Hi All,

Has anyone had experience with a Sydney sales and repair mob called IT Tools (IT Tools - Refurbished Used Laptops, Cheap Second Hand Laptop, used computers, HP computers, cheap computer, second hand computer, cheap used computer, Toshiba, DELL, IBM, Compaq, Acer, NEC, iBook, PowerBook, iMac, PowerMac). They are offering to replace my cracked Macbook Pro 15" LCD for $574 ($399 for screen + $175 instalation) including pick-up and delivery from Brisbane. They say they use the same manufacturer parts as the apple original. Here is a link to the description of the part IT Tools - BRAND NEW 15.4 Inch LCD Screen for Apple Macbook Pro .

I have had quotes at all Brisbane apple repair stores at between $1400 and $1600 (usually about $1200-$1300 for the screen part). One other authorised apple sydney store quoted about $800. So while I'm really happy I think I finally found a place that can do a LCD replacement at a non-extortionist price - I'm a bit dubious as to why they are so much cheaper than everyone else.

Would appreciate any comments or anyone's experiences with IT Tools.

Cheers

Go for it, at that price it's a winner. They would have a hard time fitting anything other than a 'made for MacBook Pro' screen so it is likely you will get what you are expecting. Apple charge a premium for their service parts, their prices should not be a guide against competitors. You may find that the screen is a refurb, but at that price it's not too bad.

it may work with your MBP but can't be the same screen as apple use originally,manufactures have agreement with apple that they can't sell apple parts to third-party.

Yeah, and no-one would ever go against that...

It can and most likely will be the very same screen, probably diverted from the production line before hitting the Apple section. This happens with ALL their panels.
I have bought and installed both new and refurb panels for Apple hardware for years that did not come from Apple but amazingly where identical to Apple's supply. iPod screens are a good case in point here. FBTN, since you are in the channel (to a certain extent) I am sure you can give a rough idea of what Apple sells replacement iPod screens for to their service channel and what the RRP is. It is very high. But, I can buy the very same screens for $12 a pop wholesale (for all nano gens and all iPod classic gens). The same applies to notebook and cinema display panels (not the $12, but the vast difference in Apple's channel charges and enterprising manufacturers charges).

Thanks All,

FYI in the future - IT Tools did a very amateur job. The used the wrong screen part leaving the screen sitting too far right in the laptop lid frame and showing the metal edge of the LCD panel. They also made a mess of the case in a couple of places where they tried to pry open the case to get at the screen.

I can recommend MacFixit in Melbourne though. Robert there has been very helpful in fixing up the problems IT Tools left me.

I hope you didn't pay IT Tools for this.