tear down
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Mac mini gets ripped to shreds, isn't so dull
There's something slightly disconcerting about seeing a fine, new piece of hardware torn apart before your very eyes, but we'll freely admit that we get some satisfaction out of it. The new Mac mini (above) looks about like what you'd expect it to on the inside, and very similar to the previous model, albeit slightly rearranged. It's a fairly sparse affair, nothing wildly unexpected going on in there -- well, with the exception of the tiny magical troll running at a steady pace to keep the gears grinding -- ever-so-silently, of course. There are a few more shots after the break, but hit the read link for the entire, supremely interesting set.[Via Engadget Spanish]
Dell's Mini 12 dissected for your viewing pleasure
It's taken quite awhile for someone to gather up the courage to do it, but at long last, Dell's cutesy Mini 12 has been stripped of its dignity and dissected for the world to see. Honestly, there isn't much in this netbook that you haven't already seen in similar alternatives, but those unable to resist the allure of undressed gadgets will still want to give the read link a visit. Or two, depending on your level of self-restraint.
3M MPro110 / Optoma PK101 pico projectors get dissected
Sure, we frequently come across gizmos so small that tweezers and eyeglass repair kits are needed to dissect 'em, but rarely are those gadgets projectors. With the new wave of minuscule beamers comes a new kind of tear down, and Tech-On has taken the time to split apart and photograph both the 3M MPro110 and Optoma PK101. The splaying gets pretty detailed, too, with us being informed of two large LSIs on the former (one from Weltrend; one from TI) and a hard look at the LEDs of the latter. Have a peek at the writeups and accompanying images below, and see just how long you can go without uttering an "aww" -- we'll bet it's not long at all.Read - 3M tear downRead - Optoma tear down
PS3 teardown: 30% fewer parts, $300 cheaper
When the gang at iSuppli first tore open a PlayStation 3 back in November 2006, they pegged the cost to build the $500 model was $805 in materials. Now they're back and looking inside the $400 version, which they estimate is $448.73 in parts -- still a loss leader for the company, but only by about one Ulysses S. Grant this time. The number of components has also dropped from 4,048 to just 2,820, and both the Cell processor and NVIDIA GPU have slimmed down from 90nm to 65nm. They suspect Sony might be able to lower costs and turn a profit sometime in 2009, but while you may be rooting for this generation's underdog, don't get your hopes up for a price drop any time soon.
Nintendo's DSi gets cracked wide open
It's only fair, really. We've seen both the DS and the DS Lite exposed under the camera, and now it's time for the DSi to suffer the same humiliation. As expected, things are pretty packed on the motherboard, and there's oodles of green underneath the white lettering. For more images of the DSi's internals (and rainbows, and maybe a few unicorns), give the read link a click.[Via MAKE]
Video: Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 gets white-glove dissection
White glove delivery? Puhlease. Try white glove dissection, as in, the four part saga shown to us via the miracles of YouTube by gadget lover CyK1. Using a cautious approach, a pair of tweezers, what appears to be a guitar pick and a pair of delicate white gloves, he details the disassembly of SE's highly-anticipated XPERIA X1 in four captivating clips. Granted, two of the four actually show reassembly efforts, but you know you're not about to leave after just watching half of the show. Hop on past the break once your popcorn is ready.
RIM's BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 endures old fashioned tear down
Just because you're the elephant in the group, that doesn't mean you'll get away without suffering through the same humiliation that comes with being a hot new BlackBerry: dissection on camera. RIM's first flip phone has recently been disassembled by the curious minds over at SycotecSolutions, giving us all an up close and personal look at what makes the Pearl Flip 8220 tick. Eager for more? Give the read link some of your undivided attention.
Elmo Live! gets stripped of his dignity, red fur
Heads-up: this post contains graphics unsuitable for viewing by not-yet-hardened 6 year olds. Now that you've read that (and hopefully shielded your youngin's innocent eyes from the image above), we're here to tell you that the unspeakable (though inevitable) has occurred. Yes, friends, dear Elmo Live!, which probably won't be seen selling for MSRP until January of 2009, has been splayed. Torn down. Stripped of every ounce of animality he had. All so that you could see what really makes this bizarre critter tick. You can tap the read link for more, but trust us, the worst is already staring you in the face.
Apple's new MacBook / MacBook Pro get torn down in style
Ah, the natural progression of hot new releases. First comes the wow, then comes the hands-on, and now comes the tear down. The masterful gadget surgeons over at ifixit have taken the time to carefully (and let us reiterate, carefully) undo all the hard work done on the assembly line to put these together, and we just know you're anxious to see what's really inside the new machines. Have a look below, and don't forget to pause and appreciate the scenery.Read - MacBook tear downRead - MacBook Pro tear down
Dell's Studio Hybrid torn down for kicks and giggles
We've only one thing to say here: it's about time! Dell's Studio Hybrid has been shuffling around for well over a month, and we're just now seeing someone with the nerve to take a putty knife to this cute 'lil desktop and photograph its innards for all to see. As expected, there ain't much breathing room in the 7.7- x 2.8- x 8.3-inch box, but there's a smattering of pictures and a full disassembly video waiting in the read link below. Go on and look, sicko.
Willcom D4 MID dissected for your viewing pleasure
By now, you've surely realized that the Sharp-branded Willcom D4 is far from being the perfect handheld, but that's not to say you shouldn't be lusting over a few internal shots. Thankfully, one fearless owner decided to tear the MID down for our viewing pleasure (and to install a larger 1.8-inch HDD, but that's beside the point), and everything you've hoped and dreamed of seeing is just one click away. Okay, so it's not that dramatic, but it's still worth a peek.
BlackBerry Bold gets another review, sneaks into more comparison shots
We know, we know -- you've already seen a couple of Bold reviews, but honestly, can you really get enough of this thing? While the release date draws nearer (or not), why not feast your retinas on yet another hands-on experience that involves a closer look at the user interface, an inside glance (yes, sans the back cover) of the internals and a slew of comparison shots with other handsets. Sorry to keep teasing you, but you know you love the torture.
ASUS R50A UMPC lands in FCC, is promptly torn apart
ASUS' R50A has been hanging around in "almost here" land for, like, ever. Over six months after we laid hands on it at CES, it seems the release is all but imminent as evidenced by its recent showing in the sprawling FCC database. Per usual, the agency did its best with that 1.3-megapixel point-and-shoot that it just can't secure funds to replace, and while we've certainly seen more invigorating dissections, this one isn't half bad considering the dearth of enthusiasm expressed by those doing the splaying. Wander on down to the read link for more dark, dingy shots of the internals.[Via jkkmobile]
ASUS Eee PC 1000H torn down in exquisite detail
Shortly after the ASUS Eee PC 1000H was unboxed by the lucky folks at Tweaktown, these same cats have given the world at large a look within. A startlingly good look, at that. Unlike most dissections that come our way, this one includes a half dozen pages of tear down pictures and commentary to go with it, giving you more detail about this wee laptop than you could ever want to know. Just kidding about that last part, we know you want to know.
Eye-Fi SD card cracked, splayed
Damn, that's a lot of technology packed into the tiny wireless Eye-Fi SD card. We're used to seeing cellphones and laptops stripped to the silicon bone but this is something special. Just look at that tiny 2GB Samsung NAND chip and even tinier Atheros ROCm 802.11b/g WiFi module. Hit the read link for all the techie gore.[Thanks, John R.]
New MacBook Pro tear-down
It's only been about 12 hours since the new MacBook Pro's were released and already someone has posted a tear-down online. AnandTech has a full gallery of pictures showing the tear-down process. Interestingly enough, AnandTech's Anand Lal Shimpi reports that while the MacBook Pro's processor got an upgrade today, it offers "very little performance boost." [via MacDailyNews]
Amazon Kindle gutted for your viewing pleasure
What is it with this sick pleasure we derive from watching beloved devices torn to pieces by ruthless uber-nerds? Who knows, but it certainly isn't getting old just yet. Amazon's Kindle got just such treatment at the hands of RapidRepair, and if you're one of those doubters that was never quite sold on the Kindle's quirky 90's aesthetic, maybe this will change your mind. Or not.[Via The Raw Feed]
iFixit digs deeper into iPod touch Bluetooth mystery -- discovers 802.11a
So you all remember that not-so-conclusive iFixit teardown of the iPod touch right? The one we all hoped would bring an end to those Bluetooth rumors once and for all. Well, they've updated their findings at our request with more information about the WiFi chipset. What they found was a Marvell W8686B22 802.11a/b/g WiFi system-on-chip inside. Yes, 802.11a according to iFixit, which on its own is interesting since Apple only claims b/g support. The iPhone you'll recall, has a similar Marvell W8686B13 for WiFi and separate CSR 41B14 BlueCore4ROM chip providing the Bluetooth. Of course others like Wi2Wi, have integrated the Marvell WiFi die with Bluetooth for their own single-chip solutions. However, in that case we'd expect to see Wi2Wi branding on the chipface. There are also a few unidentified chips sporting Apple logos which iFixit could not identify. So what's the answer? Nobody knows. As unlikely as it may be, iFixit contends that they, "cannot confirm nor deny the presence of Bluetooth in this device."
iPod touch splayed but Bluetooth mystery continues
What a tease. The ifixit tear down we've all been waiting for on the iPod touch fails to specifically exclude the existence of Bluetooth silicon or even point out which chip is providing the WiFi. After all, Broadcom, Marvell, and CSR all offer single-chip solutions with combined WiFi and Bluetooth radios. Hell, they'll even integrate an FM radio if you ask real nice. Ah well, perhaps those of you with more IC-focused eyes can take a look at these snaps and bring an end to the Bluetooth in iPod touch mystery once and for all. Otherwise, we're looking at a Foxconn manufactured iPod with Toshiba (not Samsung) flash NAND memory, Wolfson audio chip, and what appears to be a Samsung manufactured ARM processor presumed to be "very, very similar" to the proc found in the iPhone.
Double iPod dissection: 3G nano, 6G classic go under the knife
You've seen the announcement, you've peeped the hands-on, and you've read the reviews -- but how well do you really know the new iPod nano and classic? Well, thanks to the folks at iFixit, you can get familiar with the little guys inside and out. That's right, the first official tear-downs (or take-aparts, depending on who you ask) have happened to Apple's latest and greatest, and the results are somewhat... um, nerdy. Upon unfastening the eight locking tabs on the nano, iFixit made note of an increase in the use of adhesive, particularly on the click-wheel, making replacement "difficult," as they put it. Additionally, it appears battery replacement will be harder because of its attachment to the logic board with three "though-hole" solder points. Switching over to the classic, the tinkerers find that there is a metal plate on the backside of the screen (for protection against breakage, they suspect), and they discover that the battery is exactly the same as the one used in the 30GB iPod video. Don't take our word for it, however, hit the link and check out all the gory details.
