MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009 Teardown

Teardown

Teardown

Teardowns provide a look inside a device and should not be used as disassembly instructions.

Featured Guide

Featured Guide

This guide has been found to be exceptionally cool by the iFixit staff.

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We got our hands on a MacBook Pro 13" Unibody and decided to compare it to a MacBook Unibody -- from the inside! Follow us on Twitter to get all the latest updates as we're doing the teardown!

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009 Teardown  ¶ 

  • This just in: the new MacBook Pro 13" Unibody!

  • We'll be comparing it to the MacBook Unibody throughout the teardown.

    • We have a feeling it will be very similar in most regards.

  • Check out our MacBook Unibody repair guides if you'd like to answer any of your repair-related questions!

  • Would you like to write teardowns like this? Show the world what's inside your gadgets with our new user-contributed teardown platform!

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Contents of the box:

    • User's manual

    • Restore DVDs

    • 60-watt AC adapter

    • AC adapter extension cable

    • Cleaning cloth

    • No video adapter, as usual.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Some comparisons to the MacBook Unibody:

    • No access door for the battery on the bottom.

    • The addition of an SD card slot (and the omission of digital/mic port) is readily apparent.

    • FireWire is back!

    • Computer lock is now on the other side.

    • The SD card sticks out almost .5"! This is a cheeseball design for a MacBook "Pro" if you ask us.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Let's get down to business.

  • There's no door latch, going along with the "not user-serviceable battery" theme.

  • We had to dig out a Phillips screwdriver for this step.

  • A quick flip of the lid and...

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • ...It's almost exactly the same as our old, "lesser" MacBook Unibody.

  • The battery compartment is identical to the one we uncovered in the MacBook Pro 17" Teardown. We'll venture a guess that it looks the same in the updated 15" Pro as well.

  • Remove two tri-wing screws and the battery is suddenly replaceable. The sticker comes right off, just as in the 17" Pro -- because it's adhered to just the battery and midwall, not to the optical drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • 7-hour battery specifications:

    • Model A1322

    • 10.95V

    • 60Wh

    • "This battery contains no mercury (Hg)."

  • When working on all machines that have internal batteries, disconnect the battery first to cut off power to the entire device.

  • Apple does offer battery replacement service for $129. If you're not near an Apple Store or service provider, you'll be without your machine 3-4 business days.

  • Although the batteries look similar, they're definitely not interchangeable. The MacBook Pro's battery is too large (and different in shape) to fit into the older MacBook Unibody.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Removing the hard drive...

  • It's still considered user-replaceable by Apple, but replacement does require removing 10 more screws than on the MacBook Unibody.

  • First thing we'd do is replace the 160 GB Hitachi with something more meaty.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • The subwoofer comes off after removing two screws.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • The optical drive is attached via three Phillips screws.

  • The brackets and screw layout are identical to the older MacBook Unibody.

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Removing the optical drive exposes the right speaker.

  • It's held in place by adhesive. A quick pry with the spudger will loosen it.

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • A connector, three Phillips screws, and bam -- the fan's out!

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Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the LVDS connector.

  • Remove 7 motherboard screws.

  • Remove 2 DC-in screws.

  • Disconnect trackpad, keyboard, and battery level indicator cables.

  • Remove LVDS cable retaining bracket.

  • And the logic board is almost out...

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Pop out the microphone from its cave.

  • The logic board is finally free!

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Add Note Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • A couple of images of the logic board, before we strip it naked...

  • Like the MacBook Unibody, the heat sink comes out along with the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 15  ¶ 

  • Both sides of the logic board.

  • Hi-res pictures of the front and back.

  • Not for the faint of heart -- full-size images (5 MB a pop!): front and back.

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Add Note Edit Step 16  ¶ 

  • And here's the whole enchilada for you to enjoy.

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