Question on compatibility for replacing top case

Hi, I'm replacing the top case on my mid-2007 MBP because the trackpad and keyboard have stopped working. I would just replace the cable, but the case has also suffered some serious cosmetic damage which now prevents the laptop from shutting properly, and just looks ugly. I don't have the cash to buy a new laptop anytime soon, and there's no way I'll make much selling an old laptop as damaged as this, so replace the cases it is!
Right so, I found some really good deals on used top cases on Powerbookmedic.com, with a year long warranty and everything. I can buy the one for the Santa Rosa (my model) for $99.95. However! They also have top cases for the previous Core 2 Duo model for $49.95.
Now I can't personally see any difference between the design of these two models, and no amount of research I've attempted has given me any answers either. So would I be able to purchase the top case off the older model and save myself 50 bucks? Or are these two models incompatible with each other in some way or another?
I asked this at Mac Rumors earlier, but I didn't really get any definite answers. Mostly people saying to play it safe and get the recommended model, but I'd just like to be certain.
Thanks in advance!
Edit: PS - Buying a new laptop is not an option for me. I'm pretty broke so my price limit is about $300. I also have a fairly new and high-end iMac as my workhorse, so all I really need this for is having a portable internet machine.

Powerbookmedic, like any other business that's been around for years, doesn't want to make an unhappy first-time customer of you by selling you something you can't use. And no one here has so far been able to answer your question on the basis of direct personal experience. Of the 4.1 million people who are registered to post in these Apple forums, only a few hundred are here every day primarily to answer questions rather than to ask them, and fewer than 20 of those read this particular forum daily. It's entirely possible that none of us has ever tried the combination of parts you're asking about, and that no one else will happen by who has. While you're waiting for that to happen, it costs you nothing to *ask* powerbookmedic; you aren't obliged to buy regardless of what they tell you.
Absent any direct personal experience, the answer Grant has given you (in the form of another question) is eminently sensible.

Similar Messages

  • Price for Housing, Top Case with Keyboard for 11inch Macair

    Hi
    Please let me know the price details of Housing, Top Case with Keyboard, US ( Exchange )
    Regards,
    Madhu.RK

    You can get an idea of the cost of parts at http://www.ifixit.com
    Apple does not sell parts separately - they only sell parts as part of any repair you have done through them.  So you can take it into Apple or an Apple Authorized repair center and get a total cost of repair, but they will not sell you parts by themselves.

  • Keyboard/trackpad problems - are Macbook top cases too fragile?

    I'm starting to wonder if the top case with keyboard/trackpad is the Achilles heel of the black and white Macbooks 2007-08. I'm having problems with 3 different Macbooks.
    On one, a 2.1Ghz from 2008, no internal keyboard/trackpad is recognized by the Macbook. Its original kb/tp just stopped working one day. I removed the top case and checked the connections, as well as any dust or bent pins in the socket on the logic board, but all seemed ok. Reassembled, but kb/tp still not working. I then replaced the top case with another one that I knew was working, but still no go.
    Any ideas? The MB boots fine (even with the original top case installed) and works great with external kb/mouse.
    On a second, a 2.16Ghz from 2007, the kb/tp suddenly stopped working one day. I'd opened the MB a couple of times just before, but I'm pretty careful and don't think I broke the cable or anything else. All the pins and the cable seem fine, as does the socket on the logic board. Here too, an external mouse/kb work perfectly.
    I tried another working top case and this time it seemed to work okay. But after a day or two, it stopped working too. I then reassembled it, thinking there might be something pushing up on the keyboard, or maybe some screws loose. And once again it seemed to work.
    I also noticed something odd: a couple of times at first, when I'd just reassembled the top case, the kb/tp weren't recognized. But then when the MB woke from Sleep, I heard the hard drive and DVD spin up, and suddenly the kb/tp were working again.
    Anyway, after a couple of days the kb/tp stopped working again.
    Question: how can the kb/tp work for a couple days, then suddenly stop working? If it were broken, wouldn't it always not work?
    The 3rd Macbook is a 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo from early 2007. Its kb/tp stopped working too (unrecognized by system, etc.). I swapped the kb/tp from the 2008 2.1Ghz onto it and this seems to have fixed the problem. It's been a few weeks now and I haven't had any trouble with it.
    Question: would swapping in the top cases from different models create any problems? I see that they sometimes aren't perfect fits in terms of looks, but the screws are in the same place and everything installs pretty solidly. IIRC you have to be careful re. mixing top cases with an orange trackpad cable and a silver one, but in my case all of them had silver cables.
    This is really getting to be a problem. I've got the 2 fast well-upgraded Core 2 Duo Macbooks sitting here, working perfectly apart from the kb/tp.
    Any ideas greatly appreciated.

    Sorry, just wanted to add in concluding that there seem to be 2 different problems.
    1) with the 2.1Ghz from 2008, no working top case seems to work, so it doesn't seem to be a top case problem, but rather a problem with the connection to the logic board or somewhere else.
    2) with the 2.16 from 2007, here it does seem to be a problem with the top case.
    Unfortunately I don't have what I know to be a good, working top case to try on the 2.16. I think with all the assembling/disassembling, the semi-decent kb/tp I had may now have problems too.

  • Macbook White 13'' Top case cracks

    Hi.
    I am using Macbook White 13'', late 2009 model, it has got two cracks on the top case (behind the display) on the right and left side, that seems to be a manufacturing problem because I have seen the same cracks on my friends laptop.
    Can anyone tell me if there is any replacement program for the case.
    Thanks
    SAJID

    There is currently a MacBook Bottom Case Replacement Program but none for the top case.
    Best of luck.

  • Would a Top Case keyboard replacement for Macbook Unibody A1342 (US version), be compatible w/my Macbook if originally it had a Japanese version?

    I bought a Macbook Unibody back in 2010, and until now the system is still working perfectly fine, probably because I keep on updating my software version, currently I am on Mac OS X 10.8.2 (Mountain Lion)...I don't have issues with it.
    I bought this Macbook in Japan, the keyboard version is on Japanese (with US alphabets) becaue I was studying Kanji back then, and apparently I am now living here in the Philippines and some of my keyboard keys are lost and they were taken off by my naughty niece (LOL, couldn't blame her though... she's just 2 years old)... now I am looking for a replacement. I couldn't find Japanese version of Top Case replacements here in Manila... now I kinda realized I might as well use a US version moving forward.
    Now my question is re: Top Case keyboard replacement for Macbook Unibody A1342 (US version), would it be compatible w/my Macbook if originally it had a Japanese version?
    Thanks in advance for all the help & informations. I would really appreciate it before I buy a replacement.
    Have a good one guys! ^_^)Y

    but it has been dropped a bit.
    Translation - It has been dropped multiple times.
    All the problems are likely related. Better get it to an Apple service rep and be aware that any warranty does not cover abuse of the product.

  • Where can i get a Top Case for 15 inch MacBookPRo 2.16MHz, Late 2006 model replacement?

    hello
    i am looking for a replacement of the top case for my macbook pro, 15 inch 2.16 MHZ
    it is the late 2006 model. all the ones i can find are for the 1 - 1.5MHZ and none for the later model.
    thank you!
    patrick

    Check with any or all of these other parts suppliers, too:
    http://www.pbparts.com  (parts and repair work)
    http://www.dttservice.com  (parts and repair work)
    http://www.powerbookresq.com  (parts and repair work)
    http://www.tekserve.com  (parts and repair work)
    http://www.powerbookmedic.com (parts, repair work and instructional videos)
    http://www.welovemacs.com (parts and used equipment)

  • MBP 17 I7: after replaced unibody top case, tap to click now noisier?

    Because of damaged aluminum on top case when recently bought, the top case was replaced a few days ago at the Paris Apple Store, where I live. Everything works fine except the trackpad, especially on the right and lower part, now makes a noisy clicking noise, as if it is slightly looser than the previous top case, when I use tap to click, which is how how use the computer. I never push down to physically tap the trackpad. (I only learned after that the new top case includes new keyboard, trackpad etc.) I called Apple and they said that it could be adjusted, so I immediately went to the Apple Store and they hurriedly, within 10 minutes, took the machine and came out and said it was adjusted, but nothing changed. We then noticed that the guy in the repair department had completely scratched up the screen case in his hurry and so Apple has now ordered a new screen.
    If some real care is taken, can the trackpad be adjusted to firm it up, so to speak, so that when I tap to click it doesn't give way and make this irritating noise. They claim they adjusted it but I have a feeling because I didn't have an appointment, that they wanted to get this problem in and out fast, hence the damaged screen.
    thanks for any advice.

    My essential question is can this be adjusted under normal circumstances. Can the trackpad be made tighter or more firm feeling so that when you lightly tap on it there is no slight clicking noise as the pad gives way under the very slight pressure of the tap. On the top and middle it is firm, so that your tap is met with a surface that is not giving way, so to speak. It is the bottom that makes the noise. As a person only using tap to click, who enjoys the seamless and quiet way of using this, unfortunately this noise partially ruins the experience. There will be no problem having them re-address this, but I eventually will need to know if the top case was faulty or it is simply a slight adjustment to be made.
    thanks for any input

  • Macbook mid 2010 top case for white macbook 4,1

    Can i replace the whole topcase assembly (keyboard plus trackpad) of my white MacBook 4,1 early 2008 with a topcase assembly (keyboard plus multitouch trackpad ) from a mid-2010 macbook?? my topcase is cracked and i want to replace it..

    No, the connectors on the logic board are different for the multi touch model 7,1 top case.

  • I have an 13" Macbook pro bought for me as a gift last year and i just started using it. Unfortunately two days back i put it on but it wont come on. Took it to an apple shop in Lagos Nigeria and am being told it has to do with the top case. what can i do

    I have an issue with my Macbookpro 13". It stopped coming on when i wanted to use it and now the technician says  it is the top case that has to be replaced since it appears i have applied too much pressure on the power key.
    My challenge is that it is gift from my Boss to me and he is no longer in the country and i doubt if he still has the purchase receipt. I am being told that before it can be ordered, i need to produce evidence of purchase. What can i do?
    The book is already out of warranty and i dont know why a purchase recieipt is key
    Can anyone help as i have information locked up there i need to access. I am in Lagos Nigeria

    Expanding on what Tim said to make sure it's clear, only the carrier to which the iPhone is locked can authorize unlocking. If Optus is the original carrier, as would seem to be the case, O2 would not be able to unlock it. Only Optus can authorize the unlock, so you'll need to contact them. They say, though, that only the account holder can apply for unlocking, so you might not be able to get it unlocked and will have to work through the person from whom you bought the iPhone.
    For more information, see the Optus FAQ on unlocking.
    Regards.

  • Top case got replaced; battery doesn't last as long as the old one

    My rMBP mid 2012 had a problem with the trackpad so I got the top case replaced, since the warraty was expired and I was stupid enoght not buy the apple care, It cost me around $650 USD, got it back last tuesday, everything seems to work fine except for the battery, it doesn't last as long as the old one, wich is kinda of wierd since the old one was around one and a half years old, should I consider taking it back to the Apple Premiun Reseller where I got it fixed? how common are these issues? Finally I read on reddit that I can ship my laptop to an official Apple store/service and got it diagnose or fixed? Is it worth it? I read that some folks got it exchange for a new one, the conditions of my laptop are pretty good, I have taken extreme good care of it, but some problems still arise, it has a couple of white stuck pixels in the display besides the problems that I already mentioned already.
    Cheers!

    AppleTechDenver wrote:
    I have the MacBook Air 11' and on http://apple.com it says the battery is supposed to last 9 hours.
    Did you read carefully?
    Note the words 'up to' not 'will' last 9 hours.  Apple makes these measurements based on very minimal resource intensive applications.  My experience that battery run time is much less than these unrealistic advertising claims.  Battery run time will be a function of the number and types of applications that are in use.
    Try a SMC reset:
    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
    That may improve things somewhat.
    Ciao.

  • Why do we have to replace the top case to replace a keyboard?

    I see replacement keyboards sold all over the place online which means they must be able to com apart from the case. If this wasn't possible then why are these parts for sale and who are they intended for? People keep saying that you must replace the top case but you can buy just the keyboard from many sources. Can someone clear this up please? There wouldn't be a market for just the keyboad if you couldn't do it, so it's hard to believe it can't be done.....

    Found two places on ifixit that explain how to do this... for anyone that may be looking for the same answer. You do NOT have to replace the entire upper case

  • Question about top case

    Hi there,
    I'd like to know if the "top case/keyboard" part also includes the trackpad?
    I'm asking because I just had the top case replaced (was interfering with the fan that produced a clicking sound) and it looks like they replaced it with a used one?! For example, the bottom left corner shows a 1.5 inch square, lighter gray patch (as if there was a sticker there?), and the middle of the trackpad button is very shiny compared to the sides, like it's been used...
    Thanks for any input!
    whitebook 2.0Ghz - 4H622   Mac OS X (10.4.7)   2GB RAM

    The top case includes the trackpad and trackpad button.
    This is at the moment a bit of a sore subject with me. After my MacBook was returned from being repaired for the random shutdown problem, the trackpad button does not respond at all to clicks in the lower right corner. (The repair consisted of replacing the top case and heat sink.) So half the time when I click the button, it doesn't work, because the right end is where I click most often.
    Yesterday I talked to AppleCare phone support, and the Product Specialist suggested I talk to a store Genius, that maybe it could be fixed or else the turnaround for a new top case would be faster than shipping.
    I did that this morning, and the Genius claimed that the behavior was within specs, that it would not bother his typing since you're supposed to click in the middle of the button, that it was equivalent to complaining about a couple of dead pixels.
    I haven't had a return call yet from the Product Specialist, and I'm currently planning on trying a different Apple store tomorrow.
    I see "mushy trackpad button" is one of the common complaints on web forums:
    http://www.mymac.com/showarticle.php?do=something&id=1572

  • Where can I find a replacement acrylic case (maybe new?) for my Power Mac G4 Cube?

    Support Community,
    I'm upgrading my Cube and while I'm at it, I'd like to replace the case. I bought it used and it came with those infamous stress cracks on the top and I'd really like to put this back into pristine condition. Does Apple still carry these cases as a replacement part? How about the mouse/keyboard/speakers? Anyone know of one of these NIB collecting dust on a shelf somewhere? Maybe, just maybe...
    Thanks,
    Jerry

    Hello Jerry,
    I found this on the web:   http://www.welovemacs.com/apg4cu50capa.html
    They seem to have a variety of parts and I've purchased things from them in the past.  No complaints.
    Gary

  • What's the price for a MacBook Pro Retina Display Top Case with battery in the US?

    I'd like to know what´s the price for a MacBook Pro Retina Display Top Case with battery in the US.

    Here you go.

  • Getting the top case replaced

    I noticed that I have a dent in the top case. What does it cost to have this replaced? I have a 2010 13" MBP.

    You can see prices with this service +DT&T Computer Services, Inc.+
    http://www.dttservice.com/macbookprounibody.html

Maybe you are looking for

  • PDF Data Connection with Access 2003

    Who ever can help me! I am trying to make a data connection on my pdf form using "Adobe Live Cycle designer 7.0" to my access database. I already did the conncetion...the problem here is that once the submit button is clicked i don't have any returne

  • How to display error documents in selection screen level

    Hi,   Currently Iam doing Smartforms for journal voucher. Iam taking multiple documents as input and displaying relavent item data for each. Now, my requirement is i want to display invalid document numbers at selection screen level. For example ther

  • Send midlet jar to mobile file without dongle UI .

    i want know its possible to send midlet jar files with UI that are provided bye the dongle manufacturers . somebody told is it possible with some java programs using command line. i dont know about that. so please any one clarify me.

  • Windows Starter sticker countaining a key, but no installation CD

    I have recently bought an IdeaPad Z570. I bought one taht does not come with a Windows 7. But I discovered that i has a Windows 7 Starter key on a sticker but no Windows 7 DVD. My question is: how can I use this key? Is it possible to install Seven f

  • Aperture and Final Cut Pro X ?

    I am going to move from FCE to FCP X.  I am looking for input on how to handle this. I suppose I will continue to bring the stills into Aperture.  With FCE if I needed to use a still from Aperture I did an version export from Aperture and resized the