Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Storage and price

ntAccording to Lenovo’s documentation, the IdeaPad K1 is available in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB versions. But as of this writing, only the 32GB model ($499.99 US) is available for purchase on Lenevo’s site. The current versions support Wi-Fi, but there’s room in the case and on the motherboard for a 3G card.
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ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: In the box

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Power adapter and USB connector cable

ntA power adapter, USB connector cable, and product documentation are included with the IdeaPad K1.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Front

ntThe Lenovo IdeaPad K1 weighs 1.65 lbs. and measures 10.4″ (W) x 7.4″ (H) x 0.5″ (D). Unlike some Android tablets, the IdeaPad K1 has a physical Home button.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Back

ntThe removalable back cover has a textured surface. This makes the IdeaPad K1 less likely to slip out of your hands than a device with a slick back.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Internal mic, power button, volument controls, screen rotation lock, and microSD card slot

ntAlong the IdeaPad K1’s left edge are the built-in microphone, power button, volume controls, screen rotation lock switch, and microSD card slot.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Mini HDMI port, 3.5mm audio jack, and connector port

ntAlong the IdeaPad K1’s bottom edge are the Mini HDMI port, 3.5mm audio jack, and connector port.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Popping loose the back cover

ntUsing a thin metal blade, I popped loose the IdeaPad K1’s plastic back cover.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the back cover

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Inside the case

ntWith the back cover removed, we get our first look at the internal hardware the powers the Lenovo IdeaPad K1. As with most of the tablets I’ve disassembled, the battery occupies much of the space inside the K1’s case.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the battery screws

ntThe replaceable battery is held in place with four Phillips screws.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Hidden battery screw

ntOne of the battery screws is hidden under a pair of ribbon cables and a piece of tape.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the battery

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: 3,700 mAh, 27Wh Li-Polymer battery (L10M2I21)

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the metal rim screws

ntBefore removing any other internal components, I wanted to remove the metal rim that surround most of the IdeaPad K1’s outer edge. The rim is held to the front panel assembly with several Phillips screws.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Prying loose the metal rim

ntWith the screws removed, I used a plastic spudger to pop the rim loose from the front panel assembly. I was very careful not to damage the assembly, LCD, or any other components when doing this.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the metal rim

ntA metal rim surrounds most of the IdeaPad K1’s back edge. Once I removed the screws that held it in place, I was able to gently pry it loose from the front panel assembly.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Inside the case with the battery removed

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the button PCB screws

ntAfter removing the metal rim, I turned by attention to the many printed circuit boards (PCBs) inside the IdeaPad K1. This PCB contains the device’s left-side controls and internal microphone.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the button PCB

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Button PCB

ntThe internal microphone, power button, volume up/down buttons, and screen rotation lock switch are all located on this small circuit board.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the microSD card reader

ntAs with the IdeaPad K1’s left-side controller circuit board, the microSD card reader is mounted to a separate PCB.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: microSD card reader

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the speakers

ntThe speakers are held in place by the rubber cushions that surround them.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Speakers

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the front-facing camera screws

ntThe IdeaPad K’s 2MP front-facing camera is held to the front-panel assembly with a single Phillips screw.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the front-facing camera

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: 2MP front-facing camera

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Disconnecting the motherboard cables

ntBefore removing the IdeaPad K1’s motherboard, I detached all the remaining ribbon cables and connectors.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the motherboard screws

ntThe IdeaPad K1’s motherboard is held to the front-panel assembly with several Phillips screws.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the motherboard

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Motherboar and attached components - Bottom

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Motherboard and attached components - Top

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Front panel assembly with Home button

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the Home button screws

ntThe IdeaPad K1’s physical Home button is also a separate component.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the Home button

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Home button

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Front panel assembly

ntAfter removing the motherboard and most other internal components, I stopped dissecting the front panel assembly. The IdeaPad K1’s is held to the front panel (digitizer) with several screws and likely adhesive. There are also several pieces of thin metal foil that are glued to the back of the LCD and assembly. Removing the LCD from the assembly would likely require me to remove and damage these piece of foil.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: AU Optronics B101EW05 LCD (1280 x 800)

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Atmal touchscreen controllers

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Wi-Fi antenna

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Atmel mXT1386 touchscreen controller

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Atmel mXT154 touch controllers x3

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the Mini HDMI port and 3.5mm audio jack PCB

ntThe Mini HDMI port and 3.5mm audio jack are mounted on their own circuit board, which is held to the motherboar with Phillips screws.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Mini HDMI port and 3.5mm audio jack PCB

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Removing the 5MP rear-facing camera

ntThe IdeaPad K1’s 5MP rear-facing camera is held to the motherboard by its connector and a piece of tape.

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: 5MP rear-facing camera

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Motherboard - Top

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Motherboard - bottom

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: 1.0 GHz dual-core NVidia Tegra 2 application processor (12B2B375 1109A4)

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: 1GB Eplida B8132B2PB-6D-F LPDDR2 DRAM

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Pericom Pi3LVD400 3.3V, 4-Differential Channel High-speed 1:2 Switch

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Texas Instruments LVDS83B power controller

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: 32GB Toshiba THGBM2G8D8FBA1B NAND Flash

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Texas Instruments TPS65862 power-management IC

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: AzureWave AW-NH611 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth, FM Combo Module IC

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Broadcom BCM4751 Integrated Monolithic GPS Receiver

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Texas Instruments LC02A 12K G4 DHRP

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: SMSC USB3315 Hi-Speed USB Transceiver

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: National Semiconductor LM393 Lower Power Low Offset Voltage Dual Comparator

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Invensense MPU-3050 Triple Axis Gyroscope with Embedded Digital Motion Processor

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Winbond W25X20BVN1G 2Mbit Serial Flash Memory

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: ENE Technology KB930BF A1 (clock generator?)

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Intersil ISL6251 Low Cost Multi-Chemistry Battery Charger Controller

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: NXP 74HC253D Dual 4-Input Multiplexer

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Motherboard made by HannStar

Cracking Open Lenovo IdeaPad K1: Complete teardown

ntThe Lenovo IdeaPad K1 wasn’t difficult to disassemble, but would-be K1 service people should know the following:

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• nttThe battery can be replaced, but at least one of the screws is hidden under a pair of ribbon cables and a piece of tape.

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• nttThe outer metal bezel should be removed before removing the motherboard.

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• nttMost of the internal components (card readers, ports/jacks, buttons, etc.) are mounted to separate PCBs. The PCBs are easy to remove, but held in place with lots of screws.

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• nttSeparating the digitizer (front panel) from the LCD display requires removing (and likely damaging) several pieces of thin metal foil.

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