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Cracking Open
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Future iPhones, iPads could include fingerprint scanner
Apple's acquisition of AuthenTec could mean future iPhone and iPads will have fingerprint scanners, be more enterprise-friendly.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | July 30, 2012, 8:12 AM PDT | Latest comment by mhoff1387
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$7000 HP Z1 teardown reveals all-in-one that's easy to service, packed with high-end hardware
Bill Detwiler cracks open a $7,000 HP Z1 all-in-one workstation and discovers a machine that's easy to service, packed with high-end hardware, and engineered to be cool and quiet.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | July 26, 2012, 1:18 PM PDT | Latest comment by Trilln451
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How to replace a broken screen on your iPhone
Cracking your iPhone's front glass or the display might not stop it from working, but can make it difficult and unsafe to use. Here's a step-by-step guide to fixing a broken front panel on your...
Posted by Bill Detwiler | July 16, 2012, 11:21 AM PDT | Latest comment by mpickeri@...
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Google charges hefty premium for 16GB Nexus 7 storage
Nexus 7 hardware cost breakdown shows that Google charges a $50 premium for $7.50 worth of extra storage.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | July 12, 2012, 1:53 PM PDT | Latest comment by Computer Dave
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MacBook Air (2012) teardown reveals better hardware, unchanged battery/internal design
Bill Detwiler shows you how Apple made the 2012 MacBook Air more powerful without changing the internal design.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | July 11, 2012, 12:47 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 | Latest comment by steadfastiandi
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How to replace a broken front panel on your iPad 2 or iPad 3
Breaking the glass on your iPad may not stop it from working, but can make it difficult and unsafe to use. Here's a step-by-step guide to fixing a broken front panel on your iPad 2 or iPad 3.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | June 28, 2012, 1:46 PM PDT | Latest comment by Al_nyc
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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 | Latest comment by Aditi Gupta
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Microsoft announces Surface Windows tablets, leaves unanswered questions
Microsoft is launching its own line of Windows-based tablets called Microsoft Surface. Bill Detwiler gives you a rundown on what we know, and what we don't.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | June 18, 2012, 9:34 PM PDT | Latest comment by Gisabun
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Evo 4G LTE teardown reveals differences, similarities with HTC One X
Despite being Sprint's version of the HTC One X, Bill Detwiler's teardown of the Evo 4G LTE reveals several important differences.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | June 14, 2012, 1:03 PM PDT | Latest comment by John.Schupp
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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 | Latest comment by anil_g
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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 | Latest comment by wrex@...
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Iconia Tab A510 teardown reveals positives and negatives for DIY repair
During his teardown of the Acer Iconia Tab A510, Bill Detwiler found a good-sized battery, individually-replaceable components, and lots of yellow tape.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 30, 2012, 12:50 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 | Latest comment by suncatTR
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Nook GlowLight teardown reveals secrets behind integrated light and lower weight
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight and shows you how Barnes and Noble reduced the e-reader's weight and gave it an integrated light.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 17, 2012, 12:52 PM PDT | Latest comment by rocket ride
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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 | Latest comment by JD1500
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Galaxy Tab 7.7 teardown reveals lots of Samsung's homegrown hardware
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Galaxy Tab 7.7 and finds an Android tablet packed with Samsung's own hardware.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | May 3, 2012, 12:43 PM PDT | Latest comment by marbo100
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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 | Latest comment by mstooley
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Nokia achieved Lumia 900's $209 bill of materials with single-core processor, low RAM
Windows Phone 7.5 and low hardware costs help Nokia hit aggressive $99 price point for Lumia 900.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | April 23, 2012, 11:50 AM PDT
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Titan II teardown shows replaceable battery, similarities with Lumia 900
Bill Detwiler cracks open the HTC Titan II and finds a unique twin-circuit-board design, replaceable battery, and simple-to-open case.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | April 19, 2012, 7:15 PM PDT | Latest comment by gmosaics
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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 | Latest comment by awolf@...
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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 | Latest comment by galaxycomptr@...
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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 | Latest comment by Bill Detwiler - TechRepublic
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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 | Latest comment by jeffeyg@...
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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 | Latest comment by pallab1981
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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 | Latest comment by mstooley
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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 | Latest comment by Aditi Gupta
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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 | Latest comment by anil_g
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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 | Latest comment by tdrane
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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 | Latest comment by suncatTR
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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 | Latest comment by JD1500
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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 | Latest comment by steadfastiandi
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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 | Latest comment by psmithers@...
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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 | Latest comment by Nitramd
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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 | Latest comment by shriek11
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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 | Latest comment by wrex@...
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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 | Latest comment by Animal13
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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 | Latest comment by pherphy
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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 | Latest comment by madstork91
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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 | Latest comment by joanniejp
