Inside the Eee PC 900

Author: Richard Swinburne
Published: 19th April 2008
Comments (17) Stumble
Inside the Eee PC 900

Now... how do I put it back together??

I know, we've probably been all Eee'd out for a few months; well, at least until Atom gets here. But there was this niggling itch to break stuff, and it was sitting there, and this is bit-tech after all...

Where can we find that extra 16GB of SSD storage? Is there anything new inside? (And sometime later) Can we put it back together?

Essentially, no... or at least, that's the answer for the first two questions.

The main PCB is pretty much identical as the Eee PC 700. The only thing new is that the mobile PCI-Express socket is now used with a 16GB SSD module expanding the drive space. We've used this space to hack extra storage into the original Eee PC 700 in the past.

Given that the screen is bigger, the speakers have also moved into the base of the unit, so instead of getting stereo sound towards your face it's forced into the desk or your lap instead - it's not ideal, but an acceptable sacrifice given the extra screen real estate.

Anyway, here's some hot naked shots for you all to enjoy. Pwor!

Discuss in the forums.


1GB A-DATA DDR2 - there's only a single slot available. Unscrew the rest of the Philips heads screws around the edges.


Unpopping the keyboard is pretty difficult - it's clipped in at the top in three places. The SSD module is screwed into its slot on the bottom and is easily removable.


Eight (four per side) 2GB Samsung flash chips sit on the PCI-Express SSD module that looks very similar to Intel's Turbo Memory module. The Realtek ALC662 chipset supplies basic "5.1 channel" AC97 sound.


The same four 1GB Samsung flash chips are hardwired to the board for the OS and programs. The 900MHz Intel CPU with 512k L2 cache and built on its 90nm process is still the same as before.


Top side and underneath


The small fan that cools it and speakers, aaaand the mess I made.
Quote iwog 19th April 2008, 12:49
well did you manage to get it all back together?
Quote Daza 19th April 2008, 13:00
Discuss in the forums

should be

Discuss in the forums
Quote Bindibadgi 19th April 2008, 13:18
Quote:
Originally Posted by iwog
well did you manage to get it all back together?

Yes! :D And for a change without a screw spare, unlike the rock...
Quote Cupboard 19th April 2008, 13:50
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bindibadgi
Yes! :D And for a change without a screw spare, unlike the rock...

I am impressed breeding screws are a nightmare!
Is it now for sale somewhere as shop soiled? Bargain hunt :o
Quote Arkanrais 19th April 2008, 15:02
what would happen if you were to plug the PCI-E module into a desktop mobo?
Quote Cupboard 19th April 2008, 17:55
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arkanrais
what would happen if you were to plug the PCI-E module into a desktop mobo?

It wouldn't fit easily. If I am right in thinking it is this then you may be able to modify it a bit and make it work.
Quote Garbach 19th April 2008, 21:59
...And now for the most important question: where you able to hook the screen up to the 701? I would love to start hacking away at my beloved 701 to cram in the bigger screen!
Quote samkiller42 19th April 2008, 23:13
How happy where Asus when you told them you where ripping their pride and joy apart? heh

Sam
Quote 330td 19th April 2008, 23:32
Could we use such SSD in a personal computer instead of a laptop ?
Quote Tile 20th April 2008, 00:10
Deleted
Quote Bindibadgi 20th April 2008, 11:20
Quote:
Originally Posted by 330td
Could we use such SSD in a personal computer instead of a laptop ?

Quite likely, yes, providing it has a spare internal mini PCI-E port.

And as for telling Asus... they'll know tomorrow morning :)
Quote Mother-Goose 20th April 2008, 12:19
Keep it so you can do a side by side when you get the Atom :D
Quote HugoB 20th April 2008, 13:22
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bindibadgi
Quote:
Originally Posted by iwog
well did you manage to get it all back together?

Yes! :D And for a change without a screw spare, unlike the rock...

Don't mention the Tic Tac ;) Although that was me and Tim and in my defense I only helped with the disassembly...
Quote R3veNG 20th April 2008, 13:31
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugo
Don't mention the Tic Tac ;)

If the flavour was 'mint', it shoulc provide the system with extra 'freshness', not?
Quote notatoad 20th April 2008, 19:31
this made techmeme! is that a first for bit?
Quote Bindibadgi 20th April 2008, 20:51
We are on Engadget, the Guardian and a few other places too.

<3 to them all :)

Hugo means the Zotac 9800 GX2 we took apart. Lets put it this way - if you don't plug the fan back in and the whole thing (even the outside) reaches 80C, it's not a good thing.
Quote HugoB 20th April 2008, 22:26
Especially when you try and pick it up!! It was that special kind of hot that you don't quite notice until you've had your fingers on the surface of the damned thing for 30 seconds and by then it's too late...

Out of interest, did you get the Eee back together and working again?
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