MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Optical Drive Replacement

Walter Galan and 6 other contributors

Last updated on January 4, 2024

No estimate

Moderate

Prerequisite Only

This guide is only intended to be used as a prerequisite for other guides. It's incomplete by itself.

Introduction

Go to step 1

Replacing the optical drive.

What you need

Tools

Step 1 Access Door

MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Optical Drive Replacement, Access Door: step 1, image 1 of 1

With the case closed, place the Unibody top-side down on a flat surface.
Depress the grooved side of the access door release latch enough to grab the free end. Lift the release latch until it is vertical.

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Step 2

The access door should now be raised enough to lift it up and out of the Unibody.

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Step 3 Battery

MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Optical Drive Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 1

Be sure the access door release latch is vertical before proceeding.
Grab the white plastic tab and pull the battery up and out of the Unibody.

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Step 4 Lower Case

MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Optical Drive Replacement, Lower Case: step 4, image 1 of 1

Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case to the chassis:
One 3 mm Phillips screw.
Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.
Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws.

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Step 5

Using both hands, lift and remove the lower case off the upper case.

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Step 6 Optical Drive

MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Optical Drive Replacement, Optical Drive: step 6, image 1 of 1

Using the flat end of a spudger, pry the subwoofer connector straight up off the logic board.
On some models, the subwoofer connector is soldered to the logic board and will break if you pry it off. If you need to replace the speaker/subwoofer, you can pull back the foam padding on the connector and remove the red and black wires to disconnect. You will need to reinsert the wires from the new speaker to reconnect.
If you are only removing the optical drive and not replacing the speaker/subwoofer, you do not need to disconnect this connector.

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Step 7

Disconnect the camera cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.

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Step 8

Use a spudger to pry the optical drive connector straight up off the logic board.

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Step 9

Remove the two Phillips screws securing the subwoofer to the upper case.
The longer of the two screws is on the right.

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Step 10

The subwoofer is still connected to the right speaker, so don't completely remove it just yet.
Lift the subwoofer off the optical drive, and set it above the computer.

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Step 11

Remove the two Phillips screws securing the camera cable bracket to the upper case.
The leftmost screw may remain captive in the camera cable.

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Step 12

Remove the three 2.5 mm Phillips screws securing the optical drive to the upper case.

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Step 13

Lift the optical drive from its right edge and pull it out of the computer.
The hard drive cable may become disconnected from the logic board when removing the optical drive. Ensure it is connected during reassembly.

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