Once we got over the fact that obliterating the front panel of the display was the only way to get it out, we grabbed the skinniest tool we could find—an iFixit 6" ruler—and started prying.

With the top and sides of the display panel freed, we were able to slide the shattered remains out of the display assembly.

There were two thin strips of adhesive underneath the glass holding it in place, with a pattern that closely matched our trail of bubbles.

So, what's the lesson here? If you want a world-class laptop screen that doesn't take up much real estate, don't expect to be able to pop it out and back in at will.