iPad Mini Tear Down, Proves Very difficult To Repair | by iFixExpress

Nov. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- It doesn't look like Apple is making it any easier with the new iPad Mini when it comes to repair. Recently a well know teardown website of gadgets gave the repairability of the New iPad Mini 2 out of 10. and Now we also confirm this is truly the case.

Apple's trend toward hard to repair iDevices continues with the iPad Mini. THe only good news we can report is the LCD and front glass aren't fused together.  So whats the problem? In a nut shell the its that its held together with dozens of mini screws as well as Apple new special glue. Apple has plenty of tricks up its sleeves with hidden screws. When we pulled up the display we found a large metal plate with 16 screws, more over these where some of the smallest screws we have ever seen! Even smaller than the iPhone screw (if they could get any smaller)!

What makes it even more troublesome is it takes what seems like hours to deal with all the heavily glue and parts soldered in.

When you get past the battery thats glued in, you get to the logic board and find even more glue.  Another thing is the lightning port ribbon cable is permanently soldered to the logic board.  This is going to make repairs very expensive. Also with no regular battery replacement it really looks like the iPad mini is doomed 3 year maximum life.

Here at http://www.ifixexpress.co.uk we are starting to see a steady flow of contact requests in regards to repair of the new iPad Mini. Its too early to say what the long term effects are of our current ear down as well as repair procedures across the whole spectrum of the independent repair companies, not just across the UK, but world wide. but with the iPad 3 the most difficult to repair to date in the series, as well as the new MacBooks with retina displays, it  looks like this trend is due to continue.