Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)
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Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)
ntIn July 2011, Apple released the 3nd generation MacBook Air (Model A1369). As with the 2nd generation Airs, the 2011 notebooks are available in 11-inch and 13-inch models.
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ntWe cracked open the 1st generation MacBook Air (released in 2008) and 2nd generation MacBook Airs (released in 2010). Follow along as we go inside Apple’s ultra-thin laptop.
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ntTo disassemble the new MacBook Air you’ll need a screwdriver with Torx T5 and T8 bits and either a very small Phillips screwdriver or special pentalobe bit.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Box
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Box
ntThe 2011 MacBook Air is available in four basic configurations–11-inch with 64GB of storage, 11-inch with 128GB of storage, 13-inch with 128GB of storage, and 13-inch with 256GB of storage. Within each of these divisions, you can further customize the processor and RAM.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): In the box
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): In the box
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Documentation and Power adapter
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Documentation and Power adapter
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Display
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Display
ntOur MacBook Air had an 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display that supports several resolutions–including 1440 x 900 pixels (native).
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Model A1369
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Model A1369
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Top
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Top
ntOur 13-inch 2011 MacBook Air has the same basic dimensions as the 13-inch 2010 model. The 2011 Air measures 0.11-0.68 inch (H) x 12.8 inches (W) x 8.94 inches (D). It weighs 2.96 pounds.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Front edge
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Front edge
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): MagSafe power connector, USB poirt, headphone jack, and microphone
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): MagSafe power connector, USB poirt, headphone jack, and microphone
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): SD Card slot, USB port, Thunderbolt port
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): SD Card slot, USB port, Thunderbolt port
ntApple added a Thunderbolt port to the 2011 MacBook Air
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Bottom
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Bottom
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Pentalobe screws
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Pentalobe screws
ntAs on the 2010 MacBook Air and some iPhone 4’s, Apple used tamper-resistant pentalobe screws on the 2011 Air’s bottom cover. You can remove these screws using a special screwdriver bit or a small flat-head bit.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the back cover
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the back cover
ntWith the external case screws removed, you can lift off the MacBook Air’s bottom cover.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): First look inside
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): First look inside
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the battery screws
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the battery screws
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Disconnecting the battery
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Disconnecting the battery
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the battery
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the battery
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): 7.3V 50Wh 6700mAh Li-ion battery
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): 7.3V 50Wh 6700mAh Li-ion battery
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the 128GB SSD
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the 128GB SSD
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): 128GB SSD
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): 128GB SSD
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the Broadcom mini-PCIe wireless card
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the Broadcom mini-PCIe wireless card
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Broadcom BCM943224PCIEBT2BX mini-PCIe wireless card
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Broadcom BCM943224PCIEBT2BX mini-PCIe wireless card
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Left-side PCB ribbon cable
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Left-side PCB ribbon cable
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the cooling fan screws
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the cooling fan screws
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the cooling fan
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the cooling fan
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Cooling fan
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Cooling fan
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the left-side PCB
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the left-side PCB
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): MagSafe power connector, USB port, headphone jack, and microphone PCB
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): MagSafe power connector, USB port, headphone jack, and microphone PCB
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Cirrus 4206BCNZ audio controller
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Cirrus 4206BCNZ audio controller
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the motherboard screws
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the motherboard screws
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the motherboard
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the motherboard
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Upper case with speakers, trackpad, keyboard, and display
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Upper case with speakers, trackpad, keyboard, and display
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Right speaker
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Right speaker
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Left speaker
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Left speaker
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Trackpad
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Trackpad
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Broadcom BCM5976A0KUB2G
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Broadcom BCM5976A0KUB2G
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Cypress CY8C24x94-24L PSoC
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Cypress CY8C24x94-24L PSoC
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Silicon Storage Technology - SST 25VF020 20-4C-QAE 1052Y1E-AB
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Silicon Storage Technology - SST 25VF020 20-4C-QAE 1052Y1E-AB
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Motherboard and heatsink
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Motherboard and heatsink
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the heatsink
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Removing the heatsink
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Heatsink
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Heatsink
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Motherboard - Top
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Motherboard - Top
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Motherboard - Bottom
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Motherboard - Bottom
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Intel Core i5 Processor-2557M with integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Intel Core i5 Processor-2557M with integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Intel E78296 Platform Controller Hub
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Intel E78296 Platform Controller Hub
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Texas Instruments 58864D
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Texas Instruments 58864D
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Fairchild DB12AC FDMS 0355S and AB20AL FDMS 0349
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Fairchild DB12AC FDMS 0355S and AB20AL FDMS 0349
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): GL822 IAM0303 1152481
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): GL822 IAM0303 1152481
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Linear Technology 117 3997 B24938
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Linear Technology 117 3997 B24938
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): MAXIM 15092G
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): MAXIM 15092G
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Intersil 80 14AIRZ F112NK
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Intersil 80 14AIRZ F112NK
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): SMSC USB2513B USB 2.0 Hub Controller
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): SMSC USB2513B USB 2.0 Hub Controller
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Macronix MX25L64 serial Flash chip
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Macronix MX25L64 serial Flash chip
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Intersil 625 9AHRTZ F115QB
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Intersil 625 9AHRTZ F115QB
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Texas Instruments TPS 51980
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Texas Instruments TPS 51980
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): SMSC 1704-2 146007B CTW
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): SMSC 1704-2 146007B CTW
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): F2117LP 20H RVP AC03453 1111JPN
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): F2117LP 20H RVP AC03453 1111JPN
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Parade PS8301 U08FUC ARR97 1411 A2
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Parade PS8301 U08FUC ARR97 1411 A2
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): NXP 1112 /A 11161B
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): NXP 1112 /A 11161B
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): PI3VeDP 212ZLE W1116GG
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): PI3VeDP 212ZLE W1116GG
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Texas Instruments SN1010 017 TI 15K D9PF
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Texas Instruments SN1010 017 TI 15K D9PF
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Hynix H5TQ2G83BZR DDR3 SDRAM (16 chips = 4GB RAM)
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Hynix H5TQ2G83BZR DDR3 SDRAM (16 chips = 4GB RAM)
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Completely disassembled
Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Completely disassembled
