Apple’s latest notebook, the Macbook Pro with Retina Display, is like a combination of the past and the future. Taken all the designs and techniques of all Apple’s different devices, the new notebook features unibody aluminum construction to soldered-in components; from solid-state storage to the much-vaunted Retina Display. They really have a clear vision in taking portable computing in above the next level.
While Apple currently possessed the most advanced notebook especially in terms of resolution, which is very important for some users, the Macbook Pro with Retina Display has also one big factor to consider when you are planning to buy one. This is when it comes to servicing in the future.
Apple had decided to reduce the size of this notebook thus making it controversial to tech critics, just like removing the Optical drive which are present in the past Macbook Pros. The new Macbook Pro with Retina Display cannot be upgraded. Why? Because the RAM is soldered in the motherboard, the Processor is also soldered and the GPU is also on-board. The SSD or Flash drive they are using is the same with as the Macbook Air which has some available replacements in the market nowadays but the battery is glued directly to the chassis. This prevents anyone from removing the battery alone or else you can damage the top part of the notebook.
According to the guys at iFixit website, the Macbook Pro with Retina Display is “the least repairable laptop” they had tried. Although some of its laptop parts can be replaced, the RAM and battery are impossible without the help of professionals. Even if they have rated this notebook very low in terms of repairability, they also shared some ideas on how to remove or replace some components provided you use the right tools. Here is their brief statement:
“Many components within the laptop can be removed without much fuss, provided folks use the correct tools. Pentalobe screws hold the lower case in place and Torx screws secure everything else. Spudgers and plastic opening tools are absolutely necessary, as many of the components are designed with such tight tolerances that using fingertips is simply not an option.
Fair warning: working on the laptop is no easy task.
Some repairs are simply infeasible. For example, there is no way to replace the trackpad without removing the battery. And while it’s possible to remove the battery, chances are high that it will be punctured in the process. Puncturing Lithium-polymer batteries releases noxious fumes and can cause fires. Additionally, removing the LCD glass from the aluminum frame will almost certainly break the glass. So components residing under the LCD — such as the FaceTime camera — will have to be replaced with the entire assembly.
Apple’s design direction is disturbing. We estimate that third party battery replacements will cost over $500 if technicians follow the safer Apple-suggested procedure and replace the entire upper case assembly along with the battery.”
How do you feel of having to buy a replacement battery of $500? Well, as what it really goes, expensive gadgets have expensive parts.
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