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Model A1286. Released February 2011 / 2.0, 2.2, or 2.3 GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 Processor

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Logicboard from later year?

Hello. I have a macbook pro that died a while back and I want to see if swapping out the logic board will fix it. No real experience besides piecing together desktop PCs.

My macbook pro has 820-2565-A.

Could the 2012 version of A1286 be inserted? Replace it with 820-3330-b

I bought in 2011 before thunderbolt was released. Wondering if I can put in a newer version to give it thunderbolt access. Not too important since it is a decade old. But figured if I go through with the effort...

Is this possible? Thanks ahead of time.

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While it doesn't matter your 2011 system mDP is in fact a Thunderbolt port. If you bought in the first weeks of its release there was a firmware upgrade that was required to enable it. Depending on the OS-X/MacOS release you've upgraded to over the years you likely had it upgraded a few times (I think its about 6 or 8 releases to the last one)

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OK so lets get down and dirty! The system I'm banging on right now was a early 2011 15" which I upgraded the logic board to a 2012 board. So clearly it can be done!

Here's the needed part:

Presently iFixit only has the 2.3GHz board in stock and here's the guide to take yours out and put the new one MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012 Logic Board Replacement You might find the board you want on another part site.

The only proviso is you need to make a slight modification of the LVDS cable. Nothing hard! Just use a nail file to file down the fiberglass tang. Here's the needed info:

Block Image

You likely need a new battery as well! MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Early 2011-Mid 2012) Battery

crwdns2886500:0Replace a 2.3 GHz Core i7 logic board (motherboard) compatible with the Mid 2012 MacBook Pro 15" Unibody laptop. Included Ports: Thunderbolt (Mini DisplayPort), 1000BaseT Ethernet, Firewire 800, 2 USB 2.0, SD card slot, Audio In, Audio Out. Fix processing issues like unexpected shutdowns, reboots, or water damage.crwdne2886500:0

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2012) 2.3 GHz Logic Board

$149.99

crwdns2886500:0Replace a 2.7 GHz Core i7 logic board (motherboard) compatible with the Mid 2012 MacBook Pro 15" Unibody laptop. Included Ports: Thunderbolt (Mini DisplayPort), 1000BaseT Ethernet, Firewire 800, 2 USB 2.0, SD card slot, Audio In, Audio Out. Fix processing issues like unexpected shutdowns, reboots, or water damage.crwdne2886500:0

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2012) 2.7 GHz Logic Board

$179.99

crwdns2886500:0Replace a 6730 mAh battery compatible with MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Early 2011 to Mid 2012 A1286 model laptops. 77.5 Watt Hours (Wh). 10.95 Volts (V). Part #661-5844. Battery model #A1382.crwdne2886500:0

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Early 2011-Mid 2012) Battery

$89.99

crwdns2886500:0Replace a 2.6 GHz Core i7 logic board (motherboard) compatible with the Mid 2012 MacBook Pro 15" Unibody laptop. Included Ports: Thunderbolt (Mini DisplayPort), 1000BaseT Ethernet, Firewire 800, 2 USB 2.0, SD card slot, Audio In, Audio Out. Fix processing issues like unexpected shutdowns, reboots, or water damage.crwdne2886500:0

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2012) 2.6 GHz Logic Board

$194.99

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Thanks it just came in the mail! Hopefully all goes smoothly...

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Success! Wish I knew about this 3 years ago when it failed... I will look into a new battery. Thank you!

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@mrsmith19 - Congrats!

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