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Hardware

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

By Bill Detwiler July 22, 2011, 1:31 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

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Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

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.

n

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.
nt
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.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

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.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

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)

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)

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).

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

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)

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

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)

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)

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
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

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)

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Completely disassembled

Cracking Open the Apple MacBook Air (2011 13-inch): Completely disassembled

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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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