From smartphones and tablets to game consoles and small-office servers, TR Dojo cracked open a lot of tech in 2010. Here’s a list of the 10 most-popular Cracking Open galleries of the year.
Topping our list is Microsoft’s redesigned Xbox 360 S.
At E3 2010, Microsoft unveiled a new version of the Xbox 360–the Xbox 360 S or “Slim”. The new console features a 250GB hard drive, integrated Wi-Fi, and sleeker design.
Check out our complete teardown of the Microsoft Xbox 360 S.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
In October 2010, Apple released the 2nd generation MacBook Air. The redesigned notebook is available in 11-inch and 13-inch models. We cracked open the 1st generation MacBook Air (released in 2008) and could wait to get our hands on the 2010 model.
Check out our complete teardown of the 11-inch MacBook Air.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
After waiting for 13.5 hours in line at the Louisville, KY Apple store, I was finally able to purchased an iPhone 4–only to bring it back to the office an begin cracking it open.
Unlike the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3G S, the Apple iPhone 4 was remarkable easy to disassemble.
Check out the complete iPhone 4 teardown.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
IBM loaned us a System x3400 M3 test system to review, and I decided to see what was inside before firing it up. This was one of my favorite 2010 teardowns.
According to IBM, the System x3400 M3 is designed for “small/medium businesses, large multilocation enterprises and bank branch offices.”
Check out the complete IBM System x3400 M3 teardown.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
In April, I cracked open the tablet that would come to define what a tablet is–the Apple iPad.
Check out the complete Apple iPad teardown.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Here’s the Kindle Graphite (2010), or Kindle 3 if you prefer, completely disassembled. Compared to the first two Kindle versions and the Kindle DX, this device was much easier to crack open. In fact, it has many user-serviceable part–such as the battery.
Check out the complete Amazon Kindle Graphite teardown.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
In June 2010, Apple released a redesigned Mac mini. The new model (A1347) has several improvements, such as a sleek unibody enclosure, user accessible RAM, HDMI output, and SD card slot.
Check out the complete Apple Mac mini 2010 teardown.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 is a bare-bones, mini-PC that retails for around $250 (US). It’s available from several online retailers, including Amazon and Newegg. Depending on who you buy it from and which configuration you choose, it will likely ship without a hard drive or RAM. And, it definitely won’t come with an operating system.
Check out the complete ZOTAC ZBOX teardown.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
After cracking open the original iPad, we repeated the process for the Apple iPad 3G.
Check out the complete Apple iPad 3G teardown.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Microsoft Kinect is an Xbox 360 peripheral that allows a “controller-free gaming and entertainment experience.” Packed with cameras, microphones, an IR projector, and more, the Kinect is Microsoft’s answer to the Nintendo Wii remote and the Sony Playstation Move controller.
Check out the complete Microsoft Kinect teardown.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Previously, Bill was an IT manager in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.
