iPad Internals Trace Device to iPod

For fans of Apple products whose interest goes a little deeper than shiny screens and sleek form factors, Chipworks’ look at the guts of the iPad is a welcome development. The firm, which specializes in reverse engineering and patent infringement analysis, has taken a detailed report about an early version of the device made public by the Federal Communications Commission and broken the new tablet down to a component level.

What did it find? That the iPad is essentially a jumbo version of the iPod Touch, only with a better display and longer battery life.

Datamation has the story on Chipworks’ teardown analysis and the internals of the iPad.

Curiosity about just what makes the iPad tick reached a fever pitch following Apple’s release of the new device this past Saturday. And now, the curious can get a closer look at Apple’s handiwork.

While tablets have been around for years, the iPad is considered a category-setting breakthrough that promises to spawn much broader user adoption than has been seen to date. Based on initial sales numbers, the iPad is already moving in big numbers. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) reported it sold over 300,000 iPads the first day of availability, including pre-orders. “iPad users, on average, downloaded more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement.

However, Apple typically keeps its mouth shut regarding its products’ internals or the component suppliers that it works with. One surprising source of information about the iPad was the FCC, which posted a detailed report based on a pre-production version of the device prior to its release — including photos. Also included is a letter from Apple (in PDF format) asking the government agency to withhold “business-sensitive” details about the iPad until Aug. 17, but the FCC apparently declined.

Read the full story at Datamation:


iPad Teardown Shows iPod Roots