Kindle Graphite (2010) and Kindle DX Graphite (2010) - Front

Earlier in 2010, Amazon also released a redesigned Kindle DX–the Kindle’s larger sibling. The Kindle DX (right) retails for $379.

Check out Bill’s teardown of the Kindle DX (Graphite) 2010.

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Kindle Graphite (2010) and Kindle DX Graphite (2010) - Back

The back of the Kindle DX (2010) has a metal plate and plastic RF window on the top.

The Kindle Graphite (2010)’s case is all plastic, which actually made disassembling the device much easier.

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Popping the back panel free

Once you’ve loosened one side of the panel, the other side should come free with a little wiggling.

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Back panel removed

With the back panel removed, we get our first look inside the Kindle Graphite (2010).

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Back panel - External

Unlike the Kindle DX Graphite (2010), the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s back panel is all plastic.

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Back panel - External

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Inside the Kindle Graphite (2010)

Our first step in dissecting the Kindle Graphite (2010) will be removing the battery.

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Dome-shaped washers

Between the battery and the main logic board, are two dome-shaped, metal washers. Be careful not to lose these when removing the battery.

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Disconnecting the wireless card

The 3G wireless card is attached to the case with two Phillips #00 screws. To removed the card, you’ll need to remove the screws and disconnect the antenna cable.

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AnyData DTP-600W wireless card - Front

The Kindle Graphite (2010) uses an AnyDATA DTP-600W HSPA mini PCI-E module for wireless 3G connectivity. This is the same card used by the Kindle DX Graphite (2010).

According to AnyDATA documentation the DTP-600W “operates globally on tri-band UMTS 850/1900/2100 wireless networks as well as quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 networks.”

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AnyData DTP-600W wireless card - Back

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Wireless card removed

With the wireless card and battery removed, we can see more of the gray panel that lies between most of the internal components and the E-Ink display.

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Removing the case catch bezel

A small black, plastic bezel is mounted behind one of the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s case catch. It is held in place with four Phillips #00 screws.

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Case catch bezel - Front

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Case catch bezel - Back

This underside of the catch bezel has metal contacts that tell the Kindle a case is connected.

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Removing the main logic board screws

Before we can remove the main logic board from the support structure underneath and the front half of the case, we must remove one more “silver” screw and several dark-colored screws.

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Another dome-shaped washer

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Removing the dark-colored logic board screws

There are eight dark-colored screws that hold the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s main logic board to the support structure underneath and the front half of the case.

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Disconnect all the logic board connectors

Before removing the logic board, we’ll also need to disconnect all the cables.

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Keypad ribbon cable

The ribbon cable for the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s keypad is connected to the main logic board with a gated connector. Gently lift up the gate and pull the cable free.

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E-Ink display connector

Next to be disconnected is the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s E-Ink display connector. This connector should pop loose with a little force.

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Internal speaker cable

Next, disconnect the internal speaker cable.

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Previous Page and Next Page Buttons

There are two very small ribbon cables (one on each side) for the two pairs of Previous Page and Next Page buttons. You’ll need to lift the connector gates and pull the cables loose on both.

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Power switch spring

When lifting the main logic board away from the front half of the case, you’ll need to lift it out from under this bent metal sprint on the power switch.

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Front case with logic board removed

With the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s logic board removed, we can see the gray support structure underneath, which serves as the backing for the E-Ink display and contains the internal components for the keypad.

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Main logic board - Top with metal shields

At this point, we can see a chip or two on the main logic board, but we’ll need to remove the metal shields to see more.

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Main logic board - Back

There’s not much to talk about on the back of the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s main logic board.

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Main logic board with metal shields removed

Using a thin metal blade or plastic spudger, you should be able to pop the shields off the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s main logic board.

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Processor and DRAM

This picture shows the following chips:

Freescale ARM 11-based i.MX353 multimedia applications processor — Part number: MCIMX353DJQ5C (partially obscured)

Samsung K4X2G323PB-8GC3 DRAM

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Storage and E-Ink chips

This pictures shows the following chips:

Samsung 4GB moviNand storage chip — KLM4G1DEHM-B101

EPSON KCRE7000 F10203TYV E-Ink display controller

Atheros AR6102 ROCm WLAN chip (AR6102G-BM20)

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Stereo chip

The Kindle Graphite (2010) uses the Wolfson Microelectronics WM8960G stereo codec.

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Front case with main logic board removed

With the main logic board removed, we can see the support structure underneath. It is held to the front case panel with several Phillips screws.

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Lifting the internal support structure away from the case

Once the screws are removed, you can gently lift the internal structure away from the front panel.

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E-ink display and front case panel

Behind the internal support structure is the E-Ink display and the back of the Kindle Graphite (2010)’s keypad.

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Internal support structure - Back

At the top of the internal support structure is the speaker assembly, which is attached to the structure with adhesive.

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Internal support structure - Front

On the front of the internal support are the actual contacts for the keypad buttons.

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