Welcome to another Tekdep teardown! In today’s blog, we will be breaking down the highly anticipated M2 MacBook Air 15″ 2023, Model A2941 in midnight blue. As always, you can find all the parts and tools mentioned in this video on our website, Tekdep.com, your ultimate destination for all things tech. So, let’s dive into this intriguing new device and explore its inner workings!
The New Retention System
Starting with the bottom case, we can already observe noticeable differences compared to the non-M models. To remove the bottom case, unfasten the four pentalobe screws located around the perimeter of the unit. Underneath, you’ll find a new and robust retention system. We recommend using a suction cup to gently release the bottom case, starting from the bottom near the trackpad and moving around the sides, but avoiding the bottom near the LCD and hinges. Near the LCD, there are four retention points; to free the bottom case, carefully pull it towards the trackpad, away from the LCD, until it slides off and becomes free.
Disconnecting Trackpad Flex Cable and Battery Connector
Now that we’re inside the unit, let’s begin by disconnecting the trackpad flex cable from the motherboard. Lift the tape covering the screws on both sides, and using a T3 Torx screwdriver, unfasten the screws on both sides of the retention bar holding the flex cable. Remove the retention bar and unplug the long trackpad cable, moving it out of the way to gain better access to the rest of the unit. Note that this cable will not be completely removed until we take out the trackpad as well. Repeat this process for unplugging the battery connector from the mainboard.
Preparing for Mainboard Removal
To prepare for the removal of the mainboard, unfasten the screws holding it in place. With a T3 Torx screwdriver, remove the screws, and then with a T5 screwdriver, remove another set of screws. Some screws may require the use of a magnet to extract them from their housing. Using a T3 screwdriver, unfasten and remove the screws and respective retention bars that hold various connectors to the mainboard. Next, use a pry tool to disconnect and lift the ribbon cables away from their connection points. Be cautious with the Wi-Fi antennas, as they are challenging to access and may require tweezers for disconnection. Take your time and use the appropriate tool to avoid damaging them.
Dissecting the MagSafe 3 Connector and Type-C Connectors
In this step, we’ll remove the MagSafe 3 connector, two type-C connectors, and the 3.5mm aux port, each held in place by specific screws. Additionally, remove the four bottom case retention screws at the top of the unit, as they secure the Wi-Fi assembly. Unfasten two T3 screws on both sides of the unit to remove the hinge covers, which must be pulled away from the LCD or towards the trackpad and lifted to be removed. Under the hinge covers, you’ll find two additional T5 screws holding both sets of speakers, which need to be unfastened. Proceed to remove the hinge screws using a T8 Torx head, and then remove the black and silver screws with a T3 screwdriver, located at the middle top of the unit, to release the LCD connection points. Using a pry tool, gently lift the speakers out of the unit. If they do not come out easily, double-check that the speaker wire is disconnected and that all screws holding them in place have been removed. Repeat the same steps for removing the Wi-Fi assembly at the top of the unit.
Detaching Auxiliary Board and Mainboard
Locate a T3 screw on the left-hand side of the mainboard and remove it, along with the panel it was holding. Under this panel, you’ll find a daughter board connector; disconnect it from the mainboard for removal. After removing the speakers, you’ll discover two T5 screws holding the mainboard in place. Peel away the cover on the LCD connector to expose two more T3 screws, remove them, and unfasten the retention bar. Unplug the three connections found below. Lift the tape cover on the left side of the mainboard to reveal another connection point. Unfasten the T3 screw, dislodge the cover, and disconnect the aux board ribbon cable from the mainboard. At this point, the mainboard is only held in place by glue running under the ribbon cables that connect to the right side of the unit. Carefully use a pry tool to lift the cables off the case and out of their port slots. Don’t forget to free the sensor cable, which is glued down to the case right below the bottom type-C connector.
Separating the Auxiliary Board and Top Case
The aux board is also glued into the top case, so it requires patience and gentle persuasion to dislodge the assembly from the top case. Disconnect all connections to the daughter board, including the battery cable, keyboard backlighting, and the Touch ID sensor, which is held in with a T3 screw and retention bar. The daughter board can be removed by unfastening a T5 screw. Use a T3 screwdriver to remove the remaining four screws that secure the Touch ID sensor in place. Remove the 18 T5 screws holding the trackpad in place, including the center two on both sides that have a tape cover. With the screws removed, the trackpad and trackpad flex cable can be lifted out. Be cautious while removing the trackpad flex cable from the trackpad itself; lift up on the retention bar and gently pull the cable out, taking care as there may be a small amount of glue holding it in place.
Removing Touch ID Sensor and Trackpad
To separate the top case and the LCD, open the unit until the hinges are free from the bottom case. Then, lift the top case out and away from the LCD. The final step is to remove the Touch ID sensor from the top case, being extremely careful not to damage the delicate flex cable connected to it.
Wrapping Up the Tekdep Teardown: M2 MacBook Air 15″ 2023
And just like that, we have completed the full teardown of the new M2 MacBook Air 15″ 2023, Model A2941. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please leave them in the comments section below. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more videos and blogs like this. We hope you enjoyed this Tekdep teardown, and we’ll see you in the next one!
