Korean Job Discussion Forums

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

It's about ten months old... brought it school today like I do every Friday, didn't notice knocking it against anything, and suddenly the corner of the screen is cracked and half the screen is spiderwebbed.

How bad are we looking at here? I suppose I need a new screen. Anyone know where I should go or who I should go to? I don't speak much Korean.

Blah.

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Also, a place around Itaewon/Haebangchon would be great. I remember seeing a flyer for computer repairs in that neighborhood, but I don't know what I did with it...

edit: I think it was called Solutions Repair... or something... I'm reading good things about it- anyone know where it is and if they can repair (replace, I assume) a Macbook screen??

Chokse · Joined: 22 May 2009

They would have to have the right model of screen to replace it. This is unlikely but still worth a shot.

In all likelihood you will have to bring it to the Apple Store for repair. My friend did the same thing to his MacBook last year. Apple Korea quoted him 900,000 for the repair because the damage was his fault.

He had a trip planned to the US so he took the computer with him and went to an Apple Store in the US. They, too, said it was his fault, but because he had the 3-year AppleCare, they replaced the screen for free. If you have a trip coming up soon and have AppleCare, you might want to try that. No guarantee they will do it for you, but they did do it for my friend.

As a back up plan, he was going to buy a new Apple LCD off of Ebay for about $150 and install it himself if Apple wouldn't replace it under warranty. If you can't find the correct LCD in Korea, you should be able to find it for under $200 on Ebay. You'll need to search Ebay using your MacBook's model number to find the correct screen. Installing it is not very difficult and instructions can easily be found online.

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Holy Christ. 900,000W??? That's what I bought the computer for!!

I do have the 3 year warranty. I'll check that out.

Anyone have directions to Solutions Repair in Itaewon? And Johnny's??

Chokse · Joined: 22 May 2009

Like I said, even with the 3-Year warranty, Apple Korea wouldn't fix it because the damage was his fault. The US Apple Stores tend to be a bit more forgiving, especially if you have the 3-Year AppleCare.

Johnny's won't touch Macs, so I wouldn't bother going there. Solutions at the end of Itaewon near Noksapyung Station. I doubt they will be able to fix it any cheaper than Apple will.

Your best bet is to order an LCD from Ebay and install it yourself or pay a place like solutions to do it. If you have a friend in the military, maybe you can get them to give you an APO address to send it to (cheaper shipping and no Korean taxes).

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Thanks a lot for your help. Any idea how much an LCD screen or whatever might cost on ebay? And I live in Noksapyeong... where exactly is Solutions Repair?? I don't recall ever seeing it. Is it on the hill in Kyungridan?

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Oh, and where is the nearest Apple store near Itaewon??

bigscott · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Location: Incheon

I broke the screen on my Macbook Air last Christmas. I found a place in the US who were selling replacement screens on ebay for $100, paid $30 for shipping and installed it myself with the aid of a youtube video. It wasn't very difficult at all.

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Good to hear... I think I'll go that route if I can't find a replacement screen in Seoul. Now the question is: can I live without my laptop for a few weeks??

Chokse · Joined: 22 May 2009

There's an Apple Service Center at Yongsan Electronics Market (Chunja Land first floor... near A Twosome Place coffee shop).

You might want to go to that Apple Center to kill two birds with one stone. At the electronics market you can look around for a replacement screen, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. I also think you'll find Apple's price to be too high.

I think your best option is to buy from Ebay. No matter which computer you have, the screen should be less than $200, and probably under $150. If you can have it sent to a family member, they could re-package it and list a value plus shipping that will come under the tax amount of 150,000 won.

You'll need to be sure to get your computer's model number so you order the correct screen. They are all a little different, so don't screw that part up. If you are unsure, ask someone at the Apple Center to show you your computer's model number.

The LCDs they sell on Ebay are the same ones used by Apple. They are OEM screens, but are bought directly from the LG or Samsung factory, which is why the price is so much lower. Also, you'll need to install it yourself, but it is not very difficult.

You can find instructions at this site: http://www.ifixit.com/

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Chokse's advice matches the experiences of a buddy of mine as well.

Good luck, OP.

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Thanks for all the advice, peeps. I ended up getting a brand new screen on ebay for about 65,000W... seller has great reviews- seems to be some mass pusher of lcd screens... random. Having it sent to my parents (it already arrived), they send it to me... at worse I'll have a repair shop put it in for me, but I expect that'll only be twenty or thirty thousand won.

I'm crappy with computers and with putting stuff together (yes, I am half a man), so if anyone in HBC wants to put it together for me for 20,000W or a free dinner or something, feel free to PM me.