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Replacing a MacBook unibody screen+enclosure with MacBook Pro screen+enclosure?

C

cambon

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 9, 2012
2
0
Has anybody, or does anybody know if it is possible to do what I'm asking?

My macbook has got cracked glass, but the lcd is fine. The enclosure has a few small dents and a few scratches.

I have read that the macbook pro screen is a fair bit better in terms of colour reproduction. So does anybody know if i can replace my current screen and enclosure with a macbook pro equivalent or are the parts not interchangeable?

or should I just go with replacing the glass only?
 
It won't work. The sleep magnet is on the other side. Your machine will still be running full force when you put it in your bag as it will not be sleeping. It will overheat and die if you do this.

I've personally built over 500 of these piece by piece for a few reverse logistics providers whose job it is to turn customer returns and off lease computers back into money for some big box online retailers. They were built from scratch. Here is what you want to know.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 2008/2009

a) 2008 has no Pro written on it. 2009 has pro written on it.

b) 2009 has the sleep magnet on the OPPOSITE side of the non pro.

c) 2009 has a slightly longer webcam/bluetooth wire.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 2009/2010

a) 2009 uses shorter webcam wire, but it is too short to measure or notice with the eye.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 2010/2011

a) 2011 does NOT use the wifi card that the 2008/2009/2010 use.

b) It does not have the wifi card housed in the display assembly. Only the wifi antenna is housed in the display assembly.

c) It does not have the bluetooth housed in the display assembly.

d) It uses an LVDS cable with a different length.

So, if you've been paying attention!

a) LCD is interchangeable across all A1278 Macbooks & Macbook Pros regardless of year. The 2008 models have poor quality LP133WX2-TLC* series LCDs in them which are not typically found in newer models.

b) wifi antenna, card, LVDS cable, webcam, USB hub, hinges, clutch cover, and bluetooth are interchangeable amongst 2008, 2009, and 2010. hinges are universal to all A1278.

c) The same glass can be used on any of them, it is up to you what your preference is for it to say.

d) 2008 back covers are only for 2008 machines. the same back cover can work on 2009 or 2010. 2011 back covers are only for 2011 machines.

e) The same webcam wire can be used on 2008, 2009, and 2010 machines if you choose a 2009 wire. 2008 wires will require creative routing and cutting portions of the inside of the machine for it to route correctly. I've seen this done, and do not recommend it.

Last, but not least:

The wifi card wire cannot be plugged in upside down. This is a common mistake because it fits in perfectly both ways. There are two V shaped marks on the connector. Plug it in with these V shaping down - I liken this to the cable "crying." If it is plugged in crying, you're screwed - no wifi on the logic board unless you replace the related chipset. One of the few mistakes I HAVEN'T made yet is this, but I'm sure the day will come.
 
l.a.rossmann said:
So, if you've been paying attention!

a) LCD is interchangeable across all A1278 Macbooks & Macbook Pros regardless of year. The 2008 models have poor quality LP133WX2-TLC* series LCDs in them which are not typically found in newer models.

b) wifi antenna, card, LVDS cable, webcam, USB hub, hinges, clutch cover, and bluetooth are interchangeable amongst 2008, 2009, and 2010. hinges are universal to all A1278.

c) The same glass can be used on any of them, it is up to you what your preference is for it to say.

d) 2008 back covers are only for 2008 machines. the same back cover can work on 2009 or 2010. 2011 back covers are only for 2011 machines.

e) The same webcam wire can be used on 2008, 2009, and 2010 machines if you choose a 2009 wire. 2008 wires will require creative routing and cutting portions of the inside of the machine for it to route correctly. I've seen this done, and do not recommend it.
Click to expand...

so if i am reading this right i can use a 2010 macbook pro lcd back cover to replace my mid 2009 macbook pro lcd back cover that is dented like crazy. right???!?
 
dofjc said:
so if i am reading this right i can use a 2010 macbook pro lcd back cover to replace my mid 2009 macbook pro lcd back cover that is dented like crazy. right???!?
Click to expand...

On A1278 - you can use a 2010 back cover to replace a 2009 back cover.

The ONLY difference in 2009/2010 display assemblies is the length of the wifi/webcam/bluetooth antenna, which is negligible.

The 2008 back cover on the other hand is TOO DIFFERENT - the magnet for the sleep sensor is on the OPPOSITE SIDE.

The 2011 back cover is DIFFERENT ALTOGETHER, since this laptop does not have wifi or bluetooth in the display assembly.

2012/2013, I honestly have to open one to see. My memory isn't as photographic as it should be. :p
 
I have Macbook Pro 15" 2009 and the back cover of the screen is pretty bent without any cracks in the lcd or the protection screen, I'm told that I have to buy the complete unit with the lcd etc as you can't be the back cover separate? I can also buy part number 661-5847 for decent price and would like to know if I can fit it to my mac and if my macbook pro will work the same as before?

Regards,

Unnar Mar
 
Aegishjalms said:
I have Macbook Pro 15" 2009 and the back cover of the screen is pretty bent without any cracks in the lcd or the protection screen, I'm told that I have to buy the complete unit with the lcd etc as you can't be the back cover separate? I can also buy part number 661-5847 for decent price and would like to know if I can fit it to my mac and if my macbook pro will work the same as before?

Regards,

Unnar Mar
Click to expand...

Not even close to compatible.

your back cover has a slot for the wifi card, which the 2011 one does not. Your setup will only work if you don't mind having no webcam, wifi, or bluetooth.

The 2008/2009 back covers for A1286 are stupid expensive, they're also the ones people actually need since they split at the bottom because it's two pieces glued together.
 
l.a.rossmann said:
It won't work. The sleep magnet is on the other side. Your machine will still be running full force when you put it in your bag as it will not be sleeping. It will overheat and die if you do this.

I've personally built over 500 of these piece by piece for a few reverse logistics providers whose job it is to turn customer returns and off lease computers back into money for some big box online retailers. They were built from scratch. Here is what you want to know.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 2008/2009

a) 2008 has no Pro written on it. 2009 has pro written on it.

b) 2009 has the sleep magnet on the OPPOSITE side of the non pro.

c) 2009 has a slightly longer webcam/bluetooth wire.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 2009/2010

a) 2009 uses shorter webcam wire, but it is too short to measure or notice with the eye.
Click to expand...

Thank you l.a.rossmann for your knowledge of macbook screen differences.
I have a 2008 macbook with a broken lcd and a 2010 mbp with a broken logic board. If I understand correctly, I can move the entire display assembly from the 2010 to the 2008 and just put the computer into sleep mode before shutting it and also change the time of inactivity that the computer will go to sleep in to the minimum incase I forget. Does that sound like it would work and what else should I be aware or cautious about just moving the entire display assembly?
 
rgog said:
Thank you l.a.rossmann for your knowledge of macbook screen differences.
I have a 2008 macbook with a broken lcd and a 2010 mbp with a broken logic board. If I understand correctly, I can move the entire display assembly from the 2010 to the 2008 and just put the computer into sleep mode before shutting it and also change the time of inactivity that the computer will go to sleep in to the minimum incase I forget. Does that sound like it would work and what else should I be aware or cautious about just moving the entire display assembly?
Click to expand...

After spending a lot of time trying to find solution for my mac sleeping issues, which at the time i thought were software related, I stumbled upon this article and i did the "magnet/metal test". And i was really surprised to find that the magnet in the LCD was on the left side, but it should have been on the other side because i thought that i bought mb pro 2008 without any parts replaced. But turns out i bought mb pro late 2008 with a screen + enclosure from mb pro 2011...

Just now, like some 10 minutes ago, I decided to remove the glass and luckily there is an empty slot on the right side of the lcd housing where the magnet should be for 2008 mb pro. So i took a magnet that fitted and glued it there. And now my lion finally sleeps !

It is really simple to remove the front glass. I used my plastic butter knife to get a grip under one of the corners and then, slowly slided the knife all around the edges.
 
l.a.rossmann said:
The 2008/2009 back covers for A1286 are stupid expensive, they're also the ones people actually need since they split at the bottom because it's two pieces glued together.
Click to expand...

Are the differences/ compatibilities noted for the A1278 also true for the A1286 line?

I have a late 2008 15", the display of which has come apart. I am thinking of buying a 2010 back cover. The pictures I see online suggest that the wifi/bluetooth is not in the display assembly and that the webcam is different (could be generic pictures).

Can the wifi/bluetooth holder be accommodated in the 2008 top case if one was to get a complete display assembly which only has the antenna in the clutch cover?
Conversely, can one fit the 2008 wifi/bluetooth module in the clutch cover of the displays that no longer come with the module in there?

I've noted the sleep magnet location differences.

Grateful for any advice.
 
Last edited:
jce138 said:
Are the differences/ compatibilities noted for the A1278 also true for the A1286 line?

I have a late 2008 15", the display of which has come apart. I am thinking of buying a 2010 back cover. The pictures I see online suggest that the wifi/bluetooth is not in the display assembly and that the webcam is different (could be generic pictures).

Can the wifi/bluetooth holder be accommodated in the 2008 top case if one was to get a complete display assembly which only has the antenna in the clutch cover?
Conversely, can one fit the 2008 wifi/bluetooth module in the clutch cover of the displays that no longer come with the module in there?

I've noted the sleep magnet location differences.

Grateful for any advice.
Click to expand...

Too many questions

On the A1286 2008 and 2009, same ****. 2010, different. 2011, same as the 2010, but the wifi antenna is different. 2012, have no clue.

On the A1278 - 2008 is the same as the 2009, but the magnet location is different. 2009 and 2010 are the same. 2011 is different because there is no bluetooth, and there is no wifi in the back cover. 2011 and 2012 are the same ****.

We used to build these display assemblies by the truckload for a company that sold to best buy.. once upon a time. Now it gets done by a company that can charge $3/labor/assembly. What a pain in the ass. Fun times though.
 
l.a.rossmann

Thanks for your very informative posts above. Can you please a recommend a replacement LCD that is better than LP133WX2-TLC?

Thanks
Ravi


l.a.rossmann said:
You can't, unless you don't mind being limited to ethernet and no webcam.
Click to expand...
 
ravic said:
l.a.rossmann

Thanks for your very informative posts above. Can you please a recommend a replacement LCD that is better than LP133WX2-TLC?

Thanks
Ravi
Click to expand...

LTN133AT09 is all you can hope to find now that this is discontinued soon, however, no LCD vendor sells the model you buy., They sell compatible. The model # available literally changes day by day with no notice, and as most LCD vendors sell thousands of cross compatible models it would be impossible to update this in realtime.

Honestly, for this machine, I would say don't bother going nuts over what LCD you put in it. It's 1280x800, my 2 year old android phone has better resolution than this laptop, it isn't much of a great screen to begin with even if you do get a "better" model.
 
late 2008 top lid

not sure if this was covered or not, i know that in 2008 there was 2 models made will the lid from 2009, 2010 15"mbp work on a Late 2008 model 15" mbp

if it will not is it the sleep mode that won't work? because of the magnets or are there more problem as well

thanks
 
l.a.rossmann said:
LTN133AT09 is all you can hope to find now that this is discontinued soon, however, no LCD vendor sells the model you buy., They sell compatible. The model # available literally changes day by day with no notice, and as most LCD vendors sell thousands of cross compatible models it would be impossible to update this in realtime.

Honestly, for this machine, I would say don't bother going nuts over what LCD you put in it. It's 1280x800, my 2 year old android phone has better resolution than this laptop, it isn't much of a great screen to begin with even if you do get a "better" model.
Click to expand...

Mr. Rossmann - was curious if you ever got a chance to see inside a 2012 Macbook Pro 13" (MD101LL/A) and determine if its new LVDS cable can be exchanged for one that will work on an early 2011 Macbook Pro 13" (MD700LL/A)? The connectors are different on the boards. Thank you!
 
I forget what is the case. Whether it is that 2012 will work on 2011, or 2011 that will work on 2012. One works, one doesn't, but I forget which. Just use the right cable, the things are five bucks.
 
Greeting to everyone from Latvia! I have a very similar question about interchanging displays so I won't make a new topic for this case. So I have a working mid2010 Macbook Pro 13 and non working mid2012 Macbook Pro 13...I want to check whether the lcd on 2012 mac is good, so the question is whether I can simply plug that lcd in my working laptop to check the lcd? In schematics I can see only one difference between those board lvds connectors - pins 17 and 18 conect to element L9080 those are different on each board. 2010 has ''90-OHM-200MA AMC2012-SM'' but 2012 has ''90-OHM-100MA DLP11S".

I just want to make sure that I won't destroy either the working laptop or the "should be working" lcd. I don't care about any other probems like airport, webcam etc., just want to check the lcd and swap them back. Thanks!
 
Greetings to everyone ,I found this discussion very useful and now I am concerned about the situation in which I have a Working Macbook pro mid 2009 and and I am concerned if am able to interchange displays between macbook pro mid 2009 15inch and macbook pro 2012 also 15 inches .. Kindly help me with this
 
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