If the graphics were a little better, then I'd suggest hanging on to it. Nevertheless, it's not that bad. It depends on what the screen is going to set you back and if you feel comfortable replacing the screen yourself. Keep in mind a 17" panel is not going to be cheap.
What are you mainly using it for? Because it's obviously large, so it's not the sort of thing you'd use at school, but in the same way, it's not super-gutsy in the GPU department.
Only got this laptop cause it was the best deal in best buy at the time. Also got it for the full keyboard and it's HDD space, but I mostly got it for the price.
I've been basically using it as a computer for school. I don't need a screen right now as I don't have any courses that need a computer, but in my next semester I have Programming, Engineering, and Web Design all those classes I don't necessary need my computer, but my school's computers are complete ****. (Just to tell you about them they are mostly old IBMs from '02) I guess I could just jack the monitor cord out from those computers and use it for mine, but those old school monitors hurt my eyes. Next year when I go to college, I will be finally getting money back tha my mom owes me from taking birthday money to me from my grandparents before I was 9. (so roughly $1600 all together)
I've also scoured the net and found my exact screen for a cheap price ( I may have already stated this) compared to other prices I've seen. ( I wasn't going to pay >200 for a panel)
Only thing I am having trouble with my model is that I can't find where the screw covers are to open it up.
Though my GPU isn't gutsy, at least it's better than an intel chipset, as my friend got a laptop thinking it had a good card (sales person said it had an ATI in it) but all it actually had was a chipset.
Most American colleges/universities have large surfaces in their lecture halls for their students, at least from what I've heard from my peers. Though I don't know where the OP's from, I can easily fit my 17" Sony Vaio on the surface in front of me in most lecture halls I've been in.
I've actually been in one of my possible college's lecture halls and though they are kind of small, they could fit my beast of a laptop.
My take, use the external screen and save your money for a newer computer, preferably one that has better build quality and customer support. (also if you spring for the Black Tie warranty extension from Geek Squad, any damage within the warranty period will be repaired or replaced, no questions asked.)
Now I am ****ing pissed! I wish I wasn't as cheap when I bought it. (I also wished I hadn't lost the receipt for my laptop the day after I got it as I probably had some sort of warrenty I could've looked upon)
I got this warranty for my HDD so I don't have to deal with any problems with that for a couple of years.
Only problem with using this external screen is that hockey season is approaching, and my parents want to watch hockey and stuff, and my old CRT monitor just plain hurts my eyes after an hour of use.