iFixit Shares M3 MacBook Pro Teardown, Explains How Apple Created Space Black Finish

Repair website iFixit today shared a video teardown of the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with both the M3 and M3 Pro chips, providing a closer look inside the laptops. The internal design is virtually unchanged compared to the previous MacBook Pro models.

m3 mbp space black
iFixit also shared a blog post in which it explains how it believes Apple achieved its new, darker Space Black finish for the MacBook Pro. In short, it said that Apple managed to make the Space Black finish's anodized surface "more uneven" at a microscopic level, resulting in more light reflecting off it for a darker appearance.

"Apple found they could etch the already rough anodized surface, making it more uneven," wrote iFixit's Kevin O'Reilly. "The resulting nooks and crannies further diffuse incoming light rays, sending them off in even more directions. Less white light makes its way to our eyeballs—resulting in that slick matte finish."


iFixit provides an in-depth, scientific overview of the Space Black finish, including the new anodization seal that reduces fingerprints, in its blog post.

The new MacBook Pro models launched earlier this week.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16"
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...

Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
9 months ago
He says he filled up the RAM usage in 15 minutes. This guy talks like he doesn't have a real clue how MacOS uses RAM. Yes, SSD swap is a real thing but, the SSD would still last longer than most people ever dream of. This iFixit guy doesn't sound objective to me in his presentation.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boak Avatar
9 months ago
Less light reflecting… Not more
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eicca Avatar
9 months ago
I own several flashlights in a dang-tough matte black anodized finish. Apple is just overhyping late and inferior versions of stuff that already exists. Again.

And no my flashlights are not covered in fingerprints either.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boak Avatar
9 months ago

He says he filled up the RAM usage in 15 minutes. This guy talks like he doesn't have a real clue how MacOS uses RAM. Yes, SSD swap is a real thing but, the SSD would still last longer than most people ever dream of. This iFixit guy doesn't sound objective to me in his presentation.
There’d be a problem if memory weren’t filled up lol
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
9 months ago

He says he filled up the RAM usage in 15 minutes. This guy talks like he doesn't have a real clue how MacOS uses RAM. Yes, SSD swap is a real thing but, the SSD would still last longer than most people ever dream of. This iFixit guy doesn't sound objective to me in his presentation.
iFixit is the last place I would look for objective information regarding Apple.

They have a fevered hatred for Apple. The despise the fact Apple doesn't make a product that caters towards iFixit's business model of providing inferior parts for all things Apple.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
XXPP Avatar
9 months ago
Why is the lid close sensor paired? It is very easy. It's about the security of USB ports. When the flap is closed and you log out, everything is encrypted. The sensor is permanently assigned and paired so that it cannot be deceived.
Less hate - more knowledge.

Why are other parts linked and encrypted? So that it doesn't make sense to steal Apple devices, even for parts.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)