Apple's $140 MacBook Air has been stripped of its non-working screen and turned into a desktop computer

The malfunctioning Apple MacBook display is a big inconvenience, and its repair can be expensive. However, some people use laptops exclusively as desktop PCs, with a large monitor and don't even open them. Brady Snyder from XDA disassembled a non-working display and turned a MacBook Air into a desktop computer with its own keyboard.

Nowadays, laptops are powerful enough, and many people don't need a separate desktop computer. A laptop connected to an external monitor, dock, and peripherals performs just as well or even better. If you don't use the laptop as a portable device or have another separate laptop for that purpose, then the display, especially a non-working one, just gets in the way. Without a screen, the laptop can be used fully without folding it and utilizing its keyboard, speakers, and ports.

"Surprisingly, there are several reasonable situations when it makes sense to remove the screen of your MacBook, but the biggest and most obvious one is when your display is broken or cracked."

People with a broken MacBook screen often use their laptop with a closed lid and connected power. The MacBook can output macOS to an external monitor for use, just like any other desktop Mac. However, in this case, it is impossible to use the built-in keyboard and touchpad. In turn, the broken display serves as a constant sad reminder. Instead of buying a new laptop or paying for repairs, you can simply remove the screen. As it turned out in the experiment, the process does not require additional costs and takes less than an hour.

According to Snyder, a MacBook Air with an M1 processor and a cracked screen can be purchased for less than $200. There was even a choice on eBay, and he bought one for $140.

"Getting a computer based on M1 cheaper than the price of a pair of headphones is stealing. I did just that, and the results were incredible. ... I paid around $140 for a broken laptop, so buying a replacement display will bring my total expenses to $540 for a new M1 MacBook Air. In 2024, this computer is not worth that much. ... The person I bought this laptop from simply upgraded it to a newer M2 MacBook Air instead of spending time and money on a replacement, and I would probably do the same."

Snyder decided not to buy a screen separately because of the cost together with the repair - "it doesn't make financial sense," even if you already have the necessary tools. To disconnect the screen, the enthusiast needed a screwdriver with Pentalobe and Torx tips, as well as a prying tool and tweezers - all of which were at hand.

He notes that he took on this project because he wanted a MacBook Air "without a head." One of the interesting features of Apple Vision Pro is the ability to use a neighboring MacBook in virtual reality using the Mac Virtual Display feature. In this mode, the built-in display of the MacBook turns off, which Brady took advantage of. He says that creating a MacBook without a screen costs nothing and takes about 30 minutes, assuming you have the tools.

Inspired by YouTuber Luke Miani To assess the time and knowledge needed to complete the project, he checked the difficulty rating and approximate repair time in the iFixit guide. For those with experience working with technology, this data is very accurate.

It was necessary to unscrew 10 screws of different lengths to access the MacBook Air's battery. Disconnecting the battery is the first step in any laptop repair. The system board is in the upper right corner of the chassis, and it is very small. Carefully disconnect the MacBook antennas, remove the antenna bar, and unscrew the hinge screws.

To remove the display, it was necessary to lift the upper part of the chassis and open the laptop at a 90-degree angle. Then the lid with the display is removed - the MacBook is divided into two parts. If the elements were previously deformed, for example, during a fall, it will take some time to remove the display. Then everything is closed in reverse order, and the hardware part of the modification is ready.

"At $110 cheaper than what I paid for my pair of AirPods Pro 2, I got a working Apple Silicon computer, and that's a steal."

Using the MacBook Air without a screen exceeded the enthusiast's expectations. The keyboard and trackpad, which are part of the M1 MacBook Air, are "very good," and the Apple trackpad "works especially well for productivity." Snyder connected an ultra-wide Dell UltraSharp 34" monitor to the MacBook Air using a Thunderbolt cable.