Nintendo 3DS: Box

ntAt launch, the Nintendo 3DS has a $249.99 (US) MSRP and comes in Aqua Blue or Cosmo Black. The 3DS measures 2.9 inches high, 5.3 inches long, and 0.8 inches deep. The handheld weighs about 8 ounces.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: In the box

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Product documentation

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Box contents

ntInside the Nintendo 3DS’ box are the Nintendo 3DS system, charging cradle, AC power adapter, stylus, and 2GB SD Memory Card (located inside the 3DS).

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Top

ntThe Nintendo 3DS has three camers–two outer-facing and one inner-facing. The outer-facing cameras allow you to take 3D photo and play augmented reality games.  The two outer-facing cameras are located along the leading edge of the top cover. Next to the cameras is the camera LED, which lights up when the cameras are in use.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Front

ntAlong the front of the Nintendo 3DS are the stereo headphone jack, power LED, and battery recharge LED.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Right side

ntAlong the right side of the Nintendo 3DS are the Wireless LED, Wireless switch, and 3D Depth Slider.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Back

ntAlong the rear edge of the Nintendo 3DS are the R button, cradle connectors, AC power adapter connector, Game Card slot, stylus holder, Infrared transceiver, and L button.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Left side

ntAlong the left side of the Nintendo 3DS are the Volume control and SD card slot.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: 2GB SD Card

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Bottom

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Front with lid/upper LCD open

ntWith the Nintendo 3DS’ lid opened, we can see the two LCD screens, Circle Pad, + Control Pad, Control buttons, left and right speakers, Select button, Home button, Start button, power button, and inner-facing camera.

n

ntThe upper LCD panel measure 3.53 inches (diagonal) and delivers a maximum resolution of 800 x 240 pixels (400 x 240 pixels in 3D mode).

n

ntThe lower LCD panel measures 3.02 inches (diagonal) and delivers s resolution of 320 x 240 pixels.

n

nt
nt
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Side with lid/upper LCD open

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Mounted in charging cradle

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the battery cover screws

ntFour Phillips #000 screws hold the Nintendo 3DS’ battery cover in place.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the battery cover

ntThe bottom cover’s screws will release from the Nintendo 3DS’ case, but reamin attached to the cover. With the screws removed, I was able to lift off the batter cover.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Battery cover removed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Battery installed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the battery

ntUsing a thin metal blade, I popped the battery loose from the Nintendo 3DS’ case.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Battery removed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Battery - Top

ntThe Nintendo 3DS has a 3.7V 1300mAh 5Wh Li-Ion battery, which provides about 3-5 hours of battery life.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Battery - Bottom

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: With the battery removed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing Game Card Slot case screw

ntTen Phillips screws hold the Nintendo 3DS’ inner case in place. I removed the single screw located in the Game Card slot first.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the stylus

ntAfter removing the Game Card slot screw, I removed the Nintendo 3DS’ stylus.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

ntAfter removing the Nintendo 3DS’ stylus, I removed the remaining nine Phillips screws.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Lifting up the lower case cover

ntWith all the screws removed, you can lift the lower case cover up away from the rest of the Nintendo 3DS. Be carfull when does this, as several ribbon cables will still be connected to the main PCB.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the lower half of the case

ntTwo small ribbon cables connect the lower half of the Nintendo 3DS’ case to the main PCB.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Ribbon cables between lower half of case and main PCB

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: With lower case cover

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Lower case cover

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Lower case cover removed

ntWith the lower half of the Nintendo 3DS’ case removed, we get our first good look at that hardware inside the device.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the Circle Pad controller screws

ntThe Nintendo 3DS’ Circle Pad controller is held in place with two Phillips screws.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Circle Pad controller washers/rings

ntA pair of thin washers/rings are located between the Circle Pad controller mechanism and the Nintendo 3DS’ plastic case.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Circle pad controller and washers removed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Circle pad controller - Top

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Circle pad controller - Bottom

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: After removing the Circle Pad controller

ntAfter removing the Circle Pad controller mechanism, I turned my attention to the Nintendo 3DS’ Wi-Fi card.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the Wi-Fi card

ntNext, I removed the Wi-Fi card using a plastic spudger.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Wi-Fi card antenna wire

ntA single antena wire is attached to the bottom of the Nintendo 3DS’ Wi-Fi card.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Mitsumi DWM-W02 Wi-Fi card

ntThe Nintendo 3DS uses a Mitsumi DWM-W02 Wi-Fi card.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Wi-Fi card - Back

ntUnfortunately the Wi-Fi card’s metal EMI shield is soldered to the PCB so, I won’t be able to show you the Atheros chip that sits underneath.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: IR board

ntThe Nintendo 3DS’ IR board has an NXP chip with markings 8750 0211 TSD033C.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the SD card slot screws

ntNext, I removed the screws holding the Nintendo 3DS’ SD card slot to the case.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the SD card slot

ntAfter removed the SD card slot’s screws and popping loose its connector, I used a thin metal blade to gently pry it loose from the EMI shield that it is glued to. I was able to do this without damaging either component.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: SD card slot removed

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: SD card slot

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the main PCB screws

ntNext, I turned my attention to removing the Nintendo 3DS’ main PCB. Several screws hold it to the upper half of the case and had to be removed.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

ntYou must also detach any remaining ribbon cables and connectors from the main PCB.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the main PCB

ntWith the screws removed and ribbon cables detached, you can lift the main PCB away from the Nintendo 3DS.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB ribbon cable

ntYou’ll also need to disconnect a ribbon cable from the underside of the main PCB.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB removed

ntFor now, I left the lower LCD screen attached to the main PCB. I’ll disconnect it later.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Upper LCD and top half of case

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB with lower LCD attached

ntWith the main PCB removed from the case, I disconnected the Nintendo 3DS’ lower LCD screen.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Volume control slider

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Lower LCD - Front

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Lower LCD - Back

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the volume control slider

ntThe volume control slider is attached to the underside of the main PCB.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB - Top

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB - Bottom

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Texas Instruments PAIC3010B

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Invensense ITG-3270 Gyroscope

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: TI 93045A4

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: CKP TI 0BW Z22P

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB markings

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Soldered EMI shields

ntUnfortunately, most of the interesting chips on the Nintendo 3DS’ main PCB are covered by EMI shields, which are soldered to the PCB. As I want to put this machine back together in working order, I’m not going to remove the shields and risk damaging the PCB or chips.

n

ntFor a look at the chips under these shields, I’ve included a photo from friends over at iFixit. They disassembled a Japaneese version of the 3DS a few weeks back and did remove the shields.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB and chips revealed

ntOur friends over at iFixit obtained a Japanese version of the Nintendo 3DS a few weeks ago, and did a complete teardown. Here’s one of the photos from their gallery that shows all the chips on the 3DS’ main PCB.

n

ntAs I noted earlier, most of the chips are covered by metal EMi shields that are soldered to the main PCB. As I wanted to reassemble our test unit in working order, I decided not to remove the shields.

n

ntPhoto by: iFixit.com / Reused with permission
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Nintendo 3DS: Completely disassembled

ntThanks to its standard (aleit small) Phillips screws, the Nintendo 3DS isn’t too difficult to open. Unfortunatley once you’re inside, things get a bit more complicated.

n

ntThe 3DS contains many small ribbon cables and connectors. You could easily break one of them during the cracking open process. I actually knocked the lock off one of the tiny ribbon cable connectors, and then spent the next 20 minutes reattaching it. At least the battery is easy to change.

n

ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler