Teardowns I've Worked On

Guides I've Contributed To

My Favorite Guides

Completed Guides

Questions

Answers

  • Answer to: upgrading ram & processor of nokia n8 handset

    As far as I know, this cannot be done. Most cell phones are not upgradeable.

  • Answer to: scratched back of iphone... how to replace?

    We sell the rear panel here.

  • Answer to: Changing HDD 5400rpm to 10000rpm in MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)

    No, you cannot install a drive taller than 9.5 mm in the MacBook Pro.

  • Answer to: Is there a guide to part numbers, classes, and components?

    It's definitely hard. We've done all this research, and incorporated it into our ID-Your-Mac system. It's far more complex than it looks on the surface—as you've found out. We have more information we could make available, but it's not in a very user-friendly format.

  • Answer to: What options to remove extremely tight bluetooth aerial screw?

    1) Make sure you have the right screwdriver. Drivers and screws can vary, so the best way is to check it yourself. 2) Put a dab of superglue on the tip of the screwdriver, hold it for a few seconds to let it bond, then use a lot of downward pressure as you rotate. 3) If that fails, use a dremel to cut a notch in to the screw, then use a flathead screwdriver to remove it. Cover the rest of the machine with plastic first so the metal shavings don't touch any electrical components. Also see this post about stripped screw technique.

  • Answer to: Where can I buy one of these pentalobe tools

    No, it's not the same as the MacBook Air. This is the screwdriver you need for the Air. We have just gotten our hands on some iPhone 4 compatible pentalobe screwdrivers. We'll be adding more information about them soon, and they should be shipping in the next week or two. Add your name to the notify list on that product and we'll email you as soon as they're ready to ship.

  • Answer to: Can I modify an iPad and increase the memory to 128GB?

    No. The NAND flash is soldered to the main board, and it does not have an interface that's compatible with an SSD (or space inside for a drive). It is hypothetically possible to replace the flash chips with larger capacity chips, but that would require a sophisticated surface mount de/soldering setup. In English: a semiconductor company could do it, but probably not an individual.

  • Answer to: Missing screw hole at chinese backcase copy

    Alas, we don't provide support for third party parts. If you can't figure out how to install it, then you might have to get a better quality part.

  • Answer to: Getting the back off

    Use more force. You have a much higher risk of denting the cover, but that may be the price you have to pay. Try a sharp metal tool / razor blade, or file down the edge of a stiff guitar pick to get in there. Don't hurt yourself!

  • Answer to: replacemnet battery for 30GB I pod

    Yes, we sell iPod parts. You'll need to identify which model you have first.

Notes

  • Microsoft Kinect Teardown

    It was convenient. We didn't have an NES controller laying around, but we did have the Virtual Boy controller from our teardown in August.

  • Old Bomgar B200 (was Network Streaming) Teardown

    I have never seen a teardown on a deck before! Very cool.

  • 3D Force 2-MX Graphic Card

    This is good information, but we really need more depth on this as well as some better photos before we make it public. If you keep working on it, we'll promote it once it's complete.

  • iPhone 4 Teardown

    That CDMA information was incorrectly copied from a different report. My apologies; it has been removed.

  • iPhone 4 Teardown

    That information was incorrectly copied from a different report. My apologies; it has been removed.

  • iPad 3G Teardown

    Quote from Francis:

    Please, where exactly is the A-GPS chipset on the com. board?

    It's the Broadcom part in the top-left of the board, to the left of the Skyworks chip.

  • Commodore 1341 Joystick Teardown

    Great photo!

  • Apple A4 Teardown

    The exact quote in the article is "The proximity of the chips suggests that Samsung also manufactured the A4 for Apple." I think that's a fair assessment. Hopefully we'll find out tomorrow for sure.

  • iPad Wi-Fi Teardown

    Quote from Steffen Itterheim:

    Ok we're looking at two chips here, i get it. 2 Gigabits per chip times two equals 512 MB.

    That's what we originally thought, but it turns out there are two 1 Gb chips, for only 256 MB total. Consistent with software reports. Sorry to get your hopes up!

  • iPad FCC Teardown

    Most of the photos were inverted; we're fixing them all now and will be uploading soon.