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Not since the iPhone or
iPad has a gadget generated more buzz than Google Glass. So of course I wanted to take it apart and explore its internal hardware. Unfortunately, as I’ll show you, this version of Google Glass wasn’t built to be easily dissected or repaired.

According to Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Glass is still “probably a yearish away” from hitting store shelves. But true to the company’s iterative development style, Google is shipping 10,000 or so Explorer Edition units to developers, beta testers, and winners of Google’s “If I Had Glass” contest. And while the company might make a few tweaks to the product before launch, these test units still give us a good idea of what to expect in terms of overall design and hardware.

The Google Glass specs page says that Glass has a 5-megapixel camera that can shoot video in 720p. It supports 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Audio is provided by a bone-conduction transducer, and the display is “the equivalent of a 25-inch high-definition screen from 8 feet away.” As for buttons and connectors, Glass has a Listen button, an on/off button, a capture button, a touch-sensitive area, and a Micro-USB port for charging. There’s also a status LED and rear-facing sensor array.

Google notes that Glass has 16GB of flash storage (12GB of which are available to the user). But, the company doesn’t specify which processor the unit uses or how much RAM it has. And normally this wouldn’t be a problem. As fans of Cracking Open know, this is the point where I show you how to pop off the gadget’s cover and get to the tech inside. Unfortunately, Glass was less than cooperative.

Cracking Open observations

• Removable frame and nose piece: Cracking open Google Glass begins by removing the frame and nose piece. Thanks to a single Torx T5 screw, this process is relatively simple.

• Easy-to-remove eyepiece cover: Removing the eyepiece’s plastic housing, which covers the camera and display assembly, was also relatively simple.
• No easy way to open repair main and rear modules: Unfortunately, this is where my cracking open came to a screeching halt. I tried everything I could think of to get inside Glass’ main and rear modules. Prying, poking, even heating. Nothing worked. And because I wasn’t given the green light to destroy this unit during my teardown, cutting the plastic off wasn’t an option.

So what are the CPU and RAM specs for Glass?
Developer Jay Lee used an
Android debugging utility to pull information on the Glass CPU and RAM from the device’s operating system. If his information is accurate, Glass has a Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 processor (which was also used in the Amazon
Kindle Fire) and 1GB of RAM. Given what other developers and journalists have posted online, Glass also appears to have a host of sensors, including a gyroscope, accelerometer, and ambient light sensor.

Bottom line
I know this Cracking Open wasn’t as thorough as most. And I hate not being able to show you the circuit boards and chips inside Google Glass. But as there are so few of the Explore Edition units available and given that they cost $1,500 each, I just couldn’t risk damaging the device.

Perhaps that’s the biggest takeaway from this “sort-of” teardown. Glass is a mixed bag when it comes to repairability. The titanium frame and nose piece are simple to replace. And given the eyepiece’s construction, it’s not inconceivable that it, too, could be removed and replaced. But I don’t see any way to safely get inside the main or rear modules. If they break, you’ll likely need a complete replacement.

A more detailed version of this story was first published on TechRepublic’s Cracking Open.

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With its 1080p screen, 13-megapixel camera, and quad-core processor, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is packed with impressive hardware. On this episode of Cracking Open, I explore the phone’s redesigned interior and show you why it is easier to disassemble and repair than its predecessors.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Full TechRepublic teardown gallery: Cracking Open the Google Samsung Galaxy S4

Despite its larger screen and new internals, the Galaxy S4 is nearly identical to last year’s Galaxy S3 model in size, shape, and external design. The new phone has a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1,920×1,080 pixels at 441ppi. Our ATT version has a 1.9GHz Snapdragon 600 processor from Qualcomm, 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, a microSD card slot, an 18-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, NFC support, and even an IR blaster so you can use it as a TV remote.

A variant without LTE is available with Samsung’s own 1.6GHz eight-core Exynos 5 Octa processor. And buyers in South Korea, the phone maker’s home country, will even be able to get an LTE version with a 1.8GHz version of the Exynos 5 Octa processor.

For more information on the Galaxy S4, including real-world tests and pricing information, check out Jessica Dolcourt’s full CNET review.

And not only does the new Galaxy have some of the most impressive specs among
Android handsets, it’s one of the easiest to disassemble and repair.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Cracking Open observations

• Easy to crack open: Because the battery is user-replaceable, the back cover can be popped off with just a fingernail. After removing a few Phillips screws, you can pop the internal circuit board cover off with a thin plastic tool, metal blade, or the aforementioned nail. And voila, you’re inside the phone.

• Redesigned interior: Compared with the Galaxy S3, Samsung redesigned the interior of the S4. The main system board is located at the top of the handset instead of the bottom. The battery compartment has been shifted down. And instead of a single board running the length of the phone, the S4 has a main board and a daughter board.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

• More discrete internal components: I criticized Samsung for joining several of the Galaxy S3′s internal components with a single ribbon cable and gluing that cable to the front-panel assembly. Because of this construction method, if one part broke you had to replace all the attached parts. The S4 does have a few component clusters, but they are smaller and more localized — no long ribbon cables.

• Fused front panel and display: As is common with modern smartphones, the Galaxy S4′s front panel and actual display are fused together. If one breaks, you’ll likely need to replace both.

• Replacing front panel/display assembly: And you’ll need to remove all the other internal components in the process.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Bottom line
Having cracked open the original Galaxy S, S2, S3, and now the S4, I’m impressed by the hardware improvements and design refinements Samsung has made with each new model. The S4 is a worthy addition to the Galaxy line, and it’s one of the easiest phones to disassemble that I’ve worked on in a long time.

(A more detailed version of this story was first published on TechRepublic’s Cracking Open.)

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Unlike Chromebooks from Samsung, Acer, and HP, the Google-designed Pixel has both high-end hardware and a high-end price tag. On this week’s episode of Cracking Open, I go inside the Pixel and show you why it’s easy to service, but nearly impossible to upgrade.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Full TechRepublic teardown gallery: Cracking Open the Google Chromebook Pixel

With pricing that starts at $1,299, the Pixel costs five times more than the top-selling $249 Samsung Chromebook. Why the huge difference? Hardware. The base-model Pixel ($1,299) has a third-generation 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Graphics HD 4000, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 32GB solid-state drive (SSD), and a touch-sensitive 12.85-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio (2,560×1,700-pixel resolution at 239 ppi). An LTE-equipped Pixel with 64GB of local storage is available for $1,449.

For more information on the Pixel, including real-world tests, check out Seth Rosenblatt’s full CNET review.

Not only is the Pixel the best-equipped Chromebook on the market, its thin profile and sleek design make it the best-looking. But that’s all on the outside. I’m more interested in how the machine is put together.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Cracking Open observations

• Easy-open case: Those comfortable working on laptops should have no trouble cracking open the Pixel. The case’s bottom cover is held to the body with four screws (hidden beneath the unit’s rubber feet) and two metal clips (one on each side of the cover). Once the screws are removed, you can pop the clips loose with a thin metal or plastic tool.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

• Clean internal hardware layout: The Pixel’s internal hardware layout isn’t quite as clean as the Apple MacBook Air‘s design, but it’s not bad. The 59Wh Li-ion battery is located at the front of the case, with speakers on either side. The motherboard and cooling assembly run along the back.

• Built solidly but impractical to upgrade: Overall, the Chromebook Pixel is built as well as other high-end, ultrathin machines. And cracking it open wasn’t difficult. But, as with many laptops these days, there isn’t much you can do once you get inside the case. Nearly everything is soldered to the motherboard and there really isn’t anything to upgrade.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

$1,300 for a Chromebook?
As for whether the Pixel is right for you, that’s a tough question. It certainly has the hardware of a high-end laptop. But other than the touch screen, I’m not sure how much that hardware really improves the user experience. If the point of Google’s Chrome OS is to have the cloud be your hard drive and handle the heavy lifting for most tasks, do you really need $1,300 in hardware? I think the jury is still out on that.

(A more detailed version of this story was first published on TechRepublic’s Cracking Open.)

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When Microsoft built the Surface Pro, the designers packed the power of an ultrabook in the body of a
tablet. Unfortunately, they also made the device nearly impossible for a typical consumer or even an in-house tech to service and repair. On this week’s episode of Cracking Open, I take you inside the Surface Pro.

Full TechRepublic teardown gallery: Cracking Open the Microsoft Surface Pro

More ultrabook than tablet
From a hardware standpoint, Microsoft’s Surface Pro is more like an ultrabook or convertible laptop than a tablet.

The 10.6-inch display has a true 16:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1,920×1,080 pixels. It has stereo speakers, a microSD card slot, a full-size USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort, and two 720p cameras.

On the inside, it has a 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 CPU with HD 4000 graphics, 4GB of 1,600MHz DDR3 RAM, and a 42Wh battery.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

For more information on the Surface, including real-world tests and pricing, check out Scott Stein’s full CNET review.

The Surface Pro comes in 64GB and 128GB models, and I strongly recommend getting the larger one. In a statement to CNET, Microsoft said that out of the box, the 64GB Pro has only 23GB of available storage.

Given its laptoplike hardware, it’s not surprising that the Surface Pro weighs a hefty 2 pounds, which is significantly more than other tablets. Like the Surface RT, the Pro is well-built and feels sturdy in your hands. Unfortunately, it’s also much more difficult to disassemble and service.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Cracking Open observations

• Difficult, time-consuming to open: The Surface Pro’s front panel/display assembly is held to the tablet’s body with very strong adhesive. To open the device, you’ll need to use a heat gun, hair dryer, or other method to heat the adhesive tape and release the panel. This is a slow, tedious process. It took me nearly an hour. But if you rush, you risk damaging the tablet.

• Too many internal screws: I was glad to find that most internal components were held in place with screws. This usually makes disassembling a device easier than if parts are attached with glue. But Microsoft went a little crazy with the screws. There are dozens of them, and they range in size from Torx T2 to T5. I highly recommend cataloging the location of the screws as you remove them.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

• Replaceable battery: The Surface Pro’s 42Wh lithium ion battery isn’t soldered to the motherboard and can be replaced. Unfortunately, there’s so much glue holding it to the back cover that it’s difficult to remove.

• Modular components: Most internal parts, such as the headphone jack and volume button assembly, speakers, keyboard connector, power connector, and cameras, are separate components and can be replaced individually.

• Fused front panel and display: Like the Surface RT, the LCD and front glass panel are basically fused together and separating them isn’t practical.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Bottom line
After cracking open the consumer-targeted Surface RT, I hoped that Microsoft would make the more business-targeted, and nearly twice as expensive, Surface Pro easier to disassemble and service. It isn’t.

In fact, Microsoft took one of worst tablet design elements (a glued-on front panel) and married it with one of the worst laptop elements (an overabundance of screws) to create a device that’s more difficult to crack open than even the Apple iPad.

There’s no denying that Microsoft is making a bold effort to bridge the gap between tablets and laptops with this device. But as Jason Hiner wrote in his TechRepublic review, the Surface Pro “doesn’t quite stand out enough at either function.”

A more detailed version of this story was first published on TechRepublic’s Cracking Open.

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Google’s Nexus 4 offers a pure
Android experience on an unlocked device, at a great no-contract price. It’s also fairly easy to disassemble and hides a bit of a hardware secret inside.

Full TechRepublic teardown gallery: Cracking Open the Google Nexus 4

The Nexus 4 has a 4.7-inch IPS display (1,280×768-pixel resolution at 320 ppi), 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, 2GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel main camera, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, and it comes in 8GB and 16GB versions.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Given its hardware specifications, the Nexus 4 can definitely hold its own against other high-end smartphones. And with its support for NFC and wireless charging, LG’s handset is even a step ahead of many devices. What the Nexus 4 doesn’t have is LTE support — at least not officially.

Overall, it’s well-built, feels sturdy in your hands, and is fairly easy to take apart.

For more information on the Nexus 4, including real-world tests and pricing, check out Lynn La’s full CNET review.

Cracking Open observations

• Simple to open and disassemble: Once you remove a pair of clearly visible external screws (Torx T5), the Nexus 4′s back cover comes off without much resistance. The internal screws can be removed with a Phillips #00 bit. My only complaint about the phone’s construction is the copious amount of adhesive used to hold the battery in place.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

• Replaceable battery: Despite being glued down, the 3.8V, 2,100mAh lithium ion battery is replaceable.

• Clean internal layout and modular components: The phone’s interior has a straightforward design that makes removing internal components a snap. Also, many internal parts, such as the headphone jack and front sensor assembly, cameras, and Micro-USB daughterboard, are separate components and can be replaced individually.

• Fused front panel, display, and internal frame: At one time, I criticized manufacturers for fusing a device’s LCD panel to the front glass. If one component broke, you had to replace both. But having spent too much time removing tiny pieces of dust from between the two, I’ve changed my mind.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

• Hidden LTE hardware support (sort of): Despite all its high-end hardware, the Nexus 4 lacks one increasingly common feature of top-of-the-line smartphones: LTE support. Last October, Scott Webster wrote about the Nexus 4′s lack of LTE support on CNET. Likewise, Lynn La criticized the device for not supporting LTE in her review. But a closer look at the phone’s modem reveals that this may not be the case, at least for some Nexus 4 owners. According to Qualcomm’s Web site, the Nexus 4′s MDM9215M modem does support LTE. AnandTech found that the Nexus 4 does support LTE on Band 4, which operates in the 1,700/2,100MHz spectrum. And, there are reports of people connecting to Band 4 LTE networks — mostly in Canada. There’s no guarantee, however, that it will work for you in your area or that the functionality won’t be disabled at some point. So, even with this modem, there’s still no real LTE support.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Bottom line
The Nexus 4 may not have the stylish design of Samsung’s Galaxy S3 or the outstanding battery life of Motorola’s Droid Razr Maxx HD, but it’s a solid phone and one that’s not too difficult to crack open. And at $299 unlocked without a contract, it’s definitely priced right.

A more detailed version of this story was first published on TechRepublic’s Cracking Open.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/mmxNg3pKVn0/

From smartphones and
tablets to a $7,000 desktop, we’ve cracked open a lot of tech this year. And as is the tradition at the end of each year, it’s time to take a look at a few of our favorites. During this special episode of Cracking Open, I’m counting down my top five teardowns of 2012.

5. Nokia Lumia 900

First on our list is the
Nokia Lumia 900. Released in the spring, this Windows Phone device was Nokia’s attempt to recapture some of the American smartphone market.

Unfortunately, as we discovered during our teardown, the phone’s hardware just wasn’t up to par with the competition. I went so far as to call it mediocre. So why did I include our 900 teardown on this list? Because it’s probably this year’s best example of why knowing what’s inside a device is an important factor in deciding whether to buy one.

Just two months after releasing the Lumia 900, we learned that it wouldn’t be upgradable to Windows Phone 8. And despite huge marketing pushes from Nokia, Microsoft, and ATT (including a 50 percent price cut three months after launch), the phone never took off. Like the phone’s hardware, sales were just mediocre.

4. HP Z1 Workstation

In the fourth spot is one of the most expensive items I’ve ever cracked open — a $7,000+ HP Z1 Workstation.

The Z1 was unlike any other all-in-one on the market. It was packed with high-end hardware and designed to be both upgrade- and repair-friendly. Its unique stand let the machine lie flat (for easy hardware access) and the case opened more like the hood of a
car than a computer. You could remove most of the internal components without using tools. And despite having six fans, it was remarkably quiet.

HP Z1 Workstation

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

This machine was definitely one of the most unique, and enjoyable, teardowns of 2012.

3. Google Nexus 7

Third on our list is the highly anticipated Google Nexus 7. Assembled by Asus, the first Google-designed tablet had solid hardware, a good design, and a great price ($199). As I discovered, it was also a snap to crack open and had easily replaceable hardware.

Even with the release of the Kindle Fire HD, iPad Mini, and Nook HD, CNET tablet reviewer Eric Franklin still believes that overall, the Nexus 7 is the best small tablet you can buy. I agree.

2. Microsoft Surface with Windows RT

The second spot on our list is held by another highly anticipated tablet — Microsoft’s Surface with Windows RT. Microsoft’s first Windows 8 tablet came with a quad-core, Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 2 gigs of RAM, and several nice features like a microSD card slot, full-size USB port, and kickstand.

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Unfortunately, it was also a pain to crack open and disassemble. As I wrote in my original review, “hopefully, the Surface with Windows Pro, which is aimed at businesses, will be more repair-friendly.”

1. Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display

We’ve reached the end of my top-teardowns list, and sitting in the top spot is Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display. Unfortunately, like the Lumia 900, this machine is on my list for all the wrong reasons.

Like all MacBook Pros, the Retina version is well-built and has solid hardware, and its display really is gorgeous. But as I discovered during my teardown, it’s also nearly impossible to upgrade — thanks to RAM that’s soldered to the motherboard. And, it’s a pain to work on, thanks to tamper-resistant pentalobe screws and a battery that’s glued to the upper half of the case.

Apple 15″ MacBook Pro with Retina display

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

This proved to be another example of why knowing how a device is put together and what’s inside is critical when deciding whether to purchase one. The last thing you want is to find out a year after you bought your Retina MacBook Pro that you can’t upgrade the memory.

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With the PlayStation 4′s launch still at least a year away, Sony wants to squeeze every bit of profit out of the PS3 and ensure that it can keep making money on the console when the next
PlayStation is released. What better way to do that than to release a redesigned version that’s slimmer and likely cheaper to make.

Full TechRepublic teardown gallery: Cracking Open the PlayStation 3 Super Slim

When launched, the PlayStation 3 Super Slim was available only as part of two bundled packages. The first bundle ($270) shipped September 25 and included a 250GB console, Uncharted 3, and a voucher for the download-only game Dust 514. The second bundle ($300) will go on sale October 30 and will contain a 500GB PS3 and Assassin’s Creed III.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
)

As of publication, Sony hasn’t said if the PS3 will be sold as a standalone console, but it’s highly likely given that the outer sleeve on the Uncharted 3 box can be removed to reveal a plain PS3 box.

For real-world tests of Sony’s redesigned console, check out Jeff Bakalar’s full CNET review of the PlayStation 3 Super Slim.

Smallest PS3 yet
The PS3 Super Slim is 20 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than the previous model. It measures 11.4×2.36×9.05 inches.

Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Like its predecessor, this PS3 has two USB ports and a hard-drive activity light along the front. Around back, you’ll find the same Ethernet, HDMI, optical audio, and PS3 AV ports found on the previous model.

Cracking Open observations

• Redesigned Blu-ray drive: The new machine’s optical drive has a manual sliding disc cover instead of a motorized slot-loading mechanism. This design likely helped Sony both cut costs and save space, but it just feels cheap and as Bakalar wrote, it’s “ultimately a step back.”

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
)

• Repositioned HDD: The original PS3′s hard drive was accessed through a panel on the side. Sony moved that access point to the front on the PS3 Slim. And now, it’s been moved back to the side. But on the Super Slim you remove the whole side panel and not just a small cover.

• Smaller power supply: Like the optical drive, the new machine’s power supply is smaller than the PS3 Slim’s. It’s also rated for fewer amps, so the new console appears to be drawing less current than its predecessors.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
)

• Smaller fan that’s more difficult to remove: Unlike with the PS3 Slim, you can’t remove the Super Slim’s fan without removing the whole motherboard assembly and then separating the shield from the motherboard. Given the Super Slim’s more compact design, it’s not surprising that the cooling fan is smaller than the one in the larger Slim.

• More compact motherboard, new components, same overall specs: Compared with the PS3 Slim’s board, the Super Slim’s board is smaller and the chips are placed closer to each other. Sony also removed the heat spreader from the Reality Synthesizer package, swapped Marvell’s discreet wireless board for a newer Marvell WLAN/Bluetooth SoC, and went with two 1GB XDR DRAM chips for the machine’s main memory instead of older machine’s four 512MB chips.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
)

Why launch a redesigned PS3 now?
After cracking open this console, it’s clear, and a bit disappointing, that Sony wasn’t trying to upgrade the PS3 line with the Super Slim, merely refine it. I realize that radically changing the hardware could compromise game compatibility, but I would have loved an extra 512MB of video/system RAM. So that raises the question, why would the company do this?

I think the decision comes down to the unit’s production cost. The new optical drive, redesigned motherboard, and all the other changes likely make the console cheaper to manufacture. And, given that Sony hasn’t lowered the price (at least not at launch), it’s making more on each unit sold. If the price does drop later this year or definitely once the PlayStation 4 is released, the lower production cost will let Sony keep making money on the PS3.

A more detailed version of this story was first published on TechRepublic’s Cracking Open.

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It may have the same general shape as its predecessor, but the iPhone 5 is taller, thinner, and lighter. And thanks to a redesigned case and interior, the device is easier to take apart and repair.

Full teardown gallery: Cracking Open the Apple iPhone 5

New design still feels familiar
In addition to changing the case and giving the phone a larger screen, Apple also repositioned the front camera, moved the headphone jack, and replaced the traditional 30-pin docking connector with the new Lightning connector. What hasn’t changed are the position of the home button, power button, ring/silent switch, volume buttons, speakers, and case screws.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Cracking Open observations

• Redesigned case eases DIY repairs: The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S weren’t difficult to open, but working on them was complicated by the phones’ design: two glass panels, separated by an internal metal frame. Luckily, Apple ditched this two-panel design in favor of a wrap-around metal case and front glass panel. You’ll still need a special screwdriver to remove the tamper-resistant pentalobe screws, but these tools are readily available on the Internet.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

• Internal layout similar to
  iPhone 4/4S: The overall hardware layout inside the iPhone 5 is very similar to the interior of the
  iPhone 4 and 4S. The speaker and docking connector assembly run along the bottom, the battery sits along the left side, the motherboard runs along the right, and the cameras are mounted at the top. (Note: If you’re wondering why everything looks backward in this comparison, remember that on the iPhone 4 and 4S you access the interior from the back; on the iPhone 5, you go in through the front.)

On the iPhone 5, you go in through the front.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

• Shields soldered to the main board: Unfortunately, the EMI/RFI shields that cover the iPhone 5′s motherboard are soldered in place. As I want to put this phone back together in working order, I refrained from breaking out the soldering iron and snips.
• (Credit:
  Bill Detwiler/TechReublic)

  Case components are easily accessible, but held in place with adhesive: The phone’s vibration motor, speaker assembly, headphone jack, Lightning connector, and lots of antenna/connector cables are attached to the case with either screws, adhesive, or both. If any of these components were damaged, removing and replacing them wouldn’t be difficult. But I don’t want to risk damaging them during removal. So, I’m going to leave them in place.

• Front-panel design simplifies fixes: Looking at the front-panel assembly, there are also examples of how the iPhone 5 is easier to repair than its predecessor. First, the home button is attached to the panel with screws. This makes it easy to replace a broken button. Second, the earpiece speaker is also held in place with screws and easily removed.
• Fused front panel and display: In the past, I’ve complained when manufacturers fused a device’s front panel to the actual display. This construction technique increases the cost of fixing a broken panel or display. If one component breaks, you must replace both. But having spent way too much time trying to remove stray pieces of dust from between the front panels and LCD screens of
  tablets and smartphones, I’ve changed my mind.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Bottom line

Evening without taking it apart, there’s a lot to like about the new iPhone 5 — a bigger screen, faster processor, LTE support, and a thinner/lighter design. That fact that it’s also easier to crack open and repair is just icing on the cake.

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With a base price of $199, Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD gives you a lot for your money. And while it’s just as easy to crack open as the original Fire, it has better hardware and a completely redesigned interior.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

The 7-inch Kindle Fire HD has a 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4460 system on a chip (SoC), 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 7-inch IPS LCD (1,280×800-pixel), and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (MIMO) support. The base model has 16GB of storage, but a 32GB version is also available. The Fire HD measures 5.4 inches by 7.6 inches by 0.4 inch and weighs 13.9 ounces.

Full TechRepublic teardown gallery: Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle Fire HD

Easy to open and disassemble
Like the original Fire, the Kindle Fire HD is a snap to crack open. With the help of a thin metal blade or plastic case-opening tool, you can pop off the back cover. No tamper-resistant screws here.

Once inside, removing the internal components is also a straightforward process. Other than a single Torx T5 screw on the battery, you can remove all the interior screws with a Phillips #00 bit. After disconnecting a few cables, you should find the battery, motherboard, speakers, headphone jack board, and internal frame all come out without much fuss.

Minor complaints

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Despite the Fire HD’s easy-open case, I have a few complaints about the
tablet‘s internal design. First, the copper tape covering the processor and RAM packages is a pain to remove. Second, you must remove the motherboard before removing the right speaker. And last, one of the Wi-Fi antennas is held to the internal frame and front panel with adhesive and must be detached to remove either part.

I usually criticize manufactures for fusing a tablet’s display and front panel. But, not this time. The Fire HD’s display and touch sensor are laminated together into a single layer of glass. This construction technique eliminates the air gap that forms when a traditional glass touch sensor is mounted over a separate LCD panel. According to Amazon, by removing this gap, the company made the screen easier to read and reduced glare.

Kindle Fire HD vs. Nexus 7 vs. Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
So how does the Fire HD stack up against other low-cost 7-inch tablets, such as the Google Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0?

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

The Fire HD Fire has a 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4460 system on a chip (SoC) and the Nexus 7 has 1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3 SoC. Despite the 4460′s support for dual-channel memory, the Tegra 3′s higher clock speed, four cores, and better GPU give the Nexus a slight edge. The Galaxy Tab trails both the other tablets with its 1GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4430 SoC.

As for RAM, all three tablets have 1GB of memory, but the Nexus 7 uses DDR3 SDRAM compared with the other tablets’ DDR2.

For storage, the base model Nexus 7 and Galaxy Tab 2 have 8GB, while the entry-level Fire HD has 16GB. The Galaxy, however, does have microSD card slot.

All three have 7-inch displays, but the Fire HD and Nexus 7′s screens operate at a resolution of 1,280×800 pixels with the Galaxy Tab at 1,024×600.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Don’t judge a tablet by hardware alone
When it comes to hardware, all three tablets have their pros and cons. If you want two cameras and expandable storage, the Galaxy Tab 2 is the way to go. If you want NFC and a Tegra 3 processor, it’s the Nexus 7. And if you want MIMO support, right and left speakers, and a base model with 16GB of storage, then the Fire HD is the one.

But honestly, you can’t judge these tablets on hardware alone. As CNET’s Eric Franklin wrote in his review, “It’s not a question of which is better. It’s more a question of which is better for you.”

Like its predecessor, the
Kindle Fire HD is really designed for heavy Amazon users and Amazon Prime subscribers.

A more detailed version of this story was first published on TechRepublic’s Cracking Open.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/NKfqsOEFs_w/

After cracking open Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 last year, I criticized Samsung for making the
tablet feel flimsy and using tamper-resistant screws on the unit’s back cover. Samsung addressed both my concerns in the 10-inch Note, but there’s still one component that’s tough to fix.

Our Note test unit had a 1.4GHz 4 Quad Exynos processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front camera, and 10.1-inch WXGA LCD (1,280×800). It was a Wi-Fi-only model, but an HSPA+ global version is also available.

The tablet measured 10.11 inches wide by 6.9 inches high by less than half an inch deep and weighed 1.29 pounds. For more information on the
Galaxy Note 10.1, including real-world use and performance tests, check out Eric Franklin’s full CNET review.

Full TechRepublic teardown gallery: Cracking Open the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Case is easy to open
Opening the Note 10.1 isn’t difficult, but there is a trick. First, remove the trim piece that runs along the device’s upper edge and the three Phillips screws underneath. Then, starting at the top and working your way down each side, pop loose the cover’s plastic tabs. With each side free, you can then lift the cover off from the top.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Hardware is accessible
The Note’s internal design is very similar to last year’s 10-inch Galaxy Tab. The battery sits in the center of the case with the motherboard at the top and speakers on either side. The ribbon cables for the digitizer, display, and docking connector run from the bottom edge, across the battery, to the motherboard. And like the Tab, most of the Note’s hardware is easy to access and can be removed with a triple-zero Phillips screwdriver.

Single-unit display/front panel assembly
Unfortunately, also like the Tab, the display and front panel assembly are a single unit. The Note’s internal frame, which holds the LCD in place, is attached to the front panel assembly using a process called thermoplastic staking. To remove the frame and get to the display, you must break these stakes. If you’re careful, you can do this without damaging the display or the internal frame. So technically, you can replace one without replacing the other. But, it’s clear that Samsung designed the screen, front panel, and frame to be replaced as a single unit.

S Pen stylus
Despite the two tablets’ similarities, there are important differences. First are the storage slot for the Note’s S Pen and the embedded contact, which tells the tablet when the stylus is in use and enables palm rejection.

(Credit:
Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic)

Feels more rigid than Galaxy Tab 10.1
Another difference is the piece of molding that runs around the tablet’s outer edge. It’s mounted between the front panel’s bezel and internal frame. The plastic stakes I mentioned earlier are actually part of this molding. The older Galaxy Tab doesn’t have this molding. Its front panel was attached directly to the internal frame. Given that the Note’s back cover feels just as flexible as the Tab’s and their internal frames are so similar, I suspect this molding helps give the new tablet a more rigid feel, which is an improvement over the Tab.

A more detailed version of this story was first published on TechRepublic’s Cracking Open.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cnet/pRza/~3/6SkWRVgc5-o/