Comments on: Save Plastic. Don’t Break Your Laptop Monitor.

By: Imaguest

Imaguest — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 01:12:11 +0000

I know your post was a year ago, but I am just now stumbling upon it. I too, broke my screen. My normal schedule of setting my laptop down next to the bed (my bed is low to the floor) before I went to sleep proved to be a mistake when my 3 year old woke me up one day, while standing on it. The crack slowly spread and I tried to hold out as long as possible changing it. Then about a week or so ago I put my backpack on the back of a hanger (which I have done a million times) and slam, straight to the floor. I heard a “thump” and knew I was in trouble. The crack was now an X. My college has a computer fix-it place free (yay) so I ordered a new screen and they installed it for me. Which is great, because they are a hassle to install. I was also told that I had a small crack on the back of my computer (on the lower enclosure). It didn’t affect how the computer ran, but it could put pressure on my screen by slightly pushing against it and making it easier to break. (It’s a 20 dollar fix so no big deal) so that is also something to watch out for.

By: Betsy (Eco-novice)

Betsy (Eco-novice) — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:11:31 +0000

This is a sad story. My laptop (6 yrs old) has needed a new battery for a while, and my husband kept telling me we should buy a new laptop instead b/c this one was about to die any second and the battery was so expensive, but I just couldn’t do it. And, FINALLY, he found a knock-off battery for $50! Yea! Who knows what the company’s footprint is and all that, but I figure if it saves me from buying another laptop for a few more years, so much the better.

By: sunnysandiegan

sunnysandiegan — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:32:19 +0000

Fascinating info… Thanks for sharing your adventure! :)

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Sun, 08 May 2011 00:28:34 +0000

Becca, thanks for letting me know about the broken links. I think they’re all fixed now.

By: Becca

Becca — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:51:16 +0000

Ack! Sorry to hear about your laptop. I also had pet-related misfortune with my computer this week, involving a large cup of water and an adorable but curious cat.

I got an error message when I tried to click on the links for: “As you know, I’ve fixed an old pillow, a blow dryer, a laundry basket, and even a washing machine.”
I’d love to see how you fixed a laundry basket. We have an old plastic basket with broken handles. We still use it, but every time Gordon does laundry he threatens to toss it!!

By: Elizabeth B

Elizabeth B — Sat, 07 May 2011 05:58:53 +0000

Ouch, Beth! I’m sorry to hear about your misadventure. I will remember that Sweet Memory is not worth it. (We just go with Apple if things break, since we’re an all-Mac household, but hooee they’re not cheap.)

Flo, your post totally inspired me. How awesome that you realized you didn’t really need whatever it was. It just kills me that so many people have drunk the consumer-vs.-citizen, buy-buy-buy Kool-Aid. :)

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 07 May 2011 01:32:12 +0000

My hubby broke my laptop monitor when the cat jumped on his lap unexpectedly which caused him to send the mouse flying into the monitor. We purchased a new monitor on amazon for around 100 and luckily my dad knows how to install them… well, at least he understood how to follow the on-screen instructions we found online. I can’t say it was very eco-friendly, but it was a lot cheaper than I was being quoted from repair shops.

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:56:30 +0000

Lisa, I can’t carry a desktop computer to give presentations. :-)

Clif, I paid about $250 for the stupid monitor, plus a fee on top for labor. I think I could have gotten it cheaper. I think Sweet Memory overcharged me. And they took a lot longer than they should have and made me come into the city 3 TIMES before it was done. I’m never ever going back to them again. I should leave a negative comment on Yelp, but the whole thing just makes me feel icky inside. And I’m honest because mistakes are funny and interesting. Pretending to be good would just be boring. :-)

(Just realizing I make smilies a a lot in comments. Is that annoying?)

Reenie, I have heard about a lot of different products that are made differently for U.S. and E.U. markets. But also, between the U.S. and Asian markets where there are sometimes lower standards than in the U.S.

Alyssa, I still love my thinksound earbuds. And yeah, they’re really photogenic, aren’t they? I have to be soooooo careful with them because the kitties think they’re enticing too.

By: Tracey

Tracey — Fri, 06 May 2011 19:42:51 +0000

We ALL break stuff doing stupid things, alas.
I don’t even want to begin to think of all the things I regret breaking out of haste, or naivety, or sheer thoughtlessness.
My newest plastic regret is sending my contractor out for stainless steel shower curtain rings, thinking I would virtuously avoid plastic, and ending up with two glossy plastic boxes with rings in them. Argh.
I will return 1 box and send the packaging back to the manufacturer.

Our city collects electronics at the curbside for responsible recycling. How cool is that? Check out the awesome ad here: http://www.toronto.ca/target70/electronics.htm

Love & RRRevolution, Tracey

By: Alyssa Lee

Alyssa Lee — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:31:04 +0000

Thanks so much for this! A while ago, my mom accidentally packed my laptop away badly underneath the car seat and I discovered it with a broken screen. I still have the broken screen so I’m glad to know what I can do with it now!

More out of economic reasons than anything else, I chose to repair it myself having heard from MANY people that it’s very easy to do yourself. It did take a little bit of time but it really wasn’t that hard and TRUST ME – I am no good at these things. I’m hoping it’ll never happen again, but if it does break, feel free to try it! It’s very simple and you don’t have to worry about quite as much shipping (or at least money-spending).

PS: My last pair of cheap plastic headphones broke and I really want to try the Thinksound. Now that you’ve had them for a while, do you still recommend them so strongly? I might invest in a pair and they look so gorgeous!