MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Teardown

http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/V1nTFJcctGxIq1Ia Luke Soules 0 MacBook Unibody Model A1278

We disassembled this computer on October 15, 2008.

Tools

Anti-Static Wrist Strap Phillips #00 Screwdriver Spudger T6 Torx Screwdriver Apple boasts that, "The new MacBook packaging is 41 percent smaller than the previous generation" and is made from recycled material. Apple boasts that, "The new MacBook packaging is 41 percent smaller than the previous generation" and is made from recycled material. Smaller packaging, they say, means fewer planes to transport the same number of products. Smaller packaging, they say, means fewer planes to transport the same number of products. Follow our updates on <a href="http://twitter.com/ifixit" rel="nofollow">twitter</a>. Follow our updates on [http://twitter.com/ifixit|twitter]. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/V1nTFJcctGxIq1Ia It looks like a MacBook Air from the top, but it's about 25% thicker than the thickest part of the Air, and almost 6 times thicker than the thinnest part. It looks like a MacBook Air from the top, but it's about 25% thicker than the thickest part of the Air, and almost 6 times thicker than the thinnest part. To be fair, though, it's about 12 percent thinner than its predecessor (0.95 in vs. 1.08 in) and 10 percent lighter (4.5 pounds vs. 5 pounds). To be fair, though, it's about 12 percent thinner than its predecessor (0.95 in vs. 1.08 in) and 10 percent lighter (4.5 pounds vs. 5 pounds). http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/AIHjZydNuRfToch5 In the box: In the box: 85-page user's manual 85-page user's manual Restore DVDs Restore DVDs 60-watt AC adapter 60-watt AC adapter AC adapter extension cable AC adapter extension cable Cleaning cloth Cleaning cloth As with previous MacBooks, there's no video adapter included. There's an empty spot in the box where it would fit nicely, but there's no adapter to be found. Apple offers the DisplayPort adapter for $29 extra. As with previous MacBooks, there's no video adapter included. There's an empty spot in the box where it would fit nicely, but there's no adapter to be found. Apple offers the DisplayPort adapter for $29 extra. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HFBQZxJ2MLo62kyV There's a new Mini DisplayPort (fourth from the right), and a complete lack of a FireWire port. There's a new Mini DisplayPort (fourth from the right), and a complete lack of a FireWire port. It may be hard to tell from the image, but there are now 8 lights on the battery indicator, and it's conveniently located where you can actually see it. It may be hard to tell from the image, but there are now 8 lights on the battery indicator, and it's conveniently located where you can actually see it. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/UhjFRKEnivbCDZGq Opening the battery latch. Opening the battery latch. For those hurt by the financial crisis, a coin is no longer required. For those hurt by the financial crisis, a coin is no longer required. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/axpifApsSWAqlmWq The hard drive is on the left, and the battery is on the right. The hard drive is on the left, and the battery is on the right. The new MacBook uses the same hard drives as previous MacBook models. The new MacBook uses the same hard drives as previous MacBook models. Shameless plug: If you're not ready for a new machine, you can upgrade the <a href="http://www.ifixit.com/Products/Hard-Drives/7">hard drive</a> in any Apple laptop. We have free <a href="http://www.ifixit.com/Guide">guides</a> for most models that make hard drive replacements easy. Shameless plug: If you're not ready for a new machine, you can upgrade the [http://www.ifixit.com/Products/Hard-Drives/7|hard drive] in any Apple laptop. We have free [http://www.ifixit.com/Guide|guides] for most models that make hard drive replacements easy. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/XBUaQ6NksVJQd5Fw The battery is 45 watt-hours compared to 55 on the previous generation. It's also almost 20 percent lighter (302 g vs. 402 g). The battery is 45 watt-hours compared to 55 on the previous generation. It's also almost 20 percent lighter (302 g vs. 402 g). Still, Apple claims that you'll get 5 hours of wireless productivity (with the display brightness set to 50 percent). Still, Apple claims that you'll get 5 hours of wireless productivity (with the display brightness set to 50 percent). http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Pj6vyFgbTe3GGtKJ The hard drive is held down by a single Phillips screw. The hard drive is held down by a single Phillips screw. Like the last black MacBook, the standard hard drive on the 2.4 GHz model is 250GB SATA and 5400 rpm. Like the last black MacBook, the standard hard drive on the 2.4 GHz model is 250GB SATA and 5400 rpm. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/XZFgFOwfoJ6Mm4vX Disconnecting the hard drive. Disconnecting the hard drive. To replace the hard drive, you'll need a T6 Torx screwdriver to transfer the hard drive mounting screws to the new drive. To replace the hard drive, you'll need a T6 Torx screwdriver to transfer the hard drive mounting screws to the new drive. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HTstrkRRWsRJNcRn The bottom panel is attached by 8 screws: The bottom panel is attached by 8 screws: One 3 mm Phillips in the top left corner. One 3 mm Phillips in the top left corner. Four 3.5 mm Phillips along the bottom. Four 3.5 mm Phillips along the bottom. Three 13.8 mm Phillips along the top. Three 13.8 mm Phillips along the top. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/l4iXUEUKNJMYo4OD Removing the bottom panel provides access to the RAM, optical drive, display hinge, fan, and logic board. Removing the bottom panel provides access to the RAM, optical drive, display hinge, fan, and logic board. It looks like the only really hard part to replace will be the upper case and keyboard. It looks like the only really hard part to replace will be the upper case and keyboard. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/qFsHP2uMXoMCagVy Removing the RAM Removing the RAM 2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM are included. Apple will upgrade the RAM to 4GB for an extra $150. 2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM are included. Apple will upgrade the RAM to 4GB for an extra $150. Apple claims this machine maxes out at 4GB RAM, but the Montevina chipset appears to support up to 8GB. Apple claims this machine maxes out at 4GB RAM, but the Montevina chipset appears to support up to 8GB. Shameless plug: You can upgrade your existing MacBook or MacBook Pro to <a href="http://www.ifixit.com/Apple-Parts/PC2-5300-2-GB-RAM-Chip/IF111-027">4 GB</a>. We'll also be offering the RAM for the new Unibody machines in the near future. Shameless plug: You can upgrade your existing MacBook or MacBook Pro to [http://www.ifixit.com/Apple-Parts/PC2-5300-2-GB-RAM-Chip/IF111-027|4 GB]. We'll also be offering the RAM for the new Unibody machines in the near future. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HbdJPjTGTUl4f1b2 We've now exhausted the installation instructions Apple printed on the back of the battery cover. We've now exhausted the installation instructions Apple printed on the back of the battery cover. Disconnecting the subwoofer and optical drive cables. Disconnecting the subwoofer and optical drive cables. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/v3FlRUBDKGOpIF1B The optical drive is held in by the following 4 screws: The optical drive is held in by the following 4 screws: Three 2.5 mm Phillips. Three 2.5 mm Phillips. One 3.7 mm Phillips. One 3.7 mm Phillips. Apple gives the following specification: 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW). Apple gives the following specification: 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW). http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/YXFrMQgY6eer1QfQ The optical drive, now SATA. The optical drive, now SATA. The optical drive shows a manufacture date of October 2008. That drive sure got from the factory to us fast! The optical drive shows a manufacture date of October 2008. That drive sure got from the factory to us fast! http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/NGLihXgNqxEdIdqC http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/SC1Lx1mCyTqDKoWJ Removing the logic board. Removing the logic board. This may be the most beautiful laptop we've disassembled. Apple has a right to be proud of their engineers and manufacturing team. This may be the most beautiful laptop we've disassembled. Apple has a right to be proud of their engineers and manufacturing team. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/EnxiZwyF6NV2tv4K The top of the logic board. (Click on the image for a larger version.) The top of the logic board. (Click on the image for a larger version.) Part numbers found thus far: Part numbers found thus far: Penryn <a href="http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLB4N" rel="nofollow">Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile Processor P8600</a> 5827B394 SLB4NAV80577P86002.40/3M/1066 Penryn [http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLB4N|Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile Processor P8600] 5827B394 SLB4NAV80577P86002.40/3M/1066 <a href="http://download.cypress.com.edgesuite.net/design_resources/datasheets/contents/cy7c638xx_8.pdf" rel="nofollow">Cypress USB Controller</a> CY7C63833LFXC0825 KOR633013 [http://download.cypress.com.edgesuite.net/design_resources/datasheets/contents/cy7c638xx_8.pdf|Cypress USB Controller] CY7C63833LFXC0825 KOR633013 K03288F150C8 & K03058F55022 K03288F150C8 & K03058F55022 F2117LP20H VAF033700824JPN F2117LP20H VAF033700824JPN REALTEKRTL8251CA86085S2G831 TAIWAN REALTEKRTL8251CA86085S2G831 TAIWAN Compare this to the previous <a href="http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Core-Duo-2-GHz-Logic-Board/IF186-030">MacBook logic board</a>. Compare this to the previous [http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Core-Duo-2-GHz-Logic-Board/IF186-030|MacBook logic board]. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/AUZYBwBSf4DGQiru http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/2uNrvUjjr5ErC5at http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/3RPYoFODOXppgooX The bottom of the logic board. The bottom of the logic board. Part numbers found thus far: Part numbers found thus far: <a href="http://www.cypress.com/?docID=25565" rel="nofollow">Cypress PSoC Mixed-Signal Array</a> CY8C24794-24L FXI 0831 A 04 KOR CYP 637569 [http://www.cypress.com/?docID=25565|Cypress PSoC Mixed-Signal Array] CY8C24794-24L FXI 0831 A 04 KOR CYP 637569 <a href="http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=138" rel="nofollow">Realtek HD Audio Codec</a> ALC885 87J24A1 G83283 [http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=138|Realtek HD Audio Codec] ALC885 87J24A1 G83283 TDK 6T213HF 0838 d TDK 6T213HF 0838 d ISL95O4 BHRZ H0832BB49 ISL95O4 BHRZ H0832BB49 APP001 928 3T 0829A APP001 928 3T 0829A SN 802043 TI 87K JR7C G4 SN 802043 TI 87K JR7C G4 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/q6326SjvU6RhCqZ1 Removing the right speaker and subwoofer. Removing the right speaker and subwoofer. The new MacBook received a welcome speaker upgrade. In the second image, the old plastic MacBook's speakers are on the left, and the new MacBook's speakers are on the right. The new MacBook received a welcome speaker upgrade. In the second image, the old plastic MacBook's speakers are on the left, and the new MacBook's speakers are on the right. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/RRUFMPgSTXgLPrkb http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/MlhoVSZWEGDBJR1C The elegant new glass and Aluminum display assembly. The elegant new glass and Aluminum display assembly. Amazingly, the new display assembly weighs slightly less than the previous MacBook's plastic display assembly. Amazingly, the new display assembly weighs slightly less than the previous MacBook's plastic display assembly. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4mEAObe5BecIHrtc All major components - only 4.5 pounds, not bad for a full-featured, metal laptop. All major components - only 4.5 pounds, not bad for a full-featured, metal laptop. Looking for more pictures? We've also disassembled the <a href="/Guide/First-Look/Mac/MacBook-Pro-Unibody">new MacBook Pro</a>. Looking for more pictures? We've also disassembled the [link|/Guide/First-Look/Mac/MacBook-Pro-Unibody|new MacBook Pro]. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/2D3QZvYjxISVMTXD

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