Need data recovery for your MacBook Pro (2006–2008)? We carry out this work in-house at our London workshop, with a fixed quote before we start.
These MacBook Pros use standard SATA drives with no hardware encryption, so if the logic board or graphics chip has died the data is usually untouched. We remove the drive, image it and hand the files back on a new drive. Physically failing drives go through our physical recovery process.
About this model: The original aluminium MacBook Pro (before the unibody design) covers the Core Duo and Core 2 Duo models from 2006 to 2008. The big known fault is the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics chip used in the 2007–2008 models, which fails and causes no video or a garbled screen.
Signs it needs data recovery
- Laptop dead from a graphics fault
- Drive clicking
- Mac OS X won’t boot
- Deleted files
How we do it
Because the MacBook Pro (2006–2008) keeps its data on a separate drive, a dead logic board doesn’t mean lost files. We remove the drive, clone it on write-protected equipment and recover from the clone, never the original.
A drive that clicks, grinds or won’t spin up needs physical recovery, which we quote for separately after assessment.
Whether it’s family photos, accounts, a thesis or a year of client projects, we list what we’ve recovered so you can check it before it’s copied to your new drive.
At a glance
| Years | 2006–2008 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Duo / Core 2 Duo, ATI X1600 or NVIDIA 8600M GT |
| Storage | Standard SATA drive |
| Memory | Socketed, upgradeable |
| Battery | Removable |
| Power / charging | MagSafe 1 |
Before you bring it in
Stop using the Mac if a drive is clicking or it keeps restarting, as each attempt can make recovery harder. Make a list of the folders that matter most so we can prioritise them, and have your FileVault password ready if you used it.
Which model do you have?
This page covers the MacBook Pro 15 & 17-inch pre-unibody (2006–2008) (MacBookPro1,1 to MacBookPro4,1; A1150, A1151, A1211, A1212, A1226, A1229, A1260, A1261). The A-number is printed in tiny text on the base, near the hinge. You’ll also find the model in Apple menu > About This Mac. Not sure? Bring it in and we’ll identify it for you.
Price
From £150 + VAT for logical recovery; physical recovery from damaged drives from £350 + VAT. All prices are subject to inspection, and nothing is done without your approval.
Questions we’re often asked
Will you need my password?
Only if FileVault encryption was switched on. Without it, we can read the drive directly. With it, we need your login password or recovery key.