Mac Pro logic board

You can remove the SSD and install it into an OWC Envoy Pro Enclosure which can allow you to access it from another Mac (assuming it is the original Apple OEM SSD and not an OWC Aura SSD...there is no way to access an OWC SSD except by installing it internally into another compatible Mac).

If it is a third party M.2 SSD with adapter, then you can use any standard M.2 SSD adapter/enclosure including one from OWC (different from the previously linked one which was for the Apple OEM SSD).

Edit: Depending on the severity of the Logic Board failure, you may still be able to put this broken laptop into Target Disk Mode to connect it to another Mac. You will need a cable and possibly adapters to make the connections. Make sure to read the article carefully even if you are familiar with Target Disk Mode since Apple has changes things a bit recently and you may only be able to transfer files over a Thunderbolt connection.

Good afternoon Smastrangelo,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!

If your son was backing up his Mac using Time Machine on an external drive, then the data can be restored to a different computer.

Recover all your files from a Time Machine backup

If he had copies of important files saved on an external drive or thumb drive, those peripherals can be attached to a different computer.

If he had iCloud enabled for Photos, Contacts, Calendars, Notes, iCloud Drive, etc. then that data can still be accessed by going to www.iCloud.com and signing in with his Apple ID. (The data would also be synced with other Apple devices, like an iPhone or iPad.)

Change your iCloud settings

He can access web-based email accounts and access attachments sent or received.

These are just some of the ways to access data.

Take care.

Smastrangelo wrote:

This seems very hopeful . However the laptop doesn't power on

Then you will need to remove the SSD and use one of the appropriate enclosures I mentioned & linked.

If the laptop is using an OWC SSD, then you will need to acquire another compatible Mac in order to transfer the OWC SSD to it.

The SSD is removable in the 2015 model. If the Logic Board is repaired or replaced, then the laptop should work. However, like you mentioned, is it really worth the cost of repairing such an old outdated laptop? Removing the SSD and installing it into the proper enclosure is the most cost effective option since you can re-use the SSD with any other computer as an external drive after pulling your data & erasing it.