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It is P4. I own the P4 driver and can confirm it is the one you need for the retina MBP.

P1 is iPhone
P4 is rMBP
P5 is the battery screws on the 2009 MBP.

P2,P3, and P6 aren't currently used on Apple Products.

According to iFixit, P2 is for the iPhone:

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/P2-Pentalobe-Screwdriver-iPhone/IF145-096

and P5 is for the rMBP:

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/P5-Pentalobe-Screwdriver-Retina-MacBook-Pro-and-Air/IF145-090

and P6 is for the 2009 MBP battery:

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/P6-Pentalobe-Screwdriver-2009-MacBook-Pro-Battery/IF145-070
 
Sorry to revive old thread...

Anyone know why Wiha (as above) say recent rMBP base plate needs Pentalobe P4, but iFixit say Pentalobe P5?

After researching quite thoroughly, I have just bought a Wiha P4 and Wiha P5, and find the P4 has a little bit of play in the screws of my rMBP, but the P5 is too big for nearly all my screws, but will actually fit one or two.

Something is not right here.

EDIT After actually doing the job I now feel the Wiha P4 is the right tool and the small amount of play in the fit was normal, with a bit of autosuggestion because of the P4 vs P5 issue.

So still puzzled by the P4 (Wiha) vs P5 (iFixit)
 
Last edited:
Sorry to revive old thread...

Anyone know why Wiha (as above) say recent rMBP base plate needs Pentalobe P4, but iFixit say Pentalobe P5?

After researching quite thoroughly, I have just bought a Wiha P4 and Wiha P5, and find the P4 has a little bit of play in the screws of my rMBP, but the P5 is too big for nearly all my screws, but will actually fit one or two.

Something is not right here.

EDIT After actually doing the job I now feel the Wiha P4 is the right tool and the small amount of play in the fit was normal, with a bit of autosuggestion because of the P4 vs P5 issue.

So still puzzled by the P4 (Wiha) vs P5 (iFixit)

Was the Wiha P5 too big?
 
Was the Wiha P5 too big?

Yes, the Wiha P5 was too big, but it would just engage with a couple of the screws, but I felt it was not a proper fit. Most of the screws it would not engage in at all.

Interesting variability implied, and also because when I did the job, I found one of the screws would not screw down flush under light torque. I had to chop and change the screws in different positions to find a combination where all the screws would fit flush under light torque before final tightening.

The rMBP was bought direct from Apple by me 13 months ago, and no-one has tampered with it.

I have dismantled and reassembled many MBPs in the last twelve years and never had this problem.
 
Yes, the Wiha P5 was too big, but it would just engage with a couple of the screws, but I felt it was not a proper fit. Most of the screws it would not engage in at all.

Interesting variability implied, and also because when I did the job, I found one of the screws would not screw down flush under light torque. I had to chop and change the screws in different positions to find a combination where all the screws would fit flush under light torque before final tightening.

The rMBP was bought direct from Apple by me 13 months ago, and no-one has tampered with it.

I have dismantled and reassembled many MBPs in the last twelve years and never had this problem.

Thanks for the follow up.

When I took the cover off my 2013 rMBP the screws were two different sizes (different lengths).

The way most small fasteners like these are manufactured leaves an inherently noticeable amount of size variation, which I guess is what you're seeing when you bring a relatively precisely-sized tool like the Wiha to the process. :eek:
 
When I took the cover off my 2013 rMBP the screws were two different sizes (different lengths).

I am 99% all mine were same length (late 2013 rMBP), but you have left me with a niggle of a doubt. If different lengths explained why one would not go flush initially then the difference in lengths is extremely small, like maybe a quarter of a mm, which is enough to not feel flush but a small difference to observe. At least by swapping them around I have ended up OK since all screws were flush under light torque.

My 2011 MBPs had three (Phillips) screws which were much longer than the others.
 
I am 99% all mine were same length (late 2013 rMBP), but you have left me with a niggle of a doubt. If different lengths explained why one would not go flush initially then the difference in lengths is extremely small, like maybe a quarter of a mm, which is enough to not feel flush but a small difference to observe. At least by swapping them around I have ended up OK since all screws were flush under light torque.

My 2011 MBPs had three (Phillips) screws which were much longer than the others.

I can't say that all of the late 2013s are the same because there's the possibility of inline changes during production but four of the screws in mine were shorter than the others. It was almost impossible to see but easy to feel with your fingers when they were screwed in!
 
I think that the screws along the front edge (keyboard) are shorter length than the ones along the rear edge of the computer (at least on the models I have opened). I recall seeing that mentioned on a disassembly graphic in either a users manual or service manual for one of the computers as well.

I always keep track of each removed screw so that it gets replaced in the exact same location.
 
I always keep track of each removed screw so that it gets replaced in the exact same location.

I did that with my other rMBP (done just after the first). Definitely good practice which I haven't followed in the past.
 
I think that the screws along the front edge (keyboard) are shorter length than the ones along the rear edge of the computer.

Absolutely right!

Diagram (courtesy iFixit) shows why I had the problem refitting the screws....

My swapping about to get them all flush was simply to get the short ones in the right place.

Another "Never Assume" (that the screws are the same because just they look the same)
 

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$4.40 shipping brings the cost up to $12

Is this Wiha screwdriver magnetic?

For that matter, does anyone know if the iFixit 54-bit set is magnetic? It claims to have a magnet in the handle, but I’d like to hear from people who have used it if the magnet is strong enough to hold MBP screws.

It will hold the screws without any issue.
 
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Absolutely right!

Diagram (courtesy iFixit) shows why I had the problem refitting the screws....

My swapping about to get them all flush was simply to get the short ones in the right place.

Another "Never Assume" (that the screws are the same because just they look the same)

Good find, I recalled it being four, not two, but go with iFIxit for sure.

I don't know if iFIxit mentions it in the reassembly section, but how you tighten these is actually important. They should all be reattached just barely snug, and then tightened in a cross-star pattern working from the center out.
 
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