New 12-Inch MacBook Teardown Reveals Tweaked USB-C Hardware and Tamper-Evident Screws

[MacRumors]

iFixit has completed an in-depth hardware teardown of the new 12-inch Retina MacBook that reveals only minor under-the-hood changes to Apple's ultra-slim notebook compared to the 2015 model.

Specifically, Apple has slightly tweaked the notebook's USB-C hardware by permanently affixing the cable to the USB board. The new arrangement is not compatible with the original 12-inch MacBook.

Apple has also switched from using a tri-wing screw to a repair-friendly Phillips screw, but the notebook's Torx hinge screws are filled with a tamper-evident substance that disintegrates when you insert a screwdriver.

iFixit confirmed that the slightly-longer-lasting 41.4-watt-hour battery in the 12-inch MacBook is not visually distinguishable compared to the 39.7-watt-hour battery in the 2015 model, suggesting improved battery chemistry.

The logic board and other internal components yielded no significant surprises, while the notebook's exterior looks virtually the same beyond a new Rose Gold color finish and an updated EMC number of 2991.

iFixit lists the new 12-inch MacBook's logic board chips as follows:

- Intel SR2EN Intel Core m3-6Y30 Processor (4M Cache, Up to 2.2GHz)
- Toshiba TH58TFT0DFKLAVF 128 GB MLC NAND Flash (x2, 256GB Total)
- Micron MT41K256M16LY-107 4Gb DDR3L SDRAM
- Universal Scientific Industrial 339S0250 Wi-Fi Module
- Broadcom BCM15700A2
- National Semiconductor 48B1-11
- F4432ACPE-GD-F
- Toshiba TH58TFT0DFKLAVF 128 GB MLC NAND Flash- Samsung K3QF4F4 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM (x2, 8GB Total)
- Apple 338S00066
- Texas Instruments/Stellaris LM4FS1EH SMC Controller
- SMSC 1704-2 Temperature Sensor
- Texas Instruments SN650839
- Texas Instruments TPS51980A
- Texas Instruments CD3215B01 61AHXHW
- Intersil 95828
The new 12-inch MacBook retained a repairability score of 1 out of 10, which is the lowest score possible, as the processor, RAM, and flash storage are still soldered to the logic board, and the battery remains entirely glued into the lower case.

iFixit has a dozen replacement guides for 12-inch MacBook do-it-yourself repairs.

Article Link: New 12-Inch MacBook Teardown Reveals Tweaked USB-C Hardware and Tamper-Evident Screws

 

[maflynn]

Nice, lets make it even harder to open up the computer and/or punish those who do.

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[bladerunner2000]

Cool, so now when one part of a laptop breaks, its time to fork out another $1,600 and give it to apple when you could just fix the single part.

 

[justperry]

So, if it breaks down (minor repair for a serviceable laptop) it's junk.

 

[BenTrovato]

Buying into Apple's ecosystem now means --> if the laptop breaks, Apple happily replaces it under warranty. No warranty? May as well throw it out.

 

[NT1440]

Who was expecting or clamoring to tweak the hardware in these machines?

 

[John Mcgregor]

Stop buying them and things will change quick. Supply and demand works.

 

[joshdammit]

Cool, so now when one part of a laptop breaks, its time to fork out another $1,600 and give it to apple when you could just fix the single part.

Wrong. For portable Macs out of warranty, Apple offers a $280 flat rate-repair-all option.

 

[maflynn]

IT seems Apple wants us to be in the age of disposable computers. I'm hoping that my 2015 iMac lasts several years, but it being sealed and glued means I cannot (nor want too) open it up. The MB with having tamper-evident substance is just plain stupid.

 

[Gawjuz]

I wonder if there is a correlation between less user-serviceable devices and more Apple Care plans sold?

 

[John Mcgregor]

I wonder if there is a correlation between less user-serviceable devices and more Apple Care plans sold?

Correlation does not imply causation.

 

[Red Oak]

Such whiners on this board. Go buy something else if you are so offended

Trying to make the Macbook serviceable would be a customer support nightmare

 

[Gawjuz]

Correlation does not imply causation.

Very true, Sir.

 

[boast]

Such whiners on this board. Go buy something else if you are so offended

I don't believe many of them were going to buy one in the first place anyways, lol. I doubt they even buy any MacBooks anymore since you can't upgrade the RAM yourself.

 

[Kajje]

Every Macbook I opened ended up with evidence.

 

[H2SO4]

Stop buying them and things will change quick. Supply and demand works.

Except that’s the trouble, nobody will. I thought I did but it turns out that I’m just delaying my next purchase.

 

[John Mcgregor]

Except that’s the trouble, nobody will. I thought I did but it turns out that I’m just delaying my next purchase.

I personally don't see anything wrong with it. Sacrifices have to be made to make it so thin and light. I wouldn't buy it probably, but i'm ok with it.

 

[H2SO4]

Wrong. For portable Macs out of warranty, Apple offers a $280 flat rate-repair-all option.

You’re telling me I can get a logic board failure sorted for $280?
[doublepost=1461596095][/doublepost]

I personally don't see anything wrong with it. Sacrifices have to be made to make it so thin and light. I wouldn't buy it probably, but i'm ok with it.

I don’t mean there’s anything wrong with the book per se. I mean peoples habits are very hard to shift. I’m constantly amamzed at how people can keep handing over money for a bad service. With that said I have to ask myself why I think I’d be any different.

 

[Zellio]

So we can expect that the new Macbook Pros (Should they EVER come out) will have tamper evident screws in them too? Not that you could upgrade them...

Thanks Apple, you are making the Xps 15 9550 so much nicer and nicer looking. You can take off the back and upgrade ram, the battery, the hdd to and ssd (or a better ssd), and the m.2 pci e ssd! Imagine that!

Plus it's actually a little smaller then current macbook pro retinas

 

[WestonHarvey1]

If you want this form factor, it's not going to be user serviceable or repairable in any meaningful way. That's just the way it is. You can still build PCs with big cases and card slots if you want to tinker.

 

[navaira]

If you want this form factor, it's not going to be user serviceable or repairable in any meaningful way. That's just the way it is. You can still build PCs with big cases and card slots if you want to tinker.

"The notebook's Torx hinge screws are filled with a tamper-evident substance that disintegrates when you insert a screwdriver"

Yes, this is absolutely necessary for the laptop to function.

 

[e93to]

Wrong. For portable Macs out of warranty, Apple offers a $280 flat rate-repair-all option.

I'm very interested in this "flat rate repair-all option"? Does this apply to labor only? Or both labor and parts including logic board, HDD, screen, etc?

 

[Nem Wan]

IT seems Apple wants us to be in the age of disposable computers. I'm hoping that my 2015 iMac lasts several years, but it being sealed and glued means I cannot (nor want too) open it up. The MB with having tamper-evident substance is just plain stupid.

There's no reason to open it while it's under warranty and Apple wants to know if you try to get warranty service after it's been opened.

 

[AFEPPL]

Its all part of the planned obsolesce and closed system approach apple have.
Buy another one, I'm sure if MS had this approach all hell would break out here.