Can data be recovered from a MacBook with a dead motherboard?

eatanappledaily wrote:

I was using my Macbook as normal, closed it, got on an airplane, opened it the next day and it will not power up.

I visited an Apple store to see if they could help. Unfortunately not as the motherboard has failed. I will receive my new Macbook tomorrow.

I have many files and folders on the failed Macbook, and yes, you guessed it, I haven't done a back up in a while! is there a way to recover that data? I am willing to pay to do so.

Please advise.

You do not say what exact Mac...however if this is the < MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.7 >

SoC M-series Mac Encrypted, locked, dead—It does not sound possible.

Sounds like at least you do have an 'old backup'— some saving grace...

It is a hard lesson to learn and advised not to wait for or a catastrophic failure to get the "jail house religion"—

If you value your user data

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

More than one device, more than one backup methodology— and backup regularly.

On any new mac you have 90-day Call in Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/

or call AppleCare Support at 1-800-APLCARE (800-275-2273)

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

Take your money that you are willing to spend On some Recovery effort and buy an external drive and use Time Machine to backup your mac at the least— Apple makes this easy for a reason:

Back up your Mac Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Unfortunately as @leroydouglas mentioned, it is highly unlikely to be able to retrieve any data from it now since the laptop must be nearly functional to access the hardware encrypted data (even when Filevault is not enabled). In order to unlock the hardware encrypted internal SSD requires the secure enclave chip to be communicating with the internal SSD which means it needs at least a partially functioning Logic Board.

You will need to contact a professional data recovery service to see if there is any chance to retrieve the data.