Apple's need for faster and better processors has led it to incorporate Core i5s and i7s into its latest lineup of MacBook Pros. Our new MacBook Pro's specifications: 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 with 3 MB shared level 3 cache 4 GB of 1066 MHz DD3 SDRAM 15.4 inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256 MB of GDD3 RAM /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11314 Apple is still using the model number A1286 for the new MacBook Pro. We'll have to find a new way to differentiate this laptop from previous models. Perhaps Model A1286 Core i5? Only time will tell. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11316 Removing the rear cover will get things going. Servicing the battery is not super easy due to the fact that you need a Tri-Wing screwdriver to get it out of the machine. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11317 Taking off the rear cover reveals a machine that is not very exciting or different from earlier MacBook Pro models. As usual, there's a sticker warning against removing the battery. Por qué, Apple? /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11318 Silly sticker... You can't stop us! For some odd reason, Apple has stopped using five-point Torx screws found on other MBP 15" Unibodies in favor of Tri-Wing screws. Try as you may, Apple, you won't win. We got all the screwdrivers right here. The battery is now rated at 77.5 Wh. That's just a tad bit more than the 73 Wh battery found in last year's 15" model, but not enough to explain the 1-2 hour battery life improvement Apple is claiming for this machine. Perhaps they optimized the Pro's power consumption? /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11321 The Wi-Fi/Bluetooth board location is one of the few major changes made to the new model. Its layout closely resembles that of the MacBook Unibody. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11320 Removing the AirPort/Bluetooth assembly first requires disconnecting the three antenna connectors with a plastic spudger. A single screw is all that's left holding the assembly in place. Two more screws need to be removed to separate the AirPort Express card. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11323 Removing the AirPort/Bluetooth assembly first requires disconnecting the three antenna connectors with a plastic spudger. A single screw is all that's left holding the assembly in place. Two more screws need to be removed to separate the AirPort Express card. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11323 Removing the AirPort/Bluetooth assembly first requires disconnecting the three antenna connectors with a plastic spudger. A single screw is all that's left holding the assembly in place. Two more screws need to be removed to separate the AirPort Express card. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11323 A close up view of the AirPort Extreme card. This AirPort card is a bit different than the one mounted in the clutch cover of the Late 2008 and Early 2009 MBP 15" Unibody. This is in fact the same AirPort/Bluetooth board found in the plastic MacBook Unibody. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11324 The connectors as viewed, from left to right: Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna Camera cable Optical drive Speaker wires Hard drive Due to the redesign of the AirPort/Bluetooth interface, its connections are no longer integrated into the camera cable, greatly decreasing the size of the connector. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11322 With the antenna out of the way, the optical drive can be removed. The new MacBook Pro uses the same Seagate hard drive from the previous model. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11325 With the antenna out of the way, the optical drive can be removed. The new MacBook Pro uses the same Seagate hard drive from the previous model. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11325 Removing the speaker and subwoofer assembly requires removing four measly screws holding it on the upper case. Apple changed the design of this speaker assembly slightly, moving from a single plastic enclosure to separate plastic enclosures for the speaker & subwoofer that are connected by the speaker leads. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11326 Removing the speaker and subwoofer assembly requires removing four measly screws holding it on the upper case. Apple changed the design of this speaker assembly slightly, moving from a single plastic enclosure to separate plastic enclosures for the speaker & subwoofer that are connected by the speaker leads. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11326 Since the AirPort/Bluetooth board is mounted inside the all-metal case of this machine, Apple added an antenna that is mounted on the frame for the optical drive opening. Pretty clever! This antenna is not found on the MacBook Unibody, probably because the case of that machine is plastic and blocks less RF transmission & reception. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11327 Since the AirPort/Bluetooth board is mounted inside the all-metal case of this machine, Apple added an antenna that is mounted on the frame for the optical drive opening. Pretty clever! This antenna is not found on the MacBook Unibody, probably because the case of that machine is plastic and blocks less RF transmission & reception. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11327 After removing the two cooling fans and disconnecting many connectors, the logic board and DC-In board can be removed as one piece. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11328 After removing the two cooling fans and disconnecting many connectors, the logic board and DC-In board can be removed as one piece. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11328 The logic board and heat sink assembly by itself. The speaker, microphone, and port layout are unchanged from previous MBP 15" Unibody machines. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11329 Huge versions of these scans can be found here and here. 56K beware! Intel Core i5 processor with integrated graphics. NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M. The OS switches to the NVIDIA graphics for higher demand applications. Intel BD82HM55 S LGZS Platform Controller Hub. Interestingly enough, the hub is not connected to the heat sink. Apparently, enough heat is convected from the surface of the silicon to remove the small amount of heat generated by the graphics switching operations. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11319 Huge versions of these scans can be found here and here. 56K beware! Intel Core i5 processor with integrated graphics. NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M. The OS switches to the NVIDIA graphics for higher demand applications. Intel BD82HM55 S LGZS Platform Controller Hub. Interestingly enough, the hub is not connected to the heat sink. Apparently, enough heat is convected from the surface of the silicon to remove the small amount of heat generated by the graphics switching operations. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11319 Upclose of the Intel BD82HM55 S LGZS Platform Controller Hub. We assume this chip could be some sort of switch between the Intel and NVIDIA graphics. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11330 The heat sinks can be separated from the logic board, leaving it very cold and lonely. /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11331 The Core i5 was no match for iFixit. Here are the remains of this lovely machine... /Teardown/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Teardown/2212/all#s11332