The gadget-disassembling crew from iFixit has gotten its paws on Apple's new iPad Air, and they have some bad news for do-it-yourself repairmen: it's very, very hard to open and repair.
The iPad Air is much thinner and lighter than the 4th-gen iPad, and, like most Apple gadgets, it looks pretty elegant even when opened.
See also: Apple iPad Air Raises the Tablet Bar
Unfortunately, the good news end there, as exchanging nearly any part of the iPad Air is tough to do without damaging the device. While the LCD is relatively easy to remove, the front panel is glued to the rest of the device and the battery is very hard to remove due to large amounts of adhesive used to hold parts together.
In other words, unless you're very skilled with a screwdriver and have tons of patience, you better not try to open the iPad Air under any circumstances.
Check out the entire teardown here.
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Apple's iPad Air takes the tablets design to a new level of portability. At just one pound and 0.29 inch thick, the tablet is light enough to hold with just your fingertips.
The only notable thing about the iPad Air box is that it's smaller than any full-size iPad box that's come before it.
As you can see, the lock switch and volume buttons are still on the side.
Aside from the "space gray" aluminum, there's nothing remarkable about the back of the iPad Air. You can see the iSight camera in the upper left corner.
This is pretty much the same camera you'll find on the previous iPad and on the iPhone 5C.
The top edge features the 3.5mm audio jack, microphone opening and the power/sleep button.
Another look at that very thin edge.
You'll find the speakers and Lightning port on the bottom edge of the iPad Air.
The new iPad Air fits snugly into the leather Smart Case.
Another look at the bottom of the iPad Air.
Compared with previous iPads, the iPad Air (left) is also considerably thinner.
The iPad Air is considerably smaller than the iPad 4 (bottom).
At the bottom is an iPad 4. In the middle is the much smaller iPad Air (with the same size screen). On top is the iPad Mini (Gen 1).
It's fun to hold it like this, but not particularly useful.
If you've seen iOS 7 before, then the home screen is quite familiar. Even if you haven't, it still looks just like an iPad.
The new Smart Case is leather and fits the iPad Air perfectly. It's easy to put on and a bit tricky to take off. It also doubles as a stand. It lists for $79.
The case features an opening for the camera, speakers and Lightning port. Other buttons are covered, but still entirely usable.
Don't want to cover the iPad Air's shiny back? Try the smart cover. It costs $39.
They share many of the same specs, but the iPad Air is considerably larger than the iPad Mini.
Image: iFixit