iFixit

Before you can yank the upper case off, you must disconnect the trackpad connector, the blue and white power cable, and speaker cable as described in the next steps. Be especially careful with these cables; never pull directly on the cables, but use a spudger to pry up the connector directly.

Carefully lift the upper case slightly and move it toward the front of the computer to reveal the trackpad connector. Use a spudger or your finger to disconnect the trackpad connector hidden beneath the white plastic tab.

After disconnecting the track pad connector, carefully rotate the upper case away from you and rest it against the display.

The connectors at the ends of the following cables are attached very firmly to the sockets on the logic board. Pulling directly on the cable will either separate the cable from its connector or the socket from the logic board.

Use the sharp end of a spudger to disconnect the speaker cable connector.

Using the sharp end of a spudger, disconnect the connector for the blue and white power cables. Again, be careful to pry up only on the connector.

The key is to apply force in two directions, down to keep the surface board connections intact, up to release the connector.

The upper case is now free and can be removed from the computer.

Remove the fifteen 3 mm Phillips screws securing the top shield to the computer.

Lift the top shield up from the right side, minding the upper left corner, which may catch on the metal framework.