Microsoft Surface Teardown

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft+Surface+Teardown/11275/1?singlePage

     

Edit Step 1 — Microsoft Surface Teardown

• Is that the display assembly from a PC laptop? Nope, it's the new Microsoft Surface with Windows RT.
  
• Notable tech specs:
  
  • 10.6" ClearType HD Display (resolution of 1366x768 pixels)
    
  • Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor
    
  • 2 GB RAM
    
  • 32 or 64 GB flash storage
    
  • Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) + Bluetooth 4.0
    
  • 720p HD Front and Rear facing LifeCams
    

Edit Step 2

• To give the Surface laptop-like connectivity, nearly every edge includes ports and buttons. They are (from left to right):
  
  • Magnetic charging, USB 2.0, and Micro-HDMI out on the right side
    
  • Magnetic connection for the Touch Cover or Type Cover on the bottom
    
  • Headphone jack and volume rocker on the left side
    

Edit Step 3

• Just like your first big-kid bike, this laptop tablet comes with a kickstand to prop it up in notebook mode.
  
• One of the most notable features of the Surface is its Touch Cover keyboard, which protects the screen when closed and provides a full QWERTY typing experience when open.
  
  • For users who find the Touch Cover to be too much a compromise, Microsoft offers the Type Cover, a chiclet keyboard that also folds up to protect the Surface's LCD.
    

Edit Step 4

• We begin our expedition by removing the kickstand.
  
• Fun fact: the kickstand is held in place by a few Torx screws.
  
• Sans kickstand, we can easily view the markings on the back of the Surface's rear case. The Surface with Windows RT has a model number of 1516.
  

Edit Step 5

• Small bezels tend to hide screws, so the first place we look to open the Surface is its long plastic camera cover.
  
• Our pictures make it look easy, but removing this plastic cover took about half an hour and a lot of careful prying.
  
  • Chalk it up to inexperience. This step should take less than ten minutes once we create guides for it.
    
• Not only did we find the screws we were searching for, but there is also what appears to be a tamper-evident seal that simply reads "Surface."
  
• The tamper-evident label is composed of multiple sections. Unfortunately, it breaks apart upon removal.
  

Edit Step 6

• After removing a total of 17 T5 Torx screws, (10 under the kickstand and 7 under the camera cover), the rear case comes right off—almost.
  
• A lone ribbon cable still tethers the battery to a ZIF connector on the Surface's motherboard, which we make quick work of with the ever-trusty spudger.
  

Edit Step 7

• The big question of the day: is the battery easily removed?
  
  • Answer: Yes. It's glued in, but it's way easier to remove than on the iPad. A couple of minutes of spudging around, and it's out.
    
• We get our first look at the battery. As is the norm, the dual battery cell is adhered to the VaporMg rear case.
  
• The 7.4 V, 31.5 Wh battery is manufactured by Samsung. It fits right in between the iPad 2's 25 Wh battery, and the iPad 3's 42.5 Wh unit.
  

Edit Step 8

• Next we find a large orange ribbon cable leading to the "Apple-esque" magnetic charging port. The microSDXC card slot that hides underneath the kickstand is also attached to this ribbon cable. And not a single bother was given that day, so we proceeded to dismantle the speakers.
  
• We love modular components inside tablets and smartphones, and these speakers fit that bill. A little bit of spudgering, and our Surface has gone silent.
  
  • With two speaker assemblies we are living in stereo.
    

Edit Step 9

• Next to the display in the front case we find, well, some speaker-looking thing.
  
• Inside the case of our mystery component we found a voice coil, so we're pretty sure it's some sort of microphone or secondary speaker, or possibly a linear vibration motor.
  
• Update: It looks like a Precision Microdrives Precision Haptic Linear Resonant Vibrator, responsible for haptic feedback.
  

Edit Step 10

• The headphone jack and volume buttons aren't holding on to their real estate too tightly, and they easily come out next.
  
• We still count this as a modular component, even though it's two things on the same ribbon cable. We have certainly seen worse lately as far as modularity goes.
  

Edit Step 11

• We disconnect the display and digitizer cable from the motherboard with the help of a plastic opening tool.
  
• Let's get the motherboard out and see what goodies are attached to it.
  

Edit Step 12

• Oh no! We can't Skype with our grandmothers now that the front-facing camera is gone!
  
  • We had to wait until the motherboard was out to remove this camera, as a plastic bezel pins it down from beneath.
    

Edit Step 13

• Off comes another 720p camera from the motherboard. It feels like we've done this before…
  
• The exclusion of a 1080p rear-facing camera either means cost was a big concern, or that Microsoft's designers don't expect you to use the Surface as your main camera.
  
  • Perhaps they too realized how goofy you might look when taking pictures with a tablet.
    

Edit Step 14

• Prominent ICs on the bottom of the motherboard:
  
  • NVIDIA 1.4 GHz Tegra 3 Processor
    
  • Samsung KLMBG4GE4A 32 GB NAND Flash (left) and Atmel UC3L microprocessor (top right).
    
  • Micron 2RE22 D9QBJ 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM
    
  • Texas Instruments TPS659110 power management IC
    
  • Marvell 88W8797-BMP2 wireless MIMO SoC
    
  • Wolfson 8962E low power audio codec
    
  • Cypress Semiconductor CY8C20466A CapSense® Controller with SmartSenseTM Auto-tuning
    

Edit Step 15

• The backside of the motherboard doesn't have any chips, but it does have two Wi-Fi antennas, the ambient light sensor, a couple microphones, and a precarious wire running most of its length.
  
  • Ambient light sensor
    
  • Wolfson WM7220 Microphones
    
  • Precarious wire
    
• The Wi-Fi antennas are labeled:
  
  • Antenova A10416-WIFI-A2
    
  • Antenova A10416-WIFI-A1
    

Edit Step 16

• Following the mother(board) is the daughter(board) featuring three Atmel MXT154E touchscreen controllers.
  
• This board only deals with matters pertaining to the 10.6" touchscreen. Everything else is either located on the motherboard or on its own ribbon cable.
  

Edit Step 17

• The back side of the daughterboard contains only a few prominent ICs:
  
  • Atmel MXT1386 touchscreen controller
    
  • TI MSP430G2402 Microcontroller
    
  • 1600P E284A Crystal Oscillator
    

Edit Step 18

• We tried to remove the keyboard connector, but were disappointed to find it's wedged firmly under the LCD. Replacing the connector will require either bending the magnesium frame or separating the display.
  
• We were on a teardown roll, so we pressed on and pulled the display from the VaporMG frame, which required a heat gun, some guitar picks, and plenty of patience.
  
• The display's LTL106AL01-002 label indicates Samsung as the manufacturer. Its sister panel, the LTL106AL01-001, appears to be 1280 x 800 resolution. We didn't test the Surface's display before taking it apart, and we trust Microsoft not to lie…
  
  • But maybe someone can do a quicky double-check on the display resolution, just for giggles?
    

Edit Step 19

• Microsoft Surface Repairability: 4 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair).
  
  • Several components are modular and replaceable without requiring desoldering.
    
  • You can remove the battery pretty easily—once you've suffered through the opening procedure.
    
  • It's pretty difficult to remove the rear panel and gain access to the device.
    
  • It is impossible to remove the keyboard connector without first removing the display from the frame.
    
  • LCD and glass are fused together and strongly adhered to the case, increasing cost of replacement.
    
  • You'll have to use a heat gun and lots of patience to gain access to the glass and LCD.
    

兼容NFC裝置 外型設計別緻
Sony NFC及藍牙揚聲器SRS-BTX系列

文: Samuel Wong / 新聞中心

2013-02-08

 

Sony 針對日漸盛行的 NFC 近距離無線通訊推出一系列無線便攜式揚聲器，讓用家只需將內建 NFC 的智能手機、平板電腦或電腦，透過 NFC 或藍牙技術進行數據連接，以高保真音色配合 Sony 獨有的音響技術，令音效更能迫真呈現。而且體積輕巧易攜，方便用家於戶外戶內亦能享受更高質音效。

 

全新 Sony X 系列揚聲器包括 SRS-BTX500 及 SRS-BTX300 ，其內建日漸流行的 NFC 技術及藍牙技術，利用短距高頻的無線電技術傳輸數據，而且配對省時，提高傳輸功率令用家能迅速地串流高品質音樂及進行清晰的語音通話。此外，除支援 NFC 技術外，支援 AptX 及 AAC 藍牙編碼，即使不支援 NFC 技術流動裝置亦能使用，而且確保進行無線串流時仍保持最佳音色。

 

高階型號 SRS-BTX500 內置重低音揚聲器及 Sony 原有的 DMC 技術，結合雙被動式輻射裝置 (dual passive radiators) 、磁流揚聲器及 Clear Phase 數碼訊號處理器，其中磁流揚聲器技術可輸出更高聲壓水平及更清晰聲音。此外， Sony 獨有 Clear Phase 技術可減少失真並提升音場表現，讓用戶可享受清晰悅耳的聽覺體驗。

 

揚聲器內置鋰離子充電池可連續播放音樂長達 8 小時，讓音樂愛好者可長時間於家中或戶外使用。兩款揚聲器均支援免提模式及 USB 充電功能，供任何智能手機使用。

 

 

SRS-BTV5 同樣配備 NFC 技術及藍牙技術以無線串流音樂，並支援免提通話功能，而且外形設計精巧，細小輕巧，體積仿如一個網球般，備有四種顏色供用家選擇，包括白色、粉紅色、藍色及黑色。 SRS-BTV5 揚聲器內置 Sony 360 度全方位音效擴散技術，把音樂傳送至房間裡每個角落。 SRS-BTV5 揚聲器內置充電池可連續進行無線串流播放音樂達 5 小時，並附送一個網紋便攜袋，方便攜帶。

 

據 SONY 表示， Sony 全新 NFC 及藍牙無線便攜式揚聲器 SRS-BTV5 於二月底推出，售價為港幣 780 元；而 SRS-BTX500 及 SRS-BTX300 將於三月初發售，售價有待公佈。

網上流傳 DIY 智能手機無線充電

自行加裝無線充電測試

文: Oliver Lam

現時大部份人都採用智能手機方便日常生活及應用，而早前網上流傳將手機改裝，加入無線充電功能，雖然充電速度較利用 USB 線材慢，但對於「懶人」用家來說亦是一個方便的設計。今次編輯部特別找來該款智能手機進行改裝測試，驗證充電速度。

打造個人化手機、不只限主題及背景

 

Samsung 官方在設計手機時亦已打算加入無線充電功能

 

現時在街上、地鐵車廂等等都很容易見到每人手上都有一部智能手機，部份用家會為手機選購美觀外殼、有部份用家會為手機進行「包機膜」以作保護。而早前有用家為打造個人化手機，為手機加裝無線充電裝置，雖然好像有點不切實際，但對於一般用家是十分方便。

 

近日流傳加裝無線充電的手機為近期大熱的 Samsung Galaxy SIII 及 Samsung Galaxy NoteII ，經過編輯部資料搜集後，決定一試改裝手機並測試效能分別。用家需留意，手機經過改裝後，有機會失去代理商的保養服務，因此要先衡量風險才作嘗試。

 

首先用家需準備無線充電的設備，包括本身用作 HP 手機使用的：無線充電發送器、感應線圈套裝，最後當然不少得被改裝的智能手機，今次會嘗試改裝 Samsung Galaxy NoteII 作測試。無線充電發送器、感應線圈套裝等一般亦不難購買，例如大家都熟悉的淘寶、 EBay 等等平台亦有賣家售賣，全套改裝工具價錢一般大約 HK$100 。

 

順序數：無線充電機座、防磁貼、感應線圈、手機背殼

 

開始改裝，先把手機電源關上，並把背殼移除方便進行改裝。翻轉手機可看見電池旁邊有兩個金屬接點，這就是原廠所預留的無線充電輸入接點，照推算是留待日後推出其他無線配件使用。利用卡尺等工具把兩個接點位置標示在背殼上，方便貼上線圈及接點。

 

由於感應線圈本身並非為這部手機而設，因此接點位置會有誤。用家先測試兩點位置距離，並在線圈上標示，利用界刀把表面保護膠刮走以方便焊錫。把銅接點焊走並移植至剛剛刮走的位置，再重新量度兩點距離確保正確無誤。把整塊線圈放在手機殼上，對準無線充電接點位置，先利用膠紙固定方便測試。

 

Samsung Galaxy SIII 及 NoteII 一直預留無線充電接點、留待日後推出有關產品

( 左 ) 量度兩點距離並用界刀刮走保護層 ( 右 ) 把接點移走並焊到新位置上

 

除了貼上線圈，另外亦設有一塊銀色金屬貼，用作阻攔無線電磁波，除了保護手機內零件外，同時能夠確保大部份電磁波會流通線圈產生電流。當線圈及防磁貼都裝好後就可以把背殼裝回手機上作測試。把線圈部份移近無線充電發送器，手機會彈上字句表示正進行無線充電，如果你能夠看到這句就代表你已成功了大半。

 

成功感應及充電後，把背殼拆下來，同時用家可選擇用其他工具固定線圈例如：雙面膠紙，如不太介意外觀感亦可不理會。由於發送器設有四點磁石作固定及對位，因此只要把背殼直接放在無線充電發送器上，附送的四粒磁石便會自動磁在背殼上，把手機背殼略略移動，把線圈對準中間後便可。

 

( 左 ) 先利用膠紙貼上用作對位、方便測試及移位 ( 右 ) 放上充電座、如成功會有顯示字句提示

( 左 ) 把背殼放上充電座並置中 ( 右 ) 放上磁右及對位、並可以雙面膠紙固定

 

當線圈、防磁貼及對位磁石都安裝好，基本上你的無線充電已大致完成，可以把機殼安裝回手機並放上無線充電座測試。因於採用高頻無線傳送，所以充電過程中會發出微弱的高頻聲，以及背殼會有微溫產生，這些也是正常現象。

 

經測試後，無線充電功能正常運作，編輯部同事利用 Samsung 原裝充電器 (Max 2A) 作充電計時。利用原裝充電器由 28% 充至 67% 約需要 86 分鐘，平均每 2.2 分鐘就能夠充上 1% 。隔日換上無線充電裝置後重新測試，在 35% 充電至 74% 需要 172 分鐘，平均每 4.4 分鐘才充上 1% 。相比之下，無線充電較利用 USB 線慢接近一半。

 

	From (%)	To (%)	Total Time (Min)	Average / %
AC Charger (2A)	28	67	86	2.21 Min / %
Wireless Charger (2A)	35	74	172	4.41 Min / %

 

編輯評語

 

看到測試結果後，確實令人覺得無線充電效率太慢，但回想這個只是由坊間流傳及非官方的改裝，因此亦不能代表官方日後所推出的配件效能及充電速度。這個無線充電必需固定及穩放，對於一般辦公室用家其實亦適合使用，能夠隨時拎起回覆短訊或接聽電話、掛線後放在座上便能進行充電，確實省去被線材纏繞的煩惱，至於是否值得，那就要由用家自己衡量。

文: Oliver Lam/評測中心
http://www.hkepc.com/8965

TOSHIBA 硬碟流入腦場
3TB 無需HK$1000有交易

文: Oliver Lam / 新聞中心

 

自 2011 年底泰國水災後，硬碟價格一度高企，雖然經過一年時光，硬碟價格已回落至合理水平，但仍有不少用家對電腦硬碟價格產生不同聲音。泰國水災前 2TB 售價平均大約 HK$900 以下，經過一場水災後價格大幅上升至 $1,400 或以上。經過一年多後，現時 2TB 平均售價約 HK$700 ，比當日下跌不少。

但從用家角度出發，電腦產品日新月異，大多產品每隔數個月售價都會下跌，甚至已被更高階新品取代。經過一年多時間， 2TB 硬碟售價只下跌不足兩百元，大部份用家認為價格下跌速度依然緩慢。正因如此，由於 3TB 售價平均大約一千以下，效能亦比 2TB 產品較佳， 3TB 容量硬碟價格就變得較為吸引。近日 TOSHIBA 硬碟漸漸流入腦場，售價亦非常吸引，入門級 500GB 約售 HK$368 、最大 3TB 型號約售 HK$959 ，吸引不少用家選購。

 

據腦場職員指出，近日 3TB 型號以 TOSHIBA 最暢銷，其零售價約為 HK$959 ，另一品牌的 Seagate 3TB (ST3000DM001) 約售 HK$989 。較次級容量的 1TB 方面，以 Western Digital 10EZEX 較為暢銷， 約售 HK$499 ，而且由於 10EZEX 屬於 Blue 系列，相較 Green 系列並沒有調速導致效能下跌問題，亦比 Black 系列便宜，因此較受一般家用玩家歡迎 。

 

最細容量 500GB 各品牌都不相伯仲， Seagate ST500DM002 約售 HK$379 、 Western Digital Blue 系列 5000AAKE 約售 HK$388 、 TOSHIBA DT01ACA050 就約售 HK$368 ，價格上相差不足二十元，部份用家會以品牌名氣作指標，部份就會以低價作指標，因此各品牌之間銷量差別不大。

Surface Windows 8 Pro >= US $899

The Surface family is growing. Work like never before on Surface Windows 8 Pro. Take the power and performance of a laptop and carry it around wherever you go. Perfect as your one device – in the office, on the road, or at home – it can run Windows 8 applications, as well as current Windows 7 desktop applications. Starting at an estimated retail price of US $899, Surface Windows 8 Pro comes in in 64GB and 128GB models¹. Surface Windows 8 Pro will be available online, in Microsoft Stores and through select retail partners on February 9, 2013. Surface Windows RT will also be available in a new 64GB¹ standalone version for an estimated retail price of US $599 to allow you the option of selecting a Cover of your choice.

Art. Work. Customize your Surface with three NEW Limited Edition Touch Covers. Put your creative side on display, while you work and play. Featuring laser-etched artwork from trendsetting designers. Choose the design that expresses your personal style. Year of the Snake: Usher in this Chinese New Year with the symbol of charm, intuition, and wisdom. Skulls: Playful pattern with a surprise twist. Flowers: These blossoms stay fresh and in-season all year round. Connect a new Wedge Touch Mouse, Surface Edition to your Surface for a comfortable, mobile way to work. Inspired by Surface, Wedge Touch Mouse, Surface Edition, coordinates with your device in both style and substance.

INTEL NUC 迷你型電腦登陸腦場
配備 Thunderbolt 型號只售 $2,530

文: Oliver Lam / 新聞中心

2013-01-31

 

INTEL 較早時宣佈推出 Next Unit of Computing (NUC) 迷你電腦，當大家都正在期待市面發售時，日前已見 NUC 在腦場正式發售。現時分別設有兩款型號規格： DC3217IYE 及 DC3217BY 發售。這兩款 NUC 為一台整合式電腦，其主要特點是尺寸只有 102 x 102 x 52mm ，但同時設有內建處理器核心、圖像處理核心等，令小巧的裝置亦能夠發揮高效能處理。

 

其中 DC3217IYE 型號以黑色外殼設計，採用 INTEL Core i3-3217U 處理器，搭配 INTEL QS77 晶片組，設有兩條 DDR3 SO-DIMM 記憶體插槽，最高支援 DDR3-1600 記憶體頻寬及 16GB 記憶體容量。內建 INTEL HD Graphics 4000 圖像核心，並提供 2 組 HDMI 接口輸出影像。

 

除此之外，更附有 3 組 USB 2.0 接口及 1 組 1Gbps 網絡連接埠，設有 Mini PCI-E 及 M-SATA 接口各一組，能夠用作連接 SSD 或無線網絡介面卡，並提供高速讀寫速度。足以應負用作一般文書、圖像處理應用等。

 

 

而 DC3217BY 就設有紅色及黑色選擇，同樣內建 INTEL Core i3-3217U 處理器及 INTEL QS77 晶片組，記憶體規格要求亦同樣一置，其中最大分別為 DC3217BY 省去網絡連接埠及只備有 1 組 HDMI 接口輸出，但提供一組 Thunderbolt 接口供用家使用。

 

Thunderbolt 接口能夠串接多台支援設置，速度亦比 USB 接口高出多倍，對部份時常抄讀檔案到外置裝置的用家來說，是十分方便實用。同時為彌補沒有網絡介面卡功能， NUC 外殼內設有一對無線網絡卡天線，用家只要加裝 Mini PCI-E 無線介面卡及接上天線，便能夠享用無線網絡功能。

 

以上兩款 NUC 系統均採用 19V 電源供應器，而電源供應器最大輸出只有 65W ，代表 NUC 系統在功耗及用電極低。現時亦已在腦場有售，設有雙 HDMI 及 Gigabit 網絡連接的 DC3217IYE (BOXDC3217IYE) 售價約 HK$2,380 ，而設有 Thunderbolt 接口的 DC3217BY (BOXDC3217BY) 售價約 HK$2,530 。

 

DC3217BY 設有 Thunderbolt 接口、速輸效率比 USB 3.0 更優勝

採用 8 吋屏幕、迎擊iPad Mini
Samsung將於MWC發佈Galaxy Note 8

文: Samuel Wong

2013-01-22

 

 MWC 2013 將於下月於西班牙隆重舉行 ，據了解， Samsung 將於中型尺吋平板電腦市場加強其產品戰線，於會中發表其最新 8 吋屏幕平板電腦，以對抗競爭對手的 Apple iPad Mini 。加入 8 吋平板後， Samsung 旗下智慧型行動裝置產呂線將具備 5.3 吋、 5.5 吋、 7 吋、 8 吋及 10.1 吋不同尺吋平板電腦，令其平板市場更為完備。

 

據 Samsung 流動產品主管 JK Shin 透露， Samsumg 將於 MWC 2013 有 Galaxy Note 系列亮相，預期全新產品將配備 8 吋輕觸屏幕，支援 1,280 X 800 解像度。 Samsung 全新平板電腦 Galaxy Note 8 研發代號為 Kona ，型號為 GT-5100 ， 將搭載 Exynos 四核處理器，時脈為 1.6 GHz ，整機尺吋為 211.3×136.3×7.95 mm ，重量為 330g 。 採用 2 GB 記憶體， 電池容量為 4,600mAh ， 作業系統配搭最新 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean 。

 

繼上代 Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 於上年中推出後，除加添大受歡迎的 5.5 吋智能手機 Galaxy note 2 外， Samsung 並未為此系列增添成員，中型尺吋平板市場被 iPad mini 及 Nexus 7 搶佔，若 Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 推出後，加入其獨家的 S-Pen ，勢必令中型尺吋平板市場競爭更為激烈。