This is a collection of links for free "take apart" instructions, disassembly pictures or videos, upgrade and repair manuals, as well as do-it-yourself (DIY) tips for Macintosh desktops, portables, iPods and iPhones. I make NO guarantees - so, you are ENTIRELY at your OWN RISK! If you have little or no experience in upgrading or fixing computers or electronic gadgets, I recommend contacting a pro. These guides are informational only. We do NOT recommend taking apart these products. If you have written a repairing guide yourself (or if you know of a good one I have not linked here), please submit a new entry.

Mac OS X, software, iPod and iPhone tips are located on the Quick Tips page.

Portables

• Apple Legacy Product Manuals
  Links to manuals in PDF for older Apple products.
• Apple’s Portable Documentation
  Apple’s User Guides for portables
• Apple’s Support Site Map
  Find help with support at Apple
• Find out which portable Mac you have
  Help to ID your Apple portable.
• iBook G3 (Dual USB) HD upgrade
  Detailed “how to” for upgrading HD with pictures
• iBook G3 12 inch Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing iBook G3 12 inch.
• iBook G3 14 inch Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing iBook G3 14 inch.
• iBook G3 Clamshell Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing iBook G3 Clamshell.
• iBook G4 12 inch Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing iBook G4 12 inch.
• iBook G4 14 inch Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing iBook 14 inch.
• iBook G4 14.1′ inch LCD replacement
  Illustrated “how-to” for replacing LCD.
• iBook G4 HD upgrade
  Detailed “how to” for upgrading HD with pictures
• iBook G4 take-a-part
  Illustrated with pictures the disassembly of an iBook G4
• Identifying PowerBook G3 Series
  Identifying Different Models of the PowerBook G3 Series
• MacBook (2006)
  Illustrated step-by-step take apart tutorial.
• MacBook (2006) replace RAM and HD
  Memory and HD upgrade guide video.
• MacBook Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing MacBook.
• MacBook Pro (2006) Replace Display
  Illustrated “how-to” for replacing Display.
• MacBook Pro (2006) replace Logic Board
  Illustrated “how-to” for replacing Logic Board.
• MacBook Pro (2006) replace SuperDrive
  Illustrated “how-to” for replacing SuperDrive.
• MacBook Pro (2006) upgrade HD
  Illustrated “how-to” for upgrading HD.
• MacBook Pro (2006) upgrade RAM
  Illustrated “how-to” for upgrading RAM.
• MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 (2007-2008)
  Illustrated “how-to” for upgrading RAM, HD, Guides, etc
• MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Repair (2009)
  Illustrated “how-to” for upgrading RAM, HD, Guides, etc
• MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Teardown
  Teardown in pictures
• MacBook Pro Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing MacBook Pro.
• OWC Guides for PowerBooks and iBooks
  Instructions and guides for upgrading and repairing PowerBooks and iBooks.
• OWC Installation and Instruction Videos
  Videos for help in replacing various parts for desktop, portables and iPods
• PowerBook G3 Lombard Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing Lombard.
• PowerBook G3 Pismo Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing Pismo.
• PowerBook G3 Wallstreet Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing Wallstreet.
• PowerBook G4 12 inch HD Replacement
  Illustrated “how-to” for upgrading HD.
• PowerBook G4 12 inch SuperDrive upgrade
  Video showing Superdrive upgrade, and new HD.
• Powerbook G4 15 inch (Aluminum) Disassembly
  Illustrated step-by-step take-apart.
• PowerBook G4 Aluminum 12 inch
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing PowerBook 12 inch.
• PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15 inch Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing PowerBook 15 inch Aluminum.
• PowerBook G4 Aluminum 17 inch Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing PowerBook 17 inch Aluminum.
• PowerBook G4 Ti DVI Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing TiBook DVI.
• PowerBook G4 Ti Mercury Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing TiBook Mercury.
• PowerBook G4 Ti Onyx Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing TiBook Onyx.
• PowerBook G4 Titanium (TiBook) Take-apart
  Illustrated step-by-step take apart guide.

Desktops

• Apple Legacy Product Manuals
  Links to manuals in PDF for older Apple products.
• Apple’s Desktop Documentation
  Apple’s User Guides for desktops
• Apple’s Support Site Map
  Find help with support at Apple
• Apple’s Xserve Documentation
  Apple’s User Guides for Xserve
• G4 Cube (450-500Mhz) Optical Drive upgrade (PDF)
  Upgrading Optical Drive instructions with pictures in PDF
• iMac G4 Disassembly
  Take-a-part for iMac G4 Lamp
• iMac G5 with iSight Disassembly
  Photos showing disassembly of iMac G5 with iSight.
• iMac Intel Disassembly
  Photos showing disassembly of iMac Intel with iSight.
• iMac Intel with iSight Disassembly
  Photos showing disassembly of iMac Intel with iSight.
• Mac mini Guide
  Various illustrated guide for upgrading and repairing Mac mini.
• OWC Guides for Mac Desktops
  Instructions and guides for upgrading and repairing Mac desktops.
• OWC Installation and Instruction Videos
  Videos for help in replacing various parts for desktop, portables and iPods
• PowerMac G3 Blue & White/G4 PCI Graphics adding RAM
  Video showing RAM upgrade for PowerMac G3 & G4 PCI.
• PowerMac G4 Quicksilver Optical Drive upgrade (PDF)
  Upgrade Optical Drive instructions with pictures in PDF
• PowerMac G4: How to Differentiate Between Models
  How to Differentiate Between PowerMac G4 Models

iPods

• 3rd Gen iPod – Tutorial Videos
  Video “how-to” for replacing major components of the 3rd Generation iPod
• 4th Gen iPod – Tutorial Videos
  Video “how-to” for replacing major components of the 4th Generation iPod
• Find out which iPod you have
  Help to ID your iPod.
• Identifying iPod models
  Identifying iPod models by picture and information.
• iPod Guides
  Detailed instructions and disassembly of various iPods.
• iPod Mini Video Tutorials
  Video “how-to” for replacing major components of the iPod mini
• iPod Photo – Tutorial Videos
  Video “how-to” for replacing major components of the iPod Photo
• iPod Touch 1st Generation Repair
  Illustrated guides
• iPod Touch 2nd Generation Repair
  Illustrated teardown
• iPod Video Battery Replacement Tutorial
  Video “how-to” for replacing Battery
• iPod Video Hard Drive Replacement Tutorial
  Video “how-to” for replacing Hard Drive
• iPod Video Headphone Jack / Hold Switch Replacement Tutorial
  Video “how-to” for replacing headphone jack and hold switch
• iPod Video LCD Screen / Faceplate Replacement Tutorial
  Video “how-to” for replacing LCD Screen and Faceplate
• iPod Video Logic Board / Click Wheel Replacement Tutorial
  Video “how-to” for replacing logic board and click wheel
• OWC Guides for iPods
  Instructions and guides for upgrading and repairing iPods.
• OWC Installation and Instruction Videos
  Videos for help in replacing various parts for desktop, portables and iPods

iPhone

• iPhone 1st Generation Repair
  Teardown in pictures
• iPhone 3G Repair
  Teardown in pictures
• iPhone 3GS Repair
  Teardown in pictures
• iPhone Battery Replacement Kit
  Kit to change iPhone battery
• iPhone Complete Replacement Screen
  Apple iPhone Complete Replacement Screen (Includes LCD & Digitizer)
• iPhone Disassembly
  Video for iPhone Disassembly
• iPhone Fix It Guide
  Illustrated guide for repairing the iPhone.
• iPhone Parts
  Find the parts you need for the iPhone.
• iPhone Screen Replacement & Disassemble/Take Apart Directions
  Video for iPhone Take Apart and Screen Replacement

I highly recommend Mactracker as a great way to easily get info on any Mac. Mactracker is available for OS X, OS 9, Windows and your iPod.

Mactracker provides detailed information on every Apple Macintosh computer ever made, including items such as processor speed, memory, optical drives, graphic cards, supported Mac OS versions, and expansion options. Also included is information on Apple mice, keyboards, displays, printers, scanners, digital cameras, iPod, AirPort Base Stations, Newton, and Mac OS versions.

Back to Top