lcd screen macbook quotation

MacBook laptops from Apple are some of the most beautiful and well designed – not to mention powerful, but just like everything else man-made they aren’t impervious to accidental drops, dings, and damage.

Thanks to the fact that they are made using high-quality construction materials (especially milled aluminum) they feel indestructible in the hand, but those gorgeous retina displays have the potential to pop and spiderweb just like any other screen out there.

Unlike most laptop computer repairs, the retina display on the MacBook is very unique, and as a result much more expensive to service. Lenovo, HP, Dell and all major OEM for PCs will utilize the same display across hundreds of models, and even that display is used across multiple years of laptops.

If you are unlucky enough to have a damaged screen, chances are pretty good you started to look into how much does it cost to replace a MacBook screen at the Apple Store – and the odds are pretty good you had a tough time hammering down concrete figures without bringing your computer into a store and having someone from the Genius Bar have a look. If you wanted to make an appointment with a Genius Bar, you can find that additional information here.

In this quick guide we hope to show you about how much you can expect to have to spend on MacBook repair going forward, the total “all in” cost for getting your screen replaced, and your computer back up and running.

The MacBook Air was first released in 2008, so there are a lot of models in the wild that might need their screens replaced. The cost of the repair will depend on the model of the MacBook Air, as well as the problem it is having with its screen. Below I will cover the most common models I see for repair and the cost of repairing each model. I have been repairing MacBook Air screens since the beginning, and after repairing a few thousand screens personally, I can confidently say I am an expert Mac screen repair tech.

How much does it cost to replace a MacBook Air screen? The cost to replace a MacBook Air screen is $299 for most models. The A1466 model is $179, while the A1932 and A1279 models are $299. The A2337 model is $299 for the LCD or $429 for the entire display.

This was the longest-running design for the screen on the MacBook Air. All the different models within these years are compatible with the same LCD panels. The cost seems to be coming down on the screen repairs for these A1369 and A1466 models. The cost to repair the screen on a 2010-2017 MacBook Air is $179. This will cover the LCD panel itself, the labor to install it, and the shipping to get the computer back to you.

Apple finally did a complete rebuild on the MacBook Air in 2018 and created a new model number A1932. The newer model has a redesigned display assembly that utilizes a different LCD panel and overall build than the prior 7 years of MacBook Air models. The cost to repair the screen of a 2018-2019 MacBook Air is $299.

The 2020-2021 MacBook Air looks basically identical to the 2018-2019 model, but the new model requires a different LCD panel than the older version of the laptop. There are actually 2 variations on this LCD panel. One is used for the intel-based models, and the other is used for the M1 models. I expect these LCD panels will be one of the harder-to-get models as it was only used for a single model of production.

The cost to replace a cracked LCD panel on an M1 2020 model A2337 MacBook Air is $299. If you would like to have the entire display assembly replaced with a genuine Apple display assembly, the .

Apple once again created an entirely new model with a completely redesigned screen in 2022 with their M2 MacBook Air. This new model hasn’t been out long enough for us to see what the price will end up being once the LCD panel is available on its own. For now, the cost to replace the full display assembly on the 2022 MacBook Air is $450-$750.

There are multiple parts in a display assembly, and chances are they do not all need to be replaced in order to get your computer fully working again. Knowing the basic parts that are required to complete your MacBook screen repair will help you select the correct repair for your needs.

The LCD panel is the part of the screen that displays the image, it is the part of the screen that you can touch when the computer is open. This is the most commonly broken part on a MacBook Air screen. If you have a cracked screen, there is a very big chance that what you need is an LCD replacement.

The display assembly is the entire top half of the computer. It includes the LCD panel, the back housing where the Apple logo is, the clutch cover along the bottom of the screen where it says “MacBook Air”, the iSight camera, and the hinges. If there are any bends or dents on the corners of your display, you will likely need to replace the entire display assembly.

The clutch cover runs along the bottom of the MacBook screen. It is the part that says “MacBook Air” on it. Sometimes I see clutch covers that are cracked or broken while the LCD panel itself is working fine! This means the computer works perfectly and the entire screen is visible and working, but there is a crack along the bottom of the screen in the part that says “MacBook Air” on it. If this is the issue you have, you just need a clutch cover replacement rather than an LCD replacement.

The MacBook Air camera almost never has an issue. If the camera does stop responding, the issue is almost always with the logic board inside your computer rather than the camera itself. Sometimes though, the cameras will fail and require replacement. Unfortunately with the way these MacBook Airs are assembled, you usually have to replace the LCD panel when you replace the camera.

The back housing is sometimes referred to as the “lid”. It is the part that has the Apple logo on it. Usually, the housing does not need to be replaced, but if there is a dent on the corner of the housing, a dent on the housing itself, or if liquid damage is present in the housing, then you will need the housing replaced as well as the LCD. Again, because of the way these are assembled you normally can’t replace just the housing by itself.

The hinges are exactly what they sound like, the hinge where the display meets the computer. Older model Macs from the 2006-2012 era sometimes had hinges that would crack or break and cause the display to not stay up properly. That is much rarer on the MacBook Airs, but it can happen. Some models require an entire display replacement in order to replace the hinges, while others you can replace separately. Because Apple routes cables through the hinges, you usually have to replace the entire display assembly if you have issues with the hinges.

There are a few different things you should consider when looking for a screen repair on a MacBook Air. There are many shops to choose from nowadays that offer screen repair services for Mac computers. Making a good choice for the screen repair can be the difference between getting an affordable quality repair, and an expensive repair that doesn’t last as long as it should.

What is the turnaround time for the repair? Some shops take longer than others to repair your computer. I have an entire article on turnaround time for the A1466 MacBook Air.

Take your time to research and choose a computer repair shop that you feel good about. With a little effort, you can find a great shop that will take care of your MacBook screen repair needs.

TCRS – I have asked for Tim’s help on logic board repairs many times over the past decade. He does not necessarily specialize in screen repair, but his shop is a great choice if you need logic board-level repairs. They are based in SoCal.

As I said, there are thousands to choose from, so do some research on the ones you are interested in and I am sure you can find a good repair shop to complete your MacBook screen repair.

If you have a MacBook Air that is not covered under AppleCare+, you will spend between $450 and $650 repairing your screen through Apple. There are a couple of different ways that the display repair is billed, so the price you are quoted will vary, but these are the standard quotes. Note that each damage tier is added to by a labor charge, which is usually $100. So a Tier 1 repair is usually about $280 for the MacBook Air + a $100 labor charge.

AppleCare+ does partially cover the cost of repairing a cracked screen on a MacBook Air. When you buy your computer, you are given the option to purchase AppleCare+. If you decide to purchase AppleCare+ and crack your screen, the total for the repair will be $99.

Repair cost through Best Buy is generally the same as through the Apple store. Best Buy usually charges around $450-$650 for MacBook Air screen repair.

Their actual repair capabilities on the store level seem to vary from store to store, but all the Best Buys in my area do not have Mac technicians in the actual store. They do have iPhone technicians and offer screen repair for iPhones (sometimes same-day repairs are available). But for Mac repair, they ship the computer out to be repaired and then have it shipped back to the store after repair.

When they do send a MacBook out for service, they are actually sending it to the same repair depots that the Apple Store does. They quote a marginally higher turnaround time than Apple (about 2 weeks). But generally have the computer back a little quicker than that.

UBreakiFix is not an Apple Authorized Service Provider. I do not know if they offer a genuine Apple screen (they could be utilizing Apple’s new self-repair program as I do for certain repairs), but I do know that their price for the 2020 M1 MacBook Air “starts at 479.99”. In order to get an exact quote, you have to bring your computer in for their free diagnosis.

The MacBook Air LCD replacement process is one that I don’t recommend for a beginner to an intermediate-level technician to attempt. It is best to start practicing with bad screens before moving on to these repairs. They are delicate and you can cause all kinds of problems during the repair by scratching backlight sheets or ripping cables under the LCD panel.

The display assembly replacement is a lot easier and can be completed by somebody with some technical repair experience. Apple has a self-repair program that covers the A2337 model MacBook Air. You can read about the program and get links in my 2020 M1 MacBook Air screen replacement guide.

I will say I have seen a lot of damaged screens when people attempt to repair the LCD panel on a MacBook Air themselves. Normally the damage is not fixable and you have to then replace the entire display assembly. I have a troubleshooting page for the A1466 MacBook Air if you have attempted a repair and ran into problems.

If you are experienced enough to complete the repair, you can find the panels on public sites like iFixit, eBay, Amazon, etc. As a shop, you will probably want to work with your vendor to get panels that have a guarantee so you can hold them in stock. The price for panels usually ranges from around $100 to about $400 for the newest model. Generally, the panels decrease in price with time, but sometimes if an LCD panel is not used frequently by apple, they will become rare and cost more over time for new ones.

I have put together a few guides on how to replace the LCD yourself. I currently have a 2010-2017 display and LCD replacement guide available. I also have started working on an A2337 display replacement guide that is still a work in progress. I am also working on making video guides for screen repair and hope to have those posted by the March of 2023.

The cost to replace a MacBook Air screen is $299 for most models. The A1466 model is $179, while the A1932 and A1279 models are $299. The A2337 model is $299 for the LCD or $429 for the entire display.

You can repair a MacBook Air Screen yourself, but it requires special tools. The repair is considered to be a moderately difficult repair, so I don’t recommend trying to do it yourself unless you have some experience in repairing electronics.

Apple will replace the MacBook screen for free if there are no cracks or physical damage present, but the laptop must be under warranty or AppleCare+. Sometimes screens will stop working on their own, and these types of problems will be covered under your warranty.

Apple charges between $450 and $650 to replace a MacBook Air screen if it is not under warranty. If you have AppleCare+, the cost to replace the screen through Apple is $99.

This is a great question to discuss with the shop you are thinking of doing the repair. Most of the time the answer is yes, it is worth repairing a MacBook Air screen if the MacBook Air is useful to you. The cost of the repair usually decreases with time, so older MacBook Airs will cost less to repair than newer MacBook Airs.

AppleCare+ generally does not cover a cracked screen completely. Rather it covers all but $99 of the screen replacement service. If there is liquid damage involved, then the charge is $299.

The MacBook Pro was first released in 2006, replacing the very popular PowerBook lineup. I remember being a little upset with Apple for making the switch to the intel processors, until I used one! After 16 years of the MacBook Pro, there are quite a few models that might need to get their screens replaced. The cost of the repair will depend on the year and model of the MacBook Pro, as well as the problem it is having with its screen. Below I will cover the most common models I see for repair and the cost of repairing each model. If you have an older model or something I do not cover below, please fill out my quote form and I will get back to you on the cost to get your screen fixed!

How much does it cost to replace a 13″ MacBook Pro screen? The cost to replace a 13″ MacBook Pro screen is $329-$549 for most modern models. The A1706, A1708, and A1989 models are $329 for the screen repair. The A2159, A2251, and A2289 models are also $329. The A2338 model is $429 for the LCD or $549 for the entire display.

How much does it cost to replace a 15″ MacBook Pro screen? The cost to replace a 15″ MacBook Pro screen is $429-$799 for most modern models. The A1707 model is $429 for the screen repair. The A1990 model is $499. The A2485 model requires a full display replacement and is $799 for the entire display.

How much does it cost to replace a 16″ MacBook Pro screen? The cost to replace a 16″ MacBook Pro screen model A2485 is $799 for the full display replacement.

Below I cover the most common MacBook Pro models with examples of damage that will need screen repair. You can view the pricing for all my MacBook Pro Screen Repair Services.

Full Display Replacement. The cost to replace the entire display assembly on a 2020 MacBook Pro model A2338 with a genuine Apple display assembly is $549.

I am able to order the screen directly from Apple utilizing their self-repair program, complete the repair, and contact Apple to have them complete the configuration in order to have a fully Apple Genuine display replacement.

The 2019 13” MacBook Pro is model number A1989. This is one of the models that I am able to source just the LCD panel for the screen repair. By replacing just the cracked LCD I am able to save you money on the repair. The cost to repair the screen of a 13″ 2019 MacBook Pro is $329.

The 2020 13” MacBook Pro has the model number A2251 or A2289. This is one of the models that I am able to source just the LCD panel for the screen repair. By replacing just the cracked LCD I am able to save you money on the repair. The cost to repair the screen of a 13″ 2020 MacBook Pro is $329.

The 2021 M1 MacBook Pro is model number A2485. I am able to source this full display assembly directly from Apple thanks to their self-repair program. The .

I offer screen repairs for most MacBook Pro models. Please contact me for a custom quote, or visit my MacBook Pro Screen Repair page to view the pricing of other models.

Although there are multiple parts in a display assembly, you may not need to replace all of them to get your computer fully working again. Knowing the basic parts that are required to complete your MacBook screen repair will help you select the correct repair for your needs.

When the computer is open, the image is displayed on the LCD panel which is the part of the screen you can touch. The LCD panel is the most commonly broken part on a MacBook Pro screen. If you have a cracked screen, you will most likely need an LCD replacement.

It is very difficult (or sometimes not possible) to source the LCD panel for certain models of the MacBook Pro. When there is no LCD panel supply, a full display replacement is all that will be available.

You will likely need to replace the entire display assembly if there are any bends or dents on the corners of your display, or if the display was damaged by liquid. The full display assembly includes the LCD panel, the back housing where the Apple logo is, the clutch cover along the bottom of the screen where it says “MacBook Pro”, and the hinges.

The clutch cover is the part of the MacBook that runs along the bottom of the screen and says “MacBook Pro” on it. Sometimes, I see clutch covers that are cracked or broken, but the LCD panel itself is working fine. This means that if the computer works perfectly and the entire screen is visible and working, but there is a crack along the bottom of the screen in the part that says “MacBook Pro”, you just need a clutch cover replacement rather than an LCD replacement.

The MacBook Pro camera is not known for having issues. If the camera does stop responding, the issue is most likely with the cables that connect to the camera, or the logic board inside your computer. Sometimes though, the cameras will fail and require replacement. Unfortunately with the way these MacBook Pros are assembled, you usually have to replace the LCD panel when you replace the camera.

On older model Macs from the 2006-2012 era, the hinges connecting the display to the computer sometimes cracked or broke, causing the display to not stay up properly. This was much rarer on the newer MacBook Pros, but it can happen. Some models required an entire display replacement in order to replace the hinges, while others allowed the hinges to be replaced separately. Because Apple has started routing cables through the hinges, usually the entire display assembly had to be replaced if there are issues with the hinges.

Some things to consider when looking for a shop to complete a screen repair on a MacBook Pro include the number of years the shop has been in business, the quality of its work, and the price they charge for the service. With so many repair shops to choose from, doing your research can help you find the best possible option for your needs.

Choose a computer repair shop that you feel good about after researching your options. A little effort upfront can save you a lot of hassle later on when you need your MacBook screen repaired.

MacScreenRepair.com – If you are looking for someone to trust with your Mac’s screen repair, I believe that I am a great choice! I offer fast trunaround, quality work, and affordable pricing.

TCRS – I have asked for Tim’s help on logic board repairs many times over the past decade. He does not necessarily specialize in screen repair, but his shop is a great choice if you need logic board-level repairs. They are based in SoCal and they have a great reputation.

If you have a MacBook Pro that is not covered under AppleCare+, you will spend between $575 and $900 repairing your screen through Apple. There are a couple of different ways that the display repair is billed, so the price you are quoted will vary, but these are the standard quotes. Note that each damage tier is added to by a labor charge, which is usually $100. So a display repair for a 13″ MacBook Pro is usually about $480 + a $100 labor charge. If you were to take your MacBook Pro to a different repair shop, the price could be significantly lower or higher depending on the shop you go to.

When you buy your computer, you are given the option to purchase AppleCare+. AppleCare+ does partially cover the cost of repairing a cracked screen on a MacBook Pro. If you decide to purchase AppleCare+ and crack your screen, the total for the repair will be $99.

I don’t recommend that beginners or intermediate-level technicians attempt to replace the LCD on a MacBook Pro. It’s best to start practicing with bad screens before moving on to repairs like this. LCDs are delicate, and you can cause all kinds of problems during the repair, like scratching backlight sheets or ripping cables under the LCD panel.

The display assembly replacement is a lot easier and can be completed by somebody with some technical repair experience. Apple has a self-repair program that covers the A2338 and A2485 models of MacBook Pro. You can read about the program and get links in my 2020 M1 MacBook Pro screen replacement guide. The self-repair program is a great way to save money on the A2338 and A2485 models of MacBook Pro.

I will say that I have seen a lot of damaged screens when people attempt to repair the LCD panel on a MacBook Pro themselves. Normally, the damage is not fixable and you have to then replace the entire display assembly.

If you are experienced enough to complete the repair, you can find the panels on public sites like iFixit, eBay, Amazon, etc. As a shop, you will probably want to work with your vendor to get panels that have a guarantee so you can hold them in stock. The price for panels usually ranges from around $250 to about $550 for the newest model. Generally, the panels decrease in price with time, but sometimes if an LCD panel is not used frequently by apple, they will become rare and cost more over time for new ones.

The cost to replace a 13″ MacBook Pro screen is $329-$549 for most modern models. The A1706, A1708, and A1989 models are $329 for the screen repair. The A2159, A2251, and A2289 models are $429. The A2338 model is $429 for the LCD or $549 for the entire display.

The cost to replace a 15″ MacBook Pro screen is $429-$799 for most modern models. The A1707 model is $429 for the screen repair. The A1990 model is $499. The A2485 model requires a full display replacement and is $799 for the entire display.

You can repair a MacBook Air Screen yourself with the right tools, but it’s a moderately difficult repair. Unless you have some experience in repairing electronics, I don’t recommend trying to do it yourself.

Apple will replace the MacBook screen for free if there are no cracks or physical damage present, but the laptop must be under warranty or AppleCare+. Sometimes screens will stop working on their own, and these types of problems will be covered under your warranty.

Apple charges between $575 and $900 to replace most MacBook Pro screens if it is not under warranty. If you have AppleCare+, the cost to replace the screen through Apple is $99.

This is a great question to discuss with the shop you are thinking of doing the repair. Most of the time the answer is yes, it is worth repairing a MacBook Pro screen if the MacBook Pro is useful to you. The cost of the repair usually decreases with time, so older MacBook Pros will cost less to repair than newer MacBook Pros.

AppleCare+ generally does not cover a cracked screen completely. Rather it covers all but $99 of the screen replacement service. If there is liquid damage involved, then the charge is $299.

Replace your own Macbook display screen or contact our repair center for our Macbook Pro and Macbook Air screen repair options! Either option will save you hundreds of dollars compared to other companies.

This is the 13.3" LCD TFT Display and backlight for the MacBook 13". This is the LCD only. This does not include hinges, casing, display cables, etc... If you have a cracked LCD or dark black blotches on your display, this is the only part you need. Apple does not manufacture LCD panels. They use several different manufacturers. The panels we sell are the same manufacturer and part number that originally went into the Macbook. It will be the same quality and type currently in your system. These panels are 100% compatible in every type of 13" Macbook with model number A1181. If you have a 13" Macbook (Black or White) this panel is a direct replacement for your machine. One Year Warranty on all parts and labor!

I"m just wondering, would it be cheaper to go a 3rd party to fix it? How much will it cost approximately? Will Apple be cheaper given the limited availability of the screen assembly? Can the LCD be replaced alone? The main answer I"m looking for is how much this is gonna cost me. I doubt they"re going to cover it under warranty, even though I have no idea what caused it.

Edit: For anyone thinking of helping, firstly thanks. Secondly, one of my friends had their screen replaced by apple, a late 2015 15 inch Pro model. This cost them £332, just as a guide for when deciding how much it will cost for my model. Thanks again.

I"m just wondering, would it be cheaper to go a 3rd party to fix it? How much will it cost approximately? Will Apple be cheaper given the limited availability of the screen assembly? Can the LCD be replaced alone? The main answer I"m looking for is how much this is gonna cost me. I doubt they"re going to cover it under warranty, even though I have no idea what caused it.

Edit: For anyone thinking of helping, firstly thanks. Secondly, one of my friends had their screen replaced by apple, a late 2015 15 inch Pro model. This cost them £332, just as a guide for when deciding how much it will cost for my model. Thanks again.

The full cost of repairs depend on the type and level of damage. For instance, replacing the screen under warranty costs less than other types of damage.

If you don’t think you need physical protection for your MacBook, take a look at how much it could cost you should you drop your MacBook or spill something on it.

For a MacBook Air, coverage costs your $249. This doesn’t include anything except the coverage. For a 13” MacBook Pro, the cost is $269. If your screen or external closure is damaged, you’ll have to pay a $99 service fee. Any other damage costs you $299.

Your out-of-pocket costs to repair a broken screen for a MacBook Air under AppleCare+ would be a total of $348. Just remember, you’re only covered for two incidents during a three-year period. Anything other incidents mean you’ll pay the full cost of repairs.

One of the most common repairs is the screen. Pricing begins at $250 (not including labor) and increases based on the age and model of the MacBook. If a hard drive needs to be replaced, you’ll pay anywhere from $225 to $450.

Technicians provide you with a quote based on the type of damage. For instance, you can contact the Apple Genius Bar to get a quote on how much it will cost to repair your MacBook.

Assuming you have a MacBook Air that’s covered under AppleCare+, the least you’ll pay for damage is $348 for a broken screen. This includes the cost of the warranty and the incident. If it happens a second time, it’ll cost you an additional $99.

Without any type of coverage, you have to pay hourly fees along with the cost of the hardware to repair your MacBook. On average, expect to pay over $300 for the simplest repairs.

If paying a third or more of what your MacBook’s worth just for a damaged screen or even a broken key makes you uneasy, don’t let the damage happen to begin with. Prevention costs far less than paying for the repairs afterward.

Original Macbook Air A2179 and A1932 laptop screen. The screen size is 13.3". See the condition options in the drop-down menu with the colors to select what you need for your laptop. The Grade A condition items may be removed from a laptop or refurbished to meet Grade A criteria but the LCD panel would be original.

If you need macbook air lcd screen replacement bring it to applefix hamilton at 85/a victoria street hamilton or call us at 078394188 for a free quote. We personally prefer using macbook pro as compare to macbook air. Reason behind is macbook pro lcd are way stronger than macbook air lcd screen. You will never know what happened and you will find it is broken. Apple should have made macbook air lcd screens bit more tougher. Like iPhone lcd are pretty rigid they have a strong metal plate mounted behind the iPhone lcd and this metal plate gives lot of strength to the lcd. Whereas macbook lcd screens are very thin and being is backlight light. even though there is back panel which hold the lcd but behind the lcd itself there is nothing and backlight behind the macbook lcd is sort of cushioned papers which doesn’t actually give lcd any strength.

To make these screens fit extreme thinness of lcd panel these macbook lcd screen are very fragile. Sometimes even a light bump on these acres will break them. Or may be macbook air is in your laptop sleeve or laptop bag and any light pressure will give them a crack. So you have to be extremely careful. The repair cost on macbook lcd screen replacement is expensive.

if you wish to do it yourself you can read here . All you need a new lcd and p5 pentalobe screwdriver, t5 torx screwdriver, t8 tore screwdriver and a plastic spudger. Remove back panel using p5 pentalobe screw driver and then remove lcd screws see in below picture.

Macbook air wifi antenna and webcam is part of new lcd. Connect all the cables back which is lcd, wifi and webcam cable. Turn on and if it startup normally you are done.

When Daniel McGloin decided to trade in his mid-2017 Apple MacBook in February of this year, he thought he was getting a pretty good deal. The software engineer and San Diego native initiated the trade-in with Apple through the Apple Store mobile app, where he was quoted $350 for his used laptop. He felt it was in pretty good condition, with no apparent damage to the case and a fully functioning display and keyboard. So McGloin packed up the device and shipped it in, expecting to receive his money in the coming weeks, which would help offset his purchase of a MacBook Air carrying Apple’s new M1 chip.

The situation soon changed after his laptop arrived for inspection. Suddenly, McGloin was told his MacBook was worth just $140, less than half what Apple originally quoted. The mysterious culprit: “display has 3 or more white spots,” the Apple Store app told him. It’s a defect McGloin doesn’t remember ever seeing, and one that he should have noticed: typically, white spots on an LCD display are evidence of serious damage or burn-in and are clearly visible. In McGloin’s estimation, however, the laptop was in “excellent” condition, he tells The Verge, and he didn’t see any white spots when he packed it up.

Daniel McGloin sent in his 2017 MacBook after receiving a quote of $350, only to have his quote marked down to $140. “Display has 3 or more white spots,” was the reason, thoughThe Verge found no such issue when it inspected the computer in person. Screenshot courtesy of David McGloin

The Vergeinspected McGloin’s MacBook in person after he rejected the trade-in offer and Phobio returned the computer to him. We could detect no such white spots or any discernible damage whatsoever. The laptop booted up and operates like new, and it has since passed numerous online diagnostic tests.

Another Apple customer, Carlos Pero, had their laptop marked down from $640 to $210 over display white spots Phobio claims it detected. Screenshot courtesy of Carlos Pero

“Having used it for three years, I can tell you I never noticed a problem,” Carlos Pero, another Apple customer who had their laptop trade-in quote reduced by Phobio from $640 to $210, tells The Verge.Pero also asked for his laptop back, and Phobio returned it. Upon inspection, Pero could not detect any issues with his computer, and he showed us a video of his MacBook Pro booting up to verify there were no “white spots” present. “Maybe they have some diagnostic tool? But from a consumer perspective, no way I see a problem before I sent it or after receiving it back.”

Scores of other instances of this exact situation happening to Apple product owners can be found online, too, with numerous customers citing Phobio’s “3 or more white spots” explanation as the reason for their adjusted trade-in, as well as stories of other types of apparent damage detected only after sending a device in for inspection. This isn’t just restricted to MacBooks, either. Customers often complain of reduced trade-in quotes for iPhones, iPads, and iMacs, too.

A mid-2017 Apple MacBook Phobio says was worth $140, down from $350, due to “3 or more white spots” in the display.The Vergecould find no evidence of white spots. Photo by Nick Statt / The Verge

A large number of the complaints about Phobio have a common theme: a MacBook or iPhone that seems to be in perfect working order, only for the device to later have an unexplained deficiency. Phobio, which is at that point in possession of the device, then offers the customer the option to accept the reduced quote or ask for the product to be shipped back. (Phobio does offer to ship the product both ways for free.)

Chris Dwan calls his experience with Phobio a “pretty straightforward bait and switch,” telling The Vergethat he mailed in his MacBook Air with an expected trade-in value of $370, only for it to be knocked down to $150 for damage to the outer shell he suspects happened during transit or inspection. “At that point it was take-it-or-leave-it. They did offer to ship the laptop back, but I caved and took my $150.”

In a tour of one of its so-called aggregation facilities posted to LinkedIn last month, a Phobio representative shed some light on how Apple products are evaluated. “We have very simple grading criteria. We only have two of course, which is working and damaged to make it easy for folks at home to grade their own devices,” the representative explains, before transitioning to a Phobio employee inspecting a MacBook. “He’s making sure the screen is intact and functional, he’s making sure the keys function, and then he’s checking to see if there’s any wear or tear to the computer or any major dents or damage.”

“A couple of other things to look out for: LCD damage, screen spotting and dead pixels, cracked screen, missing or malfunctioning buttons, and large dents,” the representative says. When asked by Wakeling, Phobio’s CEO who appears on-screen at the beginning and end of the video, what the top issues are with devices sent in for trade-in, the representative simply says “screen delamination” or “any major damage” to the device.

You could chalk up these bad customer experiences with Phobio to the sheer volume of products Apple’s trade-in program likely deals in or discrepancies in the level of diligence of its individual employees. But that doesn’t explain the mystery of the white spots, and why we’ve seen perfectly functional MacBook computers have their trade-in value cut in half — or more.

So we felt it necessary to ask Phobio if they had a reasonable explanation for cases like these that went beyond the standard “screen spotting,” “dead pixels,” and other general LCD damage that would be perceptible by looking at the screen yourself.

Phobio would not comment directly on the white spots issue, and it would not offer an explanation as to what tools it uses to evaluate MacBook displays or why it seems some customers have had their trade-in quotes adjusted because of the alleged white spots.

As for McGloin, he’s not sure what’s he’s going to do now with his returned MacBook. “I actually have no idea. I’m not really aware of alternative trade-in options,” he says, adding that he has in the past opted to donate used products or gifted them to a friend.

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