Disassembly of the Xiaomi RedmiBook 8 laptop: detailed instructions with nuances

Xiaomi RedmiBook 8 laptops have gained popularity due to a combination of performance, compactness and affordable price. However, even the most reliable device can require disassembly - whether it is replacing the thermal paste, cleaning from dust, upgrading RAM or SSD. Unlike smartphones, where disassembly is often reduced to removing the back cover, laptops require accuracy and knowledge of design features.

This article will help you disassemble the RedmiBook 8 without the risk of damaging the body or internal components. We will look at not only the standard procedure, but also the hidden latches under the keyboard, which often break when unwisely dismantled, and give recommendations on the choice of tools. Importantly, the manual is suitable for all versions of the series, including the RedmiBook 8 Pro and RedmiBook 8 Pro Enhanced Edition, but with minor differences in the location of the screws.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and precautions

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need, and the lack of the right tools is the main cause of damage to the case or PCBs, and here's the minimum set:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Torx screwdriver T5 (corpus)
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Plastic mediators (2-3 (S) or guitar mediators
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Tweezers with curved ends (to detach plumes)
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Antistatic bracelet or gloves (optional but recommended)
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Smartphone for photographing the stages of disassembly

Pay special attention to the choice of screwdriver. screws in RedmiBook 8 have fine threads, and use the wrong tool (for example, the screws in RedmiBook 8 are not very good, T4 instead T5) If you plan to disassemble the equipment often, invest in the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit, which includes all the necessary bits and plastic shoulder blades.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Don't use metal blades to lick the lid! RedmiBook 8's aluminum case is easily scratched and the gaps between the panels are so small that metal can damage the internal plumes.

Before the start of the work:

  1. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the charger.
  2. Remove the battery (if possible) or at least turn off its plume after the back cover is removed.
  3. Work on a clean, flat surface โ€“ best on an antistatic mat.
๐Ÿ“Š You've already taken out laptops before?
Yes, many times.
1-2 times
No, it's my first experience.
Planned, but hesitant.

Removal of the back cover: hidden latches and screws

So, the most important thing to start with is dismantling the bottom panel, and in RedmiBook 8, it's mounted on 10 Torx screws. T5 And some plastic latches. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

  1. Turn your laptop over and remove all the rubber legs (the screws may be hiding under them).
  2. Unscrew all visible screws, including those located under the stickers (carefully tuck them with a nail or plastic spatula).
  3. Start putting the top right corner (keyboard side) on the lid with a plastic pickup. Move around the perimeter, gradually releasing the latches.

The most common mistake is to try to remove the lid by force. RedmiBook 8 has two hidden latches under the keyboard that hold the panel even after all the screws have been unscrewed. If the lid fails, don't push harder -- check if all the screws are twisted, and try again starting at the corner.

Type of screwNumber ofLocation.Length (mm)
Torx T58Perimeter back cover.3.5
Torx T52Under the rubber legs5.0
Plastic latches6On the sides and under the keyboardโ€”

When you take the lid off, you'll see the insides of the laptop. Don't rush to touch the components right away -- let the device stand. 10-15 It's a matter of minutes for static electricity to dissipate, especially if you're working on carpets or in dry rooms.

All 10 screws unscrewed (including those hidden under the legs)|

It uses a plastic mediator, not a screwdriver.|

The beginning of the squashing from the upper right corner|

Checked latches under the keyboard (if the cover is not removed)-->

Disconnecting the battery and access to the motherboard

The first thing you do after you remove the lid is to disconnect the battery. In RedmiBook 8, it's connected through a wide plume with a connector. JST PH 2.0 to disconnect it:

  1. Carefully tuck the black lock connector with tweezers (it moves up).
  2. Pull the plume aside without making any effort - it should come out easily.
  3. Fix the plume with tape to the case, so that they do not accidentally touch the board.

Now you can start dismantling the cooling system or other components. Notice the location of the thermal tubes: in RedmiBook 8, they pass over RAM, so you need to remove the cooler carefully so that you don't damage the memory or the processor.

If your goal is to replace the thermopaste, consider that this model uses liquid metal thermopaste (on the processor and chip of the graphics card), its residue must be carefully removed with alcohol before applying a new one. Do not use cotton cotton cotton, only lilaless wipes!

โš ๏ธ Note: RedmiBook 8 Pro with discrete graphics NVIDIA MX450 The cooler is attached with extra screws under the radiator, and if you don't unscrew them in advance, you can take the cooler off the chip!

For those planning an upgrade:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ RAM: Maintained to the current 32 GB DDR4-3200 (two-slot).
  • ๐Ÿ’พ SSD: Slot M.2 2280 with PCIe 3.0 support x4 (up to 1 TB).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery: Replacement is possible, but requires soldering of the plume (in the service center).
What to do if the screws do not unscrew?
If the screw is "licked" or not: 1. Try using a screwdriver with a magnetic tip. 2. Drink a little alcohol or WD-40 on the thread and wait 5 minutes. 3. In extreme cases, use the extractor for screws (but it is risky for an aluminum case).

Dismantling keyboard and touchpad

If you need to get to the top of your laptop (for example, to replace a touchpad or keyboard plume), you have to take off the keyboard. In RedmiBook 8, it is attached to 3 screws and plastic latches around the perimeter.

  1. Unscrew the screws under the back cover that lock the keyboard (usually marked with the letter K next to the screw).
  2. Carefully tuck the keyboard with a plastic spatula, starting from the top edge (on the screen side).
  3. Lift the keyboard and disconnect the plume (connector). ZIF, locker).

The touchpad is removed similarly, but it has a separate plume and 2 screws mount.Be careful: in RedmiBook 8, the touchpad passes a plug of the power button. If it is damaged, the laptop will not turn on from the button (only through the circuit of the contacts on the board).

If you notice that the keys are failing or not working, the problem may be the jack film under the keyboard, and replacing it requires a complete disassembly of the keyboard, a process that you can trust to the service center, because the tape is glued to double-sided tape and easily breaks.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before you take off your keyboard, take a picture of the plumes. RedmiBook 8 has three of them: keyboards, touchpads and backlights. It's easy to confuse them when you reverse assemble them, and the consequences can be fatal for the motherboard.

Disassembly of the cooling system and replacement of the thermal paste

The cooling system in RedmiBook 8 consists of two heat pipes, a radiator and a fan.

  1. Unscrew 4 screws of the cooler mount (they can be of different lengths - remember what was there!).
  2. Carefully remove the cooler, swaying it from side to side (the heatpast can "steep").
  3. Clean the remnants of the old paste from the processor and graphics card chip (if any) with alcohol and a lilac-free wipe.

To replace the thermal paste in RedmiBook 8, it is recommended to use:

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Liquid metal (e.g., Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut) for processor and GPU.
  • ๐Ÿงด High viscous paste (e.g. Noctua) NT-H2) โ€” for memory chips and VRM.

Apply the liquid metal in a thin layer (no more than 0.1 mm) and only on the processor chip, avoiding contact on the edges. After applying, allow the paste to "spread" for 5 minutes before installing the cooler.

When reassembling the cooling system, make sure that:

  • The heat tubes were not clamped.
  • The fan was connected to the connector. FAN1 on the board (usually signed).
  • All the cooler screws were curled cross-to-cross to avoid skewing.

๐Ÿ’ก

Using a liquid metal instead of a conventional thermopaste reduces the processor temperature in RedmiBook 8 on 8-12ยฐC under load, but requires accuracy when applied.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when disassembling RedmiBook 8, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Mistake.Effects of consequencesHow to avoid
Use of the wrong screwdriverSliced screws, damage to the slithers.Check the bit size (Torx needed) T5)
Removing the cap without turning off the batteryShort circuit, board failureDisconnect the battery plume first thing
Clutching of plumes during assemblyBroken plumes, broken keyboard/touchpadLay the plumes freely, without tension
Wrong sequence of coiler screws twistingRadiator distortion, poor heat dissipationTwisting the screws cross-cross

Another common problem is the loss of screws when disassembling. RedmiBook 8 uses screws of different lengths (3.5 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm), and if you confuse them in places, you can damage the board or the case.

  • Place the screws in groups on a piece of paper with signatures.
  • Use a magnetic mat or container with cells.
  • Take pictures of each stage of the disassembly.

If the laptop does not turn on after assembly, check:

  1. Connect the battery plume and power button.
  2. Correct installation of RAM (it should click in slots).
  3. Absence of foreign objects (screws, pieces of plastic) on the board.

โš ๏ธ Attention: If the laptop becomes more overheated after replacing the thermal paste than before disassembly, most likely the cooler is skewed or the thermal paste is applied unevenly. Disassemble the device again and check the density of the radiator adhesiveness.

Reverse Assembly: nuances and testing

The RedmiBook 8 should be built in reverse order, but with a few key points in mind:

  1. Before installing the cover, make sure that all plumes are connected and not clamped.
  2. Twisting the screws without excessive effort - aluminum inserts in the case can break.
  3. After assembly, turn on the laptop and check the operation of the keyboard, touchpad, ports USB and lighting.

Pay special attention to testing the cooling system. Run a stress test (for example, in the case of a cold-water system). AIDA64 or Prime95) And watch the temperatures:

  • ๐ŸŒก๏ธ Normal temperature of the processor under load: up to 85ยฐC.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Critical temperature (trottling): 95ยฐC and above.

If the temperature is higher than normal, take the laptop apart again and check:

  • The density of the cooler to the processor.
  • The quality of the application of the thermopaste (there should be no bubbles or omissions).
  • The work of the fan (it should rotate without extraneous noise).

It is also recommended to update BIOS After dismantling, especially if you have changed the hardware. For RedmiBook 8, the current firmware can be found on the official Xiaomi website. MIUI BIOS Update Tool in Windows Environment.

๐Ÿ’ก

After replacement SSD or RAM may require resetting settings BIOS (press F2 When downloading and select Load Default Settings).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I use RedmiBook 8 without any special tools?
Theoretically, yes, but the risk of damage to the body or internal components is extremely high. T5 And plastic mediators, and the use of improvised tools (knives, coins) almost always leads to scratches or broken latches.
What to do if the touchpad does not work after disassembly?
You probably forgot to plug the touchpad plume or damaged it when you built it. Disassemble the laptop again and check: Connect the plume to the socket on the board (it's usually signed as TOUCHPAD). Integrity of the plume (whether there are tears or cracks); fixation of the plume in the connector (black clip must be lowered down); if the plume is damaged, it can be replaced (Article for RedmiBook 8 โ€” XM-TP-008).
How often should I change the heatpaste in RedmiBook 8?
The recommended interval is once every 1.5-2 years with heavy use (games, rendering, prolonged work under load). If the laptop is used for office tasks, it is enough to replace every 3 years. Signs that it is time to change the thermopaste: Constant fan operation at high revs. Overheating of the case in the keyboard area. Spontaneous shutdowns under load (trottling).
Can we set up the second? SSD RedmiBook 8?
No, there's only one slot in this model. M.2 2280, but it can be replaced by a regular SSD for a more capacious (up to 1 TB) or add an external drive through the port USB 3.2 Gen 2 (speed up to 10 Gbps) To replace the internal SSD: Remove the back cover. Unscrew the lock screw. SSD (Take the drive carefully behind the plastic loop. SSD PCIe 3.0 interface x4 (For example, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus or WD Black SN750).
Where can I buy parts for RedmiBook 8?
Original spare parts (keyboards, plumes, batteries) are better to order from official Xiaomi distributors or service centers: ๐Ÿ›’ AliExpress โ€“ cheap analogues (quality varies). ๐Ÿ›’ eBay - original details. ๐Ÿ›’ Local electronics stores (e.g., Citilink, DNS โ€” When buying, check the exact model of the laptop (for example, RedmiBook 8 Pro). RB1801), Parts may differ even within a series.