iFixit Tears Down M5 MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

Repair site iFixit today did one of its device teardowns on Apple's new M5 MacBook Pro model, which Apple released on Wednesday.

Unsurprisingly, there are few changes to the device because the only new features are a new M5 chip and a faster SSD, but iFixit did find some subtle tweaks related to repairability.

The MacBook Pro's casing is still secured with P5 screws, and battery replacement is more difficult than it needs to be because Apple only sells the battery as part of the main chassis that also includes the keyboard. Getting to the fan, ports, and other components inside the MacBook Pro requires removing the logic board, and iFixit says that essentially every component in the MacBook Pro has to come out to perform a battery replacement following Apple's official repair steps.

On the plus side, iFixit found that the trackpad no longer needs to be removed to access the pull tabs on the central battery cells, a small but useful update. There is a new 72.6 Wh battery in the MacBook Pro, which is a little bit higher capacity than the 72.4 Wh battery in the prior-generation M4 MacBook Pro. The battery finding is a bit odd, since Apple's own specifications page still lists a 72.4 Wh battery.

Since little has changed with MacBook Pro repair, iFixit gave the device a repairability score of 4 out of 10.

Article Link: iFixit Tears Down M5 MacBook Pro

 

[sleeptodream]

Yikes, does not sound good for those that would need to replace a battery or fan down the line :/

 

[Slo Pesci]

Yup, that's a Macbook alright.

 

[MacMorrison]

That's not a lot of improvement. I really hate how hard it is to replace a battery in a MacBook - it basically guarantees you have to take it to Apple or get AppleCare.

 

[cjsuk]

Since little has changed with MacBook Pro repair, iFixit gave the device a repairability score of 4 out of 10.

Not going to give it any more than that or it'd compromise their narrative and business model.

 

[Rachid Vàzquez]

Where is the EU when it comes to enforcing repairability?

 

[neuropsychguy]

"There is a new 72.6 Wh battery in the MacBook Pro, which is a little bit higher capacity than the 72.4 Wh battery in the prior-generation M4 MacBook Pro. The battery finding is a bit odd, since Apple's own specifications page still lists a 72.4 Wh battery."

How long before a class action lawsuit over this lie by Apple?!

 

[BrahmShank]

Waiting for iFixit to rip the tungsten out of the Dual Knit Band…

 

[jicon]

It wasn't that long ago a Macbook had a little latch would drop the battery out so a different one could be used. Elegant and convenient. I get it... the compromise is a thicker machine. But these are pro machines. Leave the non replaceable batteries to the Air.

 

[cjsuk]

It wasn't that long ago a Macbook had a little latch would drop the battery out so a different one could be used. Elegant and convenient. I get it... the compromise is a thicker machine. But these are pro machines. Leave the non replaceable batteries to the Air.

It is replaceable. Just not by morons.

 

[hagar]

Still have a 20 year old PowerBook G4 that has a removable battery (with lights indicating how full it is) and user accessible ram. Apple could bring these features back if it wanted to.

At least it would lend some more credibility to their “Mother Nature” act.

 

[Hajj.david]

Still have a 20 year old PowerBook G4 that has a removable battery (with lights indicating how full it is) and user accessible ram. Apple could bring these features back if it wanted to.

At least it would lend some more credibility to their “Mother Nature” act.

You cannot have removable ram, and the power that comes with unified ram at the same time it’s a one or the other type of thing. There is a reason why Apple computers are being used for LLM’s. They’re the only ones that provide huge amounts of unified memory.

 

[Bigwaff]

Not going to give it any more than that or it'd compromise their narrative and business model.

Explain.

 

[Happy_John]

It is replaceable. Just not by morons.

Yep, I’ve done a few of these ( there’s not been that much change since they switched to this way of installing the battery in 2016 - it’s actually slightly easier now than then). It’s not an easy job, but it is possible to do a home battery replacement if you take your time and use decent tools. It is not necessary to remove the mainboard, although I understand why ifixit always present it as if you have to - they obviously don’t want to feel responsible for people being hasty and trashing the mainboard. Patience, good tools and making sure you know what you are doing every step of the way is key.

 

[delsoul]

God forbid Apple ever makes it easy like before

 

[casjohnr]

I had to replace the keyboard on my Dell laptop about a year ago which required taking the whole thing to bits and about 60 tiny screws, took my time doing everything and got right to the end only to accidentally rip the backlight cable on literally the second to last step!

So even the PC manufacturers are at it, gone are the days when you would just pop 3 clips on the top of the keyboard and swap it out in about a minute!

 

[hgfjhbvytjdnb]

It is replaceable. Just not by morons.

That means you wouldn't be able to replace it, clearly.

 

[thomasdangit]

Does this mean the battery replacement entails an entire top case replacement, yet again?

 

[jabbr]

will the EU force the re-designed MBP to have user-replaceable batteries? IF so, that would be major incentive to upgrade

 

[hgfjhbvytjdnb]

Yep, I’ve done a few of these ( there’s not been that much change since they switched to this way of installing the battery in 2016 - it’s actually slightly easier now than then). It’s not an easy job, but it is possible to do a home battery replacement if you take your time and use decent tools. It is not necessary to remove the mainboard, although I understand why ifixit always present it as if you have to - they obviously don’t want to feel responsible for people being hasty and trashing the mainboard. Patience, good tools and making sure you know what you are doing every step of the way is key.

Funny thing that, the only special tool required to swap the battery on the OG up to 2017 MBA was the pentalobe. Everything else was a plug and play with eyes closed kind of job. No glue, no gymnastics. Just pure sustainable, eco friendly battery swap available to masses.

 

[Happy_John]

Does this mean the battery replacement entails an entire top case replacement, yet again?

No. It means Apple won’t sell you a replacement battery as an independent part - you have to buy it from a third party. That has akways been the way since they switched to retina screens - this isn’t new. But it has always been possible to replace the battery without needing to buy a new top case.

 

[Happy_John]

Funny thing that, the only special tool required to swap the battery on the OG up to 2017 MBA was the pentalobe. Everything else was a plug and play with eyes closed kind of job. No glue, no gymnastics. Just pure sustainable, eco friendly battery swap available to masses.

But you don’t need any special tools now either apart from a precision screwdriver with a couple of bits, and an old credit card or gym membership card ( sine IPA is handy too). That hasn’t changed.

they were gluing down batteries in MBPs from the time they switched to retina screens. So designs from 2011. The MBA didn’t gave glue only because it was a legacy design. 2016 -2018 was the Wray point with regards glue in MBPs - it’s actually gotten easier since then.

 

[Unami]

Where is the EU when it comes to enforcing repairability?

It’s already in legislation since 2023, but they gave manufacturers some time to adapt. It becomes mandatory in February 2027, so I’d expect a much easier to replace battery maybe already in next year’s model - isn’t there some design change expected, coincidentally?

 

[switz]

So tired of the cheapskates.

Folks want speed and more speed. The faster speeds required soldered connections on printed circuit boards to reduce signal and power losses. The fastest laptops cost many thousands of dollars. A 1 to 2% repair program seems to tip their scales financially. That is a cost of ownership like an extended warranty on a car.

If someone needs to ask how much a product costs to operate, perhaps they need a cheaper product or no product as they seemingly can not afford the true costs of ownership.

My M4 MacBook Pro Max (128GB memory, 8TB SSD and nano display) cost over $6,600 before taxes and Apple care.
It is now on the Apple One or whatever it is called for $19/month along with other multi thousand dollars Apple gear. Damn cheap insurance to cover the repairs in an Apple authorized repair facility.

Buy a low cost loss leader computer and then just throw it in the trash when it quilts.

I want reliability and speed. The old equipment that was so called repairable lacks both the speed and reliability that we have today.

 

[Happy_John]

So tired of the cheapskates.

Folks want speed and more speed. The faster speeds required soldered connections on printed circuit boards to reduce signal and power losses. The fastest laptops cost many thousands of dollars. A 1 to 2% repair program seems to tip their scales financially. That is a cost of ownership like an extended warranty on a car.

If someone needs to ask how much a product costs to operate, perhaps they need a cheaper product or no product as they seemingly can not afford the true costs of ownership.

My M4 MacBook Pro Max (128GB memory, 8TB SSD and nano display) cost over $6,600 before taxes and Apple care.
It is now on the Apple One or whatever it is called for $19/month along with other multi thousand dollars Apple gear. Damn cheap insurance to cover the repairs in an Apple authorized repair facility.

Buy a low cost loss leader computer and then just throw it in the trash when it quilts.

I want reliability and speed. The old equipment that was so called repairable lacks both the speed and reliability that we have today.

The new MacBook Pro is no less reparable / user upgradable than it was in 2016. That hasn’t changed while performance has changed drastically.

So the argument that being able to replace components ( eg battery, speakers, USB ports, trackpad etc) has a negative effect on performance and/limits advances in performance simply isn’t true, as the last ten years with MBPs shows the opposite - the battery in the 2025 MBP is in fact easier to replace than in a 2016 MBP.