17" MBP Display only displays 3/4ths of screen

Question

I purchased a 2.16 GHz 17" Macbook Pro (Core Duo) off of ebay in Mint condition. The computer had warranty, but did not have the extra 3 year Applecare warranty. I decided not to purchase the warranty, as I didn't think I would need it. Isn't that how all of these stories start?
Recently, my monitor has acted up, the backlight of the bottom half of the screen was different then the top half (slightly brighter). The computer was still usable, but it was just a little thing that I noticed.
Lately, the monitor has actually ceased to work correctly. The bottom half of the monitor now shows only one color (depending on what's displayed on the screen) and the top half is split in two, the top of that half is displaying normally, the bottom half of that half freaks out, also depending on what's being displayed. In order to get the monitor to show up again, I have to pinch the top right corner in a certain way and it will show.
I have dropped the laptop once, but it was only about a foot and on the other side of the computer (on the corner by the DVD Drive). It put a small dent, but it doesn't seem to have effected anything, display nor DVD drive (From the looks of a take-apart guide from ifixit.com)
I have also noticed that the display seems to be leaving marks on the computer, on the left side by the power adapter. When closing the display, the monitor also seems to be slightly out of alignment, I can easily feel it on the right side of the display.
My one year warranty has passed already, and I don't have phone support either, so they won't talk to me, and the nearest apple store is a distance away (about an hour drive), and there is usually an hour wait to be seen (It is one of two Apple Stores in Orlando, the next nearest being in Tampa, 2 hours+ away) so a trip to find out that I need to pay a grand to get my computer fixed is not a fun trip.
What I needed to know is if this is a defect that needs to be fixed by Apple, or what. I have noticed a slight bend as well, and having issues with the latch (it won't even open most of the time), the same noted by this blogger (http://mybiggestcomplaint.com/apple-refusing-to-fix-my-macbook-pro/99/) and wondered if maybe the strain from the springs on the display have caused an issue with the cable going to the monitor (again from ifixit.com).
Has anyone had this issue or know anything about this? I know the power adapter is under warranty (had that replaced already, wasn't charging) and the battery issue (I had that issue as well... lucky me). Does anyone know if this would be considered a defect or what should be done. I'm a college student and I really can't afford to have my computer gone for months on time, but my laptop needing to be attached to an external defeats the purpose of a laptop...

Answer 1

I am sorry to hear about your problems. I, too, have noticed that my screen bends from side to side. If I press one side of the screen flat, the other side rises about an eighth of an inch..it looks exactly like the pictures on the link you provided. After reading about this problem from others, I took my laptop to the genius bar (Florida Mall in Orlando, in fact) and was told that the bend is a common problem in MacBook Pros. He said, however, that it is a cosmetic problem and would not cause any damage to my machine. The store would fix the screen, but it would take a week and he said that a small gap would still exist. Again, however, I have not had any problems with the latch (yet) and it was still under warranty. The display on my 15" MacBook Pro was replaced (under warranty) due to dead pixels; the attached receipt indicated that a new display, labor, & tax totaled $800...so I'd say a 17" display alone would be ~$1000. However your problem may be some type of driver for the display, which I'd imagine would be cheaper to fix. Before you go to the Genius Bar, you should know that it costs $100 or so for them to LOOK at your out-of-warranty machine. I assume you are at UF? I would imagine there are a few computer stores in Gainesville that will fix Macs for much cheaper than the Apple Store. Apple produces great machines, but their reliability is average (go figure, they're assembled in China) and unfortunately that means there are some lemons. I would definitely recommend purchasing the extended warranty if you purchase another Mac (for the MacBook Pro, it is $250 with a student discount). Did you purchase your laptop recently? If so, I think E-Bay offers some kind of protection against buying a lemon. I hope all turns out well for you and your laptop.