[lisnake]

I fixed the eGPU disconnecting issue on my 2012 MacBook Pro by placing the entire motherboard inside an oven for 10 minutes (a rather unconventional solution for reballing). So, yes, MacBooks from that era were not as fragile as they are now. By the way, that laptop still works.

[RattlesnakeJake]

I cut my Apple-repairing teeth on an iBook G3 that would lose its BGA-soldered GPU if it overheated. The "fix" was to use a heat gun, propane torch (my choice), or even burning alcohol to gently reflow the solder:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/repairing-ibook-g3-grap...

I did it at least three times before that laptop died. Fun times.