Macbook pro M2 screen replacement compatibility

There are some companies that specialize in buying up used Macs that had accidents.

Then they take the screen from one that drank a glass of water and mate it up with one that works, but broke its screen.

Generally speaking, these options are not readily available until much later in the product cycle, when used parts and accident-prone computers become more plentiful, and fixing up a slightly older Macs through Apple makes less sense.

I would start with reputable vendors like PowerBook Medic.

I suggest you ask MacBook repair places like PowerBook Medic if they could do a reasonably-priced trade-in of your screen-damaged unit for a repaired used unit you seek.

Another reason I am balking at suggesting you 'do it yourself' is the frequent postings of senior contributor HWTech, who repairs these all day every day, and reports that the inside have gotten increasingly fussy and harder to repair without causing additional damage.

the Apple display, installed, runs about US$600.

On the PLUS side:

It's working!

You saved more than half the cost (but assumed all the risk of doing the repairs yourself).

You gain a lot of experience about working inside these Macs. [That experience is not available anywhere.]

On the MINUS side:

Now you have a slightly "white elephant" Mac that is not exactly the commodity system, and you said it falls short of your needs in several ways (so you may have been better served by trading up to a more-capable model).

It is hard to say. Unless the part seller specifically mentions it, then I would say it is not compatible. Usually knowledgeable & reputable part sellers will clearly list the systems a part is compatible with. Just make sure you are using a reputable seller and they are knowledgeable about the part they are selling. I know with older Apple laptops two screens can look identical...mounts line up, cables all fit, but the parts are not compatible. If you are lucky, nothing bad happens. If you are unlucky, then you may burn out the replacement Display and the Logic Board if they are not compatible. Even an AASP may not be able to give you a definitive answer since Apple can change part numbers on them even if they are exactly identical parts.

Keep in mind that with the 2018+ Macs that Apple does a special pairing of components so you may end up with a less functional Mac...in what ways I cannot say since Apple doesn't really provide any information. I do know Apple has said the pairing of a Display is to calibrate with the Logic Board for HDR. Another possible side effect may be that DRM protected content may no longer play on your laptop due to HDCP being broken because the Display is not properly paired. There is also a possibility that not pairing the Display could affect the security level of the Mac where maybe something like the Apple Wallet or other things in that vain may no longer work (I'm not saying the Display is a security risk, only that not having it properly paired may have macOS tell itself there is weakened system security).

A few years ago I was working on a Mac and something refused to operate due to an issue with the perceived security level....it ended up being some simple macOS setting that affected it, but I would never have considered to have any bearing on affecting security in that way.....I don't recall the specifics, but it was really a stretch to figure out a valid link why that seemingly innocuous setting would have prevented that feature from working due to security reasons....I really wish I could remember the exact details.

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider may refuse to repair the laptop later on if they suspect an unauthorized repair has been performed. Just because the part may fit & work, does not mean it is the proper part for that specific model laptop...so if Apple discovers this discrepancy (techs that are very familiar can tell the difference many times, plus the parts are scanned), you may no longer receive official repair service (or if you do, then it will be even more expensive since Apple or the AASP will not be able to exchange parts which means you will not get credit for the core return in the exchange...this usually doubles the price of the part, but most AASPs don't seem to even offer this option to customers from what I've heard on these forums from other users who have been refused service). While this is not right and probably not legal in many jurisdictions, this is what I've seen reported on these forums from a lot of users and in most cases people probably don't have the time or money to actually challenge Apple in a long drawn out legal battle.

These laptops are much more difficult to work on than most other laptops. There are a lot of very fragile & delicate cables & connectors that are easily damaged even when the experienced repair tech is being very careful. One mistake, and you may be paying even more for other parts.

I am all for a person's right to repair and for independent repair shops, but people also need to know the current risks. Apple laptop's are not really made to be repaired by anyone both in design, and exorbitant part prices for highly integrated components in just a few major parts. The hardware pairing is just another added difficulty, hindrance, and annoyance. Unfortunately it is not advisable to have a self repair or unauthorized repair with the Apple USB-C laptops (especially the 2018+ models). But it is your laptop to do with as you please, but just be aware of the potential risks.

Good luck if you go ahead with the self repair.

XJim wrote:

Hey, thanks for this long reply. I totally agree with you. The difficulty here is that quite none of resellers are offering MPB M2 screens...

Still too new with no scrapped/recycled M2s being scavenged for parts for resale yet.

Looking at the MPB model, both M1 and M2 are A2338 models...

Doesn't matter. Apple can sometimes use the Axxx number series for 5-6 years, but the parts are completely different and not interchangeable. Usually parts are only interchangeable for two model years only, the only recent exception for Displays has been the 2013-2017 MBAirs.

and looking at the iFixit video in which they switch the motherboard from an M1 to an M2, just to check if it was interchangeable, they found few road blocks like track pad and i dont remember the second hardware component.

That is usually the only way to know if basic functionality is available, but it is risky so it is best left to people like them to test things out for us. I've done it with some scrapped systems where I'm sometimes willing to risk parts that are just sitting around to experiment as my curiosity sometimes gets the better of me. ;-)

It's a bit a shame that Apple doesnt communicate on the security process they are putting in their machine.

I can understand not providing some details on security related implementations (maybe), but this is not really about security...yes they may spin that tale, but it isn't security in the way you imagine. I think it began in order to prevent AASPs from cheating Apple on repairs, then Apple just expanded it to other things. Now Apple can use it as a seemingly valid excuse to prevent independent right to repair which most of the OEMs do not want as they provide token gestures to appease the clueless lawmakers. I suggest you watch some Loius Rossmann Youtube videos as he has some very good thoughts on self/independent repair which are actually fair to both consumers and manufacturers (we think a lot alike). His recent FUTO video on medical equipment repairs is .....I'm not sure how to describe the pathetic situation, but it helps to explain some of the high medical costs.

There is no reason why a pairing should be needed for HDR calibration since the system should be able to do this on its own without any special service utility/procedure. It isn't like the Apple tech needs to use any specialized hardware to perform the "calibration" as it is all performed through software (specialized service utility limited only to Apple & AASPs, but still just software).

But there is almost no difference! how is that a mistake?

.

No one knows for sure except Apple computer.

Your Mac is new enough you should be having Apple fix it.

One mistake and you could turn an almost perfect computer into electronic waste.

<< this MBP is already a 'mistake' by itself. >>

please elaborate