Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Heat Sink

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The heat sink helps keep the processor cool and happy.

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Tools
Relevant Parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Access Door  ¶ 

  • With the case closed, place the Unibody top-side down on a flat surface.

  • Depress the grooved side of the access door release latch enough to grab the free end. Lift the release latch until it is vertical.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • The access door should now be raised enough to lift it up and out of the Unibody.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Battery  ¶ 

  • Be sure the access door release latch is vertical before proceeding.

  • Grab the white plastic tab and pull the battery up and out of the Unibody.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Lower Case  ¶ 

  • Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case to the chassis:

    • One 3 mm Phillips screw.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    • Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Using both hands, lift and remove the lower case off the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Mid Wall  ¶ 

  • Remove the four 10.3 mm Phillips screws securing the mid wall to the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Lift the mid wall out of the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 8 — Fan  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to pry the fan connector straight up off the logic board.

  • It is useful to twist the spudger axially from beneath the fan cable wires to release the connector.

  • The fan socket and the fan connector can be seen in the second and third pictures. Be careful not to break the plastic fan socket off the logic board as you use your spudger to lift the fan connector straight up and out of its socket. The layout of the logic board shown in the second picture may look slightly different than your machine but the fan socket is the same.

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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

Arctic Silver ArctiClean

$7.95 · 13 In stock

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MacBook Unibody (Model No. A1278) Heat Sink

$29.95 · 25 In stock

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