iFixit

Let's take a closer look at the 256 GB SSD that came in our MacBook Pro.

It's a Samsung MZ-DPC2560/0A2 unit, rated at 3.3 volts and 2.39 amps. The serial number reads S0X5NYAC703706.

• Samsung S4LJ204X01-Y040
• Samsung K4T2G31QF-MCF7
• Samsung K9FGY8UA7A-HCKO 32 GB NAND flash (8 x 32 GB = 256 GB)

Out comes the AirPort card. The card is now placed outboard from the right fan, and is the exact same model as found in the 15" MBPr (model number BCM94331CSAX).

The AirPort card may be the same as our last Retina teardown, but do you know what's different about this teardown?

• Kittens, that's what.

♫ It's gettin' hot in herre (so hot), so take off all your heat sinks. ♫

All one of them, that is! The heat sink has been slightly scaled down to fit the smaller 13" Retina display, but the design looks very similar to its predecessor, including the two rubber heat sink covers.

These fans are great. More specifically, their asymmetrical blade spacing is great at breaking up annoying air patterns that symmetrically-spaced fan blades might generate. This provides users with quieter fans.

• They are probably pretty good at cooling the computer down, too.

While these fans are pretty cool, they can't be removed without first taking out the heat sink, which means you'll have to bust out your Arctic Silver in order to perform the job properly.

And just like that, out comes the logic board.

Front side of the logic board:

• Intel Core i5-3210M 2.5 GHz processor (Intel HD Graphics 4000 and Turbo Boost up to 3.10 GHz)
• Hynix H5TC4G83MFR DDR3L SDRAM (8x4 Gb front and back for a total of 64 Gb or 8 GB)
• Intel BD82QS77 platform controller hub
• Intel DSL3510L Thunderbolt controller

Here's a look at the flipside:

• Texas Instruments Stellaris LM4FS1AH microcontroller with integrated ARM core
• Hynix H5TC4G83MFR DDR3L SDRAM
• SMSC USB2512B USB 2.0 Hub Controller
• Cypress Semiconductor CY8C24794-24L programmable SoC
• Maxim MAX15119 Apple-specific IMVP7 CPU/GPU power controller
• Cirrus Audio 4206BCNZ audio controller
• Texas Instruments TPS 51980

Apple has been on a roll with new I/O connectors lately. We first saw MagSafe 2 in the MacBook Air and Retina models released this summer, and now their mobile devices have ditched the 30-pin dock connector in favor of the Lightning connector.

It's only a matter of time until Apple decides to replace the MagSafe 2 connector with the Kitten connector.

Okay, deep breath. We are going to attempt to remove the battery.

• Six cells stand between us and the upper case.

Despite what happened last time, we are determined to get the battery out.

This time we're excited to find two of the six cells in a metal tray held in with screws and no adhesive. Barely started and already 1/3 done!

Things slow down when we get to the outer cells and start slowly spudgering under the edges. Listening for the snap crackle & pop of breaking adhesive, we cautiously push forward until all six cells are free.