After Hours

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

By · October 5, 2011, 3:44 AM PST · billdetwiler

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  • Amazon Kindle (2011) Teardown

    In late September 2011, Amazon launched it's long-awaited tablet--the Kindle Fire. At the same time, the company also introduced a three new Kindle e-ink readers--the Kindle, Kindle Touch, and Kindle Touch 3G.

    Last year, I cracked open Kindle Graphite and Kindle Graphite DX. This time around we'll be dissecting all three devices. And, we're starting with the 2011 Kindle.

    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."

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

  • 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.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    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.

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

  • 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.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    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).

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    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.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    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.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    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."

Amazon Kindle (2011) Teardown

In late September 2011, Amazon launched it's long-awaited tablet--the Kindle Fire. At the same time, the company also introduced a three new Kindle e-ink readers--the Kindle, Kindle Touch, and Kindle Touch 3G.

Last year, I cracked open Kindle Graphite and Kindle Graphite DX. This time around we'll be dissecting all three devices. And, we're starting with the 2011 Kindle.

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."

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

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the ...

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