Wednesday August 29, 2007
- New iMac: a Dream for Users, a Nightmare for Repair Centers - Lionel - 13:58:31
If you had the chance to touch and play with the new iMac, you must agree they are gorgeous, and the glass and metal mix is simply astonishing. The display looks great, and one would like to know how Apple could install a glass plate in front of the LCD panel, and keeping them together (no glue, no screws!).
Apple engineers designed a series of 14 magnets to hold the glass plate, allowing it to stand in front of the LCD while allowing the panel to be repair when faulty. However, they had to design a new tool to remove the glass plate, costing USD100 and necessary for all Apple certified repair centers. It includes 2 suction pads required to be able to counter-balance the tightening strength generated by the magnets.
But that's only the beginning of the misery for repair tech support:
- The glass plate is made of normal glass, and not of "securite" type, so it is very fragile...
- You do not want to see finger prints on the glass, so the technician performing the operation is asked to wear gloves.
- Last but not least, you should not trap dust between the glass plate and the LCD panel, so silicone must be applied to avoid dust and water condensation to be sticking. Apple is even offering a UV lamp to check the surface of the glass plate before reassembling.
Knowing the ridiculously low price paid by Apple to Repair Centers for changing a LCD panel, let's hope the iMac is not facing a massive problem with its new gorgeous display. According to our sources, so far so good.
[translation by Linathael]
- Free your UJ-857 - Lionel - 13:36:19
During the summer, ben11, a member from rpc1.org forum released a procedure to update the notoriously impossible to patch Matsushita UJ-857. You can now turn it into a region free drive! The entire discussion is worth reading for avoiding messing up your drive (found in MacBook Pro).
Firmwares for UJ-857 were compiled by the French website Powerbook-fr.com (in French but easily understandable.
[translation by Linathael]
- September 5ht: The Beat Goes On - Lionel - 08:44:02
If this was only a rumor so far, Apple officially announced that a Special Event entitled "The beat goes on" will take place on September 5th at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, starting 10h00 local time, 19h00 CET.
Based on the cover, there is no risk predicting an update of iPod models:
So, what could be the product that Steve will unveil at the Apple Expo?
[translation by Linathael]
