M1 Max Logic Board in an M2 Upper Assembly - can it be done?

[eccentricglow]

Hello everyone,

I have come across a great deal on an upper case assembly, display, screws for a 16” M2 MacBook Pro for around $300 dollars US. The M1 Max 16” I have has recently suffered a coffee spill, but fortunately most of the parts still work. I took apart the laptop, and dabbed up the coffee with alcohol. Right now, There’s one USB port that isn’t working. Just for curiosity sake, is it possible to use an M2 upper case assembly for an M1 Max? I’ve looked at photos, and it looks like it might. However, without tearing down the laptop completely and trying it - I am not sure if it will.

Otherwise, it’s probably looking for another logic board for an M2, but from what I’ve noticed supply is so limited and Apple charges so much that it’s almost not worth it. Any suggestions appreciated.

First photo is the M1, second is an M2.

 

[Basic75]

First thing I'd check are the iFixit guides for these two models for any differences.

 

[jlc1978]

First thing I'd check are the iFixit guides for these two models for any differences.

Great tip. However, fit is just the beginning. I'd pay careful attention to connectors for things like keyboard, monitor to be sure they are the same physically at a minimum and hope they are the same electrically.

If all that isn't working is a USB port, it's likely that a new upper case won't fix the problem.

 

[okkibs]

You need to keep display and logic board as they are because they are paired together and if you replace one of them you cannot repair and the Mac will be useless except with an external display.

 

[eccentricglow]

You need to keep display and logic board as they are because they are paired together and if you replace one of them you cannot repair and the Mac will be useless except with an external display.

So you’re saying the display is also serialized? How is that repair friendly on Apple’s part. 😒

 

[okkibs]

So you’re saying the display is also serialized? How is that repair friendly on Apple’s part. 😒

It isn't repair friendly, quite the opposite. Any 14" and 16" MBP with M1 and newer has the display paired to the logic board and if you switch out one of the two it needs re-pairing through Apple. They only offer this re-pairing if you initiated a self-service repair through them and paid full price for the replacement part.

I am not sure if they still do it with the latest M4 generation but they did it with M1 Pro/Max models and probably at least with the M2 generation as well.

You can google this issue and you'll find that people who tried replacing the screen or logic board end up with a broken display.

I kinda bet the top case switch will work across generations and Apple probably only switched out the chip on the logic board for a newer generation. But you'll have to look at the ifixit pictures in closeups, Apple might have changed one tiny screw placement or something else that causes the parts to be incompatible. I don't think that's the case but I'd be worried that the keyboard has some electrical change that makes it incompatible so even if the part will physically fit I can't promise that the keyboard will work. It's got the Touch ID on it as well... if it was my device I'd risk it but of course it's not my own money that's lost if it doesn't work out for you.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I have come across a great deal"

Just a thought, but...
Sometimes "great deals" end up costing one far more than expected...
(especially on broken equipment...)