17" MacBook Pro Disassembly, RAM, HD and Battery Access
iFixit has already posted disassembly photos of the new 17" unibody MacBook Pro that has started arriving in customers hands. iFixit's disassembly guides are always very educational but also incredibly useful for your own repairs or modifications.
The 17" MacBook Pro was announced at Macworld San Francisco and incorporates Apple's new unibody design but with a non-removable battery.
Due to this design change, access to the internal components now requires the use of a screwdriver. iFixIt's photos show how to access the RAM and Hard Drive of the new machine. Apple also provides instructions on the process in their 17" MacBook Pro Manual (PDF). Both RAM and Hard Drive are considered user-serviceable items, while the battery is not.
Other Notes from iFixit:
- Apple's using wide, thin black rubber bumpers on the Unibody Pros, a departure from the small stubby bumpers on the Aluminum revisions.
- There are ten Phillips screws around the perimeter of the lower case to remove.
- It's only a matter of time until you'll be able to buy this battery online from companies like [iFixit].
- The battery weighs 20.1 ounces (1.25 pounds or 570 grams). That's 20% of the computer's weight!
Apple's official battery replacement for the 17" MacBook Pro costs $179.
Top Rated Comments
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39 months ago
that battery kinda looks like a good waffle from a good waffle iron.
:apple::)
:apple::)
39 months ago
Due to this design change, access to the internal components now requires the use of a screwdriver.
Think of the children!Is that a delicious warranty voiding sticker on the battery too?
39 months ago
Wow, that looks like a huge battery.
I wish I had one of those. I could use a 8 hour battery.
I wish I had one of those. I could use a 8 hour battery.
39 months ago
So you can crack it open and replace the RAM and HD, but you can't touch the battery? seems weird to me
39 months ago
Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to the 13/15-inch machines going this direction with the next revision. You need to take the back off to get to the RAM anyway, and the removal of that latch may make it possible for the 13" machine to regain firewire in addition to better battery life.
39 months ago
If ever there were a 17" laptop I wanted ... impressive design. PS any word on the battery weight?
39 months ago
So you can crack it open and replace the RAM and HD, but you can't touch the battery? seems weird to me
You can still replace the battery. Its just not as easy as it has been for years as all Apple laptops have had removable battery's. I like the design though because there is not as much wasted space.
39 months ago
If ever there were a 17" laptop I wanted ... impressive design. PS any word on the battery weight?
20% of 6.5lbs..
39 months ago
Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to the 13/15-inch machines going this direction with the next revision. You need to take the back off to get to the RAM anyway, and the removal of that latch may make it possible for the 13" machine to regain firewire in addition to better battery life.
I wish Apple would have done this in the first place when they came out with the new 13-in's and 15-in's. It makes much more sense and the new laptops could possibly be even thinner. I doubt we will see this for another 3 years though.
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