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Video: Cracking Open the Apple iPad

In a special edition of TR Dojo, I crack open the Apple iPad for a look at the hardware inside Apple's tablet.

Video and gallery link:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=1648

As you browse the gallery, you might notice that I used a few unconventional tools (like a spatula) when removing the iPad's front panel from the its metal case. These tools may not be the standard for working on electronic devices, but they did the trick.

Do you have similar unconventional tools in your tool box? What are they and what job do they do?

at least it looks just like and is built just like a hair dryer. Probably not that unconventional for most industrial control techs, but from most IT techs, I get a lot of stares!

I used it for shrink-rap and soldering. Believe it or not, it works in certain situations better than a soldering iron, or propane torch, and a lot safer.

Mine would have to be a paperclip!! works on just about any device to reset it, opens stripped cd-rom, and can turn on a computer when the switch doesn't work!!

I agree with you 100 percent on the nearly unlimited usefulness of paperclips. But, I would argue that they have moved past "unconventional" into the realm of standard tech kit.

Lets see box of Matches for Heat Shrinking, And one very unsual step.

Most people use some kind of cpu burn in software for to cook the thermal grease on top of the cpu to get it even. Well Why do that when you can just lite a match and gently melt it even before you lock your HSF down? Granted the Danger of catching things on fire are there but the pay off of having a layer of thermal grease that is no thicker than paper but melted perfectly into the pores of a cpu is priceless.


Oh and a Pocket Knife is by far my most Used tool for IT when dealing with Hardware. Besides my MegaPro Screw Driver
I dunno if we can post links or not but here is one http://www.megaproscrewdrivers.com/

But my primary is a 2-inch safety pin. The keys on IBM POS keyboards can break under heavy use, leaving the shaft behind. Heat the point and stick it in to pull the broken shafts out. The pointy end also works for those times you'd normally use a paper clip, but I also carry paper clips, too. Can't do a clear/reset on a Procurve switch without two of them!

Tin Snips. Used these on several computer cases about 10 years ago, due to part of the case covering the extra memory slots. I had opened the computer to add memory and it was impossible because part of the case was directly over the extra memory slots and only had half an inch clearance. I cut the offending piece out and was able to add more memory.

a plastic card, like a batch id, old gift card or even an old sim card.
since it's plastic and has rounded corners, it doesnt damage the device at all.
I've used it to crack open Ipods, cellphones, keyboards and even laptops when they have those clips you showed in the video..
my second 'tool', which nobody likes, is 'patience'.. that plays a huge part when doing this kind of things..
Cheers

Bah! Doctors have patients!

Patience, absolutely not!

(Just had to listen to a co-worker get reamed for 15 minutes by a Doctor who was mad because it took an extra 3 seconds to perform a task.)

has a lack of more than just patience.

my foot up his @ss.

Cool, nice job. Thanks.

Pretty interesting how heat efficient the thing is, no heat sink or anything. Bet that chip could be like super overclocked. lol

Is that the video is flash based, and I can't watch it on my iPad.

Much to my consternation, you are correct. I can't watch them on the Cracking Open iPad either.

TechRepublic delivers video through Flash and until Steve Jobs ends Apple's boycott of Flash, the iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone will not be able to play TechRepublic videos.

You can watch some of our TR Dojo videos through iTunes, but we have yet to put them all up there.

Hopefully in the not-so-distant future, TechRepublic will be able to deliver video through either Flash or Quicktime and HTML5.

there's loads of room inside! coming soon to an ipad near you: camera, gps, usb ports! meh, i wish!

Please just tell me if any of the tablets are shop serviceable and if so what in it can be fixed or replaced ? Out of warranty IPADS of course