Mine just got busted. LCD part is f’ed up, housing is fine.
Probably as much as you can buy a new laptop for.
Great. Guess the thread title should be “so what laptop should I buy?”
I look at laptops as a disposable item. I realized a $2k laptop lasts as long as $500 one, and in 6 months to a year they are outdated anyway so dumping more money into it is stupid. So instead of spending $2k on one and hoping it will last, I just buy a $500 one every year or so when I find a good deal. Works out good as long as you dont need it for gaming, but for web surfing it works out great.
or for even less money, go for a netbook.
purpose built high end laptops are nice if you are either gaming, or running databases, video editing, graphics design(and CAD), or spreadsheets from hell. suffice to say, high end desktops easily do those jobs better.
netbooks are like microwave ovens. when they die, just get a new one.
Ok, what’s a net book? I basically want to keep my iTunes on there, some photos, and surf the web, email, that kinda thing. Also, now that my screen is smashed, how do I get my iTunes off of it? Before I used a wireless router, but I also had a screen to look at.
Netbooks are 10.5" diagonal screen (or less) light weight notebook computers running a lower power Atom Intel processor. Typically do not have an optical disc drive. They run ~$400 or less. Great fit for the tasks you describe.
Before you throw away your current laptop, you make want to give these folks a call to see how much it would be for a replacement screen: http://www.screentekinc.com/
No affiliation - I had to deal with a similar issue when my smartphone’s screen cracked during a vehicle crash. The screen replacement was completed by a local 3rd party vendor at a significantly better price than a replacement phone. Just a thought…
Good luck,
Pk
Also, now that my screen is smashed, how do I get my iTunes off of it?
If your laptop has a connection to connect it to a regular computer monitor use that as a screen, or if it has a s-video, hdmi conection hook it up to a tv. If you have another computer on your wireless you can just transfer the files if it is setup to share files.
model of laptop?
they’re not always too pricey
If your machine is not under warranty, see if you can find the same model for cheap on E-bay or Craig’s list for a reasonable price. Take your hard drive out and put in into that machine. Otherwise, time to visit Best Buy
Not an inexpensive solution, but if you have a high end laptop it is worth it to replace the screen. THIS is the supplier I have used. But you really have to like your laptop to spend the $$.
For a decent Wintel laptop THIS is a decent deal.
Netbooks are extremely portable, but that is about it. They are OK for surfing the net or typing a letter or checking e-mail. Other than that they are underpowered, have limited storage and memory. But they are extremely portable.
If you are looking for options for storing iTunes, consider networked storage. Makes your library available from multiple devices like your computer, AV system, etc. If your data is important consider a storage device that has at least mirrored hard drives so that if one flakes out your data is still on the other drive. HERE are some options although I would recommend shopping around.
If you have the option to connect an external monitor, as previously suggested, that is an easy way to see what is on your computer. Then you can transfer your data to an external drive (USB, FireWire or network). If the laptop is dead, you can use THIS to connect the drive to another computer and transfer your drive. Again shop around.
The last time I bought a replacement screen it cost $200 but that was about 10 years ago when laptops were $2K.
This place claims that they have them starting at $59. I did a search for a replacement for my Dell D505 and it it came up with a price of $119.99.
I love that little phrase "starting at ". Almost makes bait-n-switch legal. Caveat Emptor.
If you can’t find a replacement screen let me know. I have a laptop that’s hard drive took a shit and it’s just collecting dust. We might be able to swap out the hard drives and you’d be set. Hopefully we’d be rewarded with a “voila!” or "tuh duh! or “abracadabra!”, most likely we’ll end up with an “oh shit!” and a WTF do we do now look on our faces, but it couldn’t hurt to try 
I have replace quite a few laptop screens with units i’ve purchased on ebay for around $100 to $150. Let me know what your laptop model # is and I’ll look around for you. Replacing them really isn’t that hard. If possible get one that comes with the inverter.
You may be able to cannibalize a screen from a pawn store or obsolete laptop. If you need to buy a new screen as parts, they can be found $100-$200. If you’re handy, you can do the install yourself depending on the configuration. If not, you’ll be paying an electronics guy an hour or two of shop time, $30-$75/hr, depending.
GP laptops are available at the BigMarts, box stores, Best Buy, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc, for ~$399-$499.
As another poster said, they’re pretty much disposable these days.
as for getting your music off the hard drive, i believe you can hook up a usb 2 usb cable from a different computer to the laptop, you might be able to get data off that way.
Removing the hard drive and using a connection similar to an external hard drive, where the hard drive has its own power source, would also work.
I just bought one off ebay for mine for $125 delivered.
They are pretty easy to install if you have mechanical skills.
I appreciate all the help, sorry I haven’t responded. My email notification has been screwy and I’m posting from my iPhone. I have a Dell Vostro 1500 series and the one link shows a replacement screen for $215. That’s not too bad. I’ve had the laptop for 2 years, and I don’t mind replacing the whole laptop, I just don’t feel like transferring everything. Also, perna mentioned using a S video cable, my laptop has the output, I just need to see if my tv has the input. I’ll go that route in the meantime.
I have had a lot of good luck on ebay, see this one specifically:
If you want to just get a new laptop, you’re more than welcome to, but replacing the screen is pretty simple, and not as expensive as you can see by the link above.
If you do decide to get a new laptop, you can remove your old hard drive and buy and external enclosure like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193037
Then you can transfer your old data to your new laptop and use it as a backup drive later!