Mac Mini Late 2012

Released on October 23, 2012. Core i5 or Core i7 Processor. Apple Fusion Drive.

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Installing Mac Mini Late 2012 Logic Board Replacement

Completely replace your mini's logic board.

Author: Andrew Goldberg
Difficulty: Difficult

Completely replacing the logic board requires removal of the logic board itself as well as all components attached to it. Reinstallation will require reapplication of thermal compound to the CPU.

Sections

Bottom Cover 2 steps
Fan 3 steps
Cowling 2 steps
Antenna Plate 4 steps
Logic Board 6 steps
PRAM Battery 2 steps
Speaker 2 steps
AirPort/Bluetooth Board 4 steps
Logic Board Replacement 5 steps

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Edit Step 1 — Bottom Cover ¶

Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover.
Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case.

Edit Step 2 ¶

Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case.
Remove the bottom cover and set it aside.

Edit Step 3 — Fan ¶

Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate.

Edit Step 4 ¶

Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case.
Removing the standoff screw is not necessary to remove the fan. You need only raise the fan enough to lift it off the standoff screw.

Edit Step 5 ¶

Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector.
Carefully pull the fan cables upward to lift the fan connector up out of its socket on the logic board.
Remove the fan.

Edit Step 6 — Cowling ¶

Remove the single 3.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the cowling to the heat sink.

Edit Step 7 ¶

Lift the cowling from the end nearest the antenna plate.
Rotate the cowling away from the outer case and remove it from the mini.

Edit Step 8 — Antenna Plate ¶

Remove the following screws securing the antenna plate to the mini:
- Two 6.6 mm T8 Torx screws
- Two 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screws (either screwdriver will work)