iFixit Tears Down New MacBook

**Paul Daniel Ash** · 10-21-2009, 05:10 PM

Once again, iFixit has gotten right out front with taking brand new Apple hardware and tearing it apart. The new polycarbonate unibody MacBook went on sale only yesterday, and by mid-day today they had already completely disassembled the thing and done a full analysis.

The iFixit teardown, complete with excellent pictures, a video teardown (with porn soundtrack) and detailed observations, shows that the new entry-level MacBook brings a lot of the features of the higher-end MacBook Pro and Air, including a longer-life battery and use of PC3-8500 RAM, which unifies the RAM type used by all portables in the current line as well as the iMac family.

Highlights of the new design:

Polycarbonate unibody with aluminum lower case
LED backlit display
multi-touch glass trackpad
Non-replaceable battery
No FireWire port
No IR port (so no new Apple Remote for you)
No external battery indicator
No Mini-DVI port, replaced by a Mini DisplayPort

iFixit is working on a set of complete repair guides for the MacBook. Given their work in these teardowns it's likely that the guides will be pretty useful. They suggest that you follow their Twitter (@ifixit) for updates on their progress.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm_QCoJGOF0[/ame]

image via iFixit

**mikerlx** · 10-21-2009, 05:13 PM

First Great and Thinking of selling my Air for this new unibody white macbook!

**Raptors** · 10-21-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by mikerlx

First Great

omg ur so cool! ur first!

wow cant let that go by!

**aekhamsouk** · 10-21-2009, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Raptors

omg ur so cool! ur first!

wow cant let that go by!

not 1st!

**Raptors** · 10-21-2009, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by aekhamsouk

not 1st!

huh?! reread what i said buddy

**aekhamsouk** · 10-21-2009, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Raptors

huh?! reread what i said buddy

i'm simply stating that i'm not 1st

is there no way of figuring out the parts without taking the entire thing apart?

**mikerlx** · 10-21-2009, 05:29 PM

I wonder if the laptop still works after they put it back together......if it ain't broke dont try to fix it unless its the iFixit team.

**MetallicaFan1991** · 10-21-2009, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by aekhamsouk

is there no way of figuring out the parts without taking the entire thing apart?

Obviously there is, just go and ask Mr Jobs lol.
What a stupid q!

**rugbrn** · 10-21-2009, 05:40 PM

no external battery indicator, no apple remote capability? So it looks pretty, has a new pretty display, and has multitouch... not enough to incise me to buy..

**mikerlx** · 10-21-2009, 05:50 PM

No ir apple remote capability means u can use the "remote" app from the app store for wifi that how it works on the ibook and powerbooks.

**ianbroste** · 10-21-2009, 06:40 PM

I don't understand the move away from firewire?

**MetallicaFan1991** · 10-21-2009, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by ianbroste

I don't understand the move away from firewire?

Cut costs and so you buy the more expensive MBP!

**n00neimp0rtant** · 10-21-2009, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Raptors

omg ur so cool! ur first!

wow cant let that go by!

At least he had something to contribute besides that. I'm thinking someone's a bit butthurt he didn't get first? :3

**dale1v** · 10-21-2009, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by ianbroste

I don't understand the move away from firewire?

Originally Posted by A.T

Cut costs and so you buy the more expensive MBP!

Well to be more accurate, they moved from FireWire 400. It's FireWire 800 now, like on the MBPs

edit: WOW I'm seeing things- it's not even there...HA!

**ima80baby** · 10-21-2009, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by A.T

Cut costs and so you buy the more expensive MBP!

Is 1 firewire port really breaking the bank?

**kaaroFC** · 10-21-2009, 09:30 PM

Wow those guys are amazing!

**xgus69** · 10-21-2009, 10:30 PM

i want one so bad.. but im so against the no replaceable battery...

it can only get up to 1000 Charges...
and then u need a new laptop.. thats crap ..lol

**niqolas619** · 10-22-2009, 12:53 AM

Man, I really don't understand what Apple is doing here. I've been looking for a reason to pick up a new macbook (mine's about 3 years old), but they just won't give me a reason. Hopefully the next MBP will have that new processor, firewire, and removable battery, cuz then I'll be sold.

**XAPHAIS** · 10-22-2009, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by niqolas619

Man, I really don't understand what Apple is doing here. I've been looking for a reason to pick up a new macbook (mine's about 3 years old), but they just won't give me a reason. Hopefully the next MBP will have that new processor, firewire, and removable battery, cuz then I'll be sold.

This sounds a lot like my 13 inch MBP that I just bought.... Why don't you just upgrade now?

The reason the macbook doesn't have a firewire is because its in a different price point. You buy a polycarbon macbook if you don't need a firewire port or a bigger HD or more ram.

I love my firewire 800 port for backing up with an external, I will upgrade ram once 4GB chips drop in price and I already have 500Gb HD. I am just peachy.

Obviously if you worked with a lot of media (like I do) you'd buy the a MBP verse the MB. Not putting a firewire port simply makes it cheaper for the average joe who just has to type papers, go on the internet and maybe watch/burn dvds to buy a MB without paying for all the bells and whistles he or she won't ever use.

Apple wants to you to the buy the right laptop for you

**kkiran** · 10-22-2009, 09:24 AM

It sucks that the infrared port has been left out for new remote's compatibility. Why Apple, why?!! not that I would buy this anyway, I have a MBP and I am happy, unless they revamp it in January, then I will be pissed!

Your favorite Apple, iPhone, iPad, iOS, Jailbreak, and Cydia site.

Thread: iFixit Tears Down New MacBook

Mac News

General Apple/Mac

Once again, iFixit has gotten right out front with taking brand new Apple hardware and tearing it apart. The new polycarbonate unibody MacBook went on sale only yesterday, and by

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Paul Daniel Ash For This Useful Post: