Late 2010 15-inch Motherboard repair?

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Level 1

115 points

Late 2010 15-inch Motherboard repair?

I have a Macbook Pro 15-inch late 2010 model.

The logic board fails at the video test at the Apple store

The estimate from Apple was $530 to replace the logic board.

The genius who helped me suggested I might find a better price at a non Apple repair center. I also talked to him about doing it myself. (I have torn down every computer I ever owned and I am no expert, but I have successfully repaired many models)

The repair store gave me a quote of $450. A new or refurbed board is $200-280 online.

But...

The repair store said they were going to just "repair" the existing board and also suggested that this is often the case with this model year which seems to have issues.

So, my question is:

What exactly is the "repair" that they would be doing on the board? Is that something I would attempt to do myself?

Just curious. Probably going to get a new laptop anyway, but I love resolution.

Posted on May 24, 2016 4:11 PM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

May 24, 2016 4:29 PM in response to Henry Cline1

One possible 'repair' is to perform a reflow which entails heating the GPU so the solder connections melt a touch and reconnect. If the GPU itself is healthy this can be successful, but it is high risk.

I got a second hand logic board from Powerbookmedic.com and replaced it in my 2006 MBP successfully. I believe that you can return parts to them if it does not function as expected, but check first. iFixit.com is also a source for Mac parts. iFixit.com also has detailed installation instructions.

Replacing a logic board is tedious but with patience, it can be done by one with average mechanical skills.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

May 24, 2016 4:39 PM in response to Henry Cline1

For the MacBook Pro 6,2 (2010 model), a proper repair requires you to replace the graphics chip, as a whole lot of them were found to have a Latent Defect -- a problem that was there from the beginning.

A reflow-only, on this model, is a waste of money.

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