Which screen do I have?
1. Resolution
Settings > System > Display. On a Mac: Apple menu > About This Mac.
2. Touch or not
Tap the screen. Glossy or matte matters too.
3. Model number
On the sticker under the laptop.
Frequently asked questions
What does eDP 30-pin vs 40-pin mean?
eDP (embedded DisplayPort) is the cable plug that connects the screen to the laptop. Most Full HD and 1920×1200 panels use a slim 30-pin plug. Higher resolution, high refresh rate and many touch or OLED panels use a 40-pin plug. The two are not interchangeable, so match the pin count on your old panel. Count the gold contacts or compare the plug width with the old one.
Can I put a higher resolution screen in my laptop?
Only if your laptop was sold with that resolution as an option and the new panel uses the same connector. A higher resolution panel usually needs a 40-pin cable instead of 30-pin, and sometimes a different display cable. If the maker never offered it for your model, it usually won't work.
Can I replace a touchscreen with a non-touch screen?
Touch and non-touch panels are different parts. A non-touch panel in a touch model shows a picture on many laptops, but touch stops working and the panel may sit at a different depth. A touch panel in a non-touch laptop usually won't have the touch cable it needs. Buy the same type you have.
Is OLED or IPS better, and can I swap one for the other?
OLED has deeper blacks and richer color. IPS is cheaper and can't burn in. They use different connectors and often different cables and brackets, so you usually can't swap an IPS panel for OLED or the other way around. Replace like with like.
Can I replace a laptop screen myself?
On many Windows laptops the panel comes out after removing the bezel and a few screws, then you unplug one cable. Laptops with glued glass, like MacBooks and Surface Laptops, are replaced as a whole display assembly and are best left to a shop. Unplug the battery first.
Where is the screen part number?
It's on a sticker on the back of the panel, usually near the bottom edge next to the cable plug. You only see it with the bezel off and the panel tilted forward. The laptop model number on the bottom of the laptop is easier to find, and it's enough for this tool.
Where this data comes from
Screen options come from each maker's own documents: Lenovo PSREF spec sheets, Dell Owner's Manuals and regulatory pages, HP Maintenance and Service Guides, Apple Tech Specs, Microsoft Surface specs and ASUS spec pages. Model numbers come from the same pages, plus iFixit device pages for Apple and Surface model numbers. Where a maker doesn't publish a detail, such as the connector pin count, we leave it blank instead of guessing. Each result lists its sources. Labor of $120 to $150 is a typical independent shop range. Your shop should quote the exact price.