I am pretty sure that most of you know what a motherboard is, but maybe don’t know what a logic board is. A logic board is Apple’s term for a motherboard. So, in other words, the logic boards are the motherboards on Apple computers and devices.
Of course, there are differences between a motherboard and a logic board, and this is what we will discuss in this article.
First, we will talk about what a motherboard is and what it does. Then we will take a look at the logic board and see what it does, and finally, we will compare the two and see the differences.
So, let’s get started!
What is a motherboard?
A motherboard, aka system board, mainboard, or planar board, is one of the most critical parts of a computer. It is responsible for housing all the computer components and also connecting them. The motherboard allows the CPU (central processing unit), the RAM, the graphics card, the hard drive, and all of the other parts of the computer to communicate.
In addition to connecting all of the components of the computer, the motherboard also has a few other essential jobs. It is responsible for supplying power to them and for controlling the data flow between the various parts of the computer.
The term motherboard became popular in the early days of personal computers. Back then, only a few components made up a computer, all connected on a single board. Today, motherboards are much more complex, and they accommodate all the different components that make up a modern computer.
There are many manufacturers like ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock that make computer boards, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are designed for gaming computers, while others are designed for more business-oriented applications, so the choices are endless.
Finally, in all desktop and many laptop motherboards, you can change or upgrade any component as long as the new one is compatible with it. For example, if you want to upgrade your CPU, as long as the new one is compatible with the socket type on the motherboard, you should be good to go!
Now that we know what a motherboard is, let’s look at the logic board.
Related Article: ASUS VS MSI Motherboards
What is a logic board?
As I already told you, a logic board is Apple’s term for a motherboard. So, in other words, it is the motherboard on Apple devices.
Apple likes to differentiate itself from other computer manufacturers, and one of the ways it does that is by using different terms for things. The term logic board was used from the first Apple Macintosh computer as a way to show the uniqueness and the difference between Apple computers and other computers.
Some people think it was just a marketing gimmick, but the term logic board did actually stick and is still used today.
The logic board on an Apple computer is very similar to the motherboard on a personal desktop computer. It houses all of the components of the computer and also connects all of those components.
But there are some differences that we need to talk about.
Motherboard vs Logic Board
So, now we have talked about what a motherboard and logic board are and about some similarities between the two. But what are the differences?
- First, let’s talk about the manufacturers. When it comes to PC motherboards, there are many different manufacturers, but when it comes to logic boards, there is only one manufacturer, Apple. This means that Apple has more control over their logic boards’ quality and can also design them specifically for Macintosh computers.
- Second, let’s talk about customizability. Motherboards are designed to accommodate any upgrade or replacement component of any brand, as long as it is compatible with them. On the contrary, logic boards are not designed to be changed or upgraded. This means that if you want to change or upgrade any component on an Apple computer, you need to replace the entire logic board. This is a huge difference and is one of the reasons Apple computers are so expensive to repair.
- Finally, let’s talk about price. Motherboards are way less expensive than logic boards. This is because there is more competition in the market, and there are many different manufacturers. On the other hand, logic boards are costly because only one manufacturer, Apple, has a monopoly on the market and also because they have many more components and are much more complex.
Related Article: Is Building A PC Hard?
FAQs
Is The Motherboard Also Called The Logic Board?
No, motherboards and logic boards are not the same things. A motherboard is the main system board in a computer, while a logic board is the main system board in an Apple computer.
What Is The Logic Board For?
A logic board is the main circuit board in Apple devices. It houses all the components and also connects them.
Why Are Apple Motherboards Called Logic Boards?
The term logic board was used from the first Apple Macintosh computer in the 80s as a way to show the uniqueness and the difference between Apple computers and other computers. Some people think it was just a marketing gimmick, but the term logic board actually did stick, and it is still used today.
Why Is It Called Motherboard?
The term motherboard comes from the fact that it is the main circuit board in a computer. It is the board to which all other components are connected and the central component of a computer.
Can A Logic Board Be Repaired?
Yes, a logic board can be repaired, but it is costly. This is because logic boards have many more components, which are much more complex, so repairing them is naturally going to be more expensive.
Related Article: How Much Does A Motherboard Cost?
Conclusion
So, those are the main differences between motherboard and logic board. As you can see, they are very similar, but there are also some significant differences.
If you are ever in the market for a new computer board or a logic board, I hope this article has helped you understand the difference between the two and make an informed decision.
