By Anu Passary | Nov 20, 2012 12:22 PM EST
Nintendo launched its hotly-anticipated Wii U console on Sunday, Nov. 18, six years after the original Wii made its debut. The console has been available for barely a few days and the folks at iFixit have already disassembled the device and gauged its repairability.
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The good news for Nintendo Wii U fans is that the console scored 8 out of 10 for repairability.
iFixit's findings reveal that the Wii U has several "hidden Tri-wing screws" on both the console and the GamePad controller, which could well be a "pain for modders and repairers."
The iFixit team was also impressed by the "repairability and modularity" of the two devices and discovered that the designers have opted for screws over clips or adhesives. Additionally, most of the components can be replaced "independently of their respective motherboards" and the battery of the device too is easy to get and replace.
"The GamePad controller's imposing size is a result of the large screen and buttons, with plenty of room for the internal circuitry and even room for a much larger battery in the user-accessible compartment," noted iFixit.
However, the iFixit team was "a bit disappointed that Nintendo didn't use the extra real estate in the Wii U for some crazy speakers."
The teardown also found that the optical drive and heat sink dominate the Wii U and are "considerably beefier than those found in the Nintendo Wii."
The optical drive weighs 424.2gms and accounts for nearly one third of the console's 1.5kg weight. iFixit attributed the bulky optical drive to be a "by-product of the larger motherboard underneath."
"A case expansive enough to accommodate the motherboard leaves some extra room for a bigger optical drive. Possible benefits to using a clunkier disc-reader could be reduced cost, quieter operation, or improved longevity over a slimmer drive," averred iFixit.
iFixit found three separate wireless modules underneath the motherboard, which are as follows:
The Notable ICs on the console's motherboard are listed below:
The Notable ICs on the Wii U's GamePad motherboard are as follows:
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