Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
After Hours

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

By Bill Detwiler October 4, 2011, 5:24 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

Image
1
of 29

amazon_kindle_2011_028_wm.jpg
amazon_kindle_2011_028_wm.jpg
Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

Amazon Kindle (2011) Teardown

Amazon Kindle (2011) Teardown

ntIn 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.
nt
ntLast 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.
nt
ntFor a more in-depth review of the 2011 Kindle’s internal hardware, check out my article, “Amazon Kindle (2011) Teardown: Faster Processor, fewer chips.”
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Box contents

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Box contents

ntAs 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.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Front

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Front

ntThe 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).
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Back

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Back

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntAccording to Amazon, the 2011 Kindle measures 6.5″ (H) x 4.5″ (W) x 0.34″ (D). It weighs 5.98 ounces.
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntMy 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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntWith 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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

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

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

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

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

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

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntThe 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).

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntLifting 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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Internal hardware

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Internal hardware

ntThe 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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntTwo Torx T5 screws hold the battery cover to the 2011 Kindle’s internal metal frame.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntThe 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

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

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

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

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntThree Torx T5 screws hold the PCB to the 2011 Kindle’s internal metal frame.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntLike 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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

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

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntThe E Ink display’s ribbon cable has a sticker with the following markings:

n

ntED060SCF(LF)T1
ntREN60B7076(C62)
ntE4B006621L7V77804AY

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

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

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

ntMost 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.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

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

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

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

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Complete teardown

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Complete teardown

ntThe 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.

n

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

  • After Hours
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011

    Your email has been sent

Share: Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle 2011
Image of Bill Detwiler
By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
  • Account Information

    Contact Bill Detwiler

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Bill's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Checklist: Network and systems security

    Cybersecurity demands and the stakes of failing to properly secure systems and networks are high. While every organization’s specific security needs form a unique and complex blend of interconnected requirements, numerous security fundamentals almost always apply to each of these groups. It stands to reason that cybersecurity pros who effectively identify network and systems risks ...

    Published:  June 1, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 2, 2023, 7:48 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    How to host multiple websites on Linux with Apache

    In this guide from TechRepublic Premium we’re going to explore the various things you can do with a Linux server. We won’t leave out any steps, so you won’t have to refer to another tutorial to complete the process. The only step we will leave out is the installation of Linux, as we’ll assume you ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 31, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 1, 2023, 7:45 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    How to deploy an application with Kubernetes

    If you want to deploy applications into a Kubernetes cluster, be warned — it’s not the easiest task. There are a lot of moving pieces that go into these scalable containers. Don’t you wish you had a complete roadmap, from start to finish, to walk you through the process of deploying the Kubernetes cluster, deploying ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 31, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 1, 2023, 7:51 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Cross-training tool kit

    The more flexibility you can create in your technology workforce, the better you’ll be equipped to manage tomorrow, whatever the future brings. Too often, we focus on helping our teams become technical specialists who know volumes about a single technology, but quickly lose sight of how that technology connects with others. This makes their skills ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 30, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  May 31, 2023, 4:50 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice