iMac Intel 20" EMC 2266 Teardown

This guide has more recent changes. Switch to the latest unverified version.

Teardown

Teardown

Teardowns provide a look inside a device and should not be used as disassembly instructions.

  • Add Note x

We picked up the new iMac 20" from our local Apple store on March 3rd.

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 1 — iMac Intel 20" EMC 2266 Teardown  ¶ 

  • It's here!

  • We turned it on (only briefly, of course); the LCD display is beautifully clear, even though its resolution (1680x1050) is smaller than the 1920x1200 resolution found in the MacBook Pro 17" Unibody.

  • The speakers are also surprisingly loud and clear, given that the sound seemingly comes out of nowhere...

  • Feel free to comment on specific steps as we go. We'll do our best to accommodate any special requests for pictures.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • The ports:

    • Optical digital audio out / in

    • Four USB 2.0 ports

    • FireWire 800, 7 watts

    • Gigabit Ethernet

    • Mini DisplayPort (with support for DVI, dual-link DVI, and VGA)

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Look at those lovely cords. Yay for cords. Going wireless will add an extra $50 to your iMac's pricetag -- $20 for the mouse and $30 for the keyboard.

  • Apple should really have an Aluminum mouse. The included white plastic Mighty Mouse looks like something thrown in as an afterthought.

  • Our keyboard has no number pad, but in their online store Apple offers a "keyboard with numeric keypad" as a no-cost alternative to the standard one.

  • Apple confirmed that nothing from the PC world was used in the creation of this iMac, as evident by the "Everything Mac" slogan.

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • It has begun.

  • Unscrewing the single exterior screw -- the RAM cover. We brainstorm on what magical wonders may lie underneath...

  • Behold: RAM!

  • Unfortunately, this is the extent of Apple-approved user-serviceability for this iMac.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • We use only the best parts around here. Our suction cups come straight from Maranello, Italy (in Ferrari red, of course).

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2
thumb image 3

Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Fourteen magnets hold the front glass panel in place. Our suction cups were very handy for this operation.

  • The glass panel comes off with a gentle pull straight up.

  • The suction cups made removing the glass surprisingly painless. However, getting dust or fingerprints on either the glass or LCD is a concern. You must make sure both the LCD panel and glass are completely clean prior to reassembly.

  • The rear of the glass has a metallic bezel, as well as seven alignment posts. The magnets that help hold the glass in place are in the iMac's aluminum front bezel.

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • The display is less glossy now.

  • Twelve screws are exposed:

    • Eight 12.8 mm T9 Torx screws.

    • Four 24.6 mm T9 Torx screws.

  • The front bezel then simply rotates up. The microphone cable must be disconnected before the bezel is entirely free.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • It almost looks like Tim Burton joined the iMac design team...

Next » « Previous

Popular Device Products

1 TB SATA Desktop Hard Drive

$199.95 · 11 in stock

2 TB SATA Desktop Hard Drive

$249.95 · 34 in stock

PC3-8500 4 GB RAM Chip

$99.95 · 18 in stock

Arctic Silver Thermal Paste

$8.95 · 50+ in stock

Arctic Silver ArctiClean

$7.95 · 50+ in stock

Notes Add Note Notes are offturn on