Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Box contents

As of this writing, the 2011 Amazon Kindle is available for $79 (with Amazon "Special Offers" advertising) and $109 (without advertising). Inside the box, you'll find the Kindle e-ink reader, USB cable, and quick start card.

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Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Front

The 2011 Kindle has a 6" diagonal E Ink display (600 x 800 resolution at 167 ppi), 2GB of internal storage, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi support, and a USB 2.0 (micro-B connector).

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Back

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Dimensions and weight

According to Amazon, the 2011 Kindle measures 6.5" (H) x 4.5" (W) x 0.34" (D). It weighs 5.98 ounces.

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Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Prying loose the front bezel

My first step in cracking open the 2011 Kindle is removing the thing plastic bezel that surround the E Ink display. The bezel is held in place with adhesive.

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Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the front bezel

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): E Ink display exposed

With the front bezel removed, The Kindle's E Ink display panel is complete exposed. The contacts from the front buttons are also visible below the display.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the front control panel plate screws

With the 2011 Kindle's front bezel removed, I removed two Torx T5 screws which this plastic plate in place.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the front control panel plate

Once the two screws are removed, I used a think metal blade to pry loose the plastic plate.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Front control panel plate

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the front-side PCB screws

A pair of Torx T5 screws are located on the 2011 Kindle's PCB behind the front control panel.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Prying loose the back cover

The 2011 Kindle's back cover is very difficult to remove. It's held in place with plastic clips (which you must release from the front), stiff plastic tabs (which you must bend to dislodge), and a huge patch of adhesive (which I had to cut through).

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Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the back cover

Lifting off the 2011 Kindle's back cover, you can see the adheisve that remains on the battery cover plate and inside wall of the cover.

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Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Internal hardware

The 2011 Kindle has an extremely clean internal hardware layout. Most chips are mounted to a single PCB, which occupies the case's lower third. A large metal plate covers the battery. And, four ribbon cables connect the main PCB to the battery, display, and side buttons.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the battery cover plate screws

Two Torx T5 screws hold the battery cover to the 2011 Kindle's internal metal frame.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the battery cover plate

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): 890mAh Litium Polymer batter

The 2011 Kindle's 3.7V, 890mAh, 3.29Wh Lithiutm polymer battery is stuck to the reader's internal metal from with extremely strong adhesive. Afraid I would damage the battery by prying it loose, I left it alone.

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Disconnecting the PCB ribbon cables

Before removing the Kindle PCB, I disconnect the ribbon cables for the side control buttons, battery, and display.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the PCB screws

Three Torx T5 screws hold the PCB to the 2011 Kindle's internal metal frame.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Prying loose the PCB

Like the battery and back cover, the 2011 Kindle's PCB is held in place with strong adhesive. I was able to gently pry the board loose using a curved metal tool.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Removing the PCB

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Internal frame and display assembly

The 2011 Kindle's glass E Ink display, battery, and side control buttons are all mounted to a metal frame.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): E Ink display markings

The E Ink display's ribbon cable has a sticker with the following markings:

ED060SCF(LF)T1
REN60B7076(C62)
E4B006621L7V77804AY

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Winbond 25Q40BW1G Serial Flash Memory chip

This Winbond 25Q40BW1G Serial Flash Memory chip likely contains the E Ink controller software.

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Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Main PCB - Front

Most of the 2011 Kindle's internal chips are mounted to a single PCB. Unfortunately, all be one of the chips is covered with EMI shields, which are soldered to the board. To avoid destroying the board, I am going to leave the shields in place.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Main PCB - Back

The contacts for the Kindle's front control buttons are mounted to the back of the main PCB.

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Atheros AR6103 WLAN chip (Qualcomm)

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Complete teardown

The 2011 Kindle is a well-made, ultraportable ereader, but one that was never meant to be disassembled by anyone other than an authorized Amazon repair technician. The battery is glued to the device's metal frame. The back cover is difficult to remove. And, there are few if any user-serviceable parts inside the case.

For a more in-depth review of the 2011 Kindle's internal hardware, check out my article, "Amazon Kindle (2011) Teardown: Faster Processor, fewer chips."