iFixit has posted its teardown of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch bar.
Two weeks ago, we tore down the new entry-level 13" MacBook Pro to discover it was thinner, lighter, faster, and (sad face) less repairable than most any other pro-level laptop. Today, we turn our tools on its Touch Bar-equipped launch mate. Will this machine surprise us with some upgrade-friendly features, or will it be as disposable as the box it comes in? There's only one way to find out: it's teardown time!
Highlights:
● New model number: A1706
● The Touch Bar version weighs about 20 grams less than its counterpart
● Touch Bar features: a smaller battery, two fans, double-ended heat sink, no SSD card, and lower speakers (that don't actually line up with their grilles).
● Apple also seems to have included a connector that goes ... nowhere?
● The Touch ID button is topped by sapphire crystal
● The speakers are not located under the speaker grilles. The speaker grille doesn't even go clear through the case.
● These speakers likely blast their impressive sound through the side air vents.
● 49.2 Wh capacity battery
Repairability Score: 1 out of 10
● The trackpad can be removed without first removing the battery.
● Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make working on the device unnecessarily difficult.
● The battery assembly is entirely, and very solidly, glued into the case, thus complicating replacement.
● The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board.
● The Touch Bar adds a second, difficult to replace, screen to damage.
● The Touch ID sensor doubles as the power switch, and is paired with the T1 chip on the logic board. Fixing a broken power switch may require help from Apple, or a new logic board.
Check out some images below or hit the link for the full teardown.
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Two weeks ago, we tore down the new entry-level 13" MacBook Pro to discover it was thinner, lighter, faster, and (sad face) less repairable than most any other pro-level laptop. Today, we turn our tools on its Touch Bar-equipped launch mate. Will this machine surprise us with some upgrade-friendly features, or will it be as disposable as the box it comes in? There's only one way to find out: it's teardown time!
Highlights:
● New model number: A1706
● The Touch Bar version weighs about 20 grams less than its counterpart
● Touch Bar features: a smaller battery, two fans, double-ended heat sink, no SSD card, and lower speakers (that don't actually line up with their grilles).
● Apple also seems to have included a connector that goes ... nowhere?
● The Touch ID button is topped by sapphire crystal
● The speakers are not located under the speaker grilles. The speaker grille doesn't even go clear through the case.
● These speakers likely blast their impressive sound through the side air vents.
● 49.2 Wh capacity battery
Repairability Score: 1 out of 10
● The trackpad can be removed without first removing the battery.
● Proprietary pentalobe screws continue to make working on the device unnecessarily difficult.
● The battery assembly is entirely, and very solidly, glued into the case, thus complicating replacement.
● The processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic board.
● The Touch Bar adds a second, difficult to replace, screen to damage.
● The Touch ID sensor doubles as the power switch, and is paired with the T1 chip on the logic board. Fixing a broken power switch may require help from Apple, or a new logic board.
Check out some images below or hit the link for the full teardown.
Read More