MacBook Neo Teardown Reveals a Surprisingly Modular, Glue-Free Design [Video]

The first teardown of Apple's newly released MacBook Neo reveals a highly modular interior that avoids the heavy adhesive commonly used in other Mac laptops.

A disassembly video from repair shop Tech Re-Nu shows how Apple redesigned the internal layout for its entry-level machine. After removing four screws to pop off the bottom cover, the technician found an unusually small logic board housing the A18 Pro chip. The motherboard is significantly smaller than those found in the MacBook Air and is easily freed after disconnecting a few clearly routed flex cables for the display, trackpad, microphones, and other components.


The most notable discovery is how Apple handles the battery. Instead of stretch-release adhesive tabs or strong glue, the battery is secured to the frame with 18 screws. Once those are removed, the battery simply lifts out of the chassis.

The speakers are also secured with four screws and lift out easily, with no sticky tabs involved.

Component modularity extends across the rest of the laptop. The audio jack, trackpad, and USB-C ports are all independent pieces that can be swapped out individually if they fail. The technician was able to fully disassemble the machine in under ten minutes, pointing out the lack of hidden hinge covers and describing the overall design as straightforward and elegant.

This internal simplicity lines up with Apple's push to keep manufacturing and repair costs down on the $599 MacBook Neo. The company recently detailed how it utilized a new aluminum extrusion process to build the outer shell with less material waste. Based on this teardown, that focus on efficiency extends to the internal assembly as well.


The MacBook Neo is available to order today for $599 on Amazon. Take a look at the teardown below.