 Pentalobe screw diagram | |
| Inception | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple |
| Available | In use |
| Notes Tamper resistant screw | |
The pentalobe screw drive is a five-pointed tamper-resistant system being implemented by Apple in its products. Offically, the security screw is called "Pentalobular security screws" by Apple. [1] Pentalobe screws have been used by Apple since 2009, when they were first implemented in the MacBook Pro. They have since been used on other MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iPhone models. The DIY community had a public outcry when the Pentalobe screws first appeared; they saw it as Apple vying for total control of their devices.[2]
MacBook Usage edit
Pentalobe Screws were first appeared internally in the mid-2009 MacBook Pro 15-inch model. Three Pentalobe Screws were used to attach the battery to the internal frame. A 1.5mm flathead screwdriver could easily remove these screws, which were originally mistaken for 5-point Torx Screws. [3] This was the only internal usage of Pentalobe Screws; all following MacBook Pro's use the "Tri-Wing" security bit to attach the battery to the internal frame.
The next appearance of Pentalobe screws were in the mid-2012 version of the MacBook Pro, the first to include a Retina Display. Eight 3mm and two 2.3mm Pentalobe Screws were used externally to attach the bottom plate of the case to the internal frame.[4] The late-2012 version of the 13 inch MacBook Pro was the first 13 inch model to have Pentalobe screws; several were used externally in a similar fashion to the 15-inch mid-2012 MacBook Pro. [5] All three 17 inch models of the MacBook Pro have never used any Pentalobe screws.
The MacBook Air has seen more extensive use of Pentalobe Screws then the Macbook Pro. All three version of the 11 inch MacBook Air (late-2010, mid-2011 and mid-2012) include eight 2.5mm and two 8mm external Pentalobe screws.[6] The last three versions of the 13 inch MacBook Air (late-2010, mid-2011 and mid-2012) use eight 2.5mm and two 8mm Pentalobe screws. [7] Pentalobe screws have only been used externally on MacBook Air models.
Third-party manufactures have marketed a variety of 5-point screwdrivers that fit Pentalobe screws on MacBook models since Pentalobe screws first appeared externally in the late-2010 Macbook Air.
iPhone Usage edit
The iPhone had no screws holding the body together, the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS had two #00 Phillips screw next to the 30 pin Dock Connector.
Pentalobe screws were first used in the iPhone 4. Early production models had #00 Phillips screws, but Pentalobe screws were on the majority of all iPhone 4 models.[8] The screws used are slightly smaller then a Torx TS1, about 0.8mm. If brought in for repair to a Apple store, early production iPhone 4 models with #00 Phillips screws are replaced with 0.8mm Pentalobe screws.[9] Third-party manufactures rushed to produce screwdrivers that would remove 0.8mm Pentalobe screws after the iPhone 4's January 2010 release. These inexpensive drivers are easily purchased and will remove Pentalobe screws quite easily. Many are sold as "kits", containing a 5-point driver and Phillips #00 screws, in order to replace Pentalobe screws with easily-removable Phillips screws. Most other security screwdrivers will strip the miniature heads, effectively locking the user out of their device.
All iPhone 4S models contain identical Pentalobe screws to those found on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 5 has very similar 0.8mm Pentalobe screws, but the screws have longer 3.6mm shafts. [10]
References edit
- ^ Wiens, Kyle (January 20, 2011). "Apple's Diabolical Plan to Screw Your iPhone". ifixit.com. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Foresman, Chris (January 20, 2011). "Apple "screwing" new iPhones out of simple DIY repair". Ars Technica. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Galan, Walter. "Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Battery". Repair Guide. ifixit.com. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Wiens, Kyle. "MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Teardown". Repair Guide. ifixit.com. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2012 Teardown". Repair Guide. ifixit.com. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Teardown". Repair Guide. ifixit.com. October 10, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Bookholt, Andrew. "Installing MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Battery". Repair Guide. ifixit.com. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- ^ Brown, Mark (January 21, 2011). "Apple locks down new iPhone 4s with tamper-resistant screws". wired.co.uk. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Kaneshige, Tome (January 20, 2011). "The Case of Apple's Mystery Screw". International Data Group. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Goldberg, Andrew. "Installing iPhone 5 Battery". Repair Guide. ifixit.com. Retrieved January 28, 2012.