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MacBook Air 13" Mid 2012

1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache
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MacBook Air 13" Mid 2012 Teardown

Teardown

Teardowns provide a look inside a device and should not be used as disassembly instructions.
Featured Guide

This guide has been found to be exceptionally cool by the iFixit staff.
Apple announced the updated MacBook Air yesterday at WWDC, so, naturally, we're taking one apart. Join us as we dig into the new 13" MacBook Air, equipped with USB 3.0 and MagSafe 2.
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          data-text="Compatible with 5-point torx-like fasteners used on model A1369 and A1370 (late 2010) MacBook Airs. This is a different size than the..."
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         >            Phillips 00 Screwdriver
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          data-text="Tough antistatic tool used for working on electronic devices."
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          data-text="With a size between a T4 and T6 Torx, T5 Torx heads are used in many new devices including the Zune HD."
         >            T5 Torx Screwdriver
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   <span>Step 1</span>
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                     MacBook Air 13" Mid 2012 Teardown                     
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            <p>It's so light that it almost floats off the table…</p>
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            <p>So, what did Apple manage to pack into its ultra-slim ultrabook this time?</p>
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            <p>Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost</p>
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            <p>Intel HD Graphics 4000</p>
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            <p>128 GB flash memory</p>
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            <p>4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3L RAM</p>
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            <p>USB 3.0</p>
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            <p>MagSafe 2</p>
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            <p>Even with the amazingly slim profile, Apple managed to cram some nifty ports on the new Air.</p>
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            <p>Although we would never accuse the Air of being bulky, we were surprised that Apple didn't make this iteration thinner than the previous model.</p>
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            <p>Accompanying the audio jack on the left side of the MacBook are the new MagSafe 2 connector and the first of two USB 3.0 ports.</p>
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            <p>On the opposite side, we find an SD card reader, the second USB 3.0 port, and—of course—Apple and Intel's brainchild: the Thunderbolt I/O.</p>
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            <p>This is very unlike Apple; even though the MacBook Air is only slightly refreshed, they gave it a new model number: A1466.</p>
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            <p>We get pretty excited about new model numbers because they make it much easier for us to help people ID their Macs for service.</p>
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            <p>Only time will tell if the new MacBook Pro with Retina display will finally break the A1278 chain, but that discussion is for another time.</p>
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            <p>MagSafe 2 is a luxury reserved (so far) for the new MacBook Air and the Retina display-equipped MacBook Pro.</p>
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            <p>As you can see, the new MagSafe 2 connector (bottom) is much thinner and wider than its predecessor. This is pretty significant, because the thickness of Apple's devices seems to be limited only by the size of their ports.</p>
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            <p>Imagine how thin of a device they could make if all communication and charging were done wirelessly…</p>
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            <p>Apple sells a $10 MagSafe 2 adapter, so you don't have to throw away your 27" Thunderbolt Display. Phew.</p>
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            <p>Apple never stops tweaking the details; they moved the symbols from the rear side of the ports to the front. If you're in a pinch and have to differentiate a Mid 2012 MacBook Air from a Mid 2011 model, just look at what side of the ports the symbols are on.</p>
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            <p>There was tension in the Air as we encountered a few unknown sized, Apple-proprietary, pentalobe screws on the back of the new Air.</p>
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            <p>Fortunately, we have tools for that. Our pentalobe screwdriver made quick work of those pesky proprietary screws.</p>
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            <p>By the way, we don't just make awesome teardowns—<strong>we sell parts. And tools! Lots and lots of tools.</strong></p>
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            <p>Like this handy-dandy electronics tool kit that we used to take apart the new iPad. You know you want one. It'll pay for itself the first time you use it!</p>
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            <p>We sell Mac parts & upgrades, parts for iPhone screen repair, kits for fixing the infamous Xbox Red Ring of Death, and tons more.</p>
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            <p><strong>We need your support</strong> to continue building the <strong>free repair manual</strong> for everything in the world.</p>
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