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Teardown of 13-inch MacBook Pro With Touch Bar Reveals 'Cosmetic' Speaker Grilles [Updated]

Digital Skunk said:
Same here. I'm not bothered by them either.

However, what some in the industry have been bothered by is the repair time for these things. In the past, with the old silver MBPs and Powerbooks, repairs were deteremind by accessibilty of the part, and the time needed for the tech to get to the machine and replace the part. If we were pressed, and had a good reputation with the Genius Bar, we could get the tech to forgo all of the diagnostics and just fix the machine in the same day.

Now, I don't see Apple Retail stores stocking up motherboards left and right. RAM problems? Replace the logic board. Powerbutton? Replace the logic board. PSU? Replace the logic board. GPU? Replace the logic board.

They're going to have to ship the machine off for even a minor repair, and that could take two weeks.
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I'm actually bothered by them though - for the reasons you listed and more. But the rest are nothing others haven't already said.
 
"iFixit also notes that fixing a faulty power switch likely involves replacing the entire logic board, because the button doubles up as a sapphire-topped Touch ID sensor which pairs with the Apple's soldered down T1 chip."
Click to expand...

Wait. The SSD is not removable from the logic board either, right? So that means to fix a faulty power switch I had to lose all my data ?

Farce!
 
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Gudi said:
axfRKxeeUZdp6PPX.huge


Oh look, a connector to nowhere!​
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I'm going to need you to pay no attention to that connector. It's simply a cosmetic feature like the speaker grills. It is not, I repeat, not a connector for our explicit purposes. - NSA

Oh, you have something in your teeth... not that we're watching you or anything. But you should really forget about that connector. There is no connector. Also, you music is terrible... and turn it down.
 
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azentropy said:
These things are going to be a nightmare expense wise to "repair" if out of warranty.
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No problem at all. Take MacBook, bring it to the nearest Apple Store. If you are in Europe, ask them politely to repair it without charge.

Thunderhawks said:
All of those who claim that less then 1% of consumers want to tinker in their machines (upgrades etc.)
overlook that these are pro machines (Supposedly) and pros would know how to do simple stuff at least.
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Actually, PROs don't "tinker in their machines". Pros decide ahead and buy what they need now and in the future. Hobbyists "tinker in their machines".
 
Yeah, yeah, like there is an alternative to these MBP’s. Maybe a PC that is from the top to the bottom fake looking MBP (+ Window OS interface poor copy of Mac...)

And who says that small grids should always resemble a speaker? It's all in your head.

My old 2009 MBP is great, still functioning, but slow. Now, Im buying a new 15” with every possible upgrade feature. That is my cycle and I love these Apple computers. At the end, there are not that expensive if you do not replace them every 3 years.
 
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The Mercurian said:
Wait. The SSD is not removable from the logic board either, right? So that means to fix a faulty power switch I had to lose all my data ?

Farce!
Click to expand...

That would only lead to total loss of your data if you are a numpty who doesn't have a backup. Without a backup, a truck driving over your laptop, a drunken friend emptying a can of coke over your Mac, a robber or burglar needing a new computer, all will lead to total loss of your data.
 
Rogifan said:
Why in the world would Apple create speaker grills for no reason? One can quibble about aesthetic choices the company makes but it's rare that they do something for no reason. iFixit really wants us to believe the company chose to incorporate fake speaker grills (on both sides) for purely cosmetic reasons? That's absurd.
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I completely agree Rogi, it confused me too. I was just spitballing/thinking out loud. Not hating, only scratching the ol' noggin about it. :)
 
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Rogifan said:
Why in the world would Apple create speaker grills for no reason? One can quibble about aesthetic choices the company makes but it's rare that they do something for no reason. iFixit really wants us to believe the company chose to incorporate fake speaker grills (on both sides) for purely cosmetic reasons? That's absurd.
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Referring to the fake grill in iPhone 7. Pure visual hygienics.
And you can stick your Airpods in...almost
 
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Wonder if they are actually air vents to allow better circulation/cooling disguised as a speaker grill. It doesn't bother me per se, other than being a port of entry for dirt & liquids. The total lack of repair ability is bothersome, though.
 
The Mercurian said:
Wait. The SSD is not removable from the logic board either, right? So that means to fix a faulty power switch I had to lose all my data ?
Farce!
Click to expand...

You may want to consider periodically backing up your disk to ensure you will not lose your data. Time Machine makes that process essentially effortless. There are other options as well.
 
c0ppo said:
apple_magic_mouse_2_charging_port_bottom_engadget.jpg


COfgZzhUcAA2ecw.jpg
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The first image is of a wireless Magic Mouse 2 charging. Two reasons they put charge port on bottom is 1. to make the device more seamless looking during the 3 months not charging and 2. to ensure that when it is charging no users mistake it for a wired mouse—it's literally impossible now.

The second image is of an Apple pencil charging (on the go). This is for those times when Pencil runs out when you are not near a wall outlet. 15 second gets you thirty minutes of drawing time. It's not meant to be left in there for hours. MR forum members ignore nuances. Not so deep.
 
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I am most interested to know what their repair process will be for these systems... return to a factory with the right equipment to perform board level component replacements, or just swap out the whole board.

If it's component level repair, I just can't understand how this is more cost effective for Apple overall vs having modular components and easier to open systems, where repairs could be done in Apple stores. If it's swapping out the whole board, again, I can't understand how this is more cost effective overall - as you then have either throw away or send back to the factory for component seperation, the mainboard.

It's like they're willing to forsake the numerous benefits of a more modular system, for the sake of thinness and lightness, and the fact that it means whenever the consumer wants more RAM/CPU/storage, they have to bin the whole machine rather than just upgrade it - as owners of older generations of MacBook Pro have often done.

I just can't fathom it overall. It must make sense from a business perspective......... I mean..... does it? Really?
 
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