Installing MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Logic Board

  • Add Note x
  • x 7

Like brain surgery? Use this guide to replace the mind of your computer.

Sections
Tools
Tools (continued)
Relevant parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Lower Case  ¶ 

  • Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the Air:

    • Six 2.8 mm Phillips screws.

    • Two 3.8 mm Phillips screws.

    • Two 5.4 mm Phillips screws.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Slightly lift the lower case near the vents and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Battery  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the battery connector by pulling it straight out of its socket.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Remove the following nine screws securing the battery to the Air:

    • Four 2.9 mm Phillips.

    • Four 3.8 mm Phillips.

    • One 7.2 mm Phillips.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Lift the battery out of the Air.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Hard Drive  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the port hatch ribbon cable from the logic board by pulling it straight up by its black pull tab.

  • Pull the audio out ribbon cable off the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

  • Use a spudger to pry the audio out ribbon cable connector board off the hard drive bracket.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the audio out cable from its socket on the port hatch ribbon cable.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to pry the hard drive cable connector up off the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Use the sharp end of a spudger to de-route the microphone cable from the hard drive bracket.

  • Remove the cosmetic screw cover from the adhesive securing it to the hard drive bracket.

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Remove the four Phillips screws securing the hard drive assembly to the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • Lift the hard drive assembly out of the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 12 — Heat Sink  ¶ 

  • Use the tip of a spudger to pull the fan cable connector straight away from its connector on the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Use the tip of a spudger to move the cosmetic fan cover aside.

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Add Note Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • If you have the original version of the MacBook Air (A1237), refer to picture 1. Remove the following screws securing the heat sink to the logic board:

    • One 5.9 mm Phillips screw.

    • Two 1.9 mm Phillips screws.

    • One 1.9 mm Phillips screw.

  • If you have the A1304 version of MacBook Air, refer to picture 2. Remove the following screws securing the heat sink to the logic board:

    • One 5.0 mm Phillips screw

    • Five 1.9 mm Philips screws.

    • One 2.5 mm Phillips screw.

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Add Note Edit Step 15  ¶ 

  • Lift the processor clamp off the heat sink.

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Add Note Edit Step 16  ¶ 

  • Deroute the microphone cable away from the channel in the fan.

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Add Note Edit Step 17  ¶ 

  • Lift the heat sink up off the logic board.

  • Be mindful of the microphone cable when lifting the heat sink, as it can get tangled on the top edge of the fan.

  • When you mount the heat sink back onto the logic board, be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste. We have a guide that makes replacing the thermal paste easy.

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Add Note Edit Step 18 — Logic Board  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to pry the audio cable connector up off the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 19  ¶ 

  • If present, remove the small piece of black tape covering the microphone cable connector.

  • Disconnect the microphone cable by pulling its connector straight away from the socket on the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 20  ¶ 

  • Remove the two small Phillips screws securing the logic board bracket to the upper case.

  • Lift the logic board bracket out of the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 21  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to pry the AirPort/Bluetooth and trackpad control cable connectors up off the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 22  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the DC-In cable by pulling its connector straight away from the socket on the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 23  ¶ 

  • Remove the small Phillips screw securing the display data cable ground loop to the upper case.

  • Disconnect the display data cable by pulling its connector straight away from the socket on the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 24  ¶ 

  • Remove the three Phillips screws securing the logic board to the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 25  ¶ 

  • Lift the logic board out of the upper case.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For more information, check out the MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 device page.

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Required Tools

Spudger

$2.95 · 50+ in stock

Phillips #00 Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ in stock

Arctic Silver Thermal Paste

$8.95 · 50+ in stock

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