The iFixit Guys Are iPad mini Case-Cracking Geniuses

I’ve followed new Apple device teardown reports from iFixit for years. What’s a teardown report? An astoundingly detailed look at not only how to take apart a new device but also a peek inside it. Sure, there’s a voyeuristic element going on here that only real gadget fans appreciate, but still. The internal components often reveal interesting new features of — the strategies behind — Apple products. Case in point? The new iPad mini teardown report.

The teardown is fairly standard, but I was surprised to see that Apple hasn’t yet been able to completely stop using Samsung components in its products: In at least some iPad mini units, iFixit revealed that Apple is using a Samsung LCD display component.

Better yet, despite Amazon making an early claim that the iPad mini only had mono speakers, iFixit confirmed that it has stereo speakers.

Copious Adhesive

The great thing about iFixit is that they try to take apart things that look like they were milled from a single block of metal. Without noticeable screws, these guys (and gals) use heat guns and spudgers and tiny little prying tools to melt adhesives and get into things that normal guys only see if they drop their iPhone down concrete steps from the nose-bleed seats of their local stadium. Better yet, they even try to repair this stuff when one piece breaks.

Turns out they are true heroes, though, because they create repair guides and sell special tools — like the iPhone 4/4s pentalobe screwdriver — just so do-it-yourself guys can try it at home even when Apple engineers new screws just to keep tinkerers out.

Hot Pad for Your iPad

The iFixit guys invented another new trick, though, and that’s a microwavable heating pad that’s used to soften the adhesive that holds iPad together. It deserves a shout out, too. Called the iOpener, it seems to work a lot like a neck-warmer gift I received one year. The warmer was basically a thick cotton tube sock filled with rice. If you threw it in the microwave for a few minutes, boom, out it would come with a warm charge that would hold for 20 minutes. It was slightly smelly but great for cold winter nights or the various aches and pains I sustain playing basketball.

I don’t think the iOpener is filled with rice, but hey, the idea seems to work on the iPads.

Nice.

About the author

Chris Maxcer

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I've been writing about the tech industry since the birth of the email newsletter, and I still remember the clacking Mac keyboards from high school -- Apple's seed-planting strategy at work. I'm a big fan of elegant gear and great tech, but there's something to be said for turning it all off -- or most of it -- to go outside. Online I like to call out cool stuff on Wicked Cool Bite and blog with my buddies at Man Makes Fire. To catch me, take a "firstnamelastname" guess at the url of this site.