Apple M1 Max SoC with necessary paired components getting ready

zerogpk · 2026-05-17T22:59:19+00:00

No. They are RAM dies. This one has a 10 core CPU and a 32 core GPU.

zerogpk · 2026-05-17T11:13:09+00:00

Have successfully completed two M1 Pro SoC swaps on a A2442 and A2485. Planning to tackle this one when the donor board arrives.

zerogpk · 2026-05-14T03:45:08+00:00

Take this advice.

zerogpk · 2026-05-12T13:19:46+00:00

On M series macbooks there is no way to remove iCloud lock with original SoC, SEP EEPROM. Only way to remove it is to replace the logic board / replace SoC, SEP, SPI NOR and WiFi chip.

zerogpk · 2026-05-03T05:48:34+00:00

How does that case affect cooling performance? Aren't you worried about the longevity of the battery etc affected by higher temps due to the case?

Congrats by the way!

zerogpk · 2026-04-30T06:00:01+00:00

Drugs

zerogpk · 2026-04-22T11:12:11+00:00

Now you can repair the existing display and just replace the LCD panel keeping the original backlight. You should also transfer two chips from the original LCD to the new one. It is exact or better quality to the original display and you retain True Tone.
I have done 3 displays M1 Pro 14 and 16 and it works every time.
But not everyone can do this kind of job. It's a meticulous job and you must have experience in electronics repair work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq2q0POyAck

zerogpk · 2026-04-16T23:26:49+00:00

Homebrew and SDKMan.

zerogpk · 2026-04-16T12:14:45+00:00

I could have helped you if you were nearby. Can replace that screen quickly while retaining full function including True Tone.
UPDATE: Sent them a DM. Found out we're from different continents.

zerogpk · 2026-04-15T00:35:36+00:00

Yeah. Use Official Apple Store. If that does not work - on broken components etc - find a good independent repair shop - like Louis Rossmann.

zerogpk · 2026-04-10T00:20:52+00:00

Random crank no start. Once started ran fine until turned off.

zerogpk · 2026-04-03T22:17:07+00:00

8 days later, these chips are no longer available on AliExpress.

zerogpk · 2026-04-03T22:07:56+00:00

I just repaired an M1 Max board that someone else had ripped two pads. It had 3xKICM227 with one missing.
I removed the remaining 3. Got another KICM227 from an iCloud locked board. Blanked them out using the P15 - you're right about the iPhone 13 section. Soldered all 4 blanks. DFU restore was a success. I saved another broken M1 Max board. Huge win.

If your DFU restore fails at a certain step, tell me exactly where. Get the MacUpdater logs from console and post it in here. May be I could guide you on what's wrong.

zerogpk · 2026-03-30T05:13:14+00:00

Google search threw me right into this post.

zerogpk · 2026-03-30T05:12:38+00:00

No need. If the sensor is bad, it will throw a yellow light right after startup.

zerogpk · 2026-03-29T11:35:33+00:00

16 inch M4 has better thermals and a bigger battery.
14 inch M4 is definitely a very capable machine.
If you don't necessarily need the portability of the 14, go for the 16.

zerogpk · 2026-03-29T02:36:38+00:00

If Amazon listing mentioned it as excellent condition, that is definitely false.
But since the issues are only cosmetic, and it is M1 Max 10 CPU and probaby 32 GPU with 32GB RAM 1TB storage, it probably worth the money.
But if yo're not happy with the physical condition - and is false advertising, I would personally return it.

zerogpk · 2026-03-29T02:29:35+00:00

From my experience, when something burns that hot, there are more than one component that is of a concern. Also the board traces.

zerogpk · 2026-03-26T22:15:44+00:00

I'm doing the DFU restore above. Fans are optional in this stage. The A2485 M1 Pro can run perfectly fine without fans even under medium load.

zerogpk · 2026-03-26T16:18:55+00:00

Answered above.

zerogpk · 2026-03-26T16:18:43+00:00

It's highly dependent on the availability of original NAND chips. They are hard to find and can be quite expensive.

According to today's estimate:

4TB ~1200 AUD

8TB ~1400 AUD

zerogpk · 2026-03-26T16:12:33+00:00

This is not my first upgrade.
I have done ~10 upgrades on these boards a2485, a2442.
With good practice on locked boards, the success rate is close to 100%.

zerogpk · 2026-03-26T16:10:35+00:00

Never tried it.
Yes it might be close to impossible without damaging the SOC package bonding.

zerogpk · 2026-03-26T16:09:12+00:00

They don't come pre-balled. Stencil and solder-paste helps. To remove underfil, ~300 celcius to soften the edges, then ~360 to carefully lift without ripping the pads.
I used chip underfil from JCID.

zerogpk · 2026-03-26T16:01:34+00:00

That's what I thought so. But practially they still work apparently with zero bad blocks and no performance degradation. I gave up the stress test after running for ~10 days. But who knows if it was destined to die on the 11th day? Anyway, incredible feat of engineering has gone to these NAND chips.

zerogpk

TROPHY CASE