You wouldn’t eat a PB&J sandwich without the top piece of bread, unless you’re into deconstructing your lunchtime. You also wouldn’t normally use a laptop without the part of the computer that houses the display. Still, there are many individuals who have a good reason for either deconstructing a MacBook themselves or purchasing a used model with the screen already removed. In the world of tech lingo, a term called “slabbook” has become increasingly popular over the last few years, especially as it relates to Apple Silicon products like the M1 MacBook or M4 MacBook Air.
Investing in a slabbook or taking the time to Frankenstein a non-slabbed laptop is less a bunch of tech-heads with too much time on their hands and more a brilliant bit of DIY innovation. Believe it or not, buying or building a slabbook is a great way to lock into the power and performance of some of Apple’s best hardware, sans screen.
Thanks to wireless protocols like AirPlay or a good old-fashioned cable (with a proper adapter) running from your MacBook to a TV or external monitor, getting a slabbook up and running is relatively straightforward. There’s even a good chance you’ve got a couple of core accessories for the job just hanging around the house.
How to use a slabbook
Using a slabbed MacBook isn’t much different than using a regular laptop connected to an external display via wired or wireless connectivity. You’ll still have your MacBook’s built-in keyboard and trackpad for UI navigation, and you can even break out your Bluetooth mouse and keyboard combo if you don’t feel like holding your laptop. You’ll also still be able to connect your slabbed Mac to a docking station for expanded port options.
Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why invest in a half-broken laptop on eBay when I can just buy a brand-new M4 Mac mini?” For those who have attempted to price out a Mac mini or Mac Studio, you’ll know how expensive these Apple machines get. Once you start incorporating add-ons like AppleCare+, extra storage space, and accessories, the already-high base price can start rapidly ballooning.
And while the Mac mini and Mac Studio are display-less (requiring a hookup to an external monitor, TV, or projector to be used), a slabbed M1 or M2 MacBook may deliver all the power and features you need from an Apple setup. Yes, it’s tough to match the deliverables of the Mac Studio, but a slabbed M1 or M2 laptop can be pretty neck and neck with the specs of a mid-tier Mac mini.
Who should (and shouldn’t) use a slabbook
Using a slabbook might feel like an unusual purchase at first, but after a little time and patience, we bet you’ll be patting yourself on the back for all the money you saved. We get it: On the surface, it seems more like a hobbyist investment than a true laptop purchase, but those are just the optics. Whether you’re a seasoned graphic designer, Apple enthusiast, or someone who only fires up a PC once per week, going the slabbook route is a solid decision.
Choosing a slabbook may also be a necessity for someone who owns older Mac hardware with a damaged display. Instead of throwing in the towel on your old M1 MacBook, you can buy yourself some time and money by using AirPlay through your smart TV. After a few months (and paychecks), maybe you’ll want to invest in a new macOS machine, or perhaps you’ll just keep using your slab savior.
That said, we wouldn’t recommend the slab path for anyone uncomfortable with taking a laptop apart. If you don’t know what you’re doing, hardware modding can quickly become a catastrophe. It’s also worth mentioning that once you start ripping your MacBook open, there’s a 99.9% chance you’ll be voiding the device’s warranty or any existing AppleCare+ coverage.
