Apple | iFixit & the new MacBook Pro 2021: How easy is it to fix? (With video) | News | macbook

Most people probably start setting up their new computer and filling it with data as soon as they unpack it. Quite different from usual iFixit, because the repair specialists waste little time and instead immediately disassemble the hardware into its individual parts. This is no different with the MacBook Pro 16″, because now there is the first detailed one disassembly report. The article, which is richly illustrated as usual, works its way up to the most sacred thing about the notebook, namely the M1 Max processor. As usual, there is also an X-ray to better assess the structure of the device.

Special praise for easy battery replacement
When we first contacted them, iFixit praised how easy the new batteries were to repair. To replace them, the technician simply pulls on an adhesive strip and can then remove the components. But another design decision is a source of joy, because the battery can be accessed immediately by removing the bottom cover – without having to first disconnect several plug connections as before.

However, iFixit is a bit distracted because of the “thinnest Apple product of all time”, meaning the cleaning cloth, which costs 25 euros. Of course, this was also thoroughly examined and dismantled – with 0 out of 10 points in terms of “repairability”, because it was broken afterwards.

Better than previous models – but with limitations
The MacBook Pro gets a total of 4 out of 10 points from iFixit, especially the battery and display replacement work better than before. Other components are also modular, such as the trackpad, connectors, and fans. The soldered memory, on the other hand, is on the negative side, although iFixit adds that the performance and battery life would hardly be possible with traditional socketed designs. Incidentally, replacing the keyboard still requires replacing the entire case. However, since there are not as many defects as with the earlier butterfly keyboards, such repairs will also become significantly rarer in the future. The following pictures show the chip and the device disassembled into all its individual parts: