So a while ago my laptop monitor got smashed into itty bitty pieces. I know that the rest of the computer works because I hooked it up to an old desktop monitor and was able to access all my files and such.

But how do I replace the screen to my laptop? Would it be cheaper to buy a new one? Any advice?

Thanks guys

What is the make/model/etc. of the laptop?

It's more than likely that getting the replacement part is possible. I wouldn't recommend it as a task you under take yourself, laptops are tricksey, I managed to screw up my ibook attempting to fix it myself (that said, apple laptops are especially tricky). At a guess you could be looking at anywhere up to $200 for the screen, no idea how much it'd cost to get someone to fit it if you wanted to pay someone.

Well my laptop is a gateway, I'm not sure what model it is as I have it packed away at the moment -- I know it was made for gaming and it's rather large....not that that really helps anyone here. I just was curious to see if it would be more advantageous to buy a screen and replace it or if i should try for a new one....
The laptop itself would be about 2 years old now.

I would say you should take it to a repair person and have them tell you how much it would cost to have them replace it. It's amazing how many little parts are simply in the hinge of a laptop monitor and I wouldn't suggest taking it on yourself unless you really know what you're doing.

That being said it cost me around 1000 to replace my monitor for my MacBook Pro because of some little chip I somehow busted by dropping it at a strange angle. It was 900 for the part and 100 for the labor. Keep in mind though that Macs have more expensive parts, so yours may not be nearly as expensive as mine.

The guy who repaired mine said a good rule of thumb is if it costs more than half of what a new computer costs then it's better to just replace the computer.

I wouldn't bother replacing the screen. They are ridiculously fiddly things to fit, there's a myriad screws to lose (and you really need them all) and trying to fish wafer-thin ribbon cables with tiny connectors through the hinge is an art in patience and requires a very steady hand.

Plus the screen is one of the most expensive parts to replace, especially if your laptop is more than a couple of years old, they may not even have spares.

My advice is to back up everything of importance. Then go out and get yourself one of those flash new dual core laptops with a wide screen which is tons faster but annoyingly costs less than your old one.

Thanks guys, I really do have awful luck with computers. I was hoping that laptop would last me at least until my masters or Ph.D.....boo.

Oh well -- do they really cost less? Crazy days man.

Could be poor luck. I've never had problems with laptops before, but I usually put them away in their padded bags when I'm done with them, which mitigates any breakages.

The cost, it depends on when you got your current one, but generally the price is coming down quite quickly. A friend of mine bought a decent spec one for just under £350 the other day. Unbelievable!

that's still about 700 dollars more than I have

and oi i'm going to london/paris this summer -- in about 5 days actually...I'm going to be so broke!

Well, take it from the person who fixes such wonderful contraptions....

ITS A B*TCH TO FIX THOSE SCREENS!!!!!

Now to bring it back to a good answer, since its a newer model (newer being defined as not brand spanking new or older than 4-5 years), it should be relatively cheap to replace the screen...

That being said, you mentioned that it was a Gateway... that could pose a problem as Gateway doesn't exactly exist anymore... though you can get those parts relatively cheap.

And if you sent the laptop to me, I could fix it for the cost of the parts and the shipping...

Just PM or E-Mail me and I'll see what I can to for you.