Cracking Open the Google Chromebook Pixel

Google Chromebook Pixel Teardown

Unlike Chromebooks from Samsung, Acer, and HP, the Google-designed Pixel has both high-end hardware and a high-end price tag. In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through disassembling the Chromebook Pixel and show you the hardware inside.

For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Pricey Chromebook Pixel: Built well but impractical to upgrade.

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

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Box

The base-model Pixel ($1,299) has a third-generation 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Graphics HD 4000, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 32GB SSD, and a touch-sensitive 12.85" display with a 3:2 aspect ratio (2,560 x 1,700 pixel resolution at 239 ppi). An LTE-equipped Pixel with 64GB of local storage is available for $1,449.

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

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Dimensions and weight

The Chromebook Pixel measures 297.7 mm (W) x 16.2 mm (H) x 224.6 mm (D) and weighs 3.35 pounds.

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

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Power adapter

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Top

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Open lid

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Front

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 12.85" touch-sensitive display with a 3:2 aspect ratio

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Keyboard and trackpad

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Power connector, mini display port, USB 2.0 ports (x2), and headphone 3.5mm jack

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: SD / MMC card slot

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Front

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Bottom

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the rubber feet

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the bottom cover screws

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Loosening the bottom cover

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Popping loose the bottom cover clips

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the bottom cover

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Internal hardware

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the battery screws

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Disconnecting the battery

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the battery

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 7.4V, 59.2WH, 8000mAh Li-ion battery (Model: Arrow)

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Battery removed

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the speaker screws

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the right-side speaker

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the left-side speaker

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Speakers

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the headphone jack

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 3.5mm headphone jack

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the LTE card placeholder PCB screws

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the LTE card placeholder PCB

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: LTE card placeholder PCB

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the cooling assembly screws

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the cooling assembly

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Cooling assembly

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the cooling fan fasteners

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Delta Electronics KDB05105HC DC 5V brushless cooling fan

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Detaching the motherboard cables

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Detaching the power connector from the motherboard

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the motherboard screws

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Removing the motherboard

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Body and attached components

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Touchpad

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Atmel mXT224SL maXTouch touchscreen controller

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Lid hinge and SD card reader

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: SD card reader

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Lid hinge

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Power connector

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Motherboard - Front

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Motherboard - Back

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (with Intel Graphics HD 4000)

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Mobile Intel HM75 Express Chipset (Intel BD82HM75 PCH)

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 4GB Elpida DDR3 RAM (J4216EbbG-GN-F x 8)

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: 32GB SanDisk iSSD (SDIS5BK 032G)

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Qualcomm Atheros AR5BMD22 802.11 a/b/g/n + Bluetooth module

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Creative CA0132 Audio CODEC (CA0132-4AN HF)

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Winbond 25Q64FVIG

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Infineon SLB9655TT12 likely a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: International Rectifier IR3899 9A Highly Integrated SupIRBuck

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: International Rectifier IR3550 60A Integrated PowIRstag

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Texas Instruments Stellaris LM4FS1GH microcontroller

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Fairchild Semiconductor DC36AA & DC36AF power management chips

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: International Rectifier IR3838 10A Highly Integrated SupIRBuck

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Texas Instruments TPS61188A white LED driver

Cracking Open Chromebook Pixel: Completely disassembled