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Released June 2012 / Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost / Up to 1 GB GDDR5 Video RAM

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change MacBook Pro 15" Mid2012 regular LCD to Retina LCD?

I have a MacBook Pro 15" Mid2012 (non Retina) and I was wondering if it is possible to change only the LCD (just the display) to a retina LCD, if it's yes please do a guide on it and how much will cost me that?

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Nope - can't be done. See this Answer for reasons.

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let's be more accurate shall we!, the answer you just gave me it doesn't make any sense, the MacBook Pro 15" 2012 with 2.6 Ghz core i7 has exactly the same configuration as the retina one except the screen, with 1GB of VRAM and the same GPU Nvidia 650M, so why not??

and let's forget about the wifi antenna and the camera connectors and all those staff all I need is the LCD and just the LCD out of the shell it has the same dimensions it can be fitted in, so what do you think ?

there is people around the world have succeeded to hook it to a PC, so why not to same generation MacBook Pro and the same specifications.

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I don't think the connectors should be a problem if it has the same pin-out also it can be extended or changed in a better scenario.

all the answers on the other topic were theoretical, no one actually tried to do it and give an accurate results even here at iFIXIT where they have the parts, tools and expertise, but on the PC they already have it up and running.

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What what why is this even being argued!!! The connector is an IPEX connector. Yes it may look the same but who cares? I can carry anything from ethernet to fire alarm to LVDS to displayport signals along that connector, just because they look the same does NOT MEAN THEY WILL WORK!!!

LVDS connectors?

RETINAS DO NOT USE LVDS!!!

AIRS DO NOT USE LVDS!!! STOP THIS SH!T!!!!

Look at the schematic and it will TELL you what they use.

Just because idiots on eBay sell it as a Retina LVDS cable or a Macbook Air LVDS connector doesn't mean it IS one!! THEY are clueless ignorant tards, which is to be expected from idiot eBay suppliers, but doesn't have to be true for us.

There is no Retina or modern(read: not A1304 or A1237) Macbook Air that uses LVDS!

eDP is an interesting protocol. It can store an image in the screen without the GPU or the mux being on, it will show the last image prior to it turning off, but most importantly:

NO NEW MACBOOK AIRS USE DISPLAYPORT!!!

NO RETINAS EVER USED DISPLAYPORT!!!

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What what why is this even being argued!!! The connector is an IPEX connector. Yes it may look the same but who cares? I can carry anything from ethernet to fire alarm to LVDS to displayport signals along that connector, just because they look the same does NOT MEAN THEY WILL WORK!!!

LVDS connectors?

RETINAS DO NOT USE LVDS!!!

AIRS DO NOT USE LVDS!!! STOP THIS SH!T!!!!

Look at the schematic and it will TELL you what they use.

Just because idiots on eBay sell it as a Retina LVDS cable or a Macbook Air LVDS connector doesn't mean it IS one!! THEY are clueless ignorant tards, which is to be expected from idiot eBay suppliers, but doesn't have to be true for us.

There is no Retina or modern(read: not A1304 or A1237) Macbook Air that uses LVDS!

eDP is an interesting protocol. It can store an image in the screen without the GPU or the mux being on, it will show the last image prior to it turning off, but most importantly:

NO NEW MACBOOK AIRS USE DISPLAYPORT!!!

NO RETINAS EVER USED DISPLAYPORT!!!

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I disagree that the GPU can not drive the Retina Display LCD, less Vram would prevent it from only displaying the higher resolutions, assuming that the LVDS display connectors use the same pin out's, what needs to be checked is if the WLED driver chipset is the same, and the 0402 backlight fuse is of a higher amperage rating then a non Retina display model. If your logic made sense, then I would need a special video card to drive a 4k external display, yet they still use a standard HDMI or Dual Link DVI connector as a standard external LCD display.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=11...

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Can you provide the sources for this information?

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@Miles - Jose's assertions are not correct! Just because the backlight subsystem is simular has nothing to do with the video data stream. In this case over the years Apple as well as other laptop makers have changed the technology they use. LVDS was an earlier means, today display port is used (or a variation of it in the case of the 5K iMac). These signals are not compatible and the pin assignments are different enough you are likely to damage something trying. In addition, the GPU or graphics services from the CPU don't directly connect to the LCD so even it If is the same it does not matter. As for information review Apple's schematics as well as read up on LVDS & DisplayPort signaling, there is a lot online.

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Provide sources, how about the datasheet for the panels, how about the datasheet for the logic boards, how about common sense? Don't plug your electric shaver into a faucet water pipe and expect it to work same way you don't plug a displayport device into an LVDS port and expect it to work.

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@Dan, if the Retina LED display connector is not the same which I now know it is not, then you are correct, it will not physically or electrically work, but the logic that a non Retina display model mac's GPU can not drive such a display, when all it is a higher resolution LED display is ridiculous, it can drive a 4K or 5K external display just fine, but not at the higher resolution. I don't have access to the logic board schematics and pin outs, and such an effort to make such a modification is not really worth it, as it would be more cost effective to buy another laptop.

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