The laptop screen hinges are one of the most delicate parts (besides the LCD screen) of your MacBook. Older MacBook Pro systems are especially vulnerable to hinge damage due to the very thin aluminum that surrounds the LCD screen to keep it in place. First, let’s discuss some ways to prevent your hinges from getting damaged in the first place.

Rule number one:

ALWAYS use both hands when opening the screen. If you obey this simple rule, the display hinges and display bracket assembly will last much longer. It sounds so simple, and yes, we forget about this important rule all the time, but when you grab your laptop and open the screen with one hand, you’re flexing the screen in a way that it shouldn’t be. Place your hands on both sides of the screen and slowly open them. It is easy. Just breathe in and relax before opening the lid. If you have an older MacBook, make sure the latch on the front is released BEFORE attempting to open the display. It’s very easy to bend the display case, or worse, break the screen on your MacBook Pro.

Rule number two:

Keep your laptop away from the edge! The edge of the table, the edge of your car seat, the edge of your desk … you get the picture. It’s just another simple rule that can save you hundreds of dollars on repairs or parts replacement. Most screen hinge and frame damage is caused by drops, much of which could have been prevented if we simply kept our MacBook Pro away from the edge of whatever we put it on.

Rule number three:

If your MacBook Pro is “parked” most of the time, you can probably skip this one, but, if you carry your laptop around a lot, get a “sleeve” made of silicone, leather, or other material that will help keep your MacBook Pro safe. don’t let it slip through your fingers. Yeah, like we’ve never dropped our laptop before. Trust us. You want a sleeve.

Rule number four:

Get yourself a good carrying case, one with a decent suspension. And no, we are not talking about your car’s suspension. Get a case with a back that has a suspended inner section for your MacBook Pro if possible. This will prevent your laptop from coming into contact with the ground, as we know you like to toss your bag at the end of the day.

Okay, you followed all these rules and it still happened – your MacBook Pro screen is bent or misaligned with the rest of the computer. Or maybe you can’t even open the screen.

First thing … STOP – don’t go ahead, don’t try to open the screen. There are all kinds of wonderful cables found around the hinge assembly of your MacBook Pro. These delicate cables can break easily, adding to the cost of the repair you are going to perform so that you can use your MacBook Pro again. Go borrow someone else’s computer from Google for a Mac laptop repair service. In other words, don’t risk opening the screen and doing more damage.

When scheduling your laptop repair service, you should be sure to ask these questions:

Do you use Apple Certified Repair Technicians? (YES)

How long warranty do you offer? (AT LEAST 1 YEAR)

Do you offer free shipping for repairs? (YES)

How long will the repair take? (24 HOURS)

Are you working in your garage? (NO)

Do you offer free customer support where I can speak to a human being? (YES)

We hope these tips help you keep your MacBook Pro running safely and solidly. If you end up with a bad hinge or screen that needs replacement, you will at least know a few important questions to ask when scheduling your repair.