iFixit Tears Down 13-Inch M2 MacBook Pro

Apple last week launched the first M2 Mac, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and repair site iFixit picked up the new machine to do a traditional device teardown.


Design wise, there's not a lot for iFixit to say about the ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ because aside from the ‌M2‌ chip, it is identical to the prior-generation ‌MacBook Pro‌. It features the same chassis, Touch Bar, and display, with updates focused under-the-hood.

As expected, iFixit found almost every component to be the same, and couldn't identify any outward-facing changes. Inside, some of the chips and smaller components have been updated, but the rest of the interior is identical.

iFixit was able to pull the M1 and ‌M2‌ boards out, fitting the ‌M2‌ board in the ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ case. Though the boards could be swapped, the ‌M2‌ chip would not function in the ‌M1‌ chassis because of the component swap. The trackpad, keyboard, and Touch ID sensor fail to function when the ‌M1‌ and ‌M2‌ chips are changed out.

As the ‌‌M2‌‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ components physically fit inside the ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌, iFixit claims that Apple is making a "blatant attempt to block repairs and replacements through software locks."

Previous arguments for the lack of upgradeability between generations have centered around size considerations within the chassis or cost considerations or manufacturing limitations. So how do we explain this?

iFixit confirmed the design of the SSD, which has led to slower SSD benchmark performance on the 256GB ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ compared to the 256GB ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌. Apple is indeed using a single 256GB SSD chip in the ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌, while the ‌M1‌ used two 128GB SSD chips. Two SSD chips allow the system to read and write up to twice as fast because operations can be performed at the same time. It's not clear why Apple made this change, but iFixit speculates that it is the direct result of component shortages.

All in all, iFixit says that Apple missed an opportunity to introduce its first upgradeable device in a good long time, and that the company also missed the chance to set the tone for repairability and eco-friendly design by restricting interoperability.

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

Apple Glass

Apple Smart Glasses: Everything We Know So Far

Wednesday May 21, 2025 8:21 am PDT by
Google recently made waves by showcasing a set of lightweight smart glasses featuring deep Gemini integration and an optional in-lens display. The demo has reignited interest in Apple's own smart glasses project, which has been the subject of rumors for nearly a decade. Here's a recap of where things stand. Current Development Status Apple is actively working on new chips specifically...
Apple Glasses Purple Feature

Apple Smart Glasses Launching in 2026

Thursday May 22, 2025 12:22 pm PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a set of smart glasses by the end of 2026, reports Bloomberg. The glasses will be comparable to the Meta Ray-Bans and the Android XR glasses that Google showed off earlier this week. Apple's smart glasses are expected to include cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities, much like the Meta Ray-Bans. The glasses will be able to take photos, record video, provide...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
maxresdefault

OpenAI Buys Jony Ive's AI Startup to 'Completely Reimagine What It Means to Use a Computer'

Wednesday May 21, 2025 10:27 am PDT by
OpenAI is acquiring io, the hardware-based AI startup co-created by Jony Ive, OpenAI announced today. Ive has been working with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on io for two years, and the duo expects to develop a family of AI devices. In a video shared by OpenAI, Altman and Ive outlined their partnership and what they expect to create as a result of the merger. "I have a growing sense that everything ...
WWDC 2025 Banner

Apple Announces WWDC 2025 Schedule, Including Keynote Time

Tuesday May 20, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced a more detailed schedule for its annual developers conference WWDC, which runs from June 9 through June 13. The schedule confirms that Apple's keynote will begin on Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with a live stream to be available on Apple.com, in the Apple TV app, and on YouTube. During the keynote, Apple is expected to announce iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16,...
macOS 16 visionOS Inspired Feature 1

macOS 16: Everything We Know So Far

Tuesday May 20, 2025 7:31 am PDT by
The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple's annual developer and software-oriented event, is less than three weeks away. We haven't heard a great deal about macOS 16 ahead of its announcement this year, so we could be in for some major surprises when June 9 rolls around. Here's what we know so far about the next major update to Apple's Mac operating system. macOS 16 Name? Every year ...
iPod shuffle generations

Kuo: Jony Ive's Futuristic OpenAI Device Like a Neck-Worn iPod Shuffle

Thursday May 22, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The big news in the technology world this week is that ChatGPT maker OpenAI is working more closely with Apple's former design chief Jony Ive on a futuristic AI device. The company is remaining tight lipped about the device, but Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared some alleged details about its design. In a social media post today, Kuo said the device will be "slightly larger" ...

Top Rated Comments

BornAgainMac Avatar
38 months ago
After seeing more details on this Macbook Pro, I am no longer interested in risking it with the Macbook Air M2. Going to wait until newer Macbook Pros with the 3nm tech comes out and just save my money for that instead. I don't want to purchase an Apple product that cut corners to save a few dollars. Going to milk my Macbook Pro 15 2015 until 2023 with macOS Monterey and get something Apple would be proud to ship.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BornAgainMac Avatar
38 months ago

I mean you could also just wait for reviews and teardowns....
That is true. I'll wait until Max Tech on Youtube does their testing before I make any final decisions. They will try to "Destroy" it with their testing and if they say the performance is "Insane" then I'll get one.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
38 months ago

Seriously, nobody wants buy that old computer, forget it... at least you love the useless touchbar.
I for one, love the useless Touch Bar. Totally underrated and not used to its full potential by many. I’d say it’s one of Apples most innovative side projects they produced.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
erikkfi Avatar
38 months ago
The year is 2026. The M1 chip is no longer supported by the latest macOS update, but tens of thousands of users everywhere are able to swap in a processor upgrade to prevent the rest of the computer from turning into e-waste.

This is the hellish nightmare that Apple is protecting us from.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GMShadow Avatar
38 months ago

Surprised the EU doesn’t get involved if there software blocking to stop you repairing them or upgrading parts that physically fit
I mean I can fit a lot of things in places but it doesn't mean they have to work.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
38 months ago

It's not clear whyApple made this change, but iFixit speculates that it is the direct result of component shortages.
Nah, Apple will deliver wtihout delay a 128GB iPhone, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iMac using 128GB chips.

If it were shortages, Apple would have responded to requests for comments by now. There is no possible way to spin this, hence they keep quiet.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)