Installing a 2011 hi-res matte screen on a mid 2012 MacBook Pro?
I ordered a 2011 hi-res anti-reflective display assembly to be installed on my 2012 Macbook Pro unibody. Before ordering, I did my research to make sure this is possible. It looks like it is, but with some modification on the display connector. I would have just ordered a 2012, but the price difference is crazy (3-4 times as much for the 2012).
My question is, how much modification needs to be made? Proper tools for shaving off the extra width of the connector? Also, of those who have done this, how is everything holding up?
Is this a good question?
6 Comments
Adam Wilson what did your research show about this"modification on the display connector"? Would be interesting to find out how to accomplish this. LEt us know what model of displays you have. Read it off the tags affixed to the back of your LCD. That way we can at least check if there are more mods needed than just the display connector.
by oldturkey03
Hi, oldturkey. My 2012 display is model 661-6506, and the one I purchased to replace it is a 2011 model 661-5849. There are several posts on this iFixit forum that state that people have installed the 2011 display on the 2012 Macbook Pro. They all say that the display cable connectors are slightly different. That the 2011 is a little wider, BUT the actual connection point is exactly the same. People were saying that the modification needed was just to shave/cut off a little bit of the connector on either side to make the 2011 fit. The rest of the assembly should be the same, from what I can tell. Some people say the camera is different, but I cannot find a definitive answer on that, and honestly do not care if the 2011 one is a little worse.
by Adam Wilson
Yes, the camera is better in the 2012 (720p FaceTime HD camera) over the 2011 models (FaceTime HD camera). It still works with the 2012 logic board.
by Dan
@adamhd okay that makes sense. I've checked the connector wiring an both models and did not find any differences, so I was waiting for some "mods" on the board connector ;-)
by oldturkey03
Hi, Dan. Everything I read says the 2011 and the 2012 both have 720p FaceTime cameras (wikipedia, reviews, etc)... is this not correct?
by Adam Wilson
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