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Retina MacBook Teardown Reveals iPad-Like Battery Connector, Details Force Touch Trackpad

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After Apple revealed the new 12-inch Retina MacBook at its March "Spring Forward" event, the performance and speed of the sleek-but-slightly-underpowered machine came into question by many. Unlike the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the Retina MacBook comes with an Intel Core M Processor and provides only a single USB-C port to double as an accessory and charging port.

Today, iFixit answered some of those early questions in its teardown of the new MacBook, revealing a few unsurprising details of the base model MacBook, which includes a 1.1GHz processor, 12-inch Retina display, 256GB of flash storage and Intel HD Graphics 5300. What the company did find that was surprising was a battery connector hidden under the logic board, just one of a few internal comparisons to Apple's iPad line made with the new MacBook.

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Next, iFixit looked at Apple's new method of tapered battery cells, finding the glued-down cells particularly challenging to remove and replace. Finally emerging from the MacBook's innards, the company discovered a 7.55 V, 39.71 Wh, and 5263 mAh battery, what iFixit calls "just a hair more" powerful than this year's 5100 mAh 11-inch MacBook Air.

Lastly the teardown focuses on the MacBook's much-touted Force Touch trackpad, which iFixit calls a "slimmer, daintier version" of the 13-inch MacBook Pro's trackpad. Delving further, the repair website found a Broadcom BCM5976 touchscreen controller, ST Microelectronics 32F103 ARM Cortex-M based microcontroller, and Linear Technology LT3954 LED Converter with Internal PWM Generator as the main trio of chips running the new trackpad.

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All of iFixit's breakdown resulted in a repairability score of 1 out of 10 for the new MacBook, a 10 being easiest to repair. The company points to Apple's proprietary pentalobe screws surrounding the outside case, the tricky-to-remove tapered batteries, and the processor, RAM, and flash memory being soldered to the double-sided logic board as main reasons for the score.

iFixit's full teardown is worth a read, showing intricate details of the Retina MacBook's double-sided logic board and new USB-C connection port. The 12-inch Retina MacBook went on sale on Apple's online store last Friday, April 10, along with pre-orders of the Apple Watch.

Although the base 1.1GHz version of the MacBook appeared to many as an underpowered machine, recent benchmarks of the 1.2GHz model showcased decent speed and power boosts over its entry-level counterpart. No doubt more will be known when consumers begin receiving their MacBooks in the mail, especially regarding the 1.3GHz model, currently at a mid-May dispatch date due to its made-to-order upgrade parts.

Article Link: Retina MacBook Teardown Reveals iPad-Like Battery Connector, Details Force Touch Trackpad
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/04/15/retina-macbook-teardown/
maflynn

maflynn

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May 3, 2009
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Its mind blowing how small the components are. Kudos to Apple in designing the force touch trackpad
 
AngerDanger

AngerDanger

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I'm going to go out on a particularly long limb and say that the MacBook's demographic isn't likely to repair their own electronics.
 
N

neuropsychguy

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Sep 29, 2008
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
That seems right. Use it, then just throw it away and buy another when the battery wears out.
Click to expand...

Or, you know what might just be a novel idea? Have Apple replace it. They'll charge you for it but a lot less than they will for a new computer. Now whether or not it's worth it is up to you.

I know modular would be simpler for a lot of people to repair but Apple has rarely gone that route, whether or not we like it. They do, however, have topnotch engineering and design (whether or not we like it).
 
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2457282

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from an engeneering perspective, it looks like there is starting to be less differences between the tablet and computer lines. I am sure somewhere in some lab they have the ipad running OSX and the rMacbook running iOS. I hope that they do resolve this in the next release or two of the OS.

For example i use my ipad with a keyboard cover a lot. and some times when working on it, my wife will hand me her macbook air to edit something she is working on. as I edit i keep touching the screen like if it was my ipad only to be frustrated when i realize i am on a macbook.

I know that MS surface is a mess, but the idea of having a touch screen full blown OS is not the reason for the mess, it is MS implementation. I hope Apple figures it out and does something slick soon.
 
Infinite Vortex

Infinite Vortex

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Mar 6, 2015
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The company points to Apple's proprietary pentalobe screws surrounding the outside case
Click to expand...

Those lovely screws that a normal person can't tighten up when they decide to loosen themselves and escape, never to be seen again. And then Apple Service sell packets of replacement screws which you can't screw in either. :confused:
 
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ArmCortexA8

macrumors 65816
Feb 18, 2010
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Terra Australis
No use on MBPs' - "This computer doesn't contain any NVMExpress devices. If you installed NVMExpress devices, make sure they are connected properly and powered on."
 
Naimfan

Naimfan

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Jan 15, 2003
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The "user repairability/upgradability of Mac" ship sailed a long time ago . . .

A great pity - too big a sacrifice, I think, to pursue thin above all else.

And just wait for the "I bent my rMB" posts!
 
M

MeFromHere

macrumors 6502
Oct 11, 2012
468
16
I appreciate iFixit's teardowns and pictures, but I'm absolutely sick of the "proprietary pentalobe screws" dead horse they keep beating.

1. In what sense are these screws "proprietary"? Are they patented? Do I need Apple's permission to buy a compatible screwdriver, or to make or sell one? Is there ANY realistic restriction on anyone buying these screwdrivers?

2. In what sense do the pentalobe screws constitute a "lockout" mechanism, given that iFixit sells compatible screwdrivers, and there are dozens available from places like Amazon?

If iFixit is complaining because the MacBook requires specialized tools that won't be found in most households, pentalobe really doesn't matter. Tiny Phillips, Torx, or slotted screws would be just as much trouble.

Tiny fasteners and connectors require specialized tools. Big deal. I wish iFixit would stop pretending to be shocked and offended by this obvious fact.

iFixit repairability scores just feel wrong to me. I always have the impression their ideal device would be fixable with exactly the same tools and skills you'd use on a 1968 Oldsmobile.

I see teenagers at mall kiosks fixing stuff iFixit gave a repairability score of 2 or 3. Maybe our teenagers are just way above average.
 
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Thunderhawks

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AngerDanger said:
I'm going to go out on a particularly long limb and say that the MacBook's demographic isn't likely to repair their own electronics.
Click to expand...

My mother is 85 and was extremely disappointed that the glued in batteries are so hard to remove.
Removing glued in batteries is her biggest hobby.

Shame on you Apple!

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HobeSoundDarryl said:
That seems right. Use it, then just throw it away and buy another when the battery wears out.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't it be great if one could send it to Apple and have the battery replaced? Too bad that option is not available.
 
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