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Teardown shows the new Apple TV 4K is easy to repair, but Siri Remote is a pain
The new Apple TV 4K is a cinch to repair, but the Siri Remote is a huge pain.
New Chromecast teardown reveals it might not overheat as much as before
Much like the original Chromecast streaming stick, Google's new Chromecast video and audio gadgets aren't things you'd want to try and repair if anything goes wrong. "Ultimately any device like those in the Chromecast family will be the same story—a board in a box," iFixit declared in its teardown. Then again, at just $35, you're probably better off just replacing your Chromecast when it conks out. There are some intriguing reveals in iFixit's teardown though: Google went a bit thermal paste crazy this time around, which should help the new Chromecast avoid overheating as much as its predecessor. It also looks like the HDMI cable in the video Chromecast is plenty tough, while also being internally detachable. If it does get damaged, there's a chance you'll be able to swap it out for a new part. Beyond that, both the audio and video Chromecast models look pretty similar internally.
Here's the Apple Watch torn apart for your pleasure
You likely won't be able to repair the Apple Watch on your own -- shocking, we know. The gadget eviscerators over at iFixit put the Apple Watch under the knife today, just as people who've preordered the Watch have begun receiving their shipments. After a complete dissection, iFixit ended up giving the Apple Watch a repairability score of five out of 10 -- making it something you likely wouldn't want to mess with. Removing the screen was "difficult, but not impossible," iFixit said, and once you've dealt with that the battery is "quite easy to remove." But anything beyond the battery, including the Taptic Engine and Apple's S1 chip, is pretty much out of bounds. Basically, if you're getting an Apple Watch, consider an Apple Care plan, or be ready to pay hefty fees in case anything goes wrong.
iFixit tears into the new iPod touch, bemoans lack of repairability
The folks over at iFixit have gotten their tool-sporting hands all over the new iPod touch, giving Apple's latest music player the customary detailed teardown. The alien autopsy-esque dissection reveals the device's A5 processor, flash memory from Toshiba and a lot of parts secured firmly in place. The latter, naturally, has led to a pretty dismal repairability score for the touchscreen player -- a three out of 10 -- nothing new, really, for Cupertino products, though the company seemed to be moving in the other direction with the new iPhone. Check the source link below for all the gory details -- and yes, iFixit even goes so far as calling the device's home button "weak." Oh snap, guys.
iFixit application brings its repair manuals to Android, lets you fix it to your liking
Within the past few weeks alone, we've spotted the cautious hands of the folks over at iFixit dive very carefully into that Retina-friendly MacBook Pro, the other MBP and, naturally, Apple's ultrathin MacBook Air. Oh, and how could we forget Google's newest slate, the Jelly Bean-loaded Nexus 7. Luckily for you, if you're a die-hard fan of all those fancy teardowns and guides, now you'll have an easier place to browse your way through them in their entirety; thanks to the site's recently launched Android application. Even better, however, the app's an open source one, allowing users to tinker with it and add any enhancements they deem necessary. The iFixit: Repair Manual application, as it's simply dubbed, is up for grabs now at no charge from the Google Play store -- link for that is just down below.
Motorola Droid RAZR hits Verizon stores, iFixit labs
It's become a rite of passage for any major smartphone -- a few hours under the knife (read: dozuki saw!), for the good 'ol iFixit teardown. Today's victim is the Motorola Droid RAZR, which happened to hit Verizon stores around the time it arrived at the iFixit labs -- so, yes, you can go pick one up today and do this yourself at home, at your own risk and $299 expense, of course. The teardown revealed that most of the key components are on one side of the motherboard, where you'll find the Toshiba THGBM4G7D2GBAIE 16GB EMMC flash memory module, Samsung K3PE7E700M-XGC1 4GB LPDDR2 RAM, Qualcomm MDM6600 dual-mode baseband/RF transceiver, Motorola T6VP0XBG-0001 LTE processor and other goodies like the combo Bluetooth/WiFi/GPS receiver. Wondering what else Motorola was able to pack neatly below that 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display? Hit up the source link for the full iFixit teardown.
Creative's 7-inch ZiiO tablet hits the FCC, ripped into component circuitry
Creative hasn't gone public with a US release window for its Ziio tablets, but it's probably only a matter of time -- the 7-inch model arrived at the FCC this week, complete with user manual and lovely snapshots of its innards all laid out. There's no mistaking that ZiiLABS ZMS-08 system-on-a-chip front and center, flanked by four slabs of NAND flash from Hynix Semiconductor, and in the upper left-hand corner you can even see the AzureWave chip responsible for its 802.11 b/g WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth functions. None of this simple beauty can make up for the fact that a resistive touchscreen is calling all the shots, but battery life should be relatively long -- FCC documentation describes a chunky 5,000mAh lithium-ion cell, images of which are below. Also pictured: the FCC squishing the poor device into copious amounts of styrofoam. %Gallery-108254%
New 11.6-inch MacBook Air ripped to pieces, exposing proprietary parts
The entire world saw the 13-inch MacBook Air exposed to the elements before it was announced on stage, but its 11.6-inch younger brother is just now getting the teardown treatment. iFixit tore the tiny machine asunder, and found even more miniature battery packs nestled in its 0.68-inch-thick frame. Like Apple's previous Air, the components here are proprietary, and the 2GB memory module's actually soldered to the board -- some tradeoffs had to be made for miniaturization, we suppose, and we can't deny the result is a beautiful machine inside and out. On the plus side, the Toshiba solid state drive seems to be modular, so there's some modest upgrade potential there if you can find a supplier of the mini-SATA boards. Still, kids -- don't try this at home.
FCC tears apart the new iPod touch, while iFixit wistfully looks on
We're not quite sure when the Federal Communications Commission got into the habit of tearing devices limb from limb after testing their wireless radiation levels, but we have to say we're loving the trend -- and there's quite nothing like peering into the juicy innards of a new Apple device. Here, the FCC got its greasy paws on the new Retina Display-packing iPod touch, aka "Apple A1367," and in the gallery below you can see exactly where Cupertino keeps that A4 processor, 3.44 watt-hour battery, internal antenna, and 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz WiFi. %Gallery-101043%
iFixit: a teardown of the guys behind the teardowns
You've undoubtedly seen iFixit's teardowns -- but you may not know anything about the men (and women?) who do the actual work. The company was started about 7 years ago, and currently employs 25 people. Its founders, Kyle Wiens and Luke Soules started after meeting at Cal Poly, and sell electronics parts to DIY-ers. They told the LA Times that iFixit's teardowns are actually "PR stunts" to attract potential customers. Still, iFixit's expertise and attention to detail has certainly grown over time, and we're really glad they have the heart to rip apart all the things we love, so that we don't have to.
