iFixit’s M4 MacBook Pro Teardown Reveals Minimal Internal Changes

The new M4 MacBook Pro, while boasting some quality-of-life updates, remains nearly identical to its predecessor when it comes to internal design, according to iFixit’s recent teardown.

Externally, the M4 MacBook Pro looks similar to the M3 version, with one notable addition: an extra Thunderbolt port on the base M4 model, a feature already included in the M3 Pro and M3 Max variants. Inside, however, most components remain unchanged.

The device retains its dual-fan cooling system and battery capacity, with minimal internal adjustments to accommodate the upgraded M4 Pro chip.

Key differences noted during the teardown include:

• Larger Heatsink: The heatsink is slightly bigger to handle the increased power demands of the M4 Pro chip, ensuring improved thermal management.
• Repositioned ICs: Some integrated circuits have shifted on the motherboard, but this change has no significant impact on performance or repairability.

Despite these small updates, iFixit described the internals as “very familiar,” emphasizing how closely they mirror the M3 models.

Apple’s recent innovations in battery replacement for the iPhone 16 lineup introduced a simpler and safer method for removing and replacing batteries, significantly reducing the risk of damage. Unfortunately, this improvement has not yet extended to the MacBook Pro lineup.

While the M4 MacBook Pro sticks closely to the blueprint of its predecessor, bigger changes may be coming soon. Industry rumors suggest that Apple is planning a major redesign for the MacBook Pro, expected to debut in 2026.

For a closer look at the M4 MacBook Pro’s internals, chekc oiut iFixit’s full teardown video below.