The new 11″ MacBook Air was recently released and iFixit has already broken it down to get a first-hand look at its components. The system is more closed then ever with screws being placed in tricky spots and its RAM soldered to the logic board. Once you are inside, the parts are still easily replaceable. iFixit seemed pretty flustered about the new five-point Security Torx screws that hold the MacBook Air’s underside together. The screws’ points are rounded, like flower petals, and the authors had to “file down a couple of flathead screwdrivers” in order to pry the thing open. Once inside, the biggest changes were readily apparent. Six lithium-polymer cells that make up the 35-watt hour battery take up a large amount of space next to the 64GB of flash storage board, compared of four 16GB Toshiba chips. Everything in the case was held together with more easily routed six and eight-point Torx screws and iFixit notes that the drive comes out easily enough. It apears to be a custom part though and will likely only be available through Apple Support services.

The new MacBook Air uses the same Broadcom WiFi/Bluetooth chip as the current MacBook Pro line, though in a different form factor. The IR sensor that is present in the last MacBook air for use with an Apple remote is now gone, as is the sleep LED, affording room for the second USB port. The RAM, which even Apple considers a user-replaceable part is soldered to the MacBook Air’s logic board. This makes an online order decision to upgrade from 2GB to 4GB a final decision. Overall, iFixit rated the Air a 4 out of 10 for serviceability. Many parts such as the flash drive, fan, and WiFi chip are held together by only a couple of screws. All the parts are proprietary not to mention barricaded by the five-point Security Torx.

Source: iFixit

Authors: _GadgetNews

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