iFixit Tears Down the Latest 15-inch Quad-core MacBook Pro

[Wiley John Wright]

Apple updated the MacBook Pro line only a few hours ago and the repair wizards at iFixit have already done a complete teardown of the 15-inch model. The construction and many of the components are similar to the previous version, but Apple has made a few important upgrades that makes this a more capable machine. This is the first MacBook Pro to incorporate a quad-core processor as standard equipment and it also includes Intel’s latest Thunderbolt connection technology.

On the iFixit scale of reparability, the latest MacBook Pro models receives a 7 out of 10, with 10 being the easiest type of repairs to perform. The bottom panel is easily removable and the unibody construction of the newest MacBook Pro model, allows you access to most of the key components without too much trouble. If you ever need to get inside one of these computers, iFixit it warns, “Absurd amounts of pre-applied thermal paste may cause problems down the road.”

Although Apple would rather that you didn’t open up their computers, they still consider the RAM and hard drive to be user-replaceable. “However, like the machine this replaces, the battery is not user-replaceable (at least according to Apple).”

iFixit did have a concern regarding quality control with this Mac model, stating, “A stripped screw near the subwoofer enclosure and an unlocked ZIF socket for the IR sensor should not be things found inside a completely unmolested computer with an $1800 base price.” Hopefully this won’t cause problems for end-users down the road.



While many expected more radical innovations with the latest MacBook Pro models, these are still quite remarkable pieces of hardware. Apple recently made comments about how the MacBook Air was the future of computer design. Most of us assumed that the MacBook Pro line would follow the MacBook Air’s design example with this update. That did not happen today.

When you look at the evolution of Apple products, you can see how they only occasionally make radical changes to product lines. More often than not, updates to products are done incrementally. Apple does make revolutionary products, but not every product update can me magical.

When Apple makes its big announcement next week regarding the next iPad model, I fully expect it to follow Apple’s usual pattern. The first iPad was revolutionary, the second iPad will simply be a refinement of the first. We’ll know for sure next week. I doubt it will have a holographic projector, but I’m sure it will be impressive nonetheless.



Source: iFixit

[Rob2G]

That is macintosh pr0n, and the MBP is not 18!!!!! shame on iFix it.

[CX3NT3_713]

But will it blend?

[AkkeDaBest]

But will it blend?

I don't think so. Apples products are pretty sturdy, especially the macbook pro's because of their steel enclosure

[SoCal Railroader]

Nice, but overpriced.

[ZipZapp]

Ohhhhh it will blend.

[feidhlim1986]

I don't think so. Apples products are pretty sturdy, especially the macbook pro's because of their steel enclosure

Aluminum not steel

[mmaboi21]

I'm pretty sure it will blend ha
Can't wait..

[wolverinemarky]

Nooooooooo don't blend it. Ok just this once lol


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[MetallicaFan1991]

The heatsinks are still to small for medium gaming.
Not much of an upgrade from my MBP so I'll get an Honeycomb Tablet or iPad 2.

[steve-z17]

I'll stick with mine for now

[ltjbigshot]

Ordered mine today! My 2008 MBP has just about had it. Haha

[CZroe]

I thought that the latest iMacs no longer let you use generic HDDs because it required an internal temperature sensor with an Apple firmware API. When I replaced the HDD on an older iMac, it had a sticker indicating Apple firmware on the drive but the temperature sensor was external and easily transferred. I believe the custom firmware was only for noise control and custom idling times. FWIW, while I was in there, I found a loose magnet and a bad screw in a 24" iMac.

[delusion950]

Very overpriced indeed.

[dabisnit]

itll blend if you can fit it in a dam blender...so maybe not a blender, but a wood chipper for sure

[steve-z17]

Very overpriced indeed.

Worth every penny

[EskimoRuler]

^ for sure man. People need to get threw their head that apple is a premium product, higher end, there are other brands like them in every industry