How to disassemble HP Spectre x360 13 Convertible PC

In today’s guide I show how to disassemble an HP Spectre x360 13 Convertible PC model 13-ae052nr.

Also this guide should fit the following XP Spectre x360 13 Convertable PC configurations: 13-ae005na, 13-ae010ca, 13-ae010tu, 13-ae011dx, 13-ae012dx, 13-ae013dx, 13-ae014dx, 13-ae015dx, 13-ae021tu, 13-ae052nr, 13-ae091ms and probably some others.

For your convenience at the end of this guide will I attach a link to the official HP service manual where you can find a list spare parts numbers and disassembly instructions.

STEP 1.
There are a few screws hidden under the upper rubber foot. This foot is attached to the bottom cover by adhesive tape.

Remove the foot.

STEP 2.
Remove four Phillips screws from the upper side and two Torx5 screws from the bottom.
I color-coded similar screws the same color.

STEP 3.
Start separating the bottom cover from the laptop on the back.

STEP 4.
Remove the bottom cover completely.

STEP 5.
There is a plastic spacer located between the finger print scanner and the frame. It’s there for supporting the finger scanner board.
The spacer just seats freely. Remove it or you can lose it when the laptop is turned upside down.

STEP 6.
Remove four screws attaching the battery to the palmrest assembly.

Lift up the battery and disconnect it from the motherboard.

If you are replacing the battery, I recommend buying a genuine HP replacement.
HP Spectre x360 13-ae052nr battery model is CP03XL. You can easily find a replacement using this model number.

STEP 7.
Remove one screw securing the solid state drive.
Pull the drive out.

This is m.2 NVMe PCIe solid state drive.

STEP 8.
Remove two screws securing the USB audio board.
Disconnect the flat cable (connector is hidden under the mylar cover).

Unlock the connector first (red arrow) and pull the cable out.

STEP 9.
Work the USB audio board out of the palmrest assembly.
Part of the flat cable is routed under the motherboard.

USB audio board part number: 942831-001.

STEP 10.
Remove the mylar sheet completely.

Now we can access and remove both cooling fans.

STEP 11.
Disconnect the display video cable from the motherboard.

As always, unlock the connector first (red arrow) and pull the cable out.

STEP 12.
Unroute the display video cable from the guided path.
Remove three screws attaching the left cooling fan.
These screws are different. Remember the correct location for each screw.

STEP 13.
Lift up the left cooling fan and disconnect it from the motherboard.

STEP 14.
Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card.
In HP Spectre x360 13 laptop the wireless card is built-in into the motherboard.

In order to disconnect the antenna cable lift the golden connector up and unsnap it from the card.

STEP 15.
Disconnect the microphone/webcam cable.

STEP 16.
Unroute the microphone/webcam cable and wireless antenna cables from the guided path.
Remove two screws securing the right fan.
Also disconnect the IR sensor board cable.

STEP 17.
Lift up the right fan and disconnect it from the motherboard.

The IR sensor board is attached to the fan.

STEP 18.
Remove three screws attaching the motherboard.

Disconnect the following color-coded cables:
– Finger print reader cable (yellow).
– Four speaker cables (orange).
– Trackpad cable (green).
– Keyboard and keyboard backlight cables (pink).
– SD card reader cable (blue).

Unlock flat cable connectors by lifting up the locking tab (red arrow). After that you can pull the cables out.

The speaker cable disconnects differently.
Lift up the speaker cable connector to unplug from the motherboard.

STEP 19.
Remove the motherboard.

Here’s the other side of the motherboard.

STEP 20.
Remove three screws securing the lower left speaker.
One screw is hidden under a rubber pad. I’m pointing to this hidden screw.
After all crews removed you can lift up and remove the speaker.

The lower right speaker can be removed the same way.

STEP 21.
Remove one screw attaching the SD card reader to the palmrest.
Remove the SD card reader.

STEP22.
Upper left and right speakers can be easily removed too.

STEP 23.
Remove three screws attaching the trackpad to the palmrest.

Lift up the upper side of the trackpad and slide towards the keyboard to remove completely.

For a 15″ version check out HP Spectre X360 15-ap012dx full disassembly instructions.