean there. Apple sells all of the same products, minus the screen protector, so is that really the issue? I have read plenty of other forum posts specifically mentioning the 2020 M1 display being extremely faulty and cracking after coming into contact with the slightest things. Even crumbs. Seems to me that the likelihood of the issue being attributable to other issues is relatively high.

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Answer 5

thies11 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 9, 2024 1:33 PM in response to John Galt

Right, so I should leave it unprotected when traveling and hope for the best? Apple sells cases themselves. I honestly had no idea a case could be the issue for the screen to crack. And by recourse, I meant any better ways of replacing the screen, or if it would just be better to sell it for parts and get something new.

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Cracked Screen on my 2020 Macbook Air M1 (A2337) after opening it up.

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