After Hours

Cracking Open the Microsoft Zune HD

By // September 18, 2009, 4:40 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • Full exposure

    Microsoft has released a new version of their MP3 player, the Zune HD. Our friends over at iFixit got hold of one of these devices and took it a part for us to see. The Zune HD was a long time coming, but the hardware found inside the device may well have been worth it.

    iFixit is a one-stop-shop for the parts, tools, and repair manuals needed to fix iPods, iPhones, Macs, and more. They make it easy for anyone to repair their Apple hardware. Follow along as iFixit engineers disassemble the Microsoft Zune HD.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Platinum model

    Sparing no expense, we got the 32 GB "Platinum" model. However, it seems you need to spend an additional $90 if you want to get HD out of the Zune HD...

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • 32GB

    To Microsoft's credit, our 32GB Zune was $10 less than the 32GB iPod touch we took apart last week. However, if you want more than 32GB in your Zune, you're out of luck for now.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • OLED screen

    The Zune features a 3.3 inch OLED display and capacitive touch screen. OLED screens do not require a backlight like traditional LCDs. This means they can draw significantly less power than a traditional LCD. This isn't the first product with an OLED, but it's certainly cutting-edge technology, and something we haven't seen in any Apple devices yet.

    The Zune's OLED features a resolution of 480x272, a 16:9 aspect ratio. Microsoft clearly wants you to watch movies on the Zune.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Back plate

    Microsoft claims the Zune's battery provides 8.5 hours video playback. That's long enough that your eyes should be worn out long before the battery.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Weight

    The Zune is lighter than it looks. It weighs in at only 2.6 oz (74 grams). That's more than 35% less than the similarly-sized iPod touch.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Dimensions

    The Zune HD is 102.1 mm x 52.7 mm x 8.9 mm, while the iPod touch is 110 mm x 61.8 mm x 8.5 mm. If the iPod touch were square, it would have 20% more volume than the Zune. We could integrate to calculate the area under those curves, but we'll save that fun stuff for you mathletes out there.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • A personal message

    Microsoft even left us a message! (picture 3). Hello to you Seattle from San Luis Obispo!

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Tri-wing screws

    Unlike Apple, Microsoft doesn't seem to be afraid to show off their screws. They probably don't want everyone doing what we're about to do, so they've adorned the Zune's exterior with tri-wing screws.

    The black plasic strip at the bottom of the Zune reminds us of the original iPhone.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • No voided warranty

    Tri-wing screwdriver to the rescue!

    ?There's no "warranty void" sticker or seal to break when opening the Zune. Thanks Microsoft!

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • A serviceable player?

    This is a lot easier than opening the iPod touch.

    Yes, Apple, we're talking to you. Apparently it is possible to make something both pretty and serviceable at the same time...

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • A tribute to a Zune team member

    A tribute to a Zune team member who passed away during development. May she rest in peace.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • The lovely internals

    NVIDIA Tegra processor front and center. In a stark contrast to Apple's relationship with Samsung, NVIDIA's product page actually has a link to buy the Zune HD.

    To the right is the SiPORT HD Radio receiver. This chip supports AM, FM, HD Radio, Microsoft MSN Direct Data Services, and a slew of other frequencies (including the Weather Band).

    The SDRAM is Hynix! H5MS1G22MFP J3M 926A. In the upper left, is a 1GB Hynix Mobile DDR SDRAM.

    The accelerometer is below the Hynix SDRAM and to the left of the Nvidia processor. It's a Kionix KXSD9.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Battery

    Battery: 3.7V, 2.45Wh, 660 mAh

    That's about 16% less capacity than the 789 mAh battery in the new iPod touch. However, Microsoft promises longer run time than the touch for both music and videos.

    Let's make up some fun units. Apple claims 30 hours of music for the touch, and Microsoft claims 33 hours for the Zune. That means the touch uses 26.3 milliamp hours per hour, while the Zune uses only 20 milliamp hours per hour. However, if you really care about getting the most for your milliamps, it's hard to beat an iPod shuffle (7.3 mAh/hour).

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Removing the bottom backplate

    We assume this is here to improve the reception for the Zune's antenna(s). A nice feature (nowhere to be seen on the iPod touch) is the Zune's built in HD radio. It's the only HD you can actually play on your Zune.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Next Torx screw

    Removing a Torx screw near the bottom of the logic board.

    The layout of the device appears a little simpler than the iPod touch.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Power button

    Taking off the top power button cover.

    The Zune sports only three external buttons, while the iPod touch has four. Apple doesn't think their users are smart enough to handle a multi-button mouse, but they expect people to be able to use four different buttons on their iPod touch. Steve Jobs is probably already trying to figure out how to remove two buttons from the iPod touch.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Disconnecting the display

    Yes, this is an iPod opening tool. Yes, we know this isn't an iPod.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Logic board comes out

    Like the iPod touch, the Zune has a soldered battery. The battery should be easier to replace than on the new iPod touch, since the Zune's battery has individual wires for the battery leads. In the touch, the battery leads run through a single ribbon cable, making hand-soldering a challenge.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Inner chassis

    Prying the inner chassis off the front panel.

    You can see the digitizer (left) and OLED data cables.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Solid feel

    The inner chassis is cast aluminum and helps to give the Zune its solid feel. The iPod classic has a similar chassis, but there's no internal chassis on the iPod touch.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Flash supplier

    At least in our Zune, Toshiba is the NAND flash supplier, and it's in two separate packages. We are told that the 16 GB version has one package of Hynix NAND.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Chip roll call

    The long rectangular chip near the center of the board is the Phison Electronics PS8006 NAND controller.

    Above the dock connector is an Atmel 8 kilobit AT88SC0808CA CryptoMemory EEPROM chip.

    On the left side (with the sine wave logo) is a Wolfson Micro WM8352 audio codec.

    As evidenced by the writing on the dock connector, the Zune is actually manufactured by Foxconn, the same company that produces iPods for Apple.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • CPU

    The NVIDIA Tegra APX2600 processor.

    The APX2600 features an ARM11 600 MHz core.

    NVIDIA bills this as a "computer-on-a-chip." The Tegra integrates the CPU, GPU, northbridge, southbridge and memory controller into a single package.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Display separated

    Separating the OLED display from the glass and digitizer. The OLED screen is incredibly thin (1 mm) and seems more rugged than a traditional LCD panel.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Digitizer

    It appears that the digitizer may be from RiT Display.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • OLED dating

    The Samsung display is model AMS326FA05. Interestingly, the date code on this OLED is four months old, so they may have been stockpiling these from a while to have enough for the Zune launch.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Glass

    The glass is stamped with Avago X82165-001 P81302 A06.

    It will be interesting to see how well the Zune HD holds up to being dropped. Fortunately, the Zune was designed in a way that should make repairing a broken front glass possible.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • Below the EMI shield

    We desoldered the EMI shield to see what was beneath.

    It's an Atheros AR6002. Unlike the new iPod touch, this chip does not support 802.11n.

    Atheros claims this chip is super power efficient: "The game-changing power efficiency delivered by the AR6002 significantly extends battery life. In fact, the AR6002 consumes 70% less power in active mode than competitive solutions and near-zero power in standby."

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

  • 9 easy pieces

    Zune HD, displayed in nine easy-to-assemble pieces!

    We found components inside from Atheros, Atmel, Avago, Kionix, Phison Electronics, RiT Display, Samsung, Toshiba, and Wolfsom Micro. Did we miss one? Let us know.

    Images by iFixit, used by permission

Full exposure

Microsoft has released a new version of their MP3 player, the Zune HD. Our friends over at iFixit got hold of one of these devices and took it a part for us to see. The Zune HD was a long time coming, but the hardware found inside the device may well have been worth it.

iFixit is a one-stop-shop for the parts, tools, and repair manuals needed to fix iPods, iPhones, Macs, and more. They make it easy for anyone to repair their Apple hardware. Follow along as iFixit engineers disassemble the Microsoft Zune HD.

Images by iFixit, used by permission

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After Hours Innovation Hardware Tech & Work

By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.