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Cracking Open
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HP Omni 27 teardown reveals easy-to-service machine with respectable hardware
Bill Detwiler cracks open the HP Omni 27 all-in-one PC and examines whether it has the hardware to compete with Apple's 27-inch iMac.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | April 12, 2012, 8:03 PM PDT | Latest comment by mihaelb
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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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Apple TV 2012 Teardown: Upgraded processor, wireless chip
From the outside, the 2012 Apple TV looks like its predecessor, but on the inside it has a better processor and upgraded wireless chip.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 29, 2012, 7:00 PM PDT
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Haptic feedback touchpads and ultra-thin keyboards revealed in Apple patent applications
Apple patent applications reveal two features of future iPads, iPhones, and Macs--haptic feedback interfaces and ultra-thin keyboards.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 29, 2012, 10:19 AM PDT | Latest comment by boomchuck1
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Apple iPad 2012 Teardown: Bigger battery, better GPU, more RAM
The 2012 Apple iPad is a solid incremental upgrade that offers a brilliant display, bigger battery, better GPU, and more RAM.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 22, 2012, 1:39 PM PDT | Latest comment by jsncube@...
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Larger iPads put more money in Apple's pockets
2012 iPad hardware cost breakdown reveals that Apple charges a hefty premium for the 32GB and 64GB models.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 19, 2012, 3:01 PM PDT | Latest comment by J3
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Apple iPad 2012 Teardown: Amazing display, difficult to repair
The 2012 Apple iPad is a solid upgrade and its Retina display is amazing. But as Bill Detwiler discovered, it's still difficult to open and repair.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 16, 2012, 2:09 PM PDT | Latest comment by DBOConnor
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2012 iPad has 1GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM
Apple doubled the amount of RAM in the 2012 iPad and added a quad-core GPU, but left the CPU clock speed unchanged at 1GHz.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 13, 2012, 11:02 AM PDT | Latest comment by Vaughn Nicolson
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HP Spectre Teardown: Eye-catching, but overpriced ultrabook
The HP Envy 14 Spectre has solid hardware and a stylish design, but it's significantly more expensive than other ultrabooks.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 8, 2012, 1:52 PM PST | Latest comment by Natter Jang
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2012 iPad gets dual-core A5X with quad-core graphics
Apple's 2012 iPad has a dual-core A5X system-on-a-chip, not the quad-core A6 many expected. Bill Detwiler looks at what's likely inside the A5X SoC.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 7, 2012, 1:48 PM PST
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Boogie Board Rip Teardown: Overpriced and a few features short
The Boogie Board Rip is a solid e-writer, but two missing features and a relatively high price keep it from being a perfect pen and paper replacement.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | March 1, 2012, 11:53 AM PST | Latest comment by Bill Detwiler - TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the iPad 3 processor mystery: Dual-core A5X or quad-core A6
Does an online photo show the Apple iPad 3 with a dual-core A5X processor, instead of a quad-core A6 chip? Bill Detwiler considers the evidence.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 27, 2012, 3:18 PM PST | Latest comment by iworsfold
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Droid Razr Maxx Teardown: Impressive battery life in a sleek package
Offering 20 hours of talk time, Motorola's Droid Razr Maxx may be the answer for those who fear smartphones with non-removable batteries.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 23, 2012, 12:58 PM PST | Latest comment by tln@...
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Zenbook teardown: Blatant copy of MacBook Air
The Zenbook is a solid, Windows alternative to the MacBook Air. But, it's also a near mirror image of Apple's ultra-thin laptop, both inside and out.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 15, 2012, 8:37 PM PST | Latest comment by SHCA
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Don't blame Motorola for not wiping returned Xooms
Consumers must take responsibility for protecting their personal data and stop relying on manufacturers or retailers to wipe returned devices.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 10, 2012, 7:12 AM PST | Latest comment by Interactive Communication
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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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Cracking Open an ultrabook from 1999, the Compaq Armada M300
Ultrabook may be a new term, but thin, light laptops aren't a new. Bill Detwiler cracks open an ancestor of the ultrabook--the Compaq Armada M300.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | February 1, 2012, 1:00 AM PST | Latest comment by Bill Detwiler - TechRepublic
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New Asus Transformer Prime comes complete with previous owner's personal info
Always wipe gadgets before returning them. Bill Detwiler shares a cautionary tale and steps for wiping iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7 devices.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | January 27, 2012, 12:54 PM PST | Latest comment by n4aof@...
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Nokia Lumia 800 Teardown: Skip it, wait for the Lumia 900
Nokia's Lumia 800 is a solid Windows Phone 7.5 handset. But with the Lumia 900's release on the horizon, Bill Detwiler thinks you should skip the 800.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | January 25, 2012, 10:54 AM PST | Latest comment by SubgeniusD
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Motorola Xyboard 10.1 Teardown: Overpriced, soon to be outdated
The Motorola Xyboard 10.1's excellent build quality and decent hardware are overshadowed by its high price and quad-core tablet competitors.
Posted by Bill Detwiler | January 19, 2012, 2:00 PM PST | Latest comment by BALTHOR
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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
