Foo - Repair a Mac Powerbook G4

Some friends of ours gave us an old Powerbook G4. Although it works well, it is missing some of the keys on the keyboard and their is a white stripe down the middle of the screen. Is this something that can be repaired or should we just get a new one?
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Thanks

It really depends on your use for it. If you are simply using it in your home as a basic computer, buying a wireless or wired keyboard + monitor would fix your problem for probably around 200 dollars. I looked on the apple website, but I did not find any replacement keyboard or keys like yours. I doubt that the monitor could be fixed, and it would probably be really expensive to have it replaced on that computer. When I bought my mac they told me that the monitor is like 75% of the cost to build the machine. If you need to use the computer to bring to work, maybe investing in a new Mac or Windows 7 product would be best.

Depends upon the generation of Powerbook. In the old days, there was still 100% import-tariff on foreign-made LCD screens. This did nothing to stimulate domestic manufacturers of LCDs, and the few that existed eventually shipped their manufacturing abroad anyway. The tariff is now gone and LCD screens have dropped in price tremendously and its cost no longer contributes significantly to the cost of a laptop.

You can usually find Powerbook G4 screens on ebay (http://desc.shop.ebay.com/Laptop-Screens-LCD-Panels-/31569/i.html?LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=powerbook+G4+screen&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282) for $50-150. It's cheaper to buy only the LCD and replace it. This requires more skill and manual-dexterity than buying the complete screen assembly with bezel and hinge. But replacing the entire screen assembly takes a lot less time. It's up to you on how much you want to spend versus how much labour you want to expend.

Same story with the keyboard.

On the other hand, used Powerbook G4s can be had for $300-900 depending upon model, specs and age.

I took it in to a shop and they immediately told me to throw it away! They said it would cost more to fix that it was worth. I think I 'll check on ebay for parts and see if I can fix it my self.