This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch (2012-2015), with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a 15.4-inch laptop from 2015, identified by model number A1398. The SSD can be replaced but the memory is soldered, so storage is the only upgrade.
- Model number
- A1398
- Model identifier
- MacBookPro10,1, MacBookPro11,2 to 11,5
- Released
- 2015
- Type
- Laptop
- Screen
- 15.4-inch
- Storage
- Removable Apple-format SSD
- Memory
- Soldered
MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch repairs and upgrades
Screen replacement
We fit a complete 15.4-inch display assembly. That deals with cracks, lines, backlight faults and dead pixels in one repair.
Price confirmed before work starts
SSD and storage upgrade
The SSD in the MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch is a removable Apple-format module and can be replaced with a larger compatible drive.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory
Memory in the MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch is soldered and cannot be upgraded. It is worth knowing this before paying anyone for a memory upgrade.
macOS reinstall and repair
We reinstall macOS and migrate your data. Apple no longer offers the latest macOS for this Mac, so we install the newest version it supports.
Battery replacement
The battery is bonded into the top case. We release it with adhesive remover, fit a new one and check the cycle count and charging afterwards. At this age, short runtime and sudden shutdowns usually point to a worn battery and not a board fault.
Price confirmed before work starts
Keyboard and trackpad repair
Individual keys and keycaps can often be repaired. A keyboard with liquid damage or several dead keys is replaced, which on this model means the top case.
Charging port and power repair
We test the charger, the port and the charging circuit separately. A Mac that will not charge is often a port or a single failed component on the logic board.
We also carry out logic board repair, liquid damage repair, overheating and fan repair, hinge and casing repair, macOS reinstallation on the MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch, along with USB, HDMI and audio port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement, webcam and speaker faults and data transfer to a new machine.
What we see on the bench
- The SSD is a removable Apple-format module, which keeps storage upgrades and data recovery straightforward.
- Anti-reflective coating wear on the display is common on these years and shows as patchy staining that will not wipe off.
- The battery is glued into the top case. We release it with adhesive remover and never lever it out.
Data recovery from the MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch
The SSD in the MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch is a removable Apple-format module. We read it in an adapter on our own equipment, so data can usually be recovered even when the Mac itself is beyond repair.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch be upgraded?
The Apple-format SSD can be replaced with a larger compatible one. Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
My MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Usually not. The drive is separate from the fault in most cases, and we can remove it and copy your files even if the machine itself is not worth repairing.
How much does a MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch screen replacement cost?
Price confirmed before work starts. The exact figure depends on the part your machine needs, and we confirm it before any work starts.
Is a 2015 MacBook Pro Retina 15-inch still worth repairing?
It depends on the fault. A battery, SSD or charging socket is usually worth doing. A major board repair on an older machine may cost more than the machine is worth, and if that is the case we will say so.