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Macbook Aluminum Unibody Logicboard Replacement

A

AnabolicDudee

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 9, 2013
3
0
Hey guys! I'm new to the forums, hoping that I'm posting in the correct section. I've lurked around for a few things I was looking into for upgrading my mac, etc.

I have the MacBook Aluminum (Late 08) model A1278 if I'm correct. I've had it for a few months now and its fairly amazing.

Now let me get to the point. What I was wondering, can you replace the logic board with a newer mac's board? Say a new 2012 macbook pro 13 inch...can I swap that into my unibody to make it 2012 pro? I know logic boards are pretty pricey, but if I were to find a cheap one would I be able to do it?


EDIT: Do to the post made in response to my post stating that the 2012 cannot be done due to different pins, firewire (Which is what?), etc, what about a 2010? Or any other newer version compared to the 2008. I'm still new to using macs so if someone can also chime in as to what the firewire and the thunder thing, I'd greatly appreciate it.
 
Last edited:
No, as the port layout is different, the model you have has no Firewire 800 and the 2012 model has Firewire 800. The model you have has a Mini DisplayPort and the 2012 model has a Thunderbolt port, and it also switched places.

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simsaladimbamba said:
No, as the port layout is different, the model you have has no Firewire 800 and the 2012 model has Firewire 800. The model you have has a Mini DisplayPort and the 2012 model has a Thunderbolt port, and it also switched places.

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Click to expand...



Thanks for your input. I just came across this article on macupgrades.co.uk

"You can easily tell the difference between the original MacBook Aluminium and the later MacBook Pro 13" models by the formers lack of a FireWire port or SD card slot, both of which are present on the later MacBook Pro 13".

The first (June 2009) and second (April 2010) revision of the MacBook Pro 13" models are very similar, and upgrade compatibility is the same for both models. "

According to this article, does this mean that the 2010 version's logic board can be placed in mine since it is "the same for both models"?
 
AnabolicDudee said:
According to this article, does this mean that the 2010 version's logic board can be placed in mine since it is "the same for both models"?
Click to expand...

If you have the late 2008 Aluminium MB with these ports on the side
macbook_2008_ports.jpg
and a 2009 and 2010 13" MBP is having these ports on the side
wwdc-macbook-13-530x137.jpg
you cannot use a logic board from a 13" 2009 or 2010 MBP in a late 2008 13" MB.

Is that understandable?
 
Definitely upgrade to a solid state drive as suggested above. It will make it feel like a much newer machine for every day tasks.
 
MBP 15.4 Late 2011 here. I wish to swap the logic board to a mid 2012 MBP one to gain the updated processor/ graphics and USB3.

Cost no bar, is it possible? What else do I need to change? I read somewhere I need to probably change the display as well, for the connector is different? In that case, I may just want to buy a 2012 display as well.
 
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