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Cracking Open
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DIY desktops are dead in business and dying in the home
Declining PC sales, fewer discrete components, and the proliferation of mobile devices are pushing the homebrew PC market into obscurity.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 24, 2013, 8:22 AM PDT
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Google Glass teardown reveals hits and misses on repairability
Bill Detwiler cracks open Google Glass and discovers the wearable computer's sturdy construction also makes repairs impractical.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 14, 2013, 8:06 AM PDT
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Samsung Galaxy S4 teardown reveals redesigned interior, easier-to-fix phone
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Samsung Galaxy S4, explores the redesigned interior and shows you why it's easier to repair than previous Galaxy phones.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 6, 2013, 1:08 PM PDT
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Pricey Chromebook Pixel: Built well but impractical to upgrade
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Google Chromebook Pixel and shows you why it's easy to open and service, but nearly impossible to upgrade.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 14, 2013, 1:25 PM PDT
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Difficult-to-repair Surface Pro built more like an ultrabook than a tablet
Bill Detwiler cracks open the difficult-to-repair Microsoft Surface Pro and shows you how it's built more like a laptop or ultrabook than a tablet.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 21, 2013, 6:59 PM PST
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Nexus 4 teardown: Easy-open case hides LTE hardware surprise
Bill Detwiler shows you how to crack open the LG-built, Google Nexus 4 and uncovers a hardware surprise inside.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 11, 2013, 1:35 PM PST
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Top five Cracking Open teardowns of 2012
Bill Detwiler counts down his favorite Cracking Open teardowns of 2012, which include the mediocre Lumia 900, a $7,000 PC, and difficult-to-repair MacBook Pro.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | December 18, 2012, 6:48 AM PST
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HP Z820 Workstation: Tool-less case makes teardown a snap
Bill Detwiler cracks open the HP Z820 using nothing but his hands and shows you what's inside this desktop powerhouse.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | December 7, 2012, 12:37 PM PST
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iPad Mini more difficult to repair than larger iPad
Bill Detwiler shows you how to disassemble the iPad Mini and explains why it's actually more difficult to crack open and repair than the iPad.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | November 12, 2012, 8:17 AM PST
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Microsoft Surface built solid, but design lacks polish
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Surface for Windows RT. Inside Microsoft's tablet, he finds easy-to-replace components, but an often-annoying hardware layout.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | November 5, 2012, 6:54 PM PST
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Apple October surprise: iPad Mini sticker shock, iPad hardware refresh, and more
Bill Detwiler gives you the details and his first-take hardware analysis on the new iPad Mini, fourth-generation iPad, 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, redesigned iMac, and updated Mac Mini.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | October 23, 2012, 6:12 PM PDT
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PS3 Super Slim teardown reveals hardware changes, but no real upgrades
Bill Detwiler cracks open the PlayStation 3 Super Slim, shows you how Sony redesigned the popular gaming console, and compare the new machine to older PS3 models.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | October 11, 2012, 7:50 PM PDT
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iPhone 5 teardown: Redesigned case and interior simplify repairs
Bill Detwiler tears down the iPhone 5 and shows you how its redesigned case and interior hardware layout make the phone easier to disassemble and repair.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | September 25, 2012, 4:38 PM PDT
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Kindle Fire HD teardown reveals repair-ready tablet with minor annoyances
Bill Detwiler disassembles the Amazon Kindle Fire HD and shows you why it's easy to crack open and how it compares to the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | September 20, 2012, 12:54 PM PDT
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iPhone 5 lacks killer feature, still impresses
The iPhone 5 lacks one big killer feature. But, Bill Detwiler explains why the phone's hardware improvements and iOS 6, make the iPhone 5 an impressive device.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | September 12, 2012, 5:21 PM PDT
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How to replace a broken laptop screen
A cracked screen can make a laptop unusable. Luckily, you can fix it. Bill Detwiler gives you step-by-step instructions for replacing a broken laptop LCD panel.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | September 6, 2012, 1:31 PM PDT
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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 teardown shows rigid, repair-friendly design
Bill Detwiler disassembles the Galaxy Note 10.1 and shows you why it's easy to service and an improvement over the 10-inch Galaxy Tab.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | August 30, 2012, 12:48 PM PDT
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Teardown reveals Chromebox Series 3 isn't your average desktop
The Samsung Chromebox Series 3 may look like a Mac Mini, but it's not. Bill Detwiler explains why this Chrome OS machine isn't your typical desktop.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | August 23, 2012, 3:21 PM PDT
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Five ways manufacturers make devices hard to repair
Bill Detwiler shows you five ways manufactures are making our gadgets harder to fix and gives you tips on working around these self-repair roadblocks.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | August 16, 2012, 10:27 AM PDT
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MacBook Air 11-inch (2012) teardown reveals upgraded hardware, same battery/internal design
Bill Detwiler tears down the 2012, 11-inch MacBook Air and shows you how Apple upgraded its hardware without changing the internal design.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | August 9, 2012, 8:46 AM PDT
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DIY desktops are dead in business and dying in the home
Declining PC sales, fewer discrete components, and the proliferation of mobile devices are pushing the homebrew PC market into obscurity.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 24, 2013, 8:22 AM PDT
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Samsung Galaxy S4 teardown reveals redesigned interior, easier-to-fix phone
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Samsung Galaxy S4, explores the redesigned interior and shows you why it's easier to repair than previous Galaxy phones.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 6, 2013, 1:08 PM PDT
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How to replace a broken laptop screen
A cracked screen can make a laptop unusable. Luckily, you can fix it. Bill Detwiler gives you step-by-step instructions for replacing a broken laptop LCD panel.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | September 6, 2012, 1:31 PM PDT
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Google Glass teardown reveals hits and misses on repairability
Bill Detwiler cracks open Google Glass and discovers the wearable computer's sturdy construction also makes repairs impractical.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 14, 2013, 8:06 AM PDT
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Nexus 4 teardown: Easy-open case hides LTE hardware surprise
Bill Detwiler shows you how to crack open the LG-built, Google Nexus 4 and uncovers a hardware surprise inside.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 11, 2013, 1:35 PM PST
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PS3 Super Slim teardown reveals hardware changes, but no real upgrades
Bill Detwiler cracks open the PlayStation 3 Super Slim, shows you how Sony redesigned the popular gaming console, and compare the new machine to older PS3 models.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | October 11, 2012, 7:50 PM PDT
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Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 teardown reveals efficient hardware layout and replaceable battery
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Android tablet has a case that's easy to open, clean internal design, and replaceable battery.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | April 26, 2012, 2:08 PM PDT
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Samsung Galaxy S III teardown reveals easy-open case, difficult-to-fix display
Getting inside the Galaxy S III is easy, but Bill Detwiler shows you why replacing the front panel or display isn't.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | June 21, 2012, 11:34 AM PDT
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Apple's next-generation Macbook Pro drops Ethernet, optical drive
Apple's next-generation MacBook Pro lacks an Ethernet port or optical drive. Bill Detwiler explains why one missing feature will add $29 to laptop's already high cost.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | June 12, 2012, 8:56 AM PDT
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Pricey Chromebook Pixel: Built well but impractical to upgrade
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Google Chromebook Pixel and shows you why it's easy to open and service, but nearly impossible to upgrade.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 14, 2013, 1:25 PM PDT
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Five things you should know before trying to fix a smartphone or tablet
Bill Detwiler shares essential advice for everyone who wants to repair a cracked iPad screen or broken smartphone.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 24, 2012, 1:44 PM PDT
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HTC One X teardown reveals an internal design that isn't DIY repair friendly
Bill Detwiler cracks open the HTC One X, finding an internal design that isn't exactly DIY repair-friendly and a difficult-to-replace battery.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 10, 2012, 1:38 PM PDT
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Teardown shows Retina MacBook Pro is nearly impossible to upgrade, difficult to work on
Bill Detwiler shows you why the MacBook Pro with Retina Display is nearly impossible to upgrade, a pain to work on, and lacks an essential Pro feature.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | July 5, 2012, 10:08 PM PDT
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Difficult-to-repair Surface Pro built more like an ultrabook than a tablet
Bill Detwiler cracks open the difficult-to-repair Microsoft Surface Pro and shows you how it's built more like a laptop or ultrabook than a tablet.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 21, 2013, 6:59 PM PST
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MacBook Air 11-inch (2012) teardown reveals upgraded hardware, same battery/internal design
Bill Detwiler tears down the 2012, 11-inch MacBook Air and shows you how Apple upgraded its hardware without changing the internal design.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | August 9, 2012, 8:46 AM PDT
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Acer Aspire S3 Teardown: Good hardware, lackluster construction
The Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook is thin, light and feature rich. But, its build quality and battery life are less than one expects in a premium laptop.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | January 5, 2012, 6:36 PM PST
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Toshiba Excite 10 teardown reveals pure tablet hardware and design
Bill Detwiler cracked open the Excite 10 and found the hardware and internal design of a true tablet, unlike the very laptop-like Toshiba Thrive.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | June 7, 2012, 2:01 PM PDT
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Asus Transformer Prime Teardown: Solid tablet, but not without flaws
The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime is a solid Android tablet, but its case is tricky to open and quality control during assembly needs improvement.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 9, 2012, 1:20 PM PST
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iPhone 5 teardown: Redesigned case and interior simplify repairs
Bill Detwiler tears down the iPhone 5 and shows you how its redesigned case and interior hardware layout make the phone easier to disassemble and repair.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | September 25, 2012, 4:38 PM PDT
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Nokia Lumia 900 teardown reveals mediocre hardware, reasons for great price
Nokia's Lumia 900 is an attractive Windows Phone handset, but TechRepublic uncovers hardware that's a step behind the Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4S.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | April 3, 2012, 6:00 PM PDT
