The 2021 MacBook Pro is now in the hands of customers and they have started tearing it apart to inspect the internals. Early teardowns so far have revealed that Apple has made some repairability improvements to the new Macs. The batteries have new iPhone style pull tabs which make them easier to replace, unlike the glued batteries that had been a part of MacBook Pro models since 2012. The I/O ports are also modular and easy to replace, including the new MagSafe 3 port. This information comes from a Redditor who used his trusty iFixit kit to open apart a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip.
Early 2021 MacBook Pro teardowns show some parts are easily replaceable
The Redditor shared the following information from his teardown:
- The opening process is similar to those of 2016 and later MacBook Pro models. It is based on pentalobe screws and clips.
- The glued battery has been replaced by iPhone style pull tabs. This means that they are easy to replace and do not require dismantling other components.
- The black keyboard is still a part of the unibody so it cannot be replaced.
- The input and output ports are modular and seemingly easy to replace. This includes SD-card slot, HDMI, USB-4 and MagSafe 3.
- The MacBook Pro has a dual-fan thermal system, similar to that of the 13-inch MacBook Pro model with four Thunderbolt ports. However, the size of the fans is slightly larger. Apple had said that the fans move 50 percent more air than older MacBook Pro models.
Speaking of iFixit, they have also shared an early teaser of their teardown, which is going to be a lot more comprehensive than anyone else. So far, their teardown only reveals information about the pull tabs for battery cells. As per their teaser, the outer four batteries have easily accessible pull tabs, while the trackpad needs to be removed to access the cutouts that have the pull tabs that hold the middle batteries.
iFixit have also done a hilarious ‘teardown’ of the new polishing cloth released by Apple. Check it out on their website.
Former Apple leaker L0vetodream has also shared some beautiful pictures of a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max chip on Twitter. He also claims that maintenance is relatively convenient in the MacBook Pro.
There’s another teardown of the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Max chip that you can watch below. You have to love the beautiful symmetrical layout of the internals in the machine.
