macbook pro unibody replace lcd panel free sample

There is a guide for the 15" MacBook Pro that illustrates replacing the matte screen. In fact, you can pretty much follow that guide all the way through for the 17" as well. There are a few differences but not enough to trip you up.

It used to be that if your screen cracked on your laptop, you’d just replace the LCD and be done with it. That unfortunately is no longer the case. With the introduction of the Unibody Macbook and Macbook pro models, Apple changed the design of the display assembly. Now, there is a glass panel assembly that is placed on top of the LCD panel. The good news is that it is possible to crack just the glass panel and save yourself some money. The bad news is that it is also possible to crack both the glass panel and the LCD.

If you take your Macbook to most repair companies with a cracked display, they’ll undoubtedly say you need to replace the entire display assembly and charge you some astronomical figure. It really isn’t an extremely difficult procedure to do yourself however, and so we’ve created the guide below to show you just how to do it.

The guide below is for the 13 Inch Macbook and Macbook Pro Unibody models. The 15 Inch procedure is similar, but not identical. We’ll have that guide available shortly.

If you’re not up for the repair, our Mac Service Center can do the job for you for $154.95 for a 15″ Macbook Pro, $154.95 for a 13″ Macbook or Macbook Pro, or $164.95 for a 17″ Macbook Pro.

To begin, use a heat gun to loosen the double sided adhesive strip that holds the glass in place. Use caution, and heat the glass in short segments as over heating can cause damage to your LCD.With the glass heated, place a strong suction cup on the glass  and pull up and away from the glass.

If heated properly, you’ll be able to see a small gap between the glass and the and the rest of the display. Insert a thin piece of plastic such as a credit card or movie rental card into the opening. Work the piece of plastic in enough where it can be slid along the seem of the glass. This will break the adhesive strip holding the glass in place.Repeat this procedure along the entire edge of the glass assembly. When you meet resistance, heat the area and repeat.

Caution: When pulling up on the suction cup, you should have to exert some force. However, do not apply excessive force as this could crack your glass or LCD. When you meet resistance, heat the area and repeat. At a certain point the glass will easily come free from the rest of the display assembly. Set the glass to the side on a clean, dust free, surface.

Next, remove 4 philips head screws ( 2 on either side ) holding the LCD to the display frame. Then remove the 2 philips head screws at the bottom of the display.

To reassemble, place the LCD back in the frame, and insert the LVDS cable backwards through the opening in the bottom the display frame. Then pull the cable through the opening.   You can use a plastic pry tool to assist you in routing the cable.  Be very careful with this cable as it can be easily damaged.

Line the bottom of the LCD up with the bottom frame, and slide it into the groove in the bottom frame. Then make sure the 6 screw holes are properly aligned.  Replace the 6 philip head screws.

Just to reassure myself… my macbook glass is cracked and spiderwebbed. It will come off in pieces. However, the lcd screen shows no sign of damage and works just fine. In fact I have been using it for months(and right now) but I just now came across your site. (You guys are great) I just ordered your glass repair. If the lcd shows no problems now, then it should not need to be replaced. Right? Thanks in advance.

I have a 13 inch macbook, but made a mistake by ordering the macbook pro 13 inch glass screen. Is there any difference? Can I just use the macbook pro glass?

Heat guns are available at most home improvement stores. A hair dryer may work but isn’t as powerful. Suction cups are available on our website. If you are not careful with a heat gun, then you can easily damage the LCD.

is there a visable differance for the glass screen or do you think it will void the warranty ( just replaceing the glass and not dissasembaling the whole computer)

It will technically fit, but you’ll have a metal sliver on the top of the display from where the bezel doesn’t cover the LCD frame and you’ll also have metal exposed on the corners from where the later generation models were more square than rounded. You’ll also have uneven edges, but it will technically work.

I have a late 2008 Macbook Unibody 13.3″. The glass i not broken. The adhesive strip on the bottom under the name Macbook is slipping. If I daily press a finger along the bottom egde, it will hold. If I forget a day or two it will slip. Some dust has managed to come in behind the glass. Most not visible when the LCD is lit. On larger speckle is however quite annoying. In the long run not satisfying and more dust can be expected I guess.

I am afraid that I have to take of the glass? You say it should be possible without disassembling the the casing and everything. I guess I would start with the bottom of the glass since it is where it slips, but I feel the space for manouvre is very thight if I start just there. Any suggestions? Two more questions. Can I use any adhesive strip or should I have you send them to me (europe) and please some clever advice for removing dust and cleaning the glass and the LCD. Hopefully I will never come there again.

I have a MacBook Pro 17″ with a 15.3″ display that needs a new glass. The LCD still works fine. Does anybody know where I can find such a glass. I believe that the same instructions as for the 15″ model still apply. Thanks, Fred

If you have a 17″ Macbook Pro, then your LCD should be 17.1″. If your LCD is 15.3″, then you have a 15″ Macbook Pro. We sell the glass for the 13″, 15″ and 17″ Macbook models at our online store.

we have a 17″ macvook pro with anti glare display screen. Nom the display is scratched. display is fine but the scratch mark is viosible. I was wondering hpow can that be fiixed? Apple wants over $500.00. if I send my laptop to you what is the turn arround time and total cost.

In your opinion, could this be an LCD backlight fault (they don’t have inverters do they?) needing a new screen or maybe a cable fault or something else?

@John – With liquid damage it is hard to tell. It could be the logic board or the Display. We do offer a free diagnosis service if you wanted to send the machine in to us to be professionally diagnosed.

I have vertical lines, about 1″ wide appearing on the right third of my 15″ unibody screen. They were intermittent at first, as I could apply pressure and they’d go away. If I follow your instructions to access the screen, is there a place where I may find an unseated portion of a cable or aspect of the LCD that I can reseat, or do you think I will need to replace the entire LCD display?

and on screen there are 3 vertical thin lines appear ( Blue, Yellow and red ) constantly ( No blinking ) I see them constantly , what I need to replace and which parts I need to order from this website ( Please suggest tools also )

Own a MacBook pro unibody 17″. Had screen bken issue. got an exact looking LCD assembly complete. but the lcd cable is different. How different? Well, the main connector(same fit on both)but is placed different. one is on the left side on original but right side on replacement. Now it appears the other 2 small connectors are not the same fit

Questions 1 How do I know specific cable for my mobo? obviously I’ll have to take the screen lcd apart to get to cable attached on the back. Just checking if there’s something I need to do 1st as this is my first try with MAC. I’m a pc guy.

Affected devices were sold between October 2016 and February 2018. Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will service affected MacBook Pro units, free of charge.

To identify your computer"s model and to see if it is eligible for this program, choose Apple () menu > About This Mac. Eligible models are listed below.

Please choose one of the options below for service. Your MacBook Pro will be examined prior to any service to verify that it is eligible for this program.

Note: If your MacBook Pro has any damage which impairs the service, that issue will need to be repaired first. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the repair.

The program covers eligible MacBook Pro models for 5 years after the first retail sale of the unit or 3 years from the start date of this program, whichever is longer.

Please read the following terms and conditions of sale carefully before ordering products from us. By purchasing goods from us, you agree to these terms of sale. These terms do not replace or affect your statutory rights. In these terms, "you" and "your" refer to the customer and "we", "us" and "our" refer to TJ Inspirations Ltd.

a) A contract for the sale of product(s) you order from us is only created once we have e-mailed you confirmation that your order has been dispatched.

c) The total cost of your order will be the price of the products you order, the delivery charge (if any), plus any additional services you choose e.g. premium delivery or installation. You"ll see all these in your shopping basket before you submit an order.

e) When deciding whether to accept your order we may use certain information about you, including any received from our accredited identity verification partner. For example, we may pass on your details for them to check against certain public and private databases. This will help protect you and us from fraudulent activities.

a) We are happy to announce that all the LCD Panels and Laptop / Notebook batteries purchased from us comes with 90 days warranty from the date of invoice. Please note that the warranty only covers against defects in material and workmanship and there are other circumstances which limit its cover.

b) If for any reason the product malfunctions, the policy will cover this up to 90 days for a replacement, the existing warranty will carry over NO NEW 90 day policy.

All our products are dispatched in brand new and secure packaging, therefore damages are extremely rare. Please check that the goods are undamaged, immediately you receive delivery of them and notify us if they are received in a damaged condition as soon as possible. We will replace it or give you a refund of the purchase price and the delivery charge *

In the unlikely circumstance that the goods turn out to be faulty / not as described / do not otherwise conform to the contract, you have the right to a full refund / repair / replacement / partial refund, according to your consumer rights.

We will give you a full refund or exchange of any unopened item within 14 days of receiving it. We will only refund postage if the return is a result of our error. A replacement will only be considered, when goods are returned after 14 days.

Note: When returning an item, please make sure original packaging is used, which includes the invoice of your purchase or provided RMA documents. We ask all customers to return items using Recorded Delivery via Royal Mail or the cheapest tracking service for delivery outside UK Mainland addressing it to our head office.

g) Your order will be dispatched from the UK warehouse. However, if the product(s) became unavailable after you ordered, we will allocate your order to be dispatched from our Main warehouse in China.

Please read the following terms and conditions of sale carefully before ordering products from us. By purchasing goods from us, you agree to these terms of sale. These terms do not replace or affect your statutory rights. In these terms, "you" and "your" refer to the customer and "we", "us" and "our" refer to TJ Inspirations Ltd.

a) A contract for the sale of product(s) you order from us is only created once we have e-mailed you confirmation that your order has been dispatched.

c) The total cost of your order will be the price of the products you order, the delivery charge (if any), plus any additional services you choose e.g. premium delivery or installation. You"ll see all these in your shopping basket before you submit an order.

e) When deciding whether to accept your order we may use certain information about you, including any received from our accredited identity verification partner. For example, we may pass on your details for them to check against certain public and private databases. This will help protect you and us from fraudulent activities.

a) We are happy to announce that all the LCD Panels and Laptop / Notebook batteries purchased from us comes with 90 days warranty from the date of invoice. Please note that the warranty only covers against defects in material and workmanship and there are other circumstances which limit its cover.

b) If for any reason the product malfunctions, the policy will cover this up to 90 days for a replacement, the existing warranty will carry over NO NEW 90 day policy.

All our products are dispatched in brand new and secure packaging, therefore damages are extremely rare. Please check that the goods are undamaged, immediately you receive delivery of them and notify us if they are received in a damaged condition as soon as possible. We will replace it or give you a refund of the purchase price and the delivery charge *

In the unlikely circumstance that the goods turn out to be faulty / not as described / do not otherwise conform to the contract, you have the right to a full refund / repair / replacement / partial refund, according to your consumer rights.

We will give you a full refund or exchange of any unopened item within 14 days of receiving it. We will only refund postage if the return is a result of our error. A replacement will only be considered, when goods are returned after 14 days.

Note: When returning an item, please make sure original packaging is used, which includes the invoice of your purchase or provided RMA documents. We ask all customers to return items using Recorded Delivery via Royal Mail or the cheapest tracking service for delivery outside UK Mainland addressing it to our head office.

g) Your order will be dispatched from the UK warehouse. However, if the product(s) became unavailable after you ordered, we will allocate your order to be dispatched from our Main warehouse in China.

introduction of the 17-inch unibody MacBook Pro at January’s Macworld Expo, Apple has moved almost its entire portable product line over to glossy screens. I say “almost” because the 17-inch model is available with an optional ($50) “anti-glare” option—not an actual matte screen, it would seem, but some sort of a screen treatment to cut down on the glare.

are well known—I despise them. My family actually owns a glossy-screen iMac (it’s the kids’ computer), and when I need to use it, I try to do so via screen sharing from my Mac Pro just to avoid the reflections. I also owned a first-generation MacBook for six months, but I simply couldn’t adjust to life with the glossy screen, so I replaced it with a pre-unibody 15-inch MacBook Pro with a lovely matte screen.

TechRestore booth at Macworld Expo to check out its matte-screen replacement program for the 15-inch MacBook Pro. (TechRestore currently modifies only the new 15-inch model, but the company has confirmed that it will soon have a replacement program available for the MacBook, too. So if you’re a fan of Apple’s smallest full-featured—OK, except for FireWire—laptop, but not of glossy screens, you’ll soon have a solution available.)

initial write-up, the end result looked quite good, at least at first glance. So after Expo, we decided to send one of our new MacBook Pros to TechRestore to get some hands-on time with a converted machine.

TechRestore doesn’t simply apply a matte finish to the existing MacBook Pro’s screen. Instead, the company removes the entire screen, along with its surrounding bezel and glass cover. In its place, TechRestore installs a new matte screen surrounded by a custom-made, flat-black, plastic bezel. The company does not cover the new screen with glass or plastic; it’s left exposed, just as the screen was on any older-generation MacBook or MacBook Pro.

Replacing the screen on a MacBook Pro sounds like a costly proposition, and while it’s not cheap, the service is not as costly as I would have guessed: The procedure costs $200, plus shipping. To put that $200 figure in perspective, some Google searching found 15-inch LCD panels (bare, generic models) for $195 to $250. Add in the cost of a custom bezel and installation labor, and $200 seems like a relative bargain. (Part of the reason the process is relatively inexpensive is that TechRestore keeps your glossy screen and bezel to use in its Mac repair business. TechRestore says the replacement display has the same specs as Apple’s original.)

The replacement process is surprisingly fast: approximately 24 hours (weekends excluded) plus shipping time. In other words, the total time and cost depends on

After Macworld Lab received the converted MacBook Pro, it sent me both the modified machine and a stock unibody MacBook Pro with which to compare it. I also added my prior-generation LED-backlit MacBook Pro to the comparison group, mainly to see how the TechRestore matte screen compared to Apple’s last stock matte screen.

So how’d things turn out? In short, very well. The TechRestore-modified MacBook Pro looks basically perfect, and the matte screen is everything I expected. The modification work is essentially invisible (there are a couple of minor damage spots on the bezel that you really have to look to find), and the screen mechanism works just as it does on the stock machine.

Build quality: If you saw the stock and modified unibody machines sitting side-by-side from anywhere more than a foot or so away, it’d be difficult to tell them apart. From that distance, the modified machine (shown at right) looks basically stock, with a couple exception: On the modified machine, the bezel is flat-black plastic instead of glass, and you won’t see the words MacBook Pro on the bottom of the bezel.

When you get closer to the machines—a lot closer—the differences become more apparent. The stock machine has a layer of glass covering the entire screen, so it’s completely flat. The modified machine is built like all previous-generation Mac laptops in that the screen is glass-free and sits inside the surrounding bezel, so there’s a slight ridge where the screen meets the bezel. As with those previous-generation machines, the screen “gives” a bit if you press directly on it—this is not the best machine to put somewhere where little fingers are likely to poke and prod. On the other hand, the replacement screen shouldn’t be any more susceptible to casual damage than older MacBook Pros were, as the technology is basically the same.

Weight: A side benefit of the conversion is that the TechRestore machine weighs less than the stock MacBook Pro due to the removal of all that glass. According to the official UPS shipping scale in my wife’s office, the modified MacBook Pro checks in at 5.2 pounds, versus 5.5 pounds for the stock unit—a weight savings of roughly five ounces. A five-ounce weight savings may not sound like much, but it’s noticeable; for example, it’s about the same weight as a hard-drive-based iPod Classic.

Not only is the modified machine lighter than its glass-encased relative, it’s also lighter than my own matte-screened, previous-generation MacBook Pro, which checks in at 5.4 pounds on that same scale.

Screen structure: One of the concerns expressed by readers of my original write-up on this modification related to the strength of the modified MacBook Pro’s screen assembly. The fear was that, given how thin the screen is on the new MacBook Pros, the removal of the glass would lead to a very flimsy structure. To see if this was true or not, I (carefully) flexed the screen on both MacBook Pros, twisting (ever-so-gently) the top corners of each screen. I also did the same thing to my previous-generation MacBook Pro, which has a no-glass matte screen in a much thicker assembly.

For obvious reasons, I didn’t test to the point of failure, but applied just enough force to get a sense of how much (or little) the screen assembly flexes. I was expecting the glass-screened MacBook Pro to have the stiffest screen, and it did. It flexed very little when tested, thanks to the full-coverage glass.

Surprisingly, the second-stiffest screen was found on the modified MacBook Pro. Despite the thinness of the screen/bezel package, it actually flexed less than the screen on my older MacBook Pro, despite the latter machine’s thicker top assembly.

I also opened and closed the lid on the modified MacBook Pro many times, checking for any alignment issues, noise, or other signs of trouble. The result? No issues at all; mechanically, the modified screen works just as well as the original. More honestly, I think it actually works better than the stock machine, as the lighter screen makes the machine less top heavy.

Image quality: If you’ve seen an older matte-screen MacBook Pro, you’ve got a rough idea of what you’ll get in a TechRestore-modified unibody MacBook Pro. However, when you place those two models side-by-side, using the same color-calibration and brightness settings, the TechRestore screen is notably brighter. In short, the screen is wonderful; the increased brightness is really noticeable and makes anything with a white background look much better.

The new matte screen is not, however, as bright as the stock (glossy-screen) unibody MacBook Pro, which clearly has the brightest screen. Below is a composite image I created that attempts to demonstrate the differences. Note that I’ve tweaked the color and brightness of the sections to make the final composite more representative of what I actually saw on each Mac. While not perfect—my personal MacBook Pro isn’t as dark as it appears to be, for instance—this image does provide a good sense of the differences between the three machines.

Matte vs. Glossy: What you can’t see in the above image, of course, are any reflections in the stock MacBook Pro’s screen. In a fully-darkened room, or in a location where I can completely control the lighting (such as the one in which I took the above photo), the glossy MacBook Pro’s screen is a clear winner—the colors are incredible, and the screen’s overall brightness makes it a joy to work with.

But I can’t easily control the lighting everywhere I want to use a laptop. The TechRestore MacBook Pro really shines, so to speak, in those locations where I’ve got no control over lighting. As with my current MacBook Pro, I can use the TechRestore screen in pretty much any environment without concern for where the lights may be located.

This image was, to the best of my ability, not staged to maximize reflections. I placed each machine in the same spot on my desk—the spot where my own MacBook Pro often sits, and marked the corner positions with tape so I could easily swap machines. I set each Mac to the same brightness level and screen angle, and used a tripod so the camera wouldn’t move between shots.

The color levels in the above image are definitely wrong (I’m no professional photographer), but I think it’s clear how different the two screens are. Note the glare from the light that sits behind my work environment; it’s very annoyingly-bright on both the glossy-screen shots, a muted glare on the dark matte screen, and nearly invisible on the light matte screen. Also notice the reflection from the camera and tripod in the dark glossy image.

The iSight camera light: One of the more surprising differences between the two machines became apparent only when I tested iChat’s video-chat feature. As you’re probably aware, a bright, green LED illuminates when the built-in camera is in use.

On the stock MacBook Pro, the glass bezel does a great job of “muting” this light. On the modified MacBook Pro, however, there’s no glass, so you get the full power of the LED—and it’s quite bright, as you can see in the photo at right. If this machine were mine to keep, I’d probably tape or glue a small square of tinted plastic over the light, just to dim it down a bit.

So what about the warranty on a shiny new MacBook Pro, should you elect to send it through TechRestore’s modification program? Given the extensive surgery performed by TechRestore, you may think that’s the end of your warranty. However, according to the company, the only portion of the machine modified is the screen assembly itself, which is then covered by TechRestore’s warranty.

But what about the rest of the machine? Given that TechRestore doesn’t touch the internals of the Mac, warranty work on the rest of the machine—say a failed logic board or hard drive—shouldn’t be affected. However, if you attempt to have your machine serviced and Apple declines due to the modified screen, TechRestore is willing to help. Its Web site states:In the unlikely event that you have a problem getting warranty service on your laptop after we perform any repair or upgrade, simply give us a call so we can provide you with assistance. We are here to help.

Updated to add: When contacted about the small damaged area on the MacBook Pro, TechRestore had this to say: “We always work with our customers to fix any issues – it’s why we have such a good reputation. If someone’s not happy, we go out of our way to resolve problems to everyone’s satisfaction.”

I’ve had the TechRestore “MatteBook Pro” in my hands for about six days now, and have been using it extensively during that time. So far, I haven’t had anything even resembling a mechanical issue with the modified screen, or with any other aspect of the machine.

In operation, of course, the TechRestore machine performs just like the stock MacBook Pro. That’s because, in all regards other than the screen, it is a stock MacBook Pro. This was my first extensive experience with the new unibody MacBook Pro, and I’ve come away impressed. I thought my current MacBook Pro felt pretty solid, but compared to the new machine, it seems to have the rigidity of wet sponge—the new unibody design is really that much stiffer. Performance is also excellent, and the machine feels much peppier than my current MacBook Pro.

The quality of the TechRestore installation was very good—not perfect, but with only a couple of minor flaws that don’t stand out in typical use. Although the screen is more flexible than that of the stock unibody MacBook Pro, it’s more solid than that of the prior-generation MacBook Pro, and it doesn’t come across as “flimsy” in any way. The fact that the laptop is also five ounces lighter is an added bonus.

In short, after spending roughly a week with the TechRestore modified “MatteBook Pro,” I would have no concerns about using this modified machine on a daily basis. In fact, this machine really feels like the machine Apple should have introduced—or at least made available as an option—for those of us who prefer matte to glossy screens.

Are there any downsides? There’s the cost, of course, along with some possible warranty concerns. But if you’re a matte screen aficionado, and you’ve been lamenting the lack of such screens on the new 15-inch MacBook Pro, TechRestore’s screen replacement program is an option worth serious consideration. Perhaps the best compliment I can give to this matte marvel is that, as the end of my time approaches with the machine, I’m trying to think of creative ways for it to get “lost” before I have to return it to Macworld Lab!

While I still hold out hope for an official Apple solution—and one that offers a true matte screen, not just an “anti-glare” option—TechRestore’s screen replacement program means that I can now once again contemplate the purchase of a new MacBook Pro.

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Graphics card failures: The Nvidia 8800 graphics cards in these machine have a manufacturing defect which leads to graphical distortion on the display and or incomplete booting through. A very big problem on these machines, which lead to an extended repair program from Apple, which didn"t fix the underlying issue. The only fix we have for these is a temporary one called a Reflow. Given the age of these machines its only really worthwhile if you have a need for an older operating system.

Screen weakness: The metal surrounds on the LCDs of these machines often break at the sides near the hinges. This was an unforeseen weakness in the design of the LCD assembly. These days this fault is not worth repairing given the age of the machine.

Drive cable failures: The cable which connects the hard drive to the logic board runs through 3 90 degree bends, and the copper inside the cable cracks and becomes brittle over time. This exhibits in the same way as a hard drive failure, and may cause a hard drive failure as well. We often recommend removing the optical drive and using a caddy to fit an SSD in the optical drive space as a way round this issue, since replacement cables are also prone to fail.

Screen weakness: The display starts to come away from the hinge area. This was an unforeseen weakness in the design of the LCD assembly where the adhesive fails. This is repairable, but the costs (around £200 + vat) are more expensive than the machine is worth.

Kernel Panic issues: This is a very common issue on the 15in 2010 MacBook Pros (logic board number 820-2850), often mistakenly attributed to a failed GPU or graphics chip. In fact, in most cases, the issue is with a tantalum capacitor on the logic board (C9560). This capacitor often fails and causes a slight short to ground, so when the computer switches from the integrated (Intel HD Graphics) to the dedicated (Nvidia GeForce GT 330M) GPU it causes a kernel panic. The solution is to replace the C9560 capacitor for a larger and more reliable polymer capacitor (extending the ground plane to allow fixation). We have a fixed price service to repair this fault.

Graphics card failures: Very rare (it is often the capacitor problem above), but if you get actual graphical distortion on screen it is likely that the GPU has failed. At this point logic board replacement is the only option. This is around £250 + Vat.

Graphics card failures: This is THE MOST COMMON failure of any MacBook Pro ever made. It affects almost every machine. It exhibits as graphical distortion or incomplete/cyclical booting. The fault is with one of the Graphics chips. There are lots of poor fixes out there (replacing logic board for example is pointless, re-balling is pointless as the fault always returns). As of January 2019 there is a new permanent fix where we permanently bypass the dedicated GPU. See our fixed cost repair service.

Memory slot failure This relatively rare problem exhibits as the machine booting with 3 beeps from the speakers. To identify if this is a problem with RAM or sockets it is advisable to try the modules one at a time in each socket. If the problem follows the socket not the chip then the socket is dead. As the costs of replacing the logic board are high we would recommend maxing the RAM in the one working socket (1 x 8GB single chip), and living with the dead socket.

Graphics card failures: A rare problem that causes graphical distortion on the screen or incomplete booting. Regretfully the only option here is to replace the logic board. This is expensive. Please contact us so that we can confirm the fault and quote accordingly.

Memory slot failure: This exhibits as the machine booting with 3 beeps from the speakers. In a small number of cases, one of the memory sockets fails. To identify if this is a problem with RAM or sockets it is advisable to try the modules one at a time in each socket. If the problem stays with the socket, rather than following the chip, then the socket is dead. As the costs of replacing the logic board are high, we would recommend maxing the RAM in the one working socket (1 x 8GB single chip), and living with the dead socket.

Drive cable failures: The cable which connects the hard drive to the logic board runs through 3 90 degree bends, and the copper inside the cable cracks and becomes brittle over time. This exhibits in the same way as a hard drive failure, and may cause a hard drive failure as well. We often recommend removing the optical drive and using a caddy to fit an SSD in the optical drive space as a way round this issue, since replacement cables are also prone to fail.

U8900 GMUX chip: A very common issue, often misidentified as a graphics card issue. Symptoms exhibit as either a black screen on boot (but the machine still chimes), or when playing a video or doing a GPU intensive task the machine will re-start and give a Kernel panic message talking about the MUX chip. The fault here is a manufacturing issue where the IC which provides power to the graphics chip develops bad connections to the logic board (due to being placed underneath a stress point). We have a fixed price fix for this issue here.

"Staingate": Delamination of the LCD panel. Nicknamed "Staingate", this is where the anti reflective coating comes off the LCD. Apple may still replace the screen for you for free. Check with them for details.

SSD failures: SSDs are much more reliable than hard drives, but they do have a failure rate. Fortunately these are replaceable. Select your Mac by entering your serial number into our site, to see the options we have for these machines.

"Staingate": Delamination of the LCD panel. Nicknamed "Staingate", this is where the anti reflective coating comes off the LCD. Apple may still replace the screen for you for free. Check with them for details.

SSD failures: SSDs are much more reliable than hard drives, but they do have a failure rate. Fortunately these are replaceable. Select your Mac by entering your serial number into our site, to see the options we have for these machines.

Battery swelling: The batteries in these machines are more likely to swell than earlier versions. There was an extended warranty for some of the machines in this series, you can check eligibility here on the Apple website. If not we can replace the batteries for a reasonable cost.

"Staingate": Delamination of the LCD panel. Nicknamed "Staingate", this is where the anti reflective coating comes off the LCD. Apple may still replace the screen for you for free. Check with them for details.

SSD failures: SSDs are much more reliable than hard drives, but they do have a failure rate. Fortunately these are replaceable. Select your Mac by entering your serial number into our site, to see the options we have for these machines.

"Staingate": Delamination of the LCD panel. Nicknamed "Staingate", this is where the anti reflective coating comes off the LCD. Apple may still replace the screen for you for free. Check with them for details.

SSD failures: SSDs are much more reliable than hard drives, but they do have a failure rate. Fortunately these are replaceable. Select your Mac by entering your serial number into our site, to see the options we have for these machines.

Keyboard issues: The keyboards on these units have a lot of problems. Random keys will stop working. Apple has now acknowledged this fault, and there is an extended repair scheme for it here.

Display issues (Stage lights effect / Flexgate): This exhibits as either bright spots along the bottom of the LCD panel, or complete failure of the LCD backlight. We have a service to repair this fault here.

Keyboard issues: The keyboards on these units have a lot of problems. Random keys will stop working. We have replacement services for some models, see our keyboard repair page here.

The MacBook Pro is a line of Mac laptops made by Apple Inc. Introduced in January 2006, it is the higher-end lineup in the MacBook family, sitting above the consumer-focused MacBook Air. It is currently sold with 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch screens, all using Apple silicon M-series chips.

The original MacBook Pro used the design of the PowerBook G4, but replaced the PowerPC G4 chips with Intel Core processors, added a webcam, and introduced the MagSafe power connector. The 15-inch model was introduced in January 2006; the 17-inch model in April. Later revisions added Intel Core 2 Duo processors and LED-backlit displays.

The unibody model debuted in October 2008 in 13- and 15-inch variants, with a 17-inch variant added in January 2009. Called the "unibody" model because its case was machined from a single piece of aluminum, it had a thinner flush display, a redesigned trackpad whose entire surface consisted of a single clickable button, and a redesigned keyboard. Updates brought Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and introduced Intel"s Thunderbolt.

The Retina MacBook Pro was released in 2012: the 15-inch in June, a 13-inch model in October. It is thinner than its predecessor, made solid-state storage (SSD) standard, added HDMI, and included a high-resolution Retina display. It eliminated Ethernet and FireWire ports and the optical drive.

The Touch Bar MacBook Pro, released in October 2016, adopted USB-C for all data ports and power and included a shallower "butterfly"-mechanism keyboard. On all but the base model, the function keys were replaced with a touchscreen strip called the Touch Bar with a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button.

A November 2019 revision to the Touch Bar MacBook Pro introduced the Magic Keyboard, which uses a scissor-switch mechanism. The initial 16-inch model with a screen set in narrower bezels was followed by a 13-inch model in May 2020. This revision also modified the Touch Bar, as users were complaining about the ESC key disappearing and not being able to exit a computer window.

Another revision to the Touch Bar MacBook Pro was released in November 2020; it was the first MacBook Pro to feature an Apple-designed system on a chip, the Apple M1.

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros were released in October 2021. Powered by either M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, they are the first to be available only with an Apple silicon system on a chip. These models re-introduced MagSafe, function keys, and some other elements that had been removed from the Touch Bar MacBook Pro.

Alongside the redesigned M2 MacBook Air, Apple refreshed the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros with the Apple M2 chip. The model features the same chassis, albeit with changes to the system audio: speakers compatible with Spatial Audio and a headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones.

The original MacBook Pro used the design of the PowerBook G4, but replaced the PowerPC G4 chips with Intel Core processors,iSight camera, and introduced the MagSafe power connector. The optical drive was shrunk to fit into the slimmer MacBook Pro; it runs slower than the optical drive in the PowerBook G4 and cannot write to dual-layer DVDs.Intel Core 2 Duo processors, and LED-backlit displays, and 17-inch did in 2008.Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT video cards"Penryn" cores while adding multi-touch capabilities to the trackpad.

Both the original 15- and 17-inch model MacBook Pro computers come with ExpressCard/34 slots, which replace the PC Card slots found in the PowerBook G4. Initial first-generation 15-inch models retain the two USB 2.0 ports and a FireWire 400 port but drop the FireWire 800,802.11a/b/g.802.11nBluetooth 2.1.

Models of the MacBook Pro built from 2007 to early 2008 (15") / late 2008 (17") using the Nvidia 8600M GT chip reportedly exhibited failures in which the GPU die would detach from the chip carrier, or the chip would detach from the logic board.

On October 14, 2008, in a press event at company headquarters, Apple officials announced a new 15-inch MacBook Pro featuring a "precision aluminum unibody enclosure" and tapered sides similar to those of the MacBook Air.optical disc drive slot from the front to the right side, similar to the MacBook. The new MacBook Pro computers had two video cards that the user could switch between: the Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT with either 256 or 512 MB9400M with 256 MB of shared system memory.DVI port was replaced with a Mini DisplayPort receptacle.

The unibody-construction MacBook Pro largely follows the styling of the original aluminum iMac and the MacBook Air and is slightly thinner than its predecessor, albeit wider and deeper due to the widescreen display.multi-touch gestures.inertial scrolling was added, making the scrolling experience much like that of the iPhone and iPad.

During the MacWorld Expo keynote on January 6, 2009, Phil Schiller announced a 17-inch MacBook Pro with unibody construction. This version diverged from its 15-inch sibling with an anti-glare "matte" screen option (with the glossy finish standard) and a non user-removable lithium polymer battery.

At Apple"s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8, 2009, it was announced that the 13-inch unibody MacBook would be upgraded and re-branded as a MacBook Pro,polycarbonate MacBook in the MacBook line.color gamut.FireWire 800 port and all except the 17-inch models would receive an SD card slot.ExpressCard/34 slot.Kensington lock slot was moved to the right side of the chassis.

On April 13, 2010,Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors were introduced in the 15- and 17-inch models, while the 13-inch retained the Core 2 Duo with a speed increase.1680 × 1050) was announced as an option for the 15-inch models.Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics chip with 256 MB of shared memory, while the 15- and 17-inch models were upgraded to the GeForce GT 330M, with either 256 or 512 MB of dedicated memory.

Thunderbolt technology, Sandy Bridge dual-core Intel Core i5 and i7 (on the 13-inch model) or quad-core i7 (on the 15- and 17-inch models) processors, and a high-definition FaceTime camera were added on February 24, 2011. Intel HD Graphics 3000 come integrated with the CPU, while the 15- and 17-inch models also utilize AMD Radeon HD 6490M and Radeon HD 6750M graphics cards. Later editions of these models, following the release of OS X Lion, replaced the Expose (F3) key with a Mission Control key, and the Dashboard (F4) key with a Launchpad key. The chassis bottoms are also engraved differently from the 2010 models.serial bus platform can achieve speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s,USB 3.0 specification, 20 times faster than the USB 2.0 specification, and up to 12 times faster than FireWire 800.

On June 11, 2012, Apple showcased its upgraded Mac notebooks, OS X Mountain Lion, and iOS 6 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco.Ivy Bridge processors and USB 3.0 ports, and the default RAM on premium models was increased to 8 GB.macOS, from Mac OS X Lion 10.7 through macOS Catalina 10.15.

Early and late 2011 models with a GPU; 15" & 17"; reportedly suffer from manufacturing problems leading to overheating, graphical problems, and eventually complete GPU and logic board failure. A similar but nonidentical problem affected iMac GPUs which were later recalled by Apple. This "will repair affected MacBook Pro systems, free of charge". The program covered affected MacBook Pro models until December 31, 2016, or four years from original date of sale.

The Retina MacBook Pro was released in 2012, marketed as the "MacBook Pro with Retina display" to differentiate it from the previous model:USB 3.0, added an additional Thunderbolt port, added HDMI, and included a high-resolution Retina display.iOS device and is the first Macintosh notebook to not have its model name visible during normal use.Ethernet, FireWire 800 ports, but Thunderbolt adapters were available for purchase,Kensington lock slot,PowerBook 2400c, MagSafe port, dubbed the "MagSafe 2".

The Retina models also have fewer user-accessible upgrade or replacement options than previous MacBooks. Unlike the unibody MacBook Pros, the memory is soldered onto the logic board and is therefore not upgradable. The solid state drive is not soldered and can be replaced by users, although it has a proprietary connector and form factor.pentalobe screws and cannot be disassembled with standard tools. While the battery is glued in, recycling companies have stated that the design is only "mildly inconvenient" and does not hamper the recycling process.

The initial revision includes Intel"s third-generation Core i7 processors (Ivy Bridge microarchitecture).802.11ac Wi-Fi.4K video output via HDMI was added but limited the maximum number of external displays from three to two.

On March 9, 2015, the 13-inch model was updated with Intel Broadwell processors, Iris 6100 graphics, faster flash storage (based on PCIe 2.0 × 4 technology), faster RAM (upgraded from 1600MHZ to 1866MHZ), increased battery life (extended to 10 hours), and a Force Touch trackpad.5120 × 2880 displays.

In June 2019, Apple announced a worldwide recall for certain 2015 15" MacBook Pro computers after receiving at least 26 reports of batteries becoming hot enough to produce smoke and inflict minor burns or property damage. The problem affected some 432,000 computers, mostly sold between September 2015 and February 2017. The company asked customers to stop using their computers until Apple could replace the batteries.

In September 2019, India"s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said MacBook Pro computers could dangerously overheat, leading the national carrier Air India to ban the model on its flights.

Apple unveiled Touch Bar 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro models during a press event at their headquarters on October 27, 2016. All models, except for the baseline 13-inch model, featured the Touch Bar, a new multi-touch-enabled OLED strip built into the top of the keyboard in place of the function keys. The Touch Bar is abutted on its right by a sapphire-glass button that doubles as a Touch ID sensor and a power button. The models also introduced a "second-generation" butterfly-mechanism keyboard whose keys have more travel than the first iteration in the Retina MacBook. The 13-inch model has a trackpad that is 46% larger than its predecessor while the 15-inch model has a trackpad twice as large as the Retina models.

All ports have been replaced with either two or four combination Thunderbolt 3 ports that support USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 and dual DisplayPort 1.2 signals,macOS on MacBook Pro blacklists (prevents from working) certain classes of Thunderbolt 3-compatible devices.graphics processing units (eGPU) was added in macOS High Sierra 10.13.4.3.5 mm headphone jack; the TOSLINK functionality of previous MacBook Pro models has been removed.

Other updates to the MacBook Pro include dual- and quad-core Intel Skylake Core i5 and i7 processors, improved graphics, and displays that offer a 25% wider color gamut, 67% more brightness, and 67% more contrast. All versions can output to a 5K display; the 15-inch models can drive two such displays. The 15-inch models include a discrete Radeon Pro 450, 455 or 460 graphics card in addition to the integrated Intel graphics. The base 13-inch model has function keys instead of the Touch Bar, and just two USB-C ports. The flash storage in the Touch Bar models is soldered to the logic board and is not upgradeable, while in the 13-inch model without Touch Bar, it is removable, but difficult to replace, as it is a proprietary format of SSD storage.

On June 5, 2017, Apple updated the line with Intel Kaby Lake processors and newer graphics cards. A 128 GBCoffee Lake quad-core processors in 13-inch models and six-core processors in 15-inch models, updated graphics cards, third-generation butterfly keyboards that introduced new symbols for the control and option keys, Bluetooth 5, T2 SoC Chip, True Tone display technology, and larger-capacity batteries. The 15-inch model can also be configured with up to 4 TBDDR4 memory and a Core i9 processor.Radeon Pro Vega graphics. On May 21, 2019, Apple announced updated Touch Bar models with newer processors, with an eight-core Core i9 standard for the higher-end 15-inch model, and an updated keyboard manufactured with "new materials" across the line.macOS Catalina added support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 on 2018 and newer models.Pro Display XDR at full resolution.

The 2019 MacBook Pro was the final model that could run macOS Mojave 10.14, the final macOS version that can run 32-bit applications such as Microsoft Office for Mac 2011.

A report by AppleInsider claimed that the updated "Butterfly" keyboard fails twice as often as previous models, often due to particles stuck beneath the keys.class action lawsuits were filed against Apple regarding the keyboard problem; one alleged a "constant threat of nonresponsive keys and accompanying keyboard failure" and accusing Apple of not alerting consumers to the problem.

The Touch Bar MacBook Pro received mixed reviews. The display, build quality, and audio quality were praised but many complained about the butterfly keyboard; the little-used Touch Bar; and the absence of USB-A ports, HDMI port, and SD card slot.

On May 4, 2020, Apple announced an updated 13-inch model with the Magic Keyboard. The four Thunderbolt port version comes with Ice Lake processors, updated graphics, up to 32 GB of memory and 4 TB of storage, and supports 6K output to run the Pro Display XDR. The two Thunderbolt port version has the same Coffee Lake processors, graphics, and maximum storage and memory as the 2019 two Thunderbolt port models.

On November 10, 2020, Apple introduced a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt ports with a brand new Apple M1 processor, directly replacing the previous generation of Intel-based 2020 baseline 13-inch MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt ports. The M1 13-inch MacBook Pro was released alongside an updated MacBook Air and Mac Mini as the first generation of Macs with Apple"s new line of custom ARM-based Apple silicon processors.Wi-Fi 6, USB4, and 6K output to run the Pro Display XDR,4K displays.image signal processor for higher quality video.

On October 18, 2021, Apple replaced the high-end 13-inch and 16-inch Intel-based MacBook Pros with 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros,M1 Pro and M1 Max, Apple"s second ARM-based chips and their first professional-focused chips. Apple addressed many criticisms of the Touch Bar MacBook Profunction keys in place of the Touch Bar, an HDMI port,SD card reader, MagSafe charging, and a higher base memory. Other additions include a Liquid Retina XDR display with thinner bezels and an iPhone-like notch, ProMotion variable refresh rate, a 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6, 3 Thunderbolt ports, a 6-speaker sound system supporting Dolby Atmos, and support of multiple external displays.

These new models feature a thicker and more-squared design than their Intel-based predecessors. The keyboard features full-sized function keys, with the keyboard set in a "double anodized" black well.Titanium PowerBook G4 produced from 2001 to 2003.

In January 2023, the 14-inch and 16-inch models were updated. The new models come with the Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max, can be configured with up to 96 GB of RAM (up from 64 GB), support HDMI 2.1 that can drive an 8K external display (the 2021 models supported HDMI 2.0), and support faster Wi-Fi 6E.

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How do you upgrade the hard drive in the "Mid-2009" through "Mid-2012" Unibody MacBook Pro models? What type of hard drive do these models support? How do you replace the hard drive with an SSD?

Please note that this Q&A is up-to-date and covers pre-Retina "Unibody" MacBook Pro models. EveryMac.com also provides instructions for upgrading the storage in the subsequently introduced 13-Inch and 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models.

Upgrading the hard drive in the "Mid-2009," "Mid-2010," "Early 2011," "Late 2011" and non-Retina Display "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models requires a screwdriver, but it still is a simple and straightforward procedure. If a hard drive was installed by default, it is quite possible to replace the stock hard drive with an SSD, too.

If you"re not sure which "Unibody" MacBook Pro model you have, many of these systems share Model Numbers, unfortunately. EMC Numbers are not externally listed, either.

However, in software, it also is possible to get "close enough" to an exact match to determine hard drive compatibility and SATA connection type by Model Identifier. In turn, each model can be uniquely identified via model identifier and one or more secondary identifiers (like processor speed and/or processor type).

To locate the model identifier in software, select "About This Mac" under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the "More Info..." button. If the MacBook Pro is running OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later, you will need to click the "System Report" button after clicking "More Info..." as well.

For example, the 13-Inch "Mid-2010" MacBook Pro models -- which support 3.0 Gb/s SATA 2.0 -- can be identified by the model identifier MacBookPro7,1. Likewise, the non-Retina Display 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models -- which support 6.0 Gb/s SATA 3.0 -- can be identified by the MacBookPro9,1 model identifier. A full chart is provided below.

All of these MacBook Pro models support a 2.5" notebook hard drive or SSD that is up to 9.5 mm tall (0.37 inches) and use a SATA interface, but the maximum SATA interface speed of different models varies.

When the "Mid-2009" MacBook Pro models first were released, systems configured with a hard drive only had 1.5 Gb/s SATA enabled, whereas systems configured with an SSD had faster 3.0 Gb/s SATA 2.0 enabled. This caused a great deal of discontent among those across the blogosphere interested in performing their own SSD upgrades, but thankfully Apple quickly corrected this issue with a software update.

The "Mid-2010" MacBook Pro models were properly enabled with 3.0 Gb/s SATA 2.0 by default, and subsequent models are equipped with faster 6.0 Gb/s SATA 3.0.

Apple explains how to replace the hard drive starting on page 35 of the 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch "Mid-2009", 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch "Mid-2010," and 13-Inch, 15-Inch and 17-Inch "Early 2011" MacBook Pro User Guides, respectively, and this provides most of what you need to know to upgrade the default storage.

The "Late 2011" MacBook Pro models are so similar to the "Early 2011" models that Apple didn"t bother to release an updated instruction manual. For the "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro line, Apple"s "Quickstart" Guide does not cover hard drive installation, but it is the same process as it is for earlier models.

The Apple manuals provide installation instructions complete with drawings, and definitely should be reviewed prior to upgrading the hard drive, but even better, site sponsor Other World Computing provides convenient step-by-step videos of the process for the 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch models alike.

When you are upgrading or replacing the hard drive, you may notice that the original hard drive cable has become brittle or damaged and needs to be replaced. Site sponsor Other World Computing provides convenient step-by-step videos of the process to replace the hard drive cable in many of these models, too.

If you can handle the process to upgrade the hard drive, replacing the hard drive cable should be fine, as well. However, if you do not feel comfortable -- or have the time -- to perform these upgrades yourself, hiring a professional always is a good option.

In theory, just about any hard drive or SSD that meets the minimum requirements should work in the MacBook Pro. However, it always is best to buy from a trusted company with Mac knowledge for the most trouble-free experience.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades in addition to memory for the MacBook Pro models (and all other Macs as well).

In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells MacBook Pro compatible hard drives and SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.

In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell MacBook Pro compatible hard drives and SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.

In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells MacBook Pro hard drives and SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.

How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Mid-2009" through "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM does each model actually support?