If your MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody (2008-2012) has a broken screen, will not charge, runs hot or will not start, we can diagnose and repair it at our Bermondsey workshop. It is a 15.4-inch laptop from 2012, identified by model number A1286. Both the drive and, on most configurations, the memory can be upgraded, which makes it a good candidate for a refresh.
- Model number
- A1286
- Released
- 2012
- Type
- Laptop
- Screen
- 15.4-inch
- Storage
- 2.5-inch SATA drive
- Memory
- SODIMM slots
What we repair on the MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody
Screen replacement
The 15.4-inch display is replaced as a complete lid assembly, which also renews the hinges and camera.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory upgrade
Most configurations of the MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody have SODIMM memory slots, so memory can be increased. We check what is fitted and the maximum the board supports.
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.
SSD and storage upgrade
The MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody uses a 2.5-inch SATA drive. Replacing a hard drive with an SSD is the biggest speed improvement available for a machine of this age.
Price confirmed before work starts
We also carry out logic board repair, liquid damage repair, overheating and fan repair, hinge and casing repair, macOS reinstallation on the MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody, 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.
Notes from the workshop
- 2011 15-inch and 17-inch models have a well-documented history of graphics chip failure.
- This is the most upgrade-friendly MacBook Pro generation: a standard 2.5-inch SATA drive and two memory slots.
- On the 13-inch 2012 model a failing hard drive cable is a frequent cause of the flashing question-mark folder, and is much cheaper to fix than a drive.
Data recovery from the MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody
The MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody has a 2.5-inch drive that we remove and image on our own equipment. If the drive is clicking or was dropped, stop powering it on: each attempt can do more damage.
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 15-inch Unibody be upgraded?
The 2.5-inch drive can be replaced with an SSD. Memory is in slots on most configurations and can be increased.
My MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody 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 15-inch Unibody 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 2012 MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody 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.