iFixit has just posted a teardown for the new Mac Mini, which launched yesterday. The new Mac Mini, features up to twice the graphics performance, a new HDMI port and a new SD card slot, all in an "amazingly compact aluminum enclosure."
Here are some highlights from the teardown: ● Departing from previous generations, the Mini's unibody top enclosure is machined from a single block of aluminum. ● With a simple counter-clockwise twist, we were able to gain access into the Mini's internals. Gone are the days of the putty knife. You will be missed, old friend! ● Removing the RAM is very simple this time around, requiring only the simple prying of two clips. ● The fan doesn't have too much work to do, since the new Mac Mini is the most energy-efficient desktop, running on less than 10 watts at idle! ● There are two blind holes in the case of the Mini that are meant for the ends of Apple's custom U-shaped logic board removal tool. We just used two Torx screwdrivers. We call them the "Mac Mini logic board removal tool." ● In keeping with its space saving design, the fins directing air toward the vent hole are slanted to allow for better fan placement. ● The new Mini's power supply churns out a minuscule 7 Amps at 12V. Compare that to the 25.8 Amps at 12V cranked out by the iMac Intel 27", and you can understand how they fit the power supply inside the Mini. ● The Mini's 3/8" woofer dome won't be popping ear drums anytime soon. ● Apple had to get creative with the antenna placement because they switched to unibody construction for this Mac Mini.
Has iFixit or any other website assembled a guide on how disassemble this new Mac Mini so the internal 2.5" HDD can be upgraded / replaced by the end-user? I've purchased one with a 2.66GHz CPU & 4GB of RAM, but unlike the Server Edition, the hard disk options available for a CTO 'Normal' model when purchased from the Online Apple Store (320GB or 500GB) only spin at 5,400RPM - I've got a 7,200RPM Western Digital WD3200BEKT 2.5" HDD that I would like to use in this Mac Mini, but since its just been released, I have not yet found any tutorials on how to remove the logic-board from the unibody chassis so access can be gained to the internal hard disk. Can anyone post a link to such a end-user disassembly guide if one exists yet.
Thanks,
~74tz