iFixit has been busy once again and have wasted no time with their screwdriver set and have this week published a teardown of the Apple iMac 27 inch system. The new next generation 27″ iMac which was announced this morning has been opened by the iFixit team for a quick tour of the highlights inside the system.
Teardown Insights and Repairability Score
The iFixit team have given the Apple iMac 27 inch system a repairability score of 5 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair) and have also taken apart the smaller Apple 21.5 inch iMac system. This score reflects the moderate difficulty in repairing the device, primarily due to the design choices made by Apple.
“Apple sent out a little press release this morning and announced a minor spec bump to its now-ancient 2012 iMacs. Not resting on our iPhone 5s/c teardown laurels — nor on anyone else’s laurels, for that matter — we harassed the folks at the Apple Store until they sold us a couple of units. So what did we find?”
Challenges in Repairability
On the downside for repairability, the glass and LCD are fused together, and there are no more magnets holding the glass in place. This means that any attempt to repair or replace the screen requires careful handling and additional steps. You will also have to peel off the old double-sided sticky tape and apply new tape to reseal the iMac system. This can be a meticulous process, adding to the complexity of repairs.
The teardown also revealed that the RAM is accessible, but only after removing the logic board, which is not a simple task. This makes upgrading the RAM a more involved process compared to other desktop systems. Additionally, the CPU is soldered to the motherboard, making it impossible to upgrade without specialized equipment.
Despite these challenges, the iMac 27 inch system does have some redeeming qualities. The modular design of certain components, such as the hard drive and the power supply, makes them relatively easier to replace. This modularity is a small but significant step towards making the device more repair-friendly.
Another interesting find was the cooling system. The iMac 27 inch uses a single large fan to cool the entire system. This design choice is efficient but also means that if the fan fails, the entire system could overheat, leading to potential damage. Therefore, regular maintenance and monitoring of the cooling system are crucial for the longevity of the device.
The iFixit team also noted that the adhesive used in the iMac is of high quality, ensuring that the components stay in place securely. However, this also means that disassembling the device without causing damage requires a high level of skill and the right tools.
In conclusion, while the Apple iMac 27 inch system offers impressive performance and a sleek design, its repairability leaves much to be desired. The fusion of the glass and LCD, the use of adhesive, and the soldered CPU all contribute to a more challenging repair process. However, the modularity of some components and the high-quality adhesive are positive aspects that should not be overlooked.
Source: iFixit
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