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

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

Cracking Open the Amazon Kindle (2011): Back

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption 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

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

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

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).

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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): Disconnecting the PCB ribbon cables

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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ntED060SCF(LF)T1
ntREN60B7076(C62)
ntE4B006621L7V77804AY

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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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.”