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Hardware

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

By Bill Detwiler November 1, 2010, 7:04 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

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Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Cracking Open the MacBook Air

Cracking Open the MacBook Air

In October 2010, Apple released the 2nd generation MacBook Air. The redesigned notebook is available in 11-inch and 13-inch models. We cracked open the 1st generation MacBook Air (released in 2008) and couldn’t wait to get our hands on the 2010 model.

Follow along as we crack open the 13-inch MacBook Air.

To disassemble the new Air you’ll need a screwdriver with Torx T5 and T9 bits and either a very small flathead screwdriver or a special five-point Torx security bit.

Don’t forget to check out our teardown of the 11-inch MacBook Air.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air boxes

11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air boxes

We purchased both an 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air. In this photo, the smaller Air is sitting on the larger.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Under the MacBook Air

Under the MacBook Air

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

45W MagSafe Power Adapter

45W MagSafe Power Adapter

Both the 13-inch and 11-inch MacBook Airs use a 45W MagSafe Power Adapter.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Software Reinstall Drive - Top

Software Reinstall Drive - Top

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

11-inch and 13-inch 2010 MacBook Airs

11-inch and 13-inch 2010 MacBook Airs

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Tamper-resistant Torx screws

Tamper-resistant Torx screws

Although the MacBook Air’s case screws are easily accessible on the bottom panel, Apple used 5-point, tamper-resistant Torx screws.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Small slotted screwdriver

Small slotted screwdriver

As with the 11-inch MacBook Air, I was able to remove all 10 case screws with a small slotted screwdriver.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Case screws removed

Case screws removed

While I slightly damaged a few of the screw heads, I should be able to put them back in. If you’re going to work on the new MacBook Air, I recommend getting a screwdriver specifically made for this type of screw.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Lifting off the bottom panel

Lifting off the bottom panel

With the case screws removed, you can lift the bottom panel away from the case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Removing the battery screws

Removing the battery screws

Five Torx T5 screws hold the battery in place.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Battery - Top

Battery - Top

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Battery - Bottom

Battery - Bottom

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Battery Model A1377

Battery Model A1377

The 2010, 13-inch MacBook Air has a 7.3V, 50Wh Li-ion battery. The 11-inch Air has a a 7.3V, 35Wh Li-ion battery.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Cooling fan still in place

Cooling fan still in place

Next, I’ll remove the cooling fan, which is held in place by four Torx T5 screws–one of which is hidden under the cables that run along the bottom of the fan’s housing.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Left-side circuit board connector

Left-side circuit board connector

Before removing the fan, you’ll need to detach both ends of a thin ribbon cable that connects the small, left-side circuit board to the main logic board. This smaller board contains the MagSafe power port, one of the unit’s two USB ports, and the headphone jack.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Removing the fan screws

Removing the fan screws

With all the screws removed, and the cables disconnected, you can lift the cooling fan away from the main logic board.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Hidden fan screw

Hidden fan screw

As I noted earlier, one of the fan screws is hidden under a cable that runs along the bottom of the fan’s housing. There’s also a single Torx T5 screw that holds the left-side circuit board to the case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Left-side circuit board - Top

Left-side circuit board - Top

The small circuit board, located on the case’s left side, contains the MagSafe power port, USB port, and headphone jack.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Left-side circuit board - Bottom

Left-side circuit board - Bottom

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Cooling fan - Top

Cooling fan - Top

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Cooling fan - Bottom

Cooling fan - Bottom

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Cooling Fan and Left-side Circuit board removed

Cooling Fan and Left-side Circuit board removed

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Removing the 128GB flash storage unit

Removing the 128GB flash storage unit

The 2010 MacBook Air uses flash storage, exclusively. Our test unit came with 128GB. A single Torx T5 screw holds the unit in place. Once the screws is removed, you can disconnect the unit from the main logic board.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

128GB flash storage unit removed

128GB flash storage unit removed

A logic board screws is hidden under the SSD unit.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

128GB flash storage unit - Front

128GB flash storage unit - Front

The MacBook Air’s flash storage unit contains four main components–the circuit board, a Toshiba Solid State Drive controller, a Micron DDR DRAM cache, and the actual Toshiba flash memory chips.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

MSI 0MA17 D9HSJ DRAM cache

MSI 0MA17 D9HSJ DRAM cache

The 2010 MacBook Air’s storage unit has a MSI 0MA17 D9HSJ DRAM cache chip.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Toshiba Solid State Drive Controller

Toshiba Solid State Drive Controller

The 2010 MacBook Air uses a Toshiba T6UG1XBG Solid State Drive controller.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Toshiba TH58NVG8D7FBASB 16GB flash memory chips

Toshiba TH58NVG8D7FBASB 16GB flash memory chips

Our 128GB MacBook Air’s flash memory storage unit has four Toshiba TH58NVG8D7FBASB 32GB flash chips.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

128GB flash storage unit - Back

128GB flash storage unit - Back

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Broadcom Wireless card

Broadcom Wireless card

A single Torx T5 screw holds the Broadcom BCM943224PCIEBT2 wireless card in place. You’ll also need to disconnect the antenna cables before removing the card.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Broadcom Wireless card removed

Broadcom Wireless card removed

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Broadcom Wireless card - Front

Broadcom Wireless card - Front

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Broadcom Wireless card - Back

Broadcom Wireless card - Back

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Disconnecting the display cable

Disconnecting the display cable

The display cable requires a fair amount of force to pull free of its connector, but luckily it has a small handle to pull on. With this cable separated from its connector, we can lift the logic board away from the case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Main logic board screws

Main logic board screws

Sixe Torx T5 screws hold the main logic board to the case. Five are clearly visible. You’ll also need to disconnect all the remaining cables before removing the logic board from the case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Hidden logic board screw

Hidden logic board screw

The sixth logic board screws is hidden under the wireless antenna cables. With the screws removed, you can lift the logic board away from the case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Main logic board removed

Main logic board removed

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Wireless antenna cable

Wireless antenna cable

The wireless antenna cable runs along the case. You’ll need to pull this cable free from the case, before removing the display and lid.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Display and Lid hinges

Display and Lid hinges

The MacBook Air’s display and lid are connected to the case via two hinges. Each hinge uses three Torx T9 screws–one more than the 11-inch Air.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Display and lid

Display and lid

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Lid removed

Lid removed

With the lid and display removed, we can turn our attention to the Multi-Touch Trackpad.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Multi-Touch Trackpad screws

Multi-Touch Trackpad screws

Although the twp brackets that hold the Multi-Touch TrackPad to the case use a total of 12 screws, you only to remove the six screws attached to the case to take out the Trackpad.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Multi-Touch Trackpad - External

Multi-Touch Trackpad - External

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Keyboard and case - Internal

Keyboard and case - Internal

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

TrackPad controller chips - Left side

TrackPad controller chips - Left side

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

TrackPad controller chips - Right side

TrackPad controller chips - Right side

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Trackpad removed

Trackpad removed

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Microphone and speakers

Microphone and speakers

The MacBook Air’s built-in microphone is located just above the speaker on the left side. As the speaker is glued to the case, I’m going to leave it in place.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Main logic board - Top

Main logic board - Top

The top of the main logic board contains three main components of the MacBook Air–the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and NVIDIA GeForce 320M GPU (covered by the heat sink) and Elpida RAM chips.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Heat sink removed

Heat sink removed

We’ll need to clean the thermal paste from the CPU and GPU for a clear look at the chips.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

CPU and GPU

CPU and GPU

The NVIDIA GPU in located on the left and the Intel CPU is on the right. Let’s take a closer look each chip.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

NVIDIA GeForce 320M GPU

NVIDIA GeForce 320M GPU

With the thermal paste cleaned off, we can clearly see the marking on the MacBook Air’s NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 GHz processor

Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 GHz processor

There are no visible marking on the core of our MacBook Air’s Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 GHz CPU, but there are markings printed onto the chip’s green circuit board.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Elpida J1108EFBG-AE-F RAM

Elpida J1108EFBG-AE-F RAM

Our MacBook Air came with 2GB of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM. Like the previous MacBook Air, the RAM is soldered to the main logic board. Upgrading the Air’s RAM after purchase isn’t possible. As the upgrade from 2GB to 4GB is only $100, I recommend going with the 4GB.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Apple markings on the main logic board

Apple markings on the main logic board

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

MX 25L3205D M2I-12G

MX 25L3205D M2I-12G

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

Main logic board - Bottom

Main logic board - Bottom

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

More Elpida RAM chips

More Elpida RAM chips

A second set of Elpida RAM chips are located on the bottom of the main logic board.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

TPS 51982 TI 07K ES5T G4

TPS 51982 TI 07K ES5T G4

TPS 51982 TI 07K ES5T G4

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

E4 3041 983P

E4 3041 983P

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

E4 3041 983P

E4 3041 983P

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

TPS 51116 TI 07I A1V8

TPS 51116 TI 07I A1V8

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

i 9563BHZ R5400 H020BB9

i 9563BHZ R5400 H020BB9

i 9563BHZ R5400 H020BB9

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

F2117LP 20H V AF08008 1029JPN

F2117LP 20H V AF08008 1029JPN

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

TPS 51980 TI 04K C2H7 G4

TPS 51980 TI 04K C2H7 G4

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

i 625 9AHRTZ F026JK

i 625 9AHRTZ F026JK

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

More logic board markings

More logic board markings

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

More Apple markings on the main logic board

More Apple markings on the main logic board

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

GL137a FAF050 025L381

GL137a FAF050 025L381

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

VM05AE L8545S0

VM05AE L8545S0

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Apple MacBook Air Teardown (13-inch 2010)

TI 08 20528

TI 08 20528

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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