MacBook and MacBook Pro Disassembly and Photos

[MacRumors]

MacBook Pro logic board
iFixit has posted photos of the complete disassembly of the new MacBook and MacBook Pro. The disassembly guides show how to access the hard drive, battery and RAM on the new machines. No video adapter is included in the packaging.

Meanwhile, AppleInsider has posted a set of high quality comparison photos between the new 13" MacBook and new 15" MacBook Pro.



Article Link

 

[citi]

must not buy...must hold out

 

[Small White Car]

I have to say, the comparison pictures between the old and the new are really stunning. This new manufacturing process was money well spent.

The screws, seams, and plastic trim of the old machines are just gone. The contrast is unbelievable. The new ones really look like some kind of sci-fi movie prop. You know, like something made of balsa wood and spray-painted? The fact that this is a real machine is hard for me to believe.

Seriously, I spent Tuesday moaning about firewire, but these photos just blow my mind.

If you're not sure what I mean, go to this article and search for the phrse "previous model's wimpy weak edges". The photo under that says it all.

 

[DARKJ3DI]

ifixit is a great site.their guides helped me fix my broken ibook g3.

 

[thespyglass]

Those side-by-side comparison pictures from AI are amazing. See also the pictures showing the old MBP next to the new MBP - massive difference in construction quality, it's crazy.

 

[miketcool]

NO VIDEO ADAPTER?

APPLE are you effing kidding me? It's proprietary, what a freaking nightmare. Buy buy $50 student discount...

 

[840quadra]

I have to say, the comparison pictures between the old and the new are really stunning. This new manufacturing process was money well spent.

The screws, seams, and plastic trim of the old machines are just gone. The contrast is unbelievable. The new ones really look like some kind of sci-fi movie prop. You know, like something made of balsa wood and spray-painted? The fact that this is a real machine is hard for me to believe.

Seriously, I spent Tuesday moaning about firewire, but these photos just blow my mind.

The structural rigidity of my new MBP is beyond words. I have never been able to pick up a laptop as big as this with one hand, and not see relatively noticeable chassis flex.

I am really impressed with it so far, no real complaints.

 

[Small White Car]

I am really impressed with it so far, no real complaints.

Well, my compliments aside, I'm still ticked about the firewire thing!

The pro having only one 800 port is fine. I can buy an adapter. Whatever, I won't complain.

But the regular Macbook? What am I supposed to do with my DV and HDV camcorder? Geez, I'd have probably bought one by now to replace my original Macbook Pro if the new Macbook had firewire. But as it is, I'm gonna stick with what I've got.

 

[number9]

I agree with the quality of the build, it's superb. I went with my girlfriend to pick up the 2.0Ghz one last night as she needed a new notebook because her old Dell from college died.

My only complaint so far is that the "4" number key doesn't depress quite right, as it seems there is an obstruction on the left side or the scissor mechanism isn't seated right. I'm gonna take a look at it and if it isn't just a seating issue, then I'm taking it back for her to get a new one...all the keys should work on a 12 hour old laptop. Does anyone know if they are able to be popped off like the aluminum keyboard and old macbook keys can be? I would guess they can be.

Other than that and some connection issues (based more so with her parent's wonky verizon DSL wireless set up), I have no complaints about the new design.

 

[iVoid]

NO VIDEO ADAPTER?

APPLE are you effing kidding me? It's proprietary, what a freaking nightmare. Buy buy $50 student discount...

It's not really proprietary. Displayport and Mini Display port are industry standards, it's just that it's so new so there's very little with these ports on them currently, which means you have to get adapters to connect to exisitng displays.

Having to get other cable adapters does suck, I agree.

------

As for the take apart pictures, I'm a bit surprised at the second cover over the battery. So you have the bottom piece of the case to remove. Then the battery cover. Isn't that just extra weight for no reason? At least 3rd party battery makers will have it easier, since they don't have to recreate the silver bottom on the battery to match the case.

 

[digitalbiker]

I agree with the quality of the build, it's superb. I went with my girlfriend to pick up the 2.0Ghz one last night as she needed a new notebook because her old Dell from college died.

My only complaint so far is that the "4" number key doesn't depress quite right, as it seems there is an obstruction on the left side or the scissor mechanism isn't seated right. I'm gonna take a look at it and if it isn't just a seating issue, then I'm taking it back for her to get a new one...all the keys should work on a 12 hour old laptop. Does anyone know if they are able to be popped off like the aluminum keyboard and old macbook keys can be? I would guess they can be.

Other than that and some connection issues (based more so with her parent's wonky verizon DSL wireless set up), I have no complaints about the new design.

I'm not sure that these keys can pop off as they fit right through the machined casing.

If I were you I would just go back to the Apple store and get a tech to look at it. If it was due to some flash left on the casing then ask for an exchange.

I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting it settled. It definitely should not be like you describe.

 

[dr_lha]

It's not really proprietary. Displayport and Mini Display port are industry standards, it's just that it's so new so there's very little with these ports on them currently, which means you have to get adapters to connect to exisitng displays.

DisplayPort is an industry standard, the "mini" version of the DisplayPort plug is an Apple invention, so not really an industry standard at all. At least there's nothing in the DisplayPort standard about a "mini" version of the connector.

 

[kabunaru]

. But as it is, I'm gonna stick with what I've got.

That is the cleverness of Apple. Apple always finds ways to make people buy the MacBook Pro by removing a feature from the MacBook.

 

[xenotaku]

There is no denying the new build quality is outstanding, but the black keyboard is still fugly. I wish they kept the matching keyboard that has been with us since the G4 PB. But really, other than they keyboard, this thing is killer.

Glossy sucks too.

 

[sterlingindigo]

Designed in sexy California...you gotta admit, these are the best looking new laptops anywhere.

 

[ibanana]

AppleInsider pictures are great

Apart from this review
has anyone read another good reviews?

 

[hogfaninga]

Designed in sexy California...you gotta admit, these are the best looking new laptops anywhere.

I disagree. The black keyboard ruins it for me on the looks aspect. BTW I saw it in person also yesterday.


To each their own.

 

[happydude]

Well, my compliments aside, I'm still ticked about the firewire thing!

The pro having only one 800 port is fine. I can buy an adapter. Whatever, I won't complain.

But the regular Macbook? What am I supposed to do with my DV and HDV camcorder? Geez, I'd have probably bought one by now to replace my original Macbook Pro if the new Macbook had firewire. But as it is, I'm gonna stick with what I've got.

you and me both. digital camcorder, and the external HD, and my gen 1 ipod that i still use as a portable external (just because i can) . . . no firewire is ridiculous. i'm sticking with my current macbook a while longer, it looks like. plus, i'll get better wifi reception . . .

 

[miketcool]

Designed in sexy California...you gotta admit, these are the best looking new laptops anywhere.

I would still pay for better functioning. Hopefully Snow Leopard takes advantage of a the GPUs better. Dropping FW off, stupid. Not including an adapter, stupid.

I wonder if leaving off the adapter got them a better EPEAT rating. Not that that makes any sense. Shipping an adapter in the package vs separate packaging is better for the environment anyways. I enjoy getting all the other little things DESIGNED BY APPLE IN CALIFORNIA.

Lame.

 

[Small White Car]

That is the cleverness of Apple. Apple always finds ways to make people buy the MacBook Pro by removing a feature from the MacBook.

And for me, it will probably work. I'm sure I'll but a new MBP in a year.

But in the last 2 years I have convinced 7 people I know to switch from a PC to a Macbook. Not a single one of them will ever spend $2,000 on a laptop. And most of them have DV camcorders. What will they do when it's time to upgrade?

I have a feeling more than one will go back to Dell. And there's nothing I can say to them to convince them not to. It really makes me feel great for being such a Mac pusher now that I have no way to defend a Macbook upgrade to them.

EDIT: I actually agree with the adapter being left out. From what I've seen, very few people ever hook their laptops up to an external monitor. (Probably 1 or 2 of the 7 I just mentioned.) Let that minority pay for it rather than charging everyone and then shipping millions of them that will never be used. It's just a waste of materials.

 

[sterlingindigo]

I disagree. The black keyboard ruins it for me on the looks aspect. BTW I saw it in person also yesterday.
To each their own.

Agreed, aluminium keys were better looking/feeling. Still, they're great eye candy. I wonder if the old keyboard will fit? Else, a good aftermarket idea for someone with the tools.

 

[happydude]

And for me, it will probably work. I'm sure I'll but a new MBP in a year.

But in the last 2 years I have convinced 7 people I know to switch from a PC to a Macbook. Not a single one of them will ever spend $2,000 on a laptop. And most of them have DV camcorders. What will they do when it's time to upgrade?

I have a feeling more than one will go back to Dell. And there's nothing I can say to them to convince them not to. It really makes me feel great for being such a Mac pusher now that I have no way to defend a Macbook upgrade to them.

don't defend. tell them it is stupid and ridiculous. no need to sell yourself to get others to buy something that isn't going to work for them. apple had better find a way for the DV camcorders to work with USB 2 or there will be a lot of pissed off people out there. my uncle can load movies to his pc on usb, why can't mac. is there something i'm missing?

 

[kabunaru]

But overall, the positives of the new MacBooks/Pros outweighs the negatives. The new Macs are better machines.

 

[Powerbooky]

What's the quality of the internal speakers of the new Macbooks and Macbook Pros? In my opinion the Powerbook 1GHz had the loudest built-in speakers compared to the much more quieter Macbook Pros that followed. Do the new Macbooks and Macbook Pros sound any louder and better?

 

[miketcool]

don't defend. tell them it is stupid and ridiculous. no need to sell yourself to get others to buy something that isn't going to work for them. apple had better find a way for the DV camcorders to work with USB 2 or there will be a lot of pissed off people out there. my uncle can load movies to his pc on usb, why can't mac. is there something i'm missing?

I also feel bad for all the FW hard drive users as well. Virtually EVERYONE in my college has a FW drive. My parents have them. It's so much waste. Seriously, how hard is it to include a FW port? Even a 4 pin port? Such a terrible move here. This isn't like the iPod going USB, it still worked with virtually every laptop. Apple reneged big time on their HD promise, BIG TIME.