Laptops

Cracking Open the Google Chromebook Pixel

By , March 14, 2013, 1:18 PM

  • Google Chromebook Pixel Teardown

    Unlike Chromebooks from Samsung, Acer, and HP, the Google-designed Pixel has both high-end hardware and a high-end price tag. In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through disassembling the Chromebook Pixel and show you the hardware inside.

    For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Pricey Chromebook Pixel: Built well but impractical to upgrade.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Box

    The base-model Pixel ($1,299) has a third-generation 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Graphics HD 4000, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 32GB SSD, and a touch-sensitive 12.85" display with a 3:2 aspect ratio (2,560 x 1,700 pixel resolution at 239 ppi). An LTE-equipped Pixel with 64GB of local storage is available for $1,449.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Dimensions and weight

    The Chromebook Pixel measures 297.7 mm (W) x 16.2 mm (H) x 224.6 mm (D) and weighs 3.35 pounds.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Power adapter

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Top

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Open lid

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Front

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 12.85" touch-sensitive display with a 3:2 aspect ratio

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Keyboard and trackpad

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Power connector, mini display port, USB 2.0 ports (x2), and headphone 3.5mm jack

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: SD / MMC card slot

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Front

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Bottom

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the rubber feet

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the bottom cover screws

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Loosening the bottom cover

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Popping loose the bottom cover clips

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the bottom cover

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Internal hardware

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the battery screws

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Disconnecting the battery

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the battery

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 7.4V, 59.2WH, 8000mAh Li-ion battery (Model: Arrow)

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Battery removed

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the speaker screws

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the right-side speaker

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the left-side speaker

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Speakers

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the headphone jack

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 3.5mm headphone jack

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the LTE card placeholder PCB screws

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the LTE card placeholder PCB

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: LTE card placeholder PCB

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the cooling assembly screws

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the cooling assembly

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Cooling assembly

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the cooling fan fasteners

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the cooling fan

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Delta Electronics KDB05105HC DC 5V brushless cooling fan

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Detaching the motherboard cables

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Detaching the power connector from the motherboard

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the motherboard screws

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the motherboard

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Body and attached components

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Touchpad

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Atmel mXT224SL maXTouch touchscreen controller

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Lid hinge and SD card reader

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: SD card reader

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Lid hinge

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Power connector

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Motherboard - Front

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Motherboard - Back

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (with Intel Graphics HD 4000)

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Mobile Intel HM75 Express Chipset (Intel BD82HM75 PCH)

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 4GB Elpida DDR3 RAM (J4216EbbG-GN-F x 8)

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 32GB SanDisk iSSD (SDIS5BK 032G)

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Qualcomm Atheros AR5BMD22 802.11 a/b/g/n + Bluetooth module

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Creative CA0132 Audio CODEC (CA0132-4AN HF)

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Winbond 25Q64FVIG

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Infineon SLB9655TT12 likely a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: International Rectifier IR3899 9A Highly Integrated SupIRBuck

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: International Rectifier IR3550 60A Integrated PowIRstag

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Texas Instruments Stellaris LM4FS1GH microcontroller

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Fairchild Semiconductor DC36AA & DC36AF power management chips

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: International Rectifier IR3838 10A Highly Integrated SupIRBuck

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Texas Instruments TPS61188A white LED driver

  • Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Completely disassembled

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Google Chromebook Pixel Teardown

Unlike Chromebooks from Samsung, Acer, and HP, the Google-designed Pixel has both high-end hardware and a high-end price tag. In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through disassembling the Chromebook Pixel and show you the hardware inside.

For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Pricey Chromebook Pixel: Built well but impractical to upgrade.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. He was most recently Managing Editor for TechRepublic Pro. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, d...

6 comments
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ashipps
ashipps

Super resolution for going on the road with my Canon DSLR. My question is - can I install Adobe Photoshop Elements and Lightroom for editing pictures with that nice screen?

SumGuy954
SumGuy954

CPU soldered to the board. That's no good. I kinda guessed the ram was. Definitely won't be getting this model.

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