AirPort Extreme A1521 Teardown
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 14 Steps
Apple calls it Extreme, and we’re here to see what all the hype is about. Let’s dive into the new AirPort Extreme and see what makes it tick. If you’re more interested in the Apple Time Capsule, check out our teardown for that device. For a peek behind the scenes or to share your teardown triumphs, catch us on Twitter or Facebook.
Step 1
– We got our hands on the 2013 AirPort Extreme, fresh off its WWDC debut—and wow, it’s got some serious height. This white, rectangular tower with the Apple logo on top also packs some cool features:
– Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
– Beamforming antenna array for sharper connections
– Runs dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time
– One Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for your main connection
– Three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for your devices
– USB 2.0 port for extra accessories
Step 2
– First, let’s peel off those protective stickers and get to the good stuff.
– Sticker number one, what’s hiding behind you?
– And behind sticker number two? Let’s find out!
– Ports, ports, and more ports! They’re all here, ready for action.
– And now, we’re heading in…
Step 3
– Let’s stop staring and crack open this sleek white box of mystery.
– Grab your metal spudger—time to pop those clips and lift off the black base.
– With the base removed, our first peek inside reveals something that looks like a heat sink… but wait, it’s not quite what it seems.
– Before you toss the base aside, check it out: it’s got a new model number hiding underneath.
– This AirPort Extreme is rocking the model number A1521. Pretty cool!
Tools Used
Step 4
– Just like a previous upgrade in Mac Mini tech, this new version tucks the power supply neatly inside, helping it maintain that sleek, tall profile.
– Time to get inside! Grab your spudger and give it a gentle flick. Then, take your trusty T8 Torx screwdriver and twist away—those screws are coming out without a hitch!
Tools Used
Step 5
– We lift off the top cover, and guess what? We’ve got a whole 3.5″ of empty space waiting for us!
– Now, the AirPort Extreme isn’t exactly packing any storage, but we found a standard 3.5″ SATA hard drive lying around to give it a whirl. How cool is that?
– This might be exciting news for those DIY enthusiasts looking to turn their AirPort Extreme into a Time Capsule—though we’re not seeing any connectors for the hard drive, just some empty spots on the logic board. But hey, let’s keep our hopes up until we can dive into a Time Capsule!
Step 6
– Since the AirPort Extreme’s screws are snug, grab the flexible shaft extension from your 54-bit driver kit to help open it up. Two spring-loaded, captive Torx T10 screws are the last bits holding the outer shell in place, but they won’t be for long. Once those are out, the internal components of the AirPort Extreme will be ready to come free, much like corn shucked from its husk—easy and satisfying. If you need help at any point, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 7
– We’re bringing you a full 360º view of the Extreme’s internals with the latest in turntable tech.
– Looking for your own turntable solutions? We’ve got you covered.
– If you’re itching to get your hands on the latest Apple product with vertical circuit boards and some extra space, the AirPort Extreme is still the go-to option for now.
Step 8
– Videos are cool, but let’s break it down step by step.
– Port side – the left side, just to make it clear.
– Starboard slot side – yep, that’s the right side.
– Fan side – the side that keeps things cool.
Step 9
When compared to the 802.11n, the 802.11ac is a real powerhouse. It packs up to four times the RF bandwidth (reaching up to 160 MHz), doubles the MIMO spatial streams (up to 8), and cranks up the modulation to four times the level (up to 256 QAM).
– Next up, let’s tackle the sleek plate that covers the heart of the Extreme. This is also home to the shiny new antenna array. Time to give it a little love.
– The six antenna cables sneak under the hard drive slot, running neatly up the middle of the device before diving into a large plate at the top. This plate? It’s doing all the antenna work.
– This updated 802.11ac Wi-Fi is built for speed—think multi-station WLAN throughput of at least 1 gigabit per second and a solid 500 megabits per second (500 Mbit/s) on a single link. Smooth sailing!
Step 10
– A bunch of T8 Torx screws are keeping the heat sinks attached to the logic board, and the logic board attached to what might be a hard drive slot—those little guys are everywhere.
– Once you’ve unscrewed them, the layers come apart like a sandwich that’s ready to eat. Nice and easy.
Step 11
– Now, let’s take a closer peek at the logic board. Here’s what we’ve got:
– Broadcom BCM53019 router SOC with gigabit switch
– Broadcom BCM4360KLMG, the same IC we spotted in yesterday’s MacBook Air teardown
– Hynix H5TC4G63AFR 4 Gb (512 MB) synchronous DDR3 SDRAM
– Micron 25Q256A 32 MB serial flash
– Skyworks 5003L1 5GHz WLAN power amplifier
– Skyworks 2623L 2.4GHz WLAN power amplifier
– TDK TLA-7T201HF (looks like a pulse transformer to us)
Step 12
– Time to set those fans free! Grab your trusty Torx screwdriver and remove the two screws keeping the fan anchored.
– Check out the DC brushless fan—model BSB0712HC-HM01 from Delta Electronics.
– Give the fan a quick blow-off and let’s see what’s hiding beneath that metal cover.
Step 13
– Here’s the power supply—looking pretty much like your classic 12 V, 5 A setup, complete with those chunky capacitors and coils.
– Delta Electronics is behind this one too. Model is ADP-60DFS—definitely not to be mixed up with lightweight power bricks.
– Quick safety shout: Keep those fingers dry and away from the big black cylinder. 400 V has a real knack for surprising you (and not in a good way).
Step 14
– Take a moment to appreciate this totally awesome layout!