Hardware

Cracking open the HP TouchPad

By // June 29, 2011, 11:19 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad

    The HP TouchPad is the company’s latest effort to grab a piece of the growing tablet market. And although it’s roughly the same size as the current tablet leader, Apple’s iPad, it has significantly different hardware.

    We got our hands on the HP TouchPad early, and couldn't resist cracking it open.

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Front

    The HP TouchPad is available in two flavors--a 16GB model for $499.99 (US) and 32GB model for $599.99. The current versions only support Wi-Fi connectivity, but HP plans to launch 3G models later this summer.

    Our HP TouchPad test unit had the following hardware specifications:

    • Processor: 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060
    • Storage: 32GB SandDisk SDIN4E2-32G
    • RAM: 1G3B Samsung K4P8G304EC-FGC1 LPDDR2
    • Communications: Atheros AR6003X WLAN IC
    • Display: 9.7-inch multi-touch screen (1024x768 resolution)
    • Battery: 3.7V 6000mAh 22.2Wh Li-Polymer battery
    • Ports: MicroUSB, 3.5mm headset jack
    • Camera: 1.3Mp webcam
    • Audio: Built-in microphone and stereo speakers

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: microUSB port and Center button

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Power button, webcam, microphone, and headphone jack

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Speakers

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    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Volume control and SIM card placeholder

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    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Back

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Popping off the front panel assembly

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the front panel assembly

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Display and digitizer cables

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Inside the case

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Front panel assembly

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the display screws

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the display

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Display and digitizer panel

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: LCD screen - Front

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: LCD screen - Back

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Front panel and digitizer

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Case with internal hardware

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the 1.3MB webcam

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Webcam removed

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 1.3MP webcam - Front

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 1.3MP webcam - Back

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the digitizer PCB screws

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Digitizer PCB - Front

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Digitizer PCB back

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Cypress Semiconductor CY8CTMA395 touchscreen controller

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Cypress Semiconductor CY8CTMA375 TrueTouch controller

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Cypress Semiconductor PCB logo

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the microUSB PCB screws

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Detaching the copper foil from the microUSB PCB

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the microUSB port PCB

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: microUSB port PCB - Front

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: microUSB port PCB - Back

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the vibration motor

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Vibration motor

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the SIM card slot screws

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: SIM card slot removed

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: SIM card slot

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the main PCB screws

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Disconnecting the antenna wires

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Disconnecting the main PCB ribbon cables

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the battery screws

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the battery and main PCB

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Main PCB and battery - Front

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Battery and Main PCB - Back

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 3.7V 600mAh 22.2Wh battery - Front

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 3.7V 600mAh 22.2Wh battery - Back

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Case with attached components

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 3.5mm headset jack

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Wireless antenna

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Microphone

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Power button

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Ambient light sensor

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Volume control

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Wireless antenna

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Right-side speaker

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Left-side speaker

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Main PCB - Top

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Main PCB - Bottom

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 32GB SandDisk SDIN4E2-32G storage chip

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 1GB Samsung K4P8G304EC-FGC1 LPDDR2

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Atheros AR6003X WLAN IC

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Wolfson Micro WM8958E Audio Hub and CODEC

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: CSR 63B23 9A04U K046BX08

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Invensense 3-Axis MPU-3050 gyroscope

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Fairchild Semiconductor FDMC510P P-channel MOSFET

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Qualcomm PM8050 power managment IC

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Texas Instruments P99003B5A

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Unknown chip

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Texas Instruments TPS 61187

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Main PCB markings

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

  • Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Completely disassembled

    So what are my observations about the HP TouchPad?

    1. It's much easier to disassemble than the Apple iPad 2, but not as easy as the Motorola XOOM.
    2. HP used standard Phillips screws inside the case and most of the internal components can be removed and replaced. Provided you can find replacement parts.
    3. The display and digitizer are separate components. This lets you replace one without the other.

    But along with these significant positives, there were also a few negatives.

    1. The battery can be replaced, but you must remove the main PCB to do so.
    2. The batterr is also attached to the case with adhesive.

    Overall, the HP TouchPad is a tablet that's built more like a PC than an iPad. Which is good if you want to repair the device, but it also means that the components require a larger case.

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad

The HP TouchPad is the company’s latest effort to grab a piece of the growing tablet market. And although it’s roughly the same size as the current tablet leader, Apple’s iPad, it has significantly different hardware.

We got our hands on the HP TouchPad early, and couldn't resist cracking it open.

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

About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research 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 supp...

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