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Early/Late 2011 display assembly for a 2012 MBP?

Hi,

I have a mid-2012 macbook pro which needs a display assembly replacement, but finding one for that particular model (HiRes, Antiglare) is proving difficult. On the other hand, 2011 parts are everywhere.

I read around a bit and found that some are saying that they are compatible, except for a slightly different LVDS cable, which can be modded? My question is if this is something I could do myself, and how exactly I would do it. Are there any other incompatibilites? Will I have to do a PRAM or SMC reset?

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Yes, you can use the older screen on your newer logic board.

For some reason the LVDS cable connectors are slightly smaller on the newer systems logic board. So fitting the cable onto the logic board is the problem of the older 2011 display.

You could carefully disconnect the newer systems cable from the display swapping the cables over from the displays. This being a bit harder but less risky of damage.

Or, you need to take a slight amount of surface from the edge of the tang with a few wipes using a fine nail-file on each side which can solve the problem as well. It is not much than needs to be taken off and you need to do it evenly on each side so you don't mess up the alignment.

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Thanks! Yeah I'll try it. Hopefully it's not too difficult.

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Dear Dan,

I have 2 question about this topic.

1) if I swap by 1680 x 1050 screen into MBP 2012 15”, is it shown same resolution after I taken off each side and fit into

2) 2011 MBP display 40 pins can be matched 2012 40 pins or not such as each pins functions, I worry will burned 2012 MBP logic boards.

Thanks

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@btsuper - The 2011 and the 2012 15"models all offer the same screen 1680 by 1050 (native: glossy only) or 1680 by 1050 pixels (Hi-Res: glossy or antiglare)

The 2011 models either had an AMD Radeon HD 6750M (native) or 6770M (Hi-Res) whereas the 2012 only has a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M.

The 2012 models used a different vendors LVDS cable and connector set than the 2011 models which is were the tolerance difference becomes an issue.

So as we can see the NVDIA supports both screen types unlike the 2011 models which Apple matched up with different AMD GPU's so there is no ramifications using either display on your 2012. The Hi-Res display will offer the full 1680 by 1050.

The LVDS cable & connectors pinouts are the same across all three systems. The only issue is a very slight tolerance difference between them a nail file can address. Review the picture in my answer.

I've easily installed over 20 2011 Hi-res displays with either converted 2011 systems or upping the display on 2012 systems.

Let's look at this with something more tangible in your life...

Your front door needs replacing you go the the lumber yard to get a new one, you got the same size door as your architects drawing spec'ed out when your house was built, but when you tried putting the new door in you noticed the house had settled and the door does not fit cleanly!

You would measure the difference and adjust the door planing and sanding the doors edge as needed to trim off the door or door frame so the door fits. We are basically just doing the same here! Just making a very slight adjustment as the two makers of the cable/connector set are not exactly the same.

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