“How much is a laptop screen repair?” is the question we answer most, and the honest reply is it depends on the panel – but not in a mysterious way. Here is how the price is actually made up, what each type of screen costs to replace in Melbourne in 2026, how long it takes, and the three things that change the quote.
First: is it really the screen?
About one in five laptops that come in “for a new screen” don’t need one. Lines, flicker, a dim picture or a black display can also be a loose display cable, a failed backlight fuse or a graphics fault. The 30‑second home test: plug the laptop into a TV or monitor with HDMI or USB‑C. If the picture appears there, the laptop works and the fault is in the display assembly – that’s either the panel (most common), the cable, or the hinge area if the laptop has been dropped. We check all three before quoting, and the check is free.
What decides the price
- Size and resolution – a standard 15.6″ HD or Full HD panel is a commodity part; 2K, 4K, OLED and 120 Hz+ gaming panels cost two to four times more.
- Touch or not – touch screens are a bonded glass‑and‑panel assembly, so they cost more and sometimes have to be ordered as a complete lid.
- Bonded designs – MacBooks, Microsoft Surface and some thin ultrabooks replace the whole display assembly, not just the panel.
- Availability – common HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS and Acer panels are on the shelf; unusual models are ordered and arrive in 1–3 business days.
Typical laptop screen replacement prices in Melbourne (2026)
These are indicative ranges for our Bentleigh East workshop, parts and fitting included – the exact price depends on the panel your model takes. Text your model number and we will give you an exact figure before you come in.
| Screen type | Typical price (fitted) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 14″ / 15.6″ HD or Full HD, non‑touch | $180 – $260 | Same day, often under 2 hours |
| 13.3″ / 14″ Full HD slim (ultrabooks) | $220 – $320 | Same day if in stock |
| Touch screen assembly (Windows) | $280 – $450 | 1–3 days (ordered) |
| 2K / 4K / OLED / 144 Hz gaming panel | $350 – $650 | 1–3 days (ordered) |
| MacBook Air 13″ (2018–2020) | $380 – $480 | Same day if in stock |
| MacBook Air / Pro M1–M3 | $450 – $750 | Same day – 2 days |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop / Pro | $350 – $600 | 2–4 days |
| Display cable or hinge repair (no new screen) | $90 – $180 | Same day |
If a quote you’ve been given elsewhere is a lot higher than these, ask whether it includes a whole lid assembly or a genuine‑brand panel you don’t need – a compatible panel of the same specification looks and performs identically.
How long it takes
With the panel in stock, most Windows laptops are done while you wait – 60 to 120 minutes, including testing. MacBook displays take two to four hours because the assembly is larger and we run a full display and camera test afterwards. Ordered panels arrive in one to three business days; you keep the laptop in the meantime if it is usable with an external monitor.
What you get with the repair
- A panel matched to the original resolution, refresh rate and finish (matte or glossy) – we don’t downgrade a Full HD laptop to HD.
- Hinges, bezel and display cable checked and the lid re‑seated so it closes properly.
- Dead‑pixel and backlight check before you leave, and a warranty on the part and labour.
- Your data untouched – a screen replacement never involves your drive, and no password is needed.
Is it worth repairing?
For a laptop under five years old, almost always: a $220 screen on a $1,200 laptop is an easy decision. For an older machine with a slow hard drive, it is often smarter to combine the screen with an SSD upgrade – the labour overlaps, and you end up with a laptop that feels new for a fraction of the replacement cost. If the laptop isn’t worth fixing we will tell you, and we can move your data to a new one.
Cracked screen? What to do right now
- Don’t press on the crack or keep opening and closing the lid – cracks spread with heat and flex.
- Use an external monitor in the meantime if you need the laptop.
- Keep the charger with the laptop when you bring it in so we can test it fully.
- Text the model number (on the label underneath) and a photo of the screen to 0421 388 876 for a fixed quote.
Where we are
Melbourne IT Services, 2 Bellevue Road, Bentleigh East – 10 minutes from Brighton, Caulfield, Moorabbin, Cheltenham, Clayton and McKinnon, with parking at the door. Open 7 days, 5am–11pm. See our laptop screen replacement and MacBook screen replacement pages, or the guide to resolution problems after a screen replacement.
