MacBook Pro Retina Display Teardown

The MacBook Pro's Retina Display was lovingly disassembled on June 19, 2012.

http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/lpKFuAgKQnGwxJTi Walter Galan Moderate MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012

In case you missed it, we tore apart the new MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 last week. Inside, we found a whole mess of pretty, yet difficult to access components. In fact, the MacBook Pro with Retina display earned our lowest repairability score ever, with 1 out of 10 points.

What we didn't look at earlier, however, is the MacBook Pro's namesake: the Retina display. Apple claims that the Retina display in the MacBook Pro is the most stunning display to ever grace the lid of a notebook computer. "But at what cost?" we find ourselves asking. Being the repair-minded folks that we are, we feel that the only fair way to answer that question is to give this new display "the iFixit treatment": open it up and look! We may not be opthalmologists, but we are excited to be doing surgery on a Retina display. Join us as we investigate the intricacies of Apple's most stunning display.

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Tools

iFixit 6 Inch Metal Ruler iSesamo Opening Tool Phillips #00 Screwdriver Here it is: the impenetrable fortress of pixels known as the Retina display. Here it is: the impenetrable fortress of pixels known as the Retina display. Despite our initial apprehension about tearing down such an impressive (and expensive) piece of equipment, we are very curious to see for ourselves just how Apple managed to squeeze <a href="http://images.apple.com/macbook-pro/features/images/retina_one_screen.jpg" rel="nofollow">more than an entire HDTV</a> inside a 15" display. Despite our initial apprehension about tearing down such an impressive (and expensive) piece of equipment, we are very curious to see for ourselves just how Apple managed to squeeze [http://images.apple.com/macbook-pro/features/images/retina_one_screen.jpg|more than an entire HDTV] inside a 15" display. At first glance, it looks like a normal MacBook Pro display assembly with a skinnier bezel and no logo at the bottom. At first glance, it looks like a normal MacBook Pro display assembly with a skinnier bezel and no logo at the bottom. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/TQ2TvZR1EKjPb3ix http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/vPRlZYfgxuKaKpsC Would you call us crazy if we told you that the display assembly from the latest MacBook Pro is the same size as its predecessor? Would you call us crazy if we told you that the display assembly from the latest MacBook Pro is the same size as its predecessor? You caught us; we lied. The new display is actually a fraction of a millimeter smaller than the old one. Neat! You caught us; we lied. The new display is actually a fraction of a millimeter smaller than the old one. Neat! At its fattest point, the display assembly is a hair over 7 mm thick, and all the way down to just over 3 mm at the edges. At its fattest point, the display assembly is a hair over 7 mm thick, and all the way down to just over 3 mm at the edges. What's astounding is that Apple's engineers managed to cram four times the pixels of the previous 15" MacBook Pro into a display assembly that is (nearly) the same size. What's astounding is that Apple's engineers managed to cram four times the pixels of the previous 15" MacBook Pro into a display assembly that is (nearly) the same size. The big savings here is weight, not thickness. The Retina display weighs in at 673 grams, while a standard 15" MacBook Pro display tips the scale at 908 grams. That's a solid 25% weight savings! The big savings here is weight, not thickness. The Retina display weighs in at 673 grams, while a standard 15" MacBook Pro display tips the scale at 908 grams. That's a solid 25% weight savings! http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PfsUh3pgLho4lwwA The disassembly begins pretty routinely. Like most Apple laptops, the clutch cover pries off fairly easily with a <a href="/Tools/Plastic-Opening-Tools/IF145-000?utm_source=ifixit_guide&utm_medium=wiki_text&utm_term=145000&utm_content=product_link">plastic opening tool</a>. The disassembly begins pretty routinely. Like most Apple laptops, the clutch cover pries off fairly easily with a [product|IF145-000|plastic opening tool]. But differences start popping up as soon as the clutch cover comes off. The array of antennas underneath the clutch cover looks a lot more involved than in previous generations. But differences start popping up as soon as the clutch cover comes off. The array of antennas underneath the clutch cover looks a lot more involved than in previous generations. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/rTadmktXZf5bIaqP http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/mkKagTvMqZW5BBGV The left display hinge comes out with no issues, but good luck separating it from the display data cable. The left display hinge comes out with no issues, but good luck separating it from the display data cable. Devices with <a href="/Guide/Installing+Nintendo+3DS+Cameras/6175/4#s26752">cables fed through hinges</a> can be a real bear to work on. None of that will be an issue with this machine, though, as the display hinge is pretty much sealed shut at the factory. Rather than routing the cable under a <a href="http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/JspHSGFcAVh24LUd.huge" rel="nofollow">cable retainer</a> -- as it's done in non-Retina MacBook Pros -- you just have to replace both cable and hinge together. Devices with [guide|6175|cables fed through hinges|stepid=26752] can be a real bear to work on. None of that will be an issue with this machine, though, as the display hinge is pretty much sealed shut at the factory. Rather than routing the cable under a [http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/JspHSGFcAVh24LUd.huge|cable retainer] -- as it's done in non-Retina MacBook Pros -- you just have to replace both cable and hinge together. Don't think that the guys (and gals) who designed this machine are just out to get you. Routing the cables through the hinge is a way to save space and weight in the laptop. Don't think that the guys (and gals) who designed this machine are just out to get you. Routing the cables through the hinge is a way to save space and weight in the laptop. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/GeOrpeJLfPFOeagQ http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/xCRsUitEAVnCuaqy In the opposite corner we find another hinge that holds the antenna and FaceTime cables captive. In the opposite corner we find another hinge that holds the antenna and FaceTime cables captive. Again, if you need to replace these cables, the hinge has got to go, as well. That might not be so bad, but having to replace all of those cables just because a hinge breaks would be less than ideal. Again, if you need to replace these cables, the hinge has got to go, as well. That might not be so bad, but having to replace all of those cables just because a hinge breaks would be less than ideal. Markings on the inverter board read LP154WT1 (SJ) (A1) GD. Given that the board is soldered to the rest of the display, it appears to be a display manufactured by LG Display. Markings on the inverter board read LP154WT1 (SJ) (A1) GD. Given that the board is soldered to the rest of the display, it appears to be a display manufactured by LG Display. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/WvrZuMZ2wJOryHSu http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/OfMv1FnUPx4aISwX Things go back to being a little more familiar as we begin pulling off the rubber display gasket. Things go back to being a little more familiar as we begin pulling off the rubber display gasket. We were pleasantly surprised to find Phillips screws holding the Retina display in place. If you are trying to repair your Retina display and made it this far, you have earned the right to lay down your pentalobe and Torx bits and dust off your Phillips drivers. We were pleasantly surprised to find Phillips screws holding the Retina display in place. If you are trying to repair your Retina display and made it this far, you have earned the right to lay down your pentalobe and Torx bits and dust off your Phillips drivers. The 1 mm gap between the aluminum panel and LCD layers might not seem very large, but to dust and debris it's a gaping hole. The 1 mm gap between the aluminum panel and LCD layers might not seem very large, but to dust and debris it's a gaping hole. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/SFafghtNfjCo3idO http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/AnqbODNAgPN1hHRR http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/LBbVUTMtLETORObu Q: What happens when you hand over a groundbreaking notebook display to a group of careful, highly trained technicians? '''Q:''' What happens when you hand over a groundbreaking notebook display to a group of careful, highly trained technicians? A: They break it. '''A:''' They break it. We were as careful as we could possibly be, but the glass on the Retina display is just too fragile. We were as careful as we could possibly be, but the glass on the Retina display is just too fragile. So, how badly did we break it? Well, upon closer inspection we noticed two very distinct lines running around the perimeter of the display, the inner of which was filled with tiny bubbles. So, how badly did we break it? Well, upon closer inspection we noticed two very distinct lines running around the perimeter of the display, the inner of which was filled with tiny bubbles. Could those be the LCs of our LCD? Could those be the LCs of our LCD? http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/QUB16igVht46lMPO http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/ia5OYAERVSpVmpAO http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/3YWjO2GrELLZuyET Once we got over the fact that obliterating the front panel of the display was the only way to get it out, we grabbed the skinniest tool we could find—an <a href="/Tools/iFixit-6-Inch-Metal-Ruler/IF145-108?utm_source=ifixit_guide&utm_medium=wiki_text&utm_term=145108&utm_content=product_link">iFixit 6" ruler</a>—and started prying. Once we got over the fact that obliterating the front panel of the display was the only way to get it out, we grabbed the skinniest tool we could find—an [product|IF145-108|iFixit 6" ruler]—and started prying. With the top and sides of the display panel freed, we were able to slide the shattered remains out of the display assembly. With the top and sides of the display panel freed, we were able to slide the shattered remains out of the display assembly. There were two thin strips of adhesive underneath the glass holding it in place, with a pattern that closely matched our trail of bubbles. There were two thin strips of adhesive underneath the glass holding it in place, with a pattern that closely matched our trail of bubbles. So, what's the lesson here? If you want a world-class laptop screen that doesn't take up much real estate, don't expect to be able to pop it out and back in at will. So, what's the lesson here? If you want a world-class laptop screen that doesn't take up much real estate, don't expect to be able to pop it out and back in at will. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/dsjlIQX1JRvImkhI http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/IpsiasKyh6ZqGVSr http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/xBxB5AMhlF2qjwqk Unfortunately, the Retina display is not nearly as impressive when it's been beaten and broken, but it is still impressively thin. Unfortunately, the Retina display is not nearly as impressive when it's been beaten and broken, but it is still impressively thin. The glued layers are about 1.5 mm thick, and that includes the metal mounting plates. The glued layers are about 1.5 mm thick, and that includes the metal mounting plates. We need to clarify this before continuing with the teardown; Apple did not design and build a 1.5 mm thin LCD panel. They did, however, do something exceptional with the design of this display: rather than sandwich an LCD panel between a back case and a front glass, they used the aluminum case itself as the frame for the LCD panel and used the LCD as the front glass. We need to clarify this before continuing with the teardown; Apple did not design and build a 1.5 mm thin LCD panel. They did, however, do something exceptional with the design of this display: rather than sandwich an LCD panel between a back case and a front glass, they used the aluminum case itself as the frame for the LCD panel and used the LCD ''as'' the front glass. TL;DR: The entire display assembly is an LCD panel. TL;DR: The entire display assembly is an LCD panel. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Ff6nRaKHDDMUo3SY http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/XJRmTlS1NpIUpnYe At last! With the LCD removed, we can remove the antenna and FaceTime cables from the display assembly. At last! With the LCD removed, we can remove the antenna and FaceTime cables from the display assembly. The camera cable is routed along the outside edge of the display assembly, making replacement very difficult and costly. Thankfully the cameras fail very infrequently, if at all. The camera cable is routed along the outside edge of the display assembly, making replacement very difficult and costly. Thankfully the cameras fail very infrequently, if at all. If the FaceTime camera were placed at the bottom of the display, it would likely be much easier to replace, but we wonder what kind of awkward side effects that would cause. If the FaceTime camera were placed at the bottom of the display, it would likely be much easier to replace, but we wonder what kind of awkward side effects that would cause. Disclaimer: iFixit does not believe that the FaceTime camera should be placed at the bottom of the display assembly. That is a silly idea. Disclaimer: iFixit does not believe that the FaceTime camera should be placed at the bottom of the display assembly. That is a silly idea. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/rNDeYZ6G3CGQuIRM http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/fnONFDlN2HeCSES4 iSight, uSight, we all sigh at lame jokes. Anyway, iSight is a thing of the past. This MacBook Pro has a FaceTime camera, allowing you to video chat with your grandmother in full HD. iSight, uSight, we all sigh at lame jokes. Anyway, iSight is a thing of the past. This MacBook Pro has a ''FaceTime'' camera, allowing you to video chat with your grandmother in full HD. The camera board comes out easily enough, considering the work it took to get there. The camera board comes out easily enough, considering the work it took to get there. The camera interfaces with the rest of the computer via the <a href="http://www.vimicro.com.cn/product/pdf/Vimicro_VC0358_PB_V1.0.pdf" rel="nofollow">Vimicro VC0358</a> USB camera interface IC. The camera interfaces with the rest of the computer via the [http://www.vimicro.com.cn/product/pdf/Vimicro_VC0358_PB_V1.0.pdf|Vimicro VC0358] USB camera interface IC. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/GSHJZuEAIGAPwiKj http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/moKuWi3xDgFyYLBC http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/JDQhXOK2L4CsNU2W Underneath the top layer of the LCD, we find a series of films and sheets that manipulate light before sending it to the user's eye. Underneath the top layer of the LCD, we find a series of films and sheets that manipulate light before sending it to the user's eye. Warning, the explanation we're about to give is painfully abridged. If you want an easy-to-understand take on how LCDs work, check out "Bill The Engineer Guy's" <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiejNAUwcQ8" rel="nofollow">teardown of an LCD monitor</a>. Warning, the explanation we're about to give is painfully abridged. If you want an easy-to-understand take on how LCDs work, check out "Bill The Engineer Guy's" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiejNAUwcQ8|teardown of an LCD monitor]. Diffuser and prism films evenly spread the light to create an even backlight for the display panel. A stationary polarizing sheet then works in conjunction with the liquid crystals to block or allow light for each pixel, all 5+ million of them. Diffuser and prism films evenly spread the light to create an even backlight for the display panel. A stationary polarizing sheet then works in conjunction with the liquid crystals to block or allow light for each pixel, all 5+ million of them. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/DbOE4uWNGMl4cUxW http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/wBdMiKZgxP633iHP The light guide plate is held down by a small strip of mild adhesive—nothing like we saw before. The light guide plate is held down by a small strip of mild adhesive—nothing like we saw before. Erring on the side of caution, we proceded very slowly with our modified <a href="/Tools/iSesamo-Opening-Tool/IF145-130?utm_source=ifixit_guide&utm_medium=wiki_text&utm_term=145130&utm_content=product_link">iSesamo</a> opening tool and removed the plate. Erring on the side of caution, we proceded very slowly with our modified [product|IF145-130|iSesamo] opening tool and removed the plate. Backlight bounces through the plate due to total internal reflection until it hits one of those tiny dots, which sends the light up and out of the front of the plate. Backlight bounces through the plate due to total internal reflection until it hits one of those tiny dots, which sends the light up and out of the front of the plate. By the way, the third picture is an image of the grid found in the clear plastic plate being removed in the second picture. We had to coerce it a bit in Photoshop in order to make it show its grid. By the way, the third picture is an image of the grid found in the clear plastic plate being removed in the second picture. We had to coerce it a bit in Photoshop in order to make it show its grid. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/cXDahMXqcXPmrBBS http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/DiqrnZnpVHRBqIZF http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/1cAWbQaAQ1u4WQFk The plain-looking sheet of white paper serves as a uniform white background for the LCD's backlight. The plain-looking sheet of white paper serves as a uniform white background for the LCD's backlight. What else would you use to light an LED-backlit display? LEDs, of course! What else would you use to light an LED-backlit display? LEDs, of course! A strip of 48 LEDs at the bottom of the display assembly provides all the light your Retina display needs. A strip of 48 LEDs at the bottom of the display assembly provides all the light your Retina display needs. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/MOM2BEg4bdKdf6QW http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/fqSwZEI1dumBjMl6 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/UQ5EuW5vtjvGe6vu There's no real reason to pull the foam off the inside of the back case, but this is a teardown, so we're doing it. There's no real reason to pull the foam off the inside of the back case, but this is a teardown, so we're doing it. We suspect that the foam is there to provide a flat, even surface for the LCD glass to brace against. But there is one thing that we do know about it: it is super sticky. We suspect that the foam is there to provide a flat, even surface for the LCD glass to brace against. But there is one thing that we do know about it: it is super sticky. The bottom edge of the case has two features that we found pretty neat: a laser engraved data matrix code and a nifty arrangement of round indentations. The bottom edge of the case has two features that we found pretty neat: a ''laser engraved'' data matrix code and a nifty arrangement of round indentations. Upon further inspection and with the help of some keen-eyed readers, it appears that those dots form the pattern of a <a href="http://www.catb.org/hacker-emblem/" rel="nofollow">glider</a> from Conway's Game of Life, the universal symbol for hackers. Upon further inspection and with the help of some keen-eyed readers, it appears that those dots form the pattern of a [http://www.catb.org/hacker-emblem/|glider] from Conway's Game of Life, the universal symbol for hackers. That sixth dot to the right, though? Apparently, if you were to place that dot while playing, it would place the entire game in a state of death. Is Apple trying to send us a message? That sixth dot to the right, though? Apparently, if you were to place that dot while playing, it would place the entire game in a state of death. Is Apple trying to send us a message? http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/skHoMRHUNq4JRTwT http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/GGjmUQwXwlrFJAUy And there you have it, the Retina display from the new MacBook Pro. And there you have it, the Retina display from the new MacBook Pro. Normally we would provide you with a repairability score at this point, but since this display is <a href="/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Retina+Display+Mid+2012+Teardown/9462/1">part of another device</a>, that's not really appropriate. Normally we would provide you with a repairability score at this point, but since this display is [guide|9462|part of another device], that's not really appropriate. What we can tell you is that if anything in the display assembly breaks, you'll need to replace the whole thing. It will be more expensive than just replacing the LCD inside a regular MacBook Pro, but it will also make the choice (of whether to replace just LCD or entire display assembly) very easy. What we can tell you is that if anything in the display assembly breaks, you'll need to replace the whole thing. It will be more expensive than just replacing the LCD inside a regular MacBook Pro, but it will also make the choice (of whether to replace just LCD or entire display assembly) very easy. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/umQqCeXVRbmORSsl

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