iFixit tears open Apple's new iPad: What's inside?

 

EditStep 1 — iPad 3 4G Teardown

• Luke flew to the Telstra store in Melbourne, Australia and was first in line to get the iPad 3 for our deconstructive pleasure.

• A big thanks to Macfixit Australia for letting us use their facility for the teardown!

• Tech Specs:

  • Dual-core Apple A5X processor

  • 9.7 inch LCD backlit in-plane switching LED with 2048×1536 pixel Retina display

  • Quad-core graphics processor

  • 16, 32, or 64 GB flash memory

  • 5 MP HD rear-facing camera

 

EditStep 2 

• It's go time! What does an iFixit teardown expert need to dismember the newest iPad at midnight on the other side of the world?

  • Answer: A Pro Tech Base Toolkit, some good ol' Red Bull, and—of course—the iPad 3.

• Despite our office being in the United States, and the iPad 3 being debuted in Australia, we are fairly confident that it will still work.

• If you want to follow along on your own iPad, ournative iOS app is a great way to go.

 

EditStep 3 

• We spoke too soon. It appears that 4G LTE on the iPad 3 does not actually work in the land of Oz.

• Uh-oh, which iPad is this? iPad 2 3G? iPad 3 4G? iPad N (N+1)G?

  • Luckily for everybody, the model number is unique, unlike some of Apple's other products. The model number is A1430.

 

EditStep 4 

• So this is what the rear panel of a new "new iPad" looks like. Do you know what it sort of reminds us of?

• The 5 MP iSight rear-facing camera boasts autofocus, face detection, 1080p HD video recording, and video stabilization. Definitely a great improvement over last year's weak 0.7 MP rear-facing camera.

• The 2048×1536 pixel Retina display doesn't do much to amaze us once we turn the iPad off, but we didn't fly halfway across the world just to play Punch a Hipster.

 

EditStep 5 

• Some heat, guitar picks, and a plastic opening toolmake quick arduous work of removing budging the front panel.

 

EditStep 6 

• Just like its predecessor, the new iPad is very difficult to disassemble. Adhesive secures the glass to the case, making common repairs and battery replacement difficult.

• Apple is estimated to ship 1 million units on launch day, and the environmental impact of this unfortunate design choice will be significant.

• We've written extensively about the problems with Apple's difficult-to-repair iPad design over oniFixit.org:

  • Ever Broken a Textbook Beyond Repair? Now, with iBooks, You Can!

  • Yes, the iPad is Repairable—But Just Barely.

 

EditStep 7 

• A heavy-duty display should only be removed withheavy-duty suction cups.

• The first legitimately-purchased, legitimately-owned iPad 3 is now also the first legitimately-opened iPad ... in the world.

• Apparently, the new iPad has a face, and it's not happy. Look familiar?

 

EditStep 8 

• And now, a message from our sponsor: us!

• We don't just make awesome teardowns—we sellparts. And tools! Lots and lots of tools.

• Like this handy-dandy electronics tool kit that we used to take apart the new iPad. You know you want one. Just $59.95. It'll pay for itself the first time you use it!

• We sell Mac parts & upgrades, parts for iPhone screen repair, kits for fixing the infamous Xbox Red Ring of Death, and tons more.

• We need your support to continue building the free repair manual for ev

 

#God's mysteries

It is impossible to wrap our minds around God and His ways. But mystery is what keeps us returning to learn more about Him. Although there are secrets surrounding Him, we are to honor the Lord in the lessons we have learned. In addition, we are given the responsibility of passing on these lessons to our children and instilling in them a desire to uncover more of God's mysteries.