Take a look inside Apple’s powerful new 2021 MacBook Pro
Here it is in X-ray
iFixIt returns with another look inside Apple’s brand-new and superbly powerful MacBook Pro, unravelling the secrets inside both the 14- and 16-inch models.
What’s inside these powerful new Macs?
As you’d expect, iFixit notes the welcome return of the things we liked – ports, a proper keyboard; and the disappearance of things people used less. They call it a “glimpse of what 2016 could have been.”
That’s pretty much the beat coming out from all the reviews so far — everyone seems happy at the return of a wider number of interconnects, particularly MagSafe. And while these Macs seem a little larger, the power they provide means it’s the equivalent of comparing a fast entry level car (MacBook Air) with a far more sophisticated performance vehicle. If the 16-inch were a car, it would probably be the fastest and most powerful 4-wheel drive you can get, while the other Macs in the range all excel within their class.
I’ve been super-impressed with the one I’m using at the moment.
So, what did iFixit find inside? You can see what they said for yourself here:
“The usual glue-free opening and a much-improved display swap procedure gets a thumbs up; the stretch-release adhesive tabs on the battery get a hearty cheer—even if there are better ways. But, the (non-butterfly) keyboard is still the same glued-and-riveted repair nightmare, they say, noting that the system is not upgradeable. (Though Apple would argue it is recyclable).
The chip collection
Beyond Apple Silicon, there are numerous chips inside these Macs.
Here are some of the 75 chips identified inside the Macs.
- Apple APL1103 M1 Pro system-on-a-chip (SoC)
- Samsung K3LKYKY0EM-ZGCP 8 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM Memory (16 GB total)
- Kioxia KICM225UZ0460 2×128 GB NAND Flash Memory
- Apple APL1098/343S00515 Power Management
- Intel JHL8040R Thunderbolt 4 Retimer
- MegaChips MCDP2920 DisplayPort-to-HDMI Converter
- Genesys Logic GL9755A Card Reader Controlle Kioxia KICM225VF9081 128 GB NAND Flash Memory
- USI 339S00912 Bluetooth/WiFi Module
- NXP Semiconductor SN210V NFC Controller w/ Secure Element
- Texas Instruments CD3217B12 USB Type-C Port/Power Delivery Controller
- Renesas ISL9240 Li-Ion Battery Charger Controller
- Cirrus Logic CS42L84A-CWZ Audio Codec
- Texas Instruments SN012776B0 Audio Amplifiers
“Major differences between the 14” and 16” models seem pretty few and far between: different rear cover clips, chip arrangements, and hinge bracket shapes. Feel free to spot the differences on your own, but to our eyes these look like nearly identical designs at different scales. And of course, they look fantastic as always—it’s basically a work of art in there,” they write.
The logic board—and the accompanying heatsink and fans—are large, which may reflect how Apple has developed these Macs to run at peak performance while staying silent. That heat sink helps reduce the need for the fans. They notre that batteries, displays are easier to replace, while other components are modular.
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