Macbook Pro 2010 Keyboard replacement screws

Hi does anyone know what screwdriver I need to remove the Macbook Pro 2010 keyboard screws? I have everything out of the computer but these screws are giving me a tough time. I looked online and it says they are PH000 screws but my PH000 screwdriver seems too big... It looks like they are a different type of screw. Does anyone know which screwdriver to use? If so, what brand are you using? Thanks.

 

I had a similar problem with my 2008 MBP with a Mac-specific toolkit. I went to Home Depot and bought another toolkit and those worked. Sometimes the angle of the head on the driver is steeper than the screwhead and just doesn't give you enough traction and a slightly different driver will work when the one you have won't.

 

So I found a guy that does this for a living and he told me the screwdriver you need is a precision screwdriver called a Wiha #000. I'm going to order one and I will post the results. I hate how this computer has all these annoying screws. There is one called a tri-wing. These people deliberately engineer these products so you can't fix them easily yourself. I resent that. Nevertheless, the computer looks to be a nice piece of hardware. Too bad it won't run linux.

 

It could be worse, they could be using even more exotic screws. In any case, I'd say a set of small screwdrivers with every tip imaginable is a good purchase for any laptop tinkerer. Honestly, I'd have thought, they'd be using torx screws like they do for the MBPr.

 

I have about 500 screwdrivers downstairs, none of them fit this screw. It was confusing because it's labeled a PH000 2mm screw but out of the 10 PH000 screwdrivers I have, none fit. The torx screws aren't what I would consider exotic. I use them almost everyday. The outside of the body had t5 torx screws if I remember correctly. I like torx because they are easier to remove. I've never seen a tri-wing screw before but I'm not a laptop expert. That one was exotic to me. I don't see any need for a screw like that aside from throwing people like me a curve ball. If there is an actual, logical reason, I would be very interested to know. Why not all torx screws in different sizes?

Anyhow, I will report back when I get the screwdriver so others know which tool to get and can do their own repairs.

 

Torx is definitely not exotic, less common as in the average Joe usually doesn't have a Torx screwdriver set, but not exotic, I agree. It's definitely a curve ball, Nintendo pulled a similar one with the Wii controllers. That's one thing I like about my M6700, all phillips screws and they are clearly labeled, size and all, it makes reassembly much easier.

I'd say the logical reason is that Apple doesn't want people messing with more than RAM/HDD, but Torx would have been enough to avoid random Joe Schmoe from taking a screwdriver to it.

 

I agree 100%. If I ever make a product, part of my selling point is going to be that you can service it yourself!

 

Quite right. Failing espresso machine has tri-wings, so had to order a 100-part bit set. Also, another 30-part set for smartphones and, indeed, mostly Apple stuff.

There's also this tendency to solder rechargeable batteries in all kinds of consumer products; battery worn out = buy new device. Not much a fan of that either, so instead resort to soldering in a $2 battery holder + 1-2 new $3 batteries and we're good. Ah, and there's printers; residue ink container full = buy new printer . There exist replacement containers, but these are expensive (and hard to find for most models), yet a sponge is easily cut to size and works just as well. It's not the money, it's the principle.

 

It's so true. For me it is about the principle but it is also about the money. I hate wasting things. I also hate having to buy the same stuff over and over again. I wish people still made stuff to last a lifetime. That's why I like to fix things. Plus I just find it entertaining. I find it ironic that Apple tries so hard to have this green image yet they are so quick to tell you to just buy new machine if a small component goes. This keyboard repair is like a $175 job in a small shop. I can only imagine what Apple would charge to install a new $25 keyboard.