Microsoft's Zune HD already cracked open and photographed (updated)
By Darren Murph 
posted Sep 15th 2009 8:52AM
posted Sep 15th 2009 8:52AM
Update: iFixit just went live with their teardown as well!
Update 2: The iFixit teardown is complete. While there aren't any 802.11n WiFi or vacant camera-space surprises like those found inside Apple's iPod touch, the Zune HD doesn't need any to pique our interest. What you will find photographed in exquisite detail is the NVIDIA Tegra SoC, SiPORT HD Radio module, Toshiba-sourced flash NAND, a 2.45Wh battery, Wolfson MIcro WM8352 audio subsystem, and Foxconn logo confirming its manufacturing origin. There's also a "for our princess" inscription meant as a tribute to a Zune team member who passed away during development. Check the gallery for a tease or head over to iFixit to get knee-deep in it.
So that's what fail looks like on the inside
No. This is what fail looks like inside: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPod-touch-3rd-Generation/1158/1
Oh, so that's what fail looks like in the comments section.
Shotgun & Ruben in The Odd Couple *Cue Theme Song*
Dude how can you call such elegent peice of machinary fail?
You are pathetic.
will you shut up...
what's not fail???
Damn zune hd from the inside 75% is just the battery.
it's sad how battery technology refuse to advance anymore (look at laptops too) been the same for a decade now someone needs to step up and create smaller batteries than last longer.
Nope. Fail looks like an Apple logo with a markup of 10% for pretty.
@tekdroid
Did you forget a sarcasm tag? If you want something that indestructible forget buying PMP's, you should take the test for an Amateur Radio License and buy a Yeasu VX-7R.
@Juice:
Your spelling is fail.
Fanboi wars are sure fun....
Juice @ Sep 15th 2009 9:24AM sez:
@tekdroid
If you want something that indestructible forget buying PMP's...
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I've forgotten about buying them for reasons far more basic than indestructibility:
No removable batteries!
No removable storage!
Even phones get a look-in here where these devices do not, for the simple reason that these consumables are removable and swappable in phones, usually.
PSP gets a lot of love. Obviously not the same device, obviously not the same size, but love for portable video on the go, nonetheless.
Still, it is good that this device apparently does use screws to get itself opened, ready for surgery. I like screws. Not that I would buy any new device tied to its software as the only way to get stuff onto the device, but good to see anyway.
@Shotgun
On the inside cover reads the inscription "For Our Princess" and serves as a tribute to a Zune team member who passed during development. Your little comment, indirectly or not, was tasteless.
@ tekdroid
Well that's another thing I should have mentioned about Amateur Radio, most if not all Amateur Radio rigs have replaceable batteries. Also the manufactures encourage you to crack open the most radios for various legally allowed mods.
Just look at the circuit board between
this : http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/IodgfJfIpZFr4S3T.large
and this: http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.com/igi/34RfjTgWHbak1YQg.large
You can already tell the build/design quality.
@Pronto.
The iPods and the Zune HD are made by the same company.
If only the (rushed piece of crap) Xbox 360 had this type of build quality!
Hopefully the 780 has this type of quality and is backward compatible.
We shall see!
@ everyone who commented on this.
Why.
A couple days ago, the Apple fanboys were laughing because you could buy a Zune HD for 15% off at Dell. It is a failure they said, they are already running it on sale - even though it was through coupons that were not specific to the Zune HD.
Today, Amazon dropped the price on the iTouch 32GB by $20. I guess the iTouch is not a failure, they are just giving the people more value, right?
@Detox
No we claim Apple copies and then claim they did it first, followed by praise from masses.
Even if Microsoft is copying Apple you got to admit they do it much, much better. Zune player 4.0 is what iTunes will never be and should have been.
You guys as so easily trolled its not even funny anymore.
@matt: Made by Foxconn, not designed!
Juice,
I fail to see how amateur radio even comes into the discussion. I could also get removable batteries and storage on any number of devices, including video cameras, mobile phones...but thanks. No thanks to MIcrosoft for not even trying (or Apple, or Sony non-phone Walkmans, or...)
"he back cover is attached with 4 Tri-Wing screws. They remove easily and the cover pops right off.".
Awesome. Looks like battery replacement will be pretty straight forward, and you don't have to worry about prying plastic tabs.
LEAVE ZUNE HD ALONE! LEAVE IT ALONE!
Mmmm.... look at that tasty Nvidia Tegra chip...
So I sold my ipod nano 4th gen last week and bought a new 5th gen nano. Yay! :|
All was going fine until I tried to plug it into my custom car install. Apparently, the 5th gen nano will no longer respond after i turn off my car and turn it back on again. It wont play (this feature worked fine with the 4th gen nano!!!).
...So now I have to un-plug and re-plug the nano, then press play after I start the car. EVERYTIME!!
...I bought a Zune HD 16GB today (i was going to wait) and nano is going back. I am fed up apple.
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9558/kanyestevejobs.jpg
very slick looking hardware innards indeed. although not sure if i have enough courage to open mine up. would like to just to know i can, and work on it just-in-case. neat, nonetheless.
@ tekdroid
Wow, you just described Apple's customer service and the iPod Touch perfectly! And at least Microsoft doesn't glue the batteries to the case, or solder them on the main board...
Bradwart @ Sep 15th 2009 5:13PM
@ tekdroid
Wow, you just described Apple's customer service and the iPod Touch perfectly! And at least Microsoft doesn't glue the batteries to the case, or solder them on the main board...
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Right, hence the "everyone else is doing it" in there.
It's an issue that needs attention by all these lip-service companies in this age of Green Hype and non-longevity.
Still not sure why you responded under _man1c_, but I am responding back :)
What.... No user removable battery? And you guys flame Apple...
You will have trouble finding a handful of PMP's with user replaceable batteries.
You can flame Apple for starting that trend.
@ Ruben
Read carefully... I'm flaming M$, not Apple.
@ greggsymington
Read carefully ... Ruben understands you're flaming Microsoft and is flaming Apple in return.
BTW using "M$" is so played and in now well within the realm of lame.
Obvious troll is obvious
"You can flame Apple for starting that trend."
But wait, the Anti-Apple people are always saying that Microsoft doesn't copy Apple. Are you guys admitting it now?
Again, for those who comment without RTFA or RTFC,
"the back cover is attached with 4 Tri-Wing screws. They remove easily and the cover pops right off."
Ever tried to take apart a Ipod Touch to replace the battery? Or any Ipod for that matter? Yes, the tri-wing is not the most common tool, but at least its one that you can pick up from any hardware store, as opposed to tools needed to crack open an iPod. Often, One needs to find an Apple Dealer, or find the tools on Ebay to replace the battery.
"So is family guy"
Haha, what a mature, well thought out rebuttle. I'm glad you spewed your crap all over the world today, it made me laugh at your childish behavior.
You cannot get a tri-wing in most hardware stores. Well, at least last I checked.
Ummmm...given that all companies are using flash memory, and for many reasons, your post just sounds fanboyish. I understand what you're saying, but the same can be said about the iPod, any flash based MP3 player, solid state hard drives, iphone, most other cell phones, flash based video cameras, etc.
Jordan @ Sep 15th 2009 1:27PM
Ummmm...given that all companies are using flash memory, and for many reasons, your post just sounds fanboyish. I understand what you're saying, but the same can be said about the iPod, any flash based MP3 player, solid state hard drives, iphone, most other cell phones, flash based video cameras, etc.
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"Plus everyone else is doing it!"
Did you not read that bit?
* soild-state HDs are normally removable, so tossing the unit out after warranty doesn't apply there.
* most flash-based video cameras and mobile phones have removable flash, so this doesn't apply in the majority here either.
I love seeing the MIcrosoft Astroturfers go to town with the low-ranks. It's amusing to see. Gotta keep selling...
What class for a team member.
Inconceivable!
Bah, stupid grayed out reply buttons.
Oh the humanity!
stop starting shit! The ipod touch can't be touched and won't be touched by the zune hd.
and the tear down is pure semantics that mean nothing!
"The ipod touch can't be touched and won't be touched by the zune hd."
Rightly so....b'cos the Zune HD is a product of greater evolution than the iPod Touch, period.
Please do the world a favor and have the iPod Touch, touch your rectum.
semantics?
I do not think that word means what you think it means.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk&feature=related