Cracking open the HP TouchPad

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
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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: microUSB port and Center button

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Speakers

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Back

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the front panel assembly

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Display and digitizer cables

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Inside the case

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Front panel assembly

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the display screws

Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the display

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Display and digitizer panel

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: LCD screen - Front

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: LCD screen - Back

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Front panel and digitizer

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Case with internal hardware

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the 1.3MB webcam

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Webcam removed

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 1.3MP webcam - Front

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 1.3MP webcam - Back

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the digitizer PCB screws

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Digitizer PCB - Front

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Digitizer PCB back

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Cypress Semiconductor CY8CTMA395 touchscreen controller

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Cypress Semiconductor CY8CTMA375 TrueTouch controller

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Cypress Semiconductor PCB logo

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the microUSB PCB screws

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the microUSB port PCB

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: microUSB port PCB - Front

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: microUSB port PCB - Back

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the vibration motor

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Vibration motor

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: SIM card slot removed

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: SIM card slot

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the main PCB screws

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Disconnecting the antenna wires

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Removing the battery screws

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

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

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

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Case with attached components

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: 3.5mm headset jack

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Wireless antenna

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Microphone

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Power button

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Ambient light sensor

Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Volume control

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Wireless antenna

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Right-side speaker

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Left-side speaker

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Main PCB - Top

Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Main PCB - Bottom

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

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Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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

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Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Atheros AR6003X WLAN IC

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

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

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

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

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Qualcomm PM8050 power managment IC

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Texas Instruments P99003B5A

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Unknown chip

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Texas Instruments TPS 61187

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Cracking Open the HP TouchPad: Main PCB markings

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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