iFixit Shares M3 MacBook Pro Teardown, Explains How Apple Created Space Black Finish

[MacRumors]

Repair website iFixit today shared a video teardown of the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with both the M3 and M3 Pro chips, providing a closer look inside the laptops. The internal design is virtually unchanged compared to the previous MacBook Pro models.

iFixit also shared a blog post in which it explains how it believes Apple achieved its new, darker Space Black finish for the MacBook Pro. In short, it said that Apple managed to make the Space Black finish's anodized surface "more uneven" at a microscopic level, resulting in more light reflecting off it for a darker appearance.

"Apple found they could etch the already rough anodized surface, making it more uneven," wrote iFixit's Kevin O'Reilly. "The resulting nooks and crannies further diffuse incoming light rays, sending them off in even more directions. Less white light makes its way to our eyeballs—resulting in that slick matte finish."

iFixit provides an in-depth, scientific overview of the Space Black finish, including the new anodization seal that reduces fingerprints, in its blog post.

The new MacBook Pro models launched earlier this week.

Article Link: iFixit Shares M3 MacBook Pro Teardown, Explains How Apple Created Space Black Finish

 

[eicca]

I own several flashlights in a dang-tough matte black anodized finish. Apple is just overhyping late and inferior versions of stuff that already exists. Again.

And no my flashlights are not covered in fingerprints either.

 

[Fuzzball84]

This color/finish is really cool. iFixit are my go to site for teardowns and repair guides when companies dont provide service manuals.

Really interesting stuff regarding the latest macbook pro. Really needs to make its way across the entire lineup. Macbook Air midnight really needed it, big time.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I own several flashlights in a dang-tough matte black anodized finish. Apple is just overhyping late and inferior versions of stuff that already exists. Again.

And no my flashlights are not covered in fingerprints either.

At least they got there in the end, right 😂

 

[boak]

Less light reflecting… Not more

 

[oofio2461]

aka, they spray-painted the chassis black and called it a day, along with the effort they tried with this release, it feels like a new car model year coming out, nothing major, the same design, a new color to attract buyers, and maybe a complete redesign like every 5 years.

 

[Chuckeee]

Ok, still waiting for an M3 iMac tear down

 

[Apple_Robert]

He says he filled up the RAM usage in 15 minutes. This guy talks like he doesn't have a real clue how MacOS uses RAM. Yes, SSD swap is a real thing but, the SSD would still last longer than most people ever dream of. This iFixit guy doesn't sound objective to me in his presentation.

 

[RalfTheDog]

Less like reflecting… Not more

Reflecting in more directions. Instead of being reflected directly back, it is reflected into the texture.

(Yes, that line bothered me too.)

 

[appleguy123]

I hope we eventually learn what coating is on this to make it fingerprint resistant. I am trying to avoid PFAS and other water/oil-proofing chemicals.

 

[boak]

He says he filled up the RAM usage in 15 minutes. This guy talks like he doesn't have a real clue how MacOS uses RAM. Yes, SSD swap is a real thing but, the SSD would still last longer than most people ever dream of. This iFixit guy doesn't sound objective to me in his presentation.

There’d be a problem if memory weren’t filled up lol

 

[Apple_Robert]

There’d be a problem if memory weren’t filled up lol

True. However, he didn't quantify his comment. The system loading as much memory as possible is not necessarily a bad thing with MacOS and is often standard operating procedure.

 

[boak]

True. However, he didn't quantify his comment. The system loading as much memory as possible is not necessarily a bad thing with MacOS and is often standard operating procedure.

Yeah. That’s expected behaviour.

 

[ThomasJL]

The excellent tech gadget review YouTuber, Marques Brownlee, has stated in many of his videos that his favorite color for tech products is matte black. Therefore, I'm curious to hear his opinion on the new Space Black finish on the new MacBook Pros.

 

[erikkfi]

He says he filled up the RAM usage in 15 minutes. This guy talks like he doesn't have a real clue how MacOS uses RAM. Yes, SSD swap is a real thing but, the SSD would still last longer than most people ever dream of. This iFixit guy doesn't sound objective to me in his presentation.

I’m using a still perfectly fine 2014 MacBook Pro as a daily driver. What if an M3 MBP does SSD swaps fairly consistently from now until 2032?

 

[ikramerica]

Reflecting in more directions. Instead of being reflected directly back, it is reflected into the texture.

(Yes, that line bothered me too.)

Scattered/deflected

 

[t0rqx]

I hope we eventually learn what coating is on this to make it fingerprint resistant. I am trying to avoid PFAS and other water/oil-proofing chemicals.

mother.nature@apple.com

 

[Fuzzball84]

He says he filled up the RAM usage in 15 minutes. This guy talks like he doesn't have a real clue how MacOS uses RAM. Yes, SSD swap is a real thing but, the SSD would still last longer than most people ever dream of. This iFixit guy doesn't sound objective to me in his presentation.

Indeed, other parts of the laptop would wear out/break down long before the SSD wore out its write cycles. Youd have to be writing at max speed (constantly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) for years before it wore out. Nowhere near normal usage.

 

[Darajavahus]

What I found most interesting is that on the M3 Pro the 512 SSD is actually in 4 chips

 

[surfzen21]

He says he filled up the RAM usage in 15 minutes. This guy talks like he doesn't have a real clue how MacOS uses RAM. Yes, SSD swap is a real thing but, the SSD would still last longer than most people ever dream of. This iFixit guy doesn't sound objective to me in his presentation.

iFixit is the last place I would look for objective information regarding Apple.

They have a fevered hatred for Apple. The despise the fact Apple doesn't make a product that caters towards iFixit's business model of providing inferior parts for all things Apple.

 

[XXPP]

Why is the lid close sensor paired? It is very easy. It's about the security of USB ports. When the flap is closed and you log out, everything is encrypted. The sensor is permanently assigned and paired so that it cannot be deceived.
Less hate - more knowledge.

Why are other parts linked and encrypted? So that it doesn't make sense to steal Apple devices, even for parts.

 

[vegetassj4]

I want a fingerprint colored macbook so I don’t have to worry about it.

 

[jeroenvip]

I wonder when they will release an apple cleaning cloth m3. That is compatible with the latest macbook pros.

Also does ifixit has a repair score for the “right to repair” on the apple cleaning cloth?

 

[BroTim52]

Thankful the new space black somehow doesn't show fingerprints like the midnight MacBook Air

 

[eicca]

Why is the lid close sensor paired? It is very easy. It's about the security of USB ports. When the flap is closed and you log out, everything is encrypted. The sensor is permanently assigned and paired so that it cannot be deceived.
Less hate - more knowledge.

Why are other parts linked and encrypted? So that it doesn't make sense to steal Apple devices, even for parts.

No, Apple is anti-repair and anti-consumer, and hypocritical about their environmental pledges to boot.

“Parts theft” is just as easily solved by not allowing them to be installed in another device unless they were unlocked with an iCloud account while installed in the parent device. Just like iCloud-deactivating a device for sale.

If I can figure out a solution that easily, you can guarantee Apple knows about it and is willingly choosing to shaft consumers instead.