[REQUEST] Right screw driver for Macbook Air

[InHomeComputerHelp.com]

Got the flashing folder. Client says it's a few years old. Google said P4 or P5 screw driver to unscrew the back panel. Those didn't work. Has anyone run into this?

Rick

 

[Computer Bloke]

Photograph? They might not be the original screws.

 

[InHomeComputerHelp.com]

I took a few other photos. Too big to upload

0 new items by J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc. of InHomeComputerHelp

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Computer Bloke]

That looks like a normal pentalobe to me. I'm not sure what size it is but I've often found that the right screwdriver is a size or two smaller than you'd think.

Edited: No, I'm wrong and Mark's right. That's definitely a security pin in the middle. Somebody really doesn't want you to get inside this!

 

[Markverhyden]

Is that a pin in the middle of the pentlobe recess? And I'd check iFixit for proper tool specs.

 

[HCHTech]

Looks like a Pentalobe with a security pin. I think the big kit from iFixit has those.

 

[Diggs]

Looks like a Pentalobe with a security pin.

Sigh.... Leave it to Apple to make things as hard as possible. I think the last time I replaced an Apple keyboard there were 52 screws in it - pffft! I just won't work on Apple stuff anymore.

 

[sapphirescales]

I wish iFixit still sold this kit. This is the best $125 I've ever spent:

 

[HCHTech]

Looks like a Pentalobe with a security pin. I think the big kit from iFixit has those.

I just checked, and iFixit's big kit does NOT have these. The security bits they have are all Torx. You may have to order a single screwdriver for this.

Wikipedia has this chart which says they are P5/TS4/PL4 size (that's not confusing at all).


Pentalobe sizes

P sizes	TS sizes	PL sizes[14]	Dimension	Usage
P1	TS0		Unknown
P2	TS1	PL1	0.8 mm	iPhone 4 (Late), 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, iPhone X, Huawei P9
P3	TS2		Unknown
		PL2	0.9 mm	Apple Watch Band, M1.2 thread
P4	TS3		Unknown
		PL3	1.1 mm
P5	TS4	PL4	1.2 mm	MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with Retina Display
P6	TS5	PL5	1.5 mm	MacBook Pro (2009) Battery – 15″ only. Also known as Apple specialty tool 922-9101
		PL6	1.6 mm

It looks like this set on Amazon has a P5. Arrives February 1-4 if you order it today, but that probably doesn't count Hawaii.

 

[HCHTech]

wish iFixit still sold this kit.

I'd buy some of those! Their big kits now have black foam for the main substrate that the bits fit into, and the sizes are just stamped into it or stamped with black ink. Some idiot must have thought that looked "Cool!". I can never read them without a flashlight.

 

[sapphirescales]

I just checked, and iFixit's big kit does NOT have these. The security bits they have are all Torx.

Damn, then I guess it's good I got the kits I did. I've opened literally every MacBook there is other than the M1 and I've never had a problem.

 

[sapphirescales]

Their big kits now have black foam for the main substrate that the bits fit into, and the sizes are just stamped into it or stamped with black ink. Some idiot must have thought that looked "Cool!". I can never read them without a flashlight.

I know. I actually bought those black kits for my techs to go on site with. They hate them and would rather lug this wooden box around LOL.

EDIT: Gross! Now that I've seen pictures of my kit I think its time to take all the bits out, clean them along with the box, and make sure all my bits are accounted for. I haven't cleaned it since I got it like 5 years ago.

 

[InHomeComputerHelp.com]

Looks like a Pentalobe with a security pin. I think the big kit from iFixit has those.

Crap I just bought the little one because I didn't want to repeat so many tools from my other tool kit

 

[HCHTech]

Crap I just bought the little one

The big kit does NOT have it, it turns out. Read my response above, it has a link to a set from Amazon.

 

[frase]

 

[NJW]

Is that a pin in the middle of the pentlobe recess?

I've never seen a pentalobe in a Macbook Air with a security pin in the middle. The photo could just be showing reflection from the bottom of the recess. @InHomeComputerHelp.com

 

[InHomeComputerHelp.com]

I've never seen a pentalobe in a Macbook Air with a security pin in the middle. The photo could just be showing reflection from the bottom of the recess. @InHomeComputerHelp.com

 

[InHomeComputerHelp.com]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VHFc58S8Dyh6QjGw9 May be a better pic. I think I see a hole. That being the case what type of screw driver would I order?

Rick

 

[Computer Bloke]

Can you use a small pin to probe the hole in the screw to determine once and for all whether that's a security pin in the middle or not? I've never seen a pentalobe with a pin in the wild but I wouldn't put it past Apple to up the ante like that.

 

[InHomeComputerHelp.com]

Can you use a small pin to probe the hole in the screw to determine once and for all whether that's a security pin in the middle or not? I've never seen a pentalobe with a pin in the wild but I wouldn't put it past Apple to up the ante like that.

I wouldn't either. I still remember the special tool to open iMacs. Too hard to tell if it's a shallow hole or the bottom of a normal screw. BTW don't tell my wife I took a pin from her pin cushion.

Rick