iFixit Tears Down 13-Inch M2 MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple last week launched the first M2 Mac, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and repair site iFixit picked up the new machine to do a traditional device teardown.

Design wise, there's not a lot for iFixit to say about the M2 MacBook Pro because aside from the M2 chip, it is identical to the prior-generation MacBook Pro. It features the same chassis, Touch Bar, and display, with updates focused under-the-hood.

As expected, iFixit found almost every component to be the same, and couldn't identify any outward-facing changes. Inside, some of the chips and smaller components have been updated, but the rest of the interior is identical.

iFixit was able to pull the M1 and M2 boards out, fitting the M2 board in the M1 MacBook Pro case. Though the boards could be swapped, the M2 chip would not function in the M1 chassis because of the component swap. The trackpad, keyboard, and Touch ID sensor fail to function when the M1 and M2 chips are changed out.

As the ‌M2‌ MacBook Pro components physically fit inside the M1 MacBook Pro, iFixit claims that Apple is making a "blatant attempt to block repairs and replacements through software locks."

Previous arguments for the lack of upgradeability between generations have centered around size considerations within the chassis or cost considerations or manufacturing limitations. So how do we explain this?

iFixit confirmed the design of the SSD, which has led to slower SSD benchmark performance on the 256GB M2 MacBook Pro compared to the 256GB M1 MacBook Pro. Apple is indeed using a single 256GB SSD chip in the M2 MacBook Pro, while the M1 used two 128GB SSD chips. Two SSD chips allow the system to read and write up to twice as fast because operations can be performed at the same time. It's not clear why Apple made this change, but iFixit speculates that it is the direct result of component shortages.

All in all, iFixit says that Apple missed an opportunity to introduce its first upgradeable device in a good long time, and that the company also missed the chance to set the tone for repairability and eco-friendly design by restricting interoperability.

Article Link: iFixit Tears Down 13-Inch M2 MacBook Pro

 

[jazz1]

It will be interesting if heat throttling slows down the 2022 MacBook Air, more than the 2022 MacBook Pro with M2.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Reparable for Apple, not for thee.

 

[BornAgainMac]

After seeing more details on this Macbook Pro, I am no longer interested in risking it with the Macbook Air M2. Going to wait until newer Macbook Pros with the 3nm tech comes out and just save my money for that instead. I don't want to purchase an Apple product that cut corners to save a few dollars. Going to milk my Macbook Pro 15 2015 until 2023 with macOS Monterey and get something Apple would be proud to ship.

 

[seek3r]

After seeing more details on this Macbook Pro, I am no longer interested in risking it with the Macbook Air M2. Going to wait until newer Macbook Pros with the 3nm tech comes out and just save my money for that instead. I don't want to purchase an Apple product that cut corners to save a few dollars. Going to milk my Macbook Pro 15 2015 until 2023 with macOS Monterey and get something Apple would be proud to ship.

I mean you could also just wait for reviews and teardowns....

 

[BornAgainMac]

I mean you could also just wait for reviews and teardowns....

That is true. I'll wait until Max Tech on Youtube does their testing before I make any final decisions. They will try to "Destroy" it with their testing and if they say the performance is "Insane" then I'll get one.

 

[now i see it]

It’s repairable- by Apple

 

[asterizk]

How'd they get one? Thought they weren't shipping for another couple weeks? https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/29/macbook-air-m2-available-friday-july-15/

Edit: Oops, this is about the M2 MacBook Pro, not the M2 Air

 

[Cromulent]

How'd they get one? Thought they weren't shipping for another couple weeks? https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/29/macbook-air-m2-available-friday-july-15/

That is the MacBook Air. This is the MacBook Pro 13".

 

[CWallace]

How'd they get one? Thought they weren't shipping for another couple weeks?

This is the 13" M2 MacBook Pro, not the M2 MacBook Air (which ships in mid-July).

 

[StudioMacs]

As the ‌M2‌ MacBook Pro components physically fit inside the M1 MacBook Pro, iFixit claims that Apple is making a "blatant attempt to block repairs and replacements through software locks."

iFixit is just mad they can't use this teardown to sell their over-priced tools.

Apple serializes components to prevent counterfeit and stolen parts being installed by shady "repair" shops.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Surprised the EU doesn’t get involved if there software blocking to stop you repairing them or upgrading parts that physically fit

 

[CWallace]

After seeing more details on this Macbook Pro, I am no longer interested in risking it with the Macbook Air M2.

If you plan to get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, you should be quite safe with an M2 MacBook Air. (And this presumes the Air also only has a single 256GB storage module).

 

[CWallace]

Surprised the EU doesn’t get involved if there software blocking to stop you repairing them or upgrading parts that physically fit

It's probably only a matter of time, though the EU arguably has an interest not interfering too heavily in Apple's attempts at discouraging people from stealing their citizens' laptops to salvage them for spare parts that can be sold on the "black market".

 

[GMShadow]

Surprised the EU doesn’t get involved if there software blocking to stop you repairing them or upgrading parts that physically fit

I mean I can fit a lot of things in places but it doesn't mean they have to work.

 

[chkay]

The suggestion that Apple is doing this for your own protection incase your device is stolen is laughable. It's all software based, meaning if it detects a hardware change they could just force you to verify the hardware by logging into your account, where they'd see the purchased part and link it to that device.

 

[asterizk]

That is the MacBook Air. This is the MacBook Pro 13".

This is the 13" M2 MacBook Pro, not the M2 MacBook Air (which ships in mid-July).

Duh! thanks guys. My brain clearly on the Air, haha

 

[pilotpat]

I wonder if they are making it impossible to repair as iFixit says, or are they making it impossible for people to find a potentially cheaper method to upgrade to the newer M2 by just replacing the cpu board on their own. Maybe both, but still.

 

[JPack]

It's not clear whyApple made this change, but iFixit speculates that it is the direct result of component shortages.

Nah, Apple will deliver wtihout delay a 128GB iPhone, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iMac using 128GB chips.

If it were shortages, Apple would have responded to requests for comments by now. There is no possible way to spin this, hence they keep quiet.

 

[CWallace]

Aye. They went with a single, larger storage chip to save on the Bill of Materials cost so they could keep the base price the same $1299.

 

[umbilical]

Seriously, nobody wants buy that old computer, forget it... at least you love the useless touchbar.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

If you plan to get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, you should be quite safe with an M2 MacBook Air. (And this presumes the Air also only has a single 256GB storage module).

I’m bumping to 24gb ram, 512 storage. Not even the m1 pro has a 24 configuration. You have to leap to 32 and pay 400$

 

[JosephAW]

So what happens if someone solders another memory chip in the other slot. Will it revert to raid zero again?

 

[femike]

After seeing more details on this Macbook Pro, I am no longer interested in risking it with the Macbook Air M2. Going to wait until newer Macbook Pros with the 3nm tech comes out and just save my money for that instead. I don't want to purchase an Apple product that cut corners to save a few dollars. Going to milk my Macbook Pro 15 2015 until 2023 with macOS Monterey and get something Apple would be proud to ship.

I agree. As you say, Apple is cutting corners to save a few dollars. I I as excited to get the macbook air M2 but that is waned now. I'll hold off as I don't need it anyway.

 

[Psychicbob]

That is true. I'll wait until Max Tech on Youtube does their testing before I make any final decisions. They will try to "Destroy" it with their testing and if they say the performance is "Insane" then I'll get one.

If performance IS good, by then, the delivery time will be 3 months