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I have a Macbook Pro Late 2011 2.40 intel core i7 with Amd Radeon HD 6770M 1 Gb can I upgrade the motherboard to the new mid 2012 non retina macbook pro. I know that both are externally identically in every way. But will the insides fit? Thank you.
Nothing is impossible, however the benefit of taking on a project like this would be nowhere near the amount of work to do so. The MacBook Pro Retina has multiple ports (MagSafe, Thunderbolt, USB, SD) on each side, whereas the MacBook Pro only has ports on it’s left hand side. The battery connectors are quite different and a battery transplant would be VERY difficult thanks to the highly proprietary design of the MBPR’s battery. The majority of screw locations are different. The list goes on. For comparison purposes: MacBook Pro Retina internal view MacBook Pro internal view It would be kind of a cool transplant but in reality it just isn’t feasible. Hope that helps!
There is standing NON RETINA…so my answer is this: If you will update your LogicBoard I think you must also update the Display because the change from 2011 to 2012 brings a new Displayconnector inside. (i read this in forums so no warranty) So i think a new MBP will be cheaper.
Just had an idea. If the problem in replacing the motherboard with a mid-2012 model is the display connector cable, why not replace both the motherboard and the display (assuming, of course, the displays of the late-2011 and the mid-2012 15" MBP interchangeable)?
That will work. The board will fit, but you would have to change the LVDS (video) cable inside the display as the connector on the motherboard is different, and you have to make sure you have 12800 RAM, as the 2011s mostly came with 10600.
