iMac G4 replacement screens

[svanimpe]

Does anyone know of a way to source a replacement screen for a 15" iMac G4?

The machine has a broken screen (impact damage) but is otherwise working fine, so if I can find a new screen for it, I'd like to fix it up again.

 

[phunguss]

Use an iFixIt gude to disassemble, then find the LCD panel number on the back, then check your standard eBay, Amazon, etc for that model.

 

[indigo_k]

Has it been documented anywhere whether Apple was using the same displays in these iMacs as in their 15" and 17" laptops at the time? That would make it simpler to try to find replacements without first disassembling the display (mine has a minor defect that I'd like to resolve with replacement, but doesn't make the iMac unusable as-is)

 

[phunguss]

Being that there were three/four different variants of the G4 15", which do you have? They may have different panels internal, depending on model. Once you know which one you have, finding a similar panel equivalent on Panelook.com might help in your search. I am going to assume it is some LG/Philips panel.

It looks like UsedMac.com says they are all the same (link to panel).
Here is one on eBay.uk
Here are some on PowerBook Medic.
In Europe, this link to TheBookYard.com looks to be out of stock.
DV Warehouse is also out of stock.

And some reading to do on another forum.

 

[joevt]

Some Apple display EDIDs include a panel ID.
Try https://github.com/joevt/AllRez

 

[indigo_k]

Being that there were three/four different variants of the G4 15", which do you have? They may have different panels internal, depending on model. Once you know which one you have, finding a similar panel equivalent on Panelook.com might help in your search. I am going to assume it is some LG/Philips panel.

It looks like UsedMac.com says they are all the same (link to panel).
Here is one on eBay.uk
Here are some on PowerBook Medic.
In Europe, this link to TheBookYard.com looks to be out of stock.
DV Warehouse is also out of stock.

And some reading to do on another forum.

Mine is a 17", but I'll check out those links and see what I can find. Thanks!

 

[phunguss]

I have a 1GHz 15" with some screen smudges, so I want to swap out the screen anyway. I have a non-functioning 700MHz G4 that will be the donor.

The iFixIt teardown getting to step 8, that is NOT the screen code you need (it appears to match the serial number). The panel code is under the foil.

Step 9 says to remove the 4 corner screws and the screen will lift out. Mine did NOT, as it was double-sided taped in. Putty knife and lots of prying.

Then peel back the foil from a few edges until you can see the real panel code.

So, the number from my 700MHz G4 15" donor is:

LG Philips LM150X04 (B3) on Panelook.com​

I will see if the 1GHz model is the same when I disassemble that one.

 

[phunguss]

Now the swap! 700Mhz screen into the 1GHz machine! The Pressure marks are gone!

But the center looks dark. This will be a candidate for PPC Challenge 2027 for CCFL to LED conversion.

To the LCD panel pulled: definitely different, but identical functionality. This one had an additional ferrite choke on the LVDS cable.

No markings there, so peel up the black foil.

Top sticker appears to be the serial number

Bottom corner appears to be the model, but I can't truly decipher what it is from Google searches. This is a link to something close, but it is listed as WLED backlit so it can't be correct. It would be interesting to see if something with the same physical dimensions would support a higher resolution like this panel from Samsung (1400x1050).

This gives you two options/models to search for now that seem to be compatible across the spectrum of 15" machines ( 700MHz / 800MHz / 1GHz ).