My laptop's screen is extremly dark, to the point that I can just barely see that there is something displayed on it. I was thinking that the backlight might be broken, if this is the case is it fixable or am I going to have to buy a new screen?

I'm assuming you've already tried adjusting any manual settings for the monitor brightness?

Yeah, you can just lock this thread. The laptop is 2 1/2 years old and I've decided it's not worth the trouble to fix. I'm just going to buy a new computer.

Our good 'ol disposable society..

Why not take it to the store you bought it from and see what they say? Maybe it's something simple or cheap. My laptop is pushing 5 years old and it's still humming away in great shape, two and a half years is nothing.