What type screws bottom of Macbook unibody?

[mathog]

Anybody know exactly what type of screw driver to use on the 8 screws on the bottom of a late 2010 "unibody" Macbook? They are a small X like a Phillips head but neither Phillips #1 nor #00 fit well. Are these maybe Frearson screws? I was able to fit a flat blade precision screwdriver in pretty well, and applied a little torque (not enough to strip anything), but it wouldn't budge. It looks like a lot of force is going to be needed to turn them, and so I want the right screwdriver so that they don't strip. It may take a T handle or socketed bit in order to get enough torque on them to break it free. Of course the manual says nothing about which tool to use.

[ratdude747]

Re: What type screws bottom of Macbook unibody?

proprietary. They want to fix any battery and hard drive swaps to overpriced apple repair.

did you try the opposite direction? they might be left handed for all we know.

[mathog]

Re: What type screws bottom of Macbook unibody?

proprietary.

I eventually called AppleCare and the tech there said they are Phillips #00. They sure don't fit the Phillips #00 I tried though. Will get a few more #00 drivers from different sources and go with the one that fits best. The screw really looks like a Frearson head, as there is no rounding at the center of the "+".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:F...s_Phillips.svg

Also the #00 I tried could be rotated while in the groove, as if the angle of the "V" was different. And that's what you would expect for a Phillips screwdriver in a Frearson screw. (No luck finding a Frearson screwdriver anywhere near here though.)

They want to fix any battery and hard drive swaps to overpriced apple repair.

No kidding.

[mathog]

Re: What type screws bottom of Macbook unibody?

Also the #00 I tried could be rotated while in the groove, as if the angle of the "V" was different. And that's what you would expect for a Phillips screwdriver in a Frearson screw.

Turns out is just a Phillips screw, but to get a good fit one needs a good screwdriver. The #00 I had were parts of made in China sets, and it seems they were not quite up to spec, geometrywise. Took the laptop into the best hardware store around here (small private one, not a Home Depot) and they had some nice German made Wiha precision screwdrivers.

http://www.wihatools.com/200seri/261serie.htm

Both the #00 and #000 fit, but the latter fit better, or at least it went into the hole and fit exactly, with the last bit of blade just at the top of the hole.

With the right screwdriver the screws came out without a problem.

[Krankshaft]

Re: What type screws bottom of Macbook unibody?

Very funny I was just about to suggest a Wiha set. Those screwdrivers are the best precision ones I've ever used. I bought a majority of the stuff direct from the site like you did.

The dollar store cheap ones with the wimpy skinny metal handle won't give you enough torque. I can't count how many times I rubbed my fingertips raw using them. In addition to that the blade isn't precisely ground which leads to slipping. You can't go back to the cheap stuff after getting one of these drivers in your hand.

I have tons of their large and small screwdrivers for electronics repair. Their ESD component side cutters are good too. Much smaller and easier to use than the Ratshack specials.

The reason for the stuck screws is probably because they Locktited them I remember on the Dells I worked on the screws had Locktite Blue on them. Guess they were worried about loosening from vibration.

[kc8adu]

Re: What type screws bottom of Macbook unibody?

this is one of those cases where cheap tools will cost you dearly.
had several laptops where someone tried and failed to take it apart.had to take it to the drill press to get the screws out.
+1000 on the wiha drivers.worth every cent!