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MacBook Teardown Images Reveal a Number of Additional Minor Changes


As usual, iFixit has been quick to dissect Apple's updated MacBook, offering an extensive gallery of photos documenting the process.

A few notes of interest:
- There is no external indicator of battery charge state.
- There is no infrared port, meaning that the new model is incompatible with Apple Remotes.
- The integrated battery offers only 9% more capacity than on previous models (60 watt-hours vs. 55), but Apple claims an increase in battery life to 7 hours from the previous 5 hours, suggesting that the new model is more energy efficient. The new battery is significantly lighter than in the previous generation, offering a power-to-weight ratio that is 23.5% better.
- The hard drive is more difficult to replace than on previous models, but certainly can be done.
- The apparently increased rigidity in the latest model appears to come the use of an aluminum sheet (covered with a rubberized coating on the exterior) for the bottom case and other structural supports within the body of the machine.
- The Bluetooth antenna is routed into the display housing, likely improving range compared to previous models that placed the antenna in the body of the machine above the optical drive.

iFixit has also put together a video montage of the teardown process.

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30 months ago
The lack of infrared port surprises me given the new remotes. Are they now a "pro" feature too? :eek:
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30 months ago
I wonder if the IR port is 'hidden' rather than missing. We'll have to wait until someone actually tries to use the remote with it.
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30 months ago

I wonder if the IR port is 'hidden' rather than missing. We'll have to wait until someone actually tries to use the remote with it.

It's not "hidden" - these iFixit guys are smart, it's not there. You can verify this by going to the Apple Store and seeing that the remote is no longer an optional extra for the new MacBook.

Bizarre.
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30 months ago
Wow, they've really stripped the MacBook down. Hardly any connectors, and now no IR port or charge status LEDs?

This seriously blows. Why would they want to cripple the MacBook?
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
30 months ago

I wonder if the IR port is 'hidden' rather than missing. We'll have to wait until someone actually tries to use the remote with it.


Ummm. I think teardown specialists taking the machine apart would have found it if it was there.

Plus Apple has taken it off the specification sheet.

Apple might have forgotten to put it on the list, and the experts overlooked a sensor that needs a window through opaque plastic...
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30 months ago
Shame about the lack of IR. On the whole a good update though. The profile looks a lot smoother now with the rounded edges and the new trackpad is welcome.
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30 months ago

Wow, they've really stripped the MacBook down. Hardly any connectors, and now no IR port or charge status LEDs?

This seriously blows. Why would they want to cripple the MacBook?


To increase MPB sales.
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30 months ago
The Macbook is now terribly crippled. I'll no longer be able to consider one. But will I buy a Macbook Pro, as part of Apple's strategy? No.
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30 months ago

Wow, they've really stripped the MacBook down. Hardly any connectors, and now no IR port or charge status LEDs?

This seriously blows. Why would they want to cripple the MacBook?


Lack of FW, IR, and battery status LED is hardly crippling...
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
30 months ago
So no IR, no Bat indicator, no FW... still at $999 WTF Apple?
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