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Cracking open Nintendo's NES Classic Edition game console
We crack open the NES Classic Edition for a look at the tech that lets us recapture the video game glory of our youth.
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Cracking Open the Polaroid Snap Touch camera printer combo
We crack open the Polaroid Snap Touch Instant Digital Camera for a look at the tech that powers this printer/camera combo.
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10 years of Cracking Open the Apple iPhone
Bill Detwiler looks back at 10 years of cracking open the Apple iPhone.
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Cracking Open Snapchat Spectacles: Sunglasses that are more than meets the eye
We crack open the Snapchat Spectacles for a look at the tech that makes these specs smarter than your average shades.
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Cracking Open: Amazon Fire illustrates dramatic drop in cost of tablet tech
TechRepublic's Bill Detwiler cracks open the Fire and explores the tech inside Amazon's $50 tablet.
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Cracking Open: Apple Pencil is powered by amazingly tiny tech
TechRepublic's Bill Detwiler uses a rotary cutter to slice open the stylus and explores the tech that powers the iPad Pro's must-have accessory.
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iPhone 6S teardown reveals upgrades galore, similar hardware layout
Bill Detwiler cracks open the iPhone 6S and discovers plenty of hardware upgrades, but no major changes to the internal layout.
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Amazon Echo teardown: A smart speaker powered by Amazon's cloud
The Amazon Echo is a "smart" speaker that's true power comes from Amazon's cloud-based Alexa Voice Service.
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Sphero BB-8 teardown reveals robot tech inside this rolling 'Star Wars' droid
The Sphero BB-8 toy may not be powered by the Force, but Bill Detwiler cracks this rolling robot open to show you the tech inside.
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Apple Watch teardown reveals unique hardware and replaceable parts
The Apple Watch may not be fine jewelry, but Bill Detwiler cracks it open and shows you why he thinks it's a fine piece of tech.
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Apple MacBook (2015) teardown: Revamped design makes DIY repairs very difficult
Apple packed a ton of new tech into the 2015 MacBook, but thanks to a completely redesigned interior, DIY repairs on this laptop can be a real nightmare.
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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 teardown: New design hampers repairs
Thanks to a redesigned motherboard, the addition of front panel adhesive, and other design changes, the Galaxy Note 4 isn't a repair-friendly phablet.
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Five most annoying Cracking Open teardowns of 2013
Some gadgets are easy to fix. Others are real repair nightmares. Bill Detwiler counts down his top five most annoying teardowns of 2013.
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Surface 2 design changes make it more difficult to crack open and repair
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Surface 2 and finds a redesigned interior that makes the tablet difficult, time-consuming to open and repair.
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iPad Air teardown reveals significant internal design changes
Bill Detwiler shows you how to crack open the iPad Air and gives you a tour of the redesigned interior.
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iPad Air teardown reveals significant internal design changes
Bill Detwiler shows you how to crack open the iPad Air and gives you a tour of the redesigned interior.
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Surface 2 design changes make it more difficult to crack open and repair
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Surface 2 and finds a redesigned interior that makes the tablet difficult, time-consuming to open and repair.
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DIY desktops are dead in business and dying in the home
Declining PC sales, fewer discrete components, and the proliferation of mobile devices are pushing the homebrew PC market into obscurity.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Samsung Galaxy Mega teardown: Oversized phone with average hardware
Samsung's Galaxy Mega may share the Galaxy S4's general design. But as Bill Detwiler shows you, this monster phone's hardware is a step behind the Galaxy S4.
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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.
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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.
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iPhone 5S teardown reveals subtle internal design changes
Bill Detwiler shows you how to crack open the iPhone 5S and gives you a tour of the phone's internal hardware.
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iPhone 5C teardown reveals upgrades and design changes
Bill Detwiler cracks open the iPhone 5C and shows you the upgrades and design changes that make it more than just an iPhone 5 with a plastic case.
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HP Z820 Workstation: Tool-less case makes teardown a snap
Bill Detwiler cracks open the HP Z820 using nothing but his hands and shows you what's inside this desktop powerhouse.
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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.
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10 years of Cracking Open the Apple iPhone
Bill Detwiler looks back at 10 years of cracking open the Apple iPhone.
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Cracking Open Snapchat Spectacles: Sunglasses that are more than meets the eye
We crack open the Snapchat Spectacles for a look at the tech that makes these specs smarter than your average shades.