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The MacBook Air's unique display
The folks at TechRestore have taken it upon themselves to remove the gloss from Apple's MacBook Airs. In the process, they've discovered that the laptop's multi-layered display is truly a thing to behold. Calling the screen "paper thin," TechRestore CEO Shannon Jean tells ZDNet how the display differs from nearly every other one he's seen. "It's in layers, it's insane," he says. "I don't think there's ever been a screen like this used in a laptop. It's very similar to a Sony PSP screen, where the LCD panel and backlight are separate pieces." He notes that the display doesn't rest in a typical housing, but is held in place with "Iron Man adhesives." Finally, Jean notes that replacing the screen will require a dust-free environment, and that removing it is like "peeling an onion." You'll find annotated photos in TechRestore's Flickr stream. This one is the money shot.
TechRestore takes some of the gloss off of new MacBook Air with matte screen option
While there is generally no arguing with the aesthetic qualities of products that come from Apple, that beauty does sometimes come at the expense of functionality. A case in point is the unfortunate trend to glossy screens on Apple's portable computing devices. If all you do is gaze at your MacBook in a darkened space to watch movies, the shiny black screens look great. If on the other hand, like us, you need to actually get work done in a diverse range of environments, a matte screen that doesn't constantly display your own mug is preferred. While Apple offers optional matte screen on the larger 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro, no such option is available on the new 11 and 13-inch Air models. Thankfully, the talented folks at TechRestore have come to the rescue with a retrofit. For US$249, TechRestore will replace the mirror on your slim new MacBook Air with a matte display that otherwise matches the specifications of the original. The display replacement service will be available soon, and TechRestore promises a 24-hour turnaround once they receive your machine.
TechRestore offers MacBook Air matte screen replacements for $249
The new MacBook Airs may have a lot of things going for them, but a matte screen unfortunately isn't among them. The folks at TechRestore now say they have a solution to that shortcoming, however, and will gladly rip apart your shiny new Air and install a matte screen for $249. That screen will supposedly give you the same resolution, color depth and LED-backlighting as the factory installed one, and TechRestore promises to install a custom black bezel that "matches the look of the unibody MacBook Pro systems and looks, well, pretty awesome." Of course, they don't provide an actual image of the finished result, but they do promise a 24-hour turnaround time if you want to try it out yourself -- the service will apparently be available "soon." Head on past the break for the full press release.
iPad taken apart then re-assembled in under four minutes, Harryhausen-style (video)
We hope you're not sick of seeing the iPad's inner bits, what with the iFixit disassembly, gratuitous Blendtec promo, and even the FCC having some fun. Now TechRestore is getting in on it -- a bit tardily -- by giving the iPad the same stop-motion tear-down treatment that it lovingly applied for a Modbook last year. Not only does the company rip this magical tablet down to its constituent parts but it puts it all back together again and, while there is neither a kraken released nor Medusa slain, the video does feature some rather fanciful sound effects for you to enjoy, and it's all after the break.
TechRestore's stop-motion iPad tear-down video
Right on launch day, iFixit totally disassembled an iPad, offering eager eyes a wealth of information on what's under the hood. Now TechRestore has created a stop-motion video of the entire tear-down and reassembly process in just over three minutes by stitching together 1675 frames. It's fascinating to watch the iPad take itself apart, not to mention that the sound effects really make the whole thing work. Gumby would be proud. [via 9to5mac]
Axiotron Modbook upgrade: not quite 2 minutes, but overnight ain't bad
If you have $1,149 to spend, TechRestore can convert your MacBook into an Axiotron ModBook overnight during the work-week. They've put together a little stop-motion video, even, to show you how it's done. The $1,149 price is good through March 6. Overnight delivery options are an extra $29 to $99, depending on whether you ship it yourself to them, drop it off at a shipping center, or have it picked up. [Via Gizmodo.]
Video: Modbook modded in stop motion
Although Axiotron's Modbook and Modbook Pro look like they're relatively simple creations -- take off the original screen, install touch screen backwards -- we've always assumed the process was much more complicated. Turns out we were wrong -- if this Modservice video from TechRestore is to be believed, a normal MacBook will actually do most of the work for you, as long as you're willing to provide the appropriate high-tech sound effects. Seriously, the DVD drive just reinstalls itself! Video after the break.
Apple TV overnight upgrade services debut
Worried about ruining more than the warranty of your Apple TV whilst trying the DIY hard drive upgrade? Then why risk getting your hands dirty - TechRestore and MacService are more than happy to take care of the heavy lifting for you. Both companies have recently debuted overnight Apple TV hard drive upgrade services that begin with 60GB drives and go all the way up to 160GB. While both companies are fairly hush-hush about what this service does to your warranty (hint: say your goodbyes before shipping the device off), the good news is that drives they install do carry warranties of 3-5 years.Looking through the two services reveals some interesting differences. First, MacService more or less offers all-inclusive packages - overnight shipping through and through, with a single list of prices laid out to keep things simple. TechRestore, on the other hand, offers a couple of shipping options and seems to be slightly cheaper (especially when choosing the full overnight option) in price, though I've never had experience with either company to see if 'you pay for what you get' (a Dave Matthews twist on the ol' adage) holds true.Both services are live and kicking, so feel free to comment on your experience if you take advantage of the upgrade.
Look inside Apple TV
You've seen the unboxing pics, and the setup pics, and now you can check out what the Apple TV looks like on the inside. Those wacky people at TechRestore got their hands on an Apple TV and did what any of us would, ripped it apart. There isn't anything too shocking in that little box, but it looks like the hard drive won't be too hard to swap out.[via Digg]
