MacBook Unibody Model A1342 Mid 2010 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 wanted to see what's inside Apple's updated MacBook! This machine bears the exact same model number "A1342," but includes a longer-lasting battery and the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor. We got this unit from the Apple Store on May 19th, 2010.

Check out the YouTube video slideshow as well!

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — MacBook Unibody Model A1342 Mid 2010 Teardown  ¶ 

  • The new revision of the MacBook Unibody Model A1342 has been kind enough to grace us with its presence.

  • Tech Specs:

    • 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3 MB on-chip L2 shared cache.

    • NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256 MB of shared DDR3 SDRAM.

    • 10 hour 63.5 Wh lithium-polymer battery.

    • Mini Display port with audio out support. *GASP*

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Much like its predecessor, the lower case is held by eight Phillips #00 screws.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • The battery looks very similar to the previous one. So similar, in fact, that it's identical in size and shape, and has the same model number (A1331).

  • Even so, it still makes continued use of Tri-Wing screws to secure the battery in place. Why Apple? Why? Why can't you free us from the oppression and tyranny that is Tri-Wing screws?

  • Be wary though...appearances can be deceiving, and that is certainly the case here.

    • The battery in the A1342 Mid 2010 is 65 watt-hours and weighs 355 grams.

    • In contrast, the earlier A1342 has a battery of 60 watt-hours and weighs 347.5 grams.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Lo and behold, the new battery works in the A1342!

  • Both of these screenshots were taken from the previous iteration, the MacBook Unibody Model A1342.

  • You can get an extra 350 mAh of juice if you're willing to add 7.5 grams to your "older" MacBook.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • After removing two Phillips screws and the hard drive bracket, lift the drive out of the MacBook by its pull tab and disconnect the SATA connector.

  • If you're installing a new hard drive, you'll need a T6 Torx screwdriver to transfer the mounting screws to your new hard drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Removing the speaker assembly and AirPort/Bluetooth board requires a bit of work, but nothing we at iFixit can't handle.

  • Bluetooth model number is BCM943224PCIEBT.

    • This is the same card used in the previous model, the A1342.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • After removing the final few screws, lift the optical drive out of its comfy abode.

  • You'll be glad to know that MacBook Unibody Model A1342 Mid 2010 continues to use the 8x SATA superdrive manufactured by Panasonic, model UJ898.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Removal of the fan was no biggie. It simply required a Phillips screwdriver and a spudger.

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Required Tools

T8 Torx Security Bit Screwdriver

$6.95 · 50+ in stock

Spudger

$2.95 · 50+ in stock

T6 Torx Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ in stock

Phillips #00 Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ in stock

Tri-wing Y1 Screwdriver

$9.95 · 50+ in stock

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