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Early 2011 Model: A1278 / 2.3 GHz i5 or 2.7 GHz i7 processor

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Upgrading Logic Board to 2012 Logic Board

I know you get these a lot, but unfortunately I couldn't find the answer I needed.

I currently have a 2008 Aluminum Macbook and I'm looking to upgrade. Realizing that I couldn't upgrade the hardware to anything (and buying a new complete Macbook is too expensive and out of the question), and since I'm trying to go to school for electrical & computer engineering, I figured I'd take the opportunity to start taking broken computers and fixing/upgrading them, and either keep them, or resell them in working condition.

Now, I've looked at the logic boards between early 2011 and mid 2012, and from what it looks like, every thing matches up, connections, ports, screws, etc. Needless to say, the 3 boards look completely identical.

So, my question comes to the hardware. Has there been any upgrades to the camera, display, or anything else that would prevent me from being able to swap logic boards to a later version. Things like heat management, spacing, etc.

Thanks, and sorry for beating a dead horse.

Answer this question I have this problem too

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hi Joshua

I also had a same type of query but with the display assembly (the top part of the macbook pro), I found out that things are interchangeable to some extent.

And for the Logic Board i can see the the way the Heat Sinks are designed is different in both the macbook pro.

You can spot the difference in the pics.

This is for2011 and this is for 2012 .

I am not sure if that could create problems when swapping the logic boards. you know what i mean the way the heat-sink is seated in 2011 could be different then that of 2012. You have to look at the other end of the heat-sink which is near the fan, is that identical or not.

If you think i answered your question please rate (score) and mark it accepted. :)

Thanks

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3 Comments:

Ah, see, that's the stuff that some parts companies don't show. I've seen a lot of people mention the heat sinks, but unless it's a distance thing, I don't really see how that would prevent it from working on the 2011. If the newer one's are anything like the one I have now then that side of the board would simply be against the bottom keyboard cover. I'll look more into it.

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I'm curious if this worked?

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Sadly, the logic board & fan mounts are different. Swapping out the logic board between these series is not possible,

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Joshua Taft will be eternally grateful.
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