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Online video from TechRepublic features quick peeks at new technologies and hot products, tips and hacks for improving IT and digital living, and technology news and analysis from ZDNet.

Cracking Open: HTC Titan II

April 19, 2012, 11:12am PDT

Bill Detwiler cracks open the HTC Titan II and finds out how it compares to the Nokia Lumia 900 and previous Titan. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and gallery, Titan II teardown shows replaceable battery, similarities with Lumia 900.[newsletter id=e103 copy=Automatically_sign_up_for_our_Cracking_Open_newsletter!]
Cracking Open: HP Omni 27 Quad

April 12, 2012, 5:23pm PDT | 4 | Latest comment by crazywater

Bill Detwiler cracks open the HP Omni 27 all-in-one PC and finds out if it has the hardware to compete with Apple's 27-inch iMac. For a detailed analysis of the teadown, check out my article and video, HP Omni 27 teardown reveals easy-to-service machine with respectable hardware.[newsletter id=e103 copy=Automatically_sign_up_for_our_Cracking_Open_newsletter!]
Cracking Open: Nokia Lumia 900

April 3, 2012, 6:00pm PDT

Bill Detwiler cracks open the Nokia Lumia 900 and finds out if it has the hardware to compete with Samsung's Galaxy Nexus and Apple's iPhone 4S. For a detailed analysis of the teadown, check out my article and video, Nokia Lumia 900 teardown reveals mediocre hardware, reasons for great price.[newsletter id=e103 copy=Automatically_sign_up_for_our_Cracking_Open_newsletter!]
Cracking Open: Apple TV 2012

March 29, 2012, 8:18am PDT

Bill Detwiler cracks open the 2012 Apple TV. Inside, he uncovers a new, single-core new A5 system-on-chip and an upgraded Broadcom BCM4330 wireless chip. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and the gallery, Apple TV 2012 Teardown: Upgraded processor, wireless chip.
Cracking Open: Apple iPad 2012 (Wi-Fi)

March 21, 2012, 2:29pm PDT

Bill Detwiler cracks open the 2012 Apple iPad Wi-Fi. Inside, he uncovers the new A5X system-on-chip, more RAM, the Retina display, and a 45Whr battery to power these hardware upgrades. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and the gallery, Apple iPad 2012 Teardown: Bigger battery, better GPU, more RAM.

Cracking Open: Apple iPad 2012 (Wi-Fi + 4G Verizon)

March 16, 2012, 2:18pm PDT

Bill Detwiler cracks open the 2012 Apple iPad Wi-Fi + 4G. Inside, he uncovers lots of hardware upgrades and a 45Whr battery to power them all. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and the gallery, Apple iPad 2012 Teardown: Amazing display, difficult to repair.
Cracking Open: HP Envy 14 Spectre

March 8, 2012, 10:52am PST | 1

The HP Envy 14 Spectre is an eye-catching ultrabook, and as our teardown shows, it's well-built, has solid hardware, and is easy to work on. But, it's also heavier and thicker than many other ultrabooks and more expensive. Bill Detwiler cracks open the Spectre and gives you a look inside.For a detailed analysis of the teadown, check out my article and video, HP Spectre Teardown: Eye-catching, but overpriced ultrabook.[newsletter id=e130 copy=Automatically_sign_up_for_our_Cracking_Open_newsletter!]
Cracking Open: Boogie Board Rip

March 1, 2012, 8:11am PST

Bill Detwiler cracks open the Boogie Board Rip. Inside the eWriter, he finds a flexible, cholesteric LCD from Kent Displays, a Waltop Pen Input system, and Texas Instruments MSP430 MCU. He also discovered that the Boogie Board Rip would be a great pen and paper replacement if it weren't missing two key features and wasn't priced so high--relative to low-end tablets. For a detailed list of the e-writer's hardware and a text version of this video, check out his article, Boogie Board Rip Teardown: Overpriced and a few features short.
Cracking Open: Motorola Droid Razr Maxx

February 23, 2012, 12:01pm PST

Bill Detwiler cracks open the Droid Razr Maxx. Inside the Android smartphone, he found hardware from Texas Instruments, Elpida, Toshiba, SanDisk, and others. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out his article and video, Droid Razr Maxx Teardown: Impressive battery life in a sleek package.
Cracking Open: Asus Zenbook UX21

February 15, 2012, 11:12am PST | 4 | Latest comment by BBHASITALL

Bill Detwiler cracks open the Asus Zenbook UX21. Inside the ultrabook, he found hardware from Intel, Elpida, ADATA, AzureWave, and others. He also discovered that the Zenbook's internal design is a near duplicate of the Apple MacBook Air's hardware layout. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out his article and video, Zenbook teardown: Blatant copy of MacBook Air.
Cracking Open: Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

February 9, 2012, 6:20am PST

Bill Detwiler cracks open the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime. Inside the Android tablet, he found hardware from Nvidia, Elpida, Kingston, and others. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out his article and video, Asus Transformer Prime Teardown: Solid tablet, but not without flaws.
Cracking Open: Nokia Lumia 800

January 25, 2012, 7:55am PST | 2 | Latest comment by LE55ONS

Bill Detwiler cracks open the Nokia Lumia 800, discusses the hardware he finds inside, and explains why buyers (particularly in the U.S.) should skip the 800 and wait for the Lumia 900.
Cracking Open: Motorola Xyboard 10.1

January 19, 2012, 11:24am PST

Bill Detwiler shows you what's inside the Motorola Xyboard 10.1 Android tablet and explains why prospective buyers might want to wait a few months before picking one up.
Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 quadricopter takes flight at CES 2012

January 10, 2012, 8:10am PST

Parrot showed off an updated version of the AR.Drone at CES 2012. The AR.Drone 2.0 offers new flight controls, better hover stabilization, and a 720p HD camera. We'll definitely be reviewing this one for our 2012 Geek Gift Guide.
Top Five Cracking Open teardowns of 2011

December 16, 2011, 12:06pm PST

From smartphones and tablets to LED televisions, Bill Detwiler counts down our top five Cracking Open teardowns of 2011.