Ten habits that protect a laptop screen and its display cable

Damage to the screen, hinges and display cable is among the most common and most expensive laptop repairs. Nearly all of it comes from everyday handling. These ten habits will noticeably extend the life of a screen.

1. Open and close the lid gently, from the centre. Lifting from a corner twists the hinge.
2. Do not force it further open. Most models are designed to reach only 120 to 140 degrees.
3. Never close the lid with a USB stick, headphone plug or cable in the way.
4. Do not pick the laptop up by the screen. This is the most common cause of a broken display cable.
5. Carry it in a proper bag or the hard case it came with.
6. Do not use it on a bed or sofa — blocked air intakes mean more heat.
7. Keep pressure off the screen: no pens, no keyboard covers with raised keys, no stickers on the panel.
8. Keep the cooling in good order. Heat degrades the display cable insulation and causes intermittent picture loss.
9. Have it cleaned and the hinges serviced every six months. A stiff hinge is what cracks the screen bezel.
10. If the screen flickers, shows lines, or blanks when you move the lid, have it diagnosed immediately.

Why early is cheaper

A display cable degrades in stages: first the picture flickers at certain angles, then colours shift, and finally it fails altogether. Replacing the cable at the first stage is straightforward work. If it fails in a way that takes the panel with it, the cost multiplies.