New 12-Inch MacBook Teardown Reveals Tweaked USB-C Hardware and Tamper-Evident ScrewsiFixit has completed an in-depth
hardware teardown of the
new 12-inch Retina MacBook that reveals only minor under-the-hood changes to Apple's ultra-slim notebook
compared to the 2015 model.
<img src="
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Specifically, Apple has slightly tweaked the notebook's USB-C hardware by permanently affixing the cable to the USB board. The new arrangement is not compatible with the original 12-inch MacBook.
Apple has also switched from using a tri-wing screw to a repair-friendly Phillips screw, but the notebook's Torx hinge screws are filled with a tamper-evident substance that disintegrates when you insert a screwdriver.
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iFixit confirmed that the slightly-longer-lasting
41.4-watt-hour battery in the 12-inch MacBook is not visually distinguishable compared to the 39.7-watt-hour battery in the 2015 model, suggesting improved battery chemistry.
The logic board and other internal components yielded no significant surprises, while the notebook's exterior looks virtually the same beyond a new Rose Gold color finish and an updated EMC number of 2991.
iFixit lists the new 12-inch MacBook's logic board chips as follows:
<div style="width:50%;padding:0 10px 0 0;float:left;">- Intel SR2EN Intel Core m3-6Y30 Processor (4M Cache, Up to 2.2GHz)
- Toshiba TH58TFT0DFKLAVF 128 GB MLC NAND Flash (x2, 256GB Total)
- Micron MT41K256M16LY-107 4Gb DDR3L SDRAM
- Universal Scientific Industrial 339S0250 Wi-Fi Module
- Broadcom BCM15700A2
- National Semiconductor 48B1-11
- F4432ACPE-GD-F
- Toshiba TH58TFT0DFKLAVF 128 GB MLC NAND Flash</div><div style="width:50%;padding:0 10px 0 0;float:right;">- Samsung K3QF4F4 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM (x2, 8GB Total)
- Apple 338S00066
- Texas Instruments/Stellaris LM4FS1EH SMC Controller
- SMSC 1704-2 Temperature Sensor
- Texas Instruments SN650839
- Texas Instruments TPS51980A
- Texas Instruments CD3215B01 61AHXHW
- Intersil 95828</div><div style="clear:both;"></div>
The new 12-inch MacBook retained a repairability score of 1 out of 10, which is the lowest score possible, as the processor, RAM, and flash storage are still soldered to the logic board, and the battery remains entirely glued into the lower case.
iFixit has a
dozen replacement guides for 12-inch MacBook do-it-yourself repairs.
<div class="linkback">Related Roundup:
Retina MacBook Tags:
iFixit,
teardown Buyer's Guide:
MacBook (Buy Now) </div>
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New 12-Inch MacBook Teardown Reveals Tweaked USB-C Hardware and Tamper-Evident Screws
