How much does a laptop screen replacement cost?
Screens vary a lot by laptop — anywhere from $130 to $400+ depending on your model, size, resolution, and whether it's a touchscreen. The estimate is completely free at drop-off with no obligation. We quote the exact price once we see your laptop in person — a phone quote is almost always inaccurate, which we won't do to you.
Can you fix a cracked laptop screen near me in New Jersey?
Yes. Dave's Computers in Somerville NJ provides laptop screen repair and replacement near you in New Jersey. We serve customers from Bridgewater, Raritan, Hillsborough, Edison, Princeton, and across central NJ. Walk-ins always welcome — no appointment needed. Free estimate at drop-off.
How does the $75 deposit work?
If you approve the estimate, we collect a $75 + tax deposit to order the exact screen for your laptop. That deposit is applied toward your total — it's not an extra fee. If you look at the quote and decide not to proceed, no deposit is taken. You only pay if you say yes.
How long does laptop screen replacement take?
Most screens are done in 2–3 days after the part arrives. If your exact screen happens to be in stock, sometimes same day. Touchscreen or rare models can take a bit longer. We'll give you a realistic time estimate at drop-off.
Will I lose my files during a screen replacement?
No. A screen replacement is an external repair — we don't touch your hard drive, files, or settings. Everything stays exactly where you left it. Your data is completely safe during a screen swap.
What if my screen is just flickering — not cracked?
Bring it in. Flicker, lines, dim screens, and backlight failures are all issues we fix. Sometimes it's just a loose cable that we can reseat for significantly less than a full replacement. We diagnose first and tell you what it actually needs before any work starts.
Do you fix touchscreen laptops?
Yes. We work on both standard and touchscreen/digitizer panels. Touch models typically cost a bit more because of the extra digitizer layer, but we handle them regularly across all major brands.
Is it worth fixing my screen or should I buy a new laptop?
Honest answer: if your laptop is under 5 years old and works fine otherwise, fixing the screen is almost always the right call. You get your machine back — with all your files, settings, and software — for a fraction of a new laptop's cost. If the laptop is old or has other major issues, we'll tell you straight up if we don't think it's worth repairing.
How do I find my laptop screen model number?
Every laptop screen has a model number printed on a sticker on the back of the panel — visible only with the screen removed. The first few letters identify the manufacturer: B = AU Optronics, LP = LG Display, LTN = Samsung, NV\/HB = BOE, N = Innolux, LQ\/LM = Sharp. Our techs read this off your panel as part of the diagnostic to source the exact correct replacement. You don't need to open the laptop yourself — bring it in and we identify the panel for you.
What laptop screen sizes and resolutions do you replace?
We replace screens in all common laptop sizes: 11.6", 13.3", 14", 15.6", and 17.3", in resolutions from HD (1366×768) and FHD (1920×1080) up through QHD (2560×1440) and 4K (3840×2160). We also handle high-refresh gaming panels (120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz) and OLED displays. We match the exact original spec so brightness, color, and refresh rate stay the same after the repair.
How is laptop screen size measured?
Laptop screens are measured diagonally, corner to corner of the glass only — not including the bezel (the plastic frame around the screen). So a "15.6-inch laptop" has roughly 15.6 inches from one corner of the visible display to the opposite corner. If you're not sure what size your laptop is, we confirm the exact spec when you drop it off — no measuring required on your end.
What's the difference between dead pixels, stuck pixels, and hot pixels?
Dead pixels appear black and don't light up — they're permanently failed and can't be revived. Stuck pixels are locked on one color (red, green, or blue) and sometimes recover on their own or with pixel-fixing software. Hot pixels are stuck bright white. A few isolated dead pixels are usually livable; clusters or pixels that keep spreading mean the panel is failing and warrants replacement. Bring it in and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth replacing yet.
My screen has lines, ghosting, or backlight bleed — what does that mean?
Each symptom points to a different cause: vertical lines usually mean a failed display cable or damaged LCD; horizontal lines typically indicate panel failure; ghosting or image retention means the panel's response circuitry is degrading; backlight bleed (uneven brightness around edges) is a panel defect; dim screen is usually a failing backlight or inverter. We diagnose which one it is before quoting — sometimes it's just a loose cable that costs far less than a full panel.
Should I replace my laptop screen myself?
Honest answer — usually not worth the risk. The most common DIY failures we see: wrong panel ordered (incompatible resolution or connector — sometimes damages the board), torn ribbon cable during disassembly, broken hinges or bezel clips, and no way to test the new panel before final assembly. By the time someone brings us a botched DIY job, the labor to fix it often costs more than if they'd brought it in first. We charge a flat rate for the full repair done right.
Do you sell laptop screens by themselves?
No. We do not sell screens separately — all replacement panels are sourced and installed by our technicians as part of a complete repair service. This way we can guarantee the right part for your exact laptop, test it properly before final assembly, and back the work with a 90-day warranty on parts and labor.
Do you use OEM or aftermarket replacement screens?
We source OEM-equivalent panels — same manufacturer, same model number, same specifications as your original. For most laptops, the original screen was already made by a third-party supplier (AU Optronics, LG, Samsung, BOE), so a properly matched replacement is functionally identical to the one your laptop shipped with. We avoid low-grade aftermarket panels that compromise brightness or color accuracy.
IPS vs TN laptop screens — what's the difference?
IPS (in-plane switching) panels offer wider viewing angles and more accurate color — almost every modern laptop uses IPS. TN (twisted nematic) panels are older, cheaper, with narrower viewing angles and washed-out color at angles, but faster pixel response (still found in some budget and older gaming laptops). We match whatever your laptop originally shipped with — upgrading from TN to IPS is sometimes possible if a compatible IPS panel exists for your model.
Do you replace 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, and 240Hz gaming laptop screens?
Yes. We replace high-refresh gaming panels at all common rates — 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, and 360Hz — for ASUS ROG, MSI, Alienware, Lenovo Legion, Acer Predator\/Nitro, HP Omen, and Razer laptops. We source the matching refresh-rate panel for your model. Installing a lower-refresh panel in a high-refresh laptop loses the spec you paid for, so we always match the original.
Can you replace an OLED laptop screen?
Yes. We service OLED panels on Dell XPS, Lenovo Yoga and ThinkPad X1, ASUS ZenBook and ProArt, HP Spectre, and MSI Creator models. OLED replacement panels cost more than standard LCDs due to the technology and limited supply, but the depth of black and color accuracy are worth preserving on premium machines. We quote the exact part after diagnostic — OLED parts vary widely.
Do you replace 4K and UHD laptop panels?
Yes. 4K (3840×2160) and UHD panels are common on Dell XPS, HP Spectre and Envy, Lenovo ThinkPad and Yoga, ASUS ZenBook Pro, and MSI Creator laptops. They're more expensive to replace than FHD panels and the part needs to match exactly — installing an FHD panel in a 4K laptop usually doesn't work and can damage the display circuitry. We source the correct resolution and confirm the spec before ordering.
Matte vs glossy laptop screen — can I switch when replacing?
Sometimes. Matte (anti-glare) panels reduce reflections — better for offices and outdoor use. Glossy panels show more vivid colors and deeper blacks — better for media. For some laptop models both matte and glossy versions of the panel exist and we can install your preference if available. For others only one finish was made and we have to match the original. We'll tell you what's available for your specific model at drop-off.
What's the difference between eDP 30-pin and 40-pin connectors?
The connector at the bottom of the LCD panel comes in different pin counts depending on what the panel does: 30-pin eDP handles most modern standard panels, 40-pin eDP is used for high-refresh gaming panels (120Hz+), touchscreens, and some 4K panels, and 20-pin or 50-pin shows up on older or specialty laptops. The connector must match exactly — wrong connector means the panel won't display or can damage the board. Our techs verify the connector before ordering. This is one of the most common reasons DIY screen replacements fail.