Ripping apart the MacBook Air reveals some fascinating discoveries
What’s on the inside? I’m sure that’s a question that many people have wondered when they’ve viewed the world’s thinnest computer. Leave it to the people at iFixit to uncover this mystery. iFixit repairs and upgrades Apple products; however, it is probably best known for taking apart and dissecting every new Apple product that hits the market. Shortly after receiving their Macbook Air, iFixit cracked it open to reveal what’s inside.
A few things they discovered
- A sturdy antenna. Apple believes everyone will be using wireless with their MacBook Air. A lot of attention went into designing the wireless antenna.
- A Broadcom BCM5974 touch screen controller chip was discovered on the interconnect board. This is the same chip that is used in the iPhone and the iPod touch. This is great news since this could give Apple additional options when enhancing touch functionality through software updates.
- Components seem to be well secured from shock.
- If the thought of handing over your precious MacBook Air, to Apple, makes you nervous your in luck the battery is replaceable. However, you will have to remove 19 screws before you can take it out. iFixit states that it’s only a matter of time before they, along with others, start selling replacement batteries.
- The power adapter was redesigned. This power adapter uses the least amount of power in the Mactel lineup. It uses only 45 watts.
- The 80GB hard drive is standard for the MacBook Air. Currently 80GB is the largest storage available in this form factor. It’s not upgradeable.
- The heat sink is made of very thin aluminum. It looks completely different from anything they’ve seen on a Mac before.
- The speaker board is located between the arrow keys.
iFixit did an excellent job of analyzing the MacBook Air. What I’m most fascinated with is the touch screen controller chip that has been implemented into the MacBook Air. When this technology was announced for the iPhone I knew it was only a matter of time before it made its way into other Apple products. Apple is devoting a lot research into touch screen technology. In doing so they continue to improve the way we are able to interact with the products that offer this feature.
MacBook Air, Broadcom BCM5974 touch screen controller chip, Apple
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February 2nd, 2008
Looking forward to the additional touch pad capabilities making it to MacBooks and MacBook Pros.
February 2nd, 2008
Partners in Grime,
So am I. I started hearing about touch screen technology in the 1990′s. It always fascinated me so I read a lot about it. I saw the similarities with touch screen and touch pad technology so naturally I was curious. I’ve read a lot about that also. Apple is definitely pushing the envelope.
February 2nd, 2008
you nervous you’re in luck the battery is replaceable. However, you will have to remove 19 screws before you can take it out. iFixit states that it’s only a matter of time before they, along with others,
February 3rd, 2008
The touchscreen controller caught my interest.
1) Search Google for BCM5974 and exclude macbook. You’ll get 2 hits, neither of which is definitive in tying this number to a touchscreen controller. Broadcom does not have the number on their site.
2) Assuming the BCN5974 is a “touchscreen controller,” it would actually be a projected-capacitive controller, as needed by the multi-touch touchpad. This chip gives absolutely no hint that the Macbook Air is going to ever incorporate a touchscreen
February 3rd, 2008
This is the first gen and there will be more great things to come.
Looking back when I bought my ibook 1st gen – 500mhz and now the latest Macbook topped 2.2ghz and much much cheaper.
One more thing if its USB port is powerful enough it could even boot the Air using an external 2.5″ harddisk (I could be wrong)
February 4th, 2008
Robert,
Thanks I caught it.
Doug,
It’s an Apple-branded chip. I found a few pictures of it when I was writing the story. You can also find it by searching “Broadcom BCM5973A Chip”. One of the websites that refers to it this way is ModMyiFone. I believe they also have pictures.
I first read about the chip last year. I was reading an article by analyst from Semiconductor Insights (SI) and Portelligent. They discovered the chip when they cracked open the iPhone last year.
In their Q2 2007 report Broadcam specifically referred to it as a “touch screen controller chip.”