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
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
19 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
19 months ago
Less light reflecting… Not more
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eicca Avatar
19 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
19 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
19 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
19 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)