iFixit Finds 31 Magnets in iPad 2/Smart Cover Teardown

[Michael Essany]

It turns out that the magnetic "Smart Covers" introduced in conjunction with the iPad 2 earlier this month are every bit as "magnetic" as they sound. Based on the not-so-surprising findings of the iFixit team, a teardown of the new iPad 2 Smart Cover reveals that 21 magnets are housed in the new accessory with another 10 corresponding magnets built into the iPad 2 itself.

Based on the teardown, iFixit found the Smart Cover has only one magnet that turns off the iPad 2's screen (although it should be noted that other magnetized tools can similarly activate on/off). The other 30 magnets are used to either clamp to the iPad on the right side or to establish the triangular shape needed to create a stand for the tablet. As expected, the alternating polarity of the magnets in the iPad 2 is "complemented by the opposite alternating polarity of the magnets in the Smart Cover," making certain that the revolutionary iPad cover always sits in the same orientation.

We were curious earlier why Apple decided to use so many magnets on the right side of the Smart Cover. They needed at least four to complement those in the iPad 2, but why the other ten? They used a steel-to-magnet bond (which is weaker than a magnet-to-magnet bond) to form the triangular stand, and so they needed lots more magnets to prevent the case from literally falling apart during use.

Although the iFixit crew is particularly adept and tearing down and reassembling no shortage of tech products and iDevices, the team points out (with tongue in cheek) that a disassembled Smart Cover has a "repairability score of zero." To read the full iFixit teardown of the iPad 2 Smart Cover, click here.

Source: iFixit

[TheDirtyDiddler]

These are a great idea. Too bad the colors are putrid. It's like Easter all the time. I'm sticking with black.

[Cowboy]

lol this it a fun little fyi

[Bluemoldycheeze88]

All good colors come in leather which
Is what $70?


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[Paco]

Poor iPad getting dismantle instead of being jb

[The6uest]

All good colors come in leather which
Is what $70?

Thats true and that sucks. I like black and red the best but I'm not paying $70 for them. Especially since it says the color can rub off of them.

[GregTheWang]

But... f*ing magnets... HOW DO THEY WORK?!

[thetoothfairy]

Ordered the pink one! Wonder if those magnets will mess up your tv screen if your near it with this cover????

[Bluemoldycheeze88]

Thats true and that sucks. I like black and red the best but I'm not paying $70 for them. Especially since it says the color can rub off of them.

I like black one too. But color rub off no thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[GellBrake'rrrr]

I'd be down with a soft felt cover. Preferably blue. That'd be pretty slick IMO. Not too fond of their current line of covers. Once again.... To each his own, and that would be mine

[Fallguy]

Ordered the pink one! Wonder if those magnets will mess up your tv screen if your near it with this cover????

That was my first thought , just like the old TV screens magnets used to mess up .Think this is true only on CRT screens.
I know they have a bunch of spots in the ipad 2 that either have the magnets installed inside or metal to where the magnets in the cases adhere to.

[mmaboi21]

I Got a grey poly one love it

[ADF]

Ok, why is this news again?... and yes, i read the entire article.

[Samcole28]

Ordered the pink one! Wonder if those magnets will mess up your tv screen if your near it with this cover????

Keep credit cards or debit cards away! They are sure to be demagnetized by these magnets.

[delusion950]

Obviously it's magnets. Looks like iFixit have Sherlok on their team.

[nhstunner]

I have a smart cover for mine, Silver Poly. Black is best, but I'm not paying $70. The cover itself is pretty slick, I like not having to press the power button and slide to unlock.

[EdmundGerber]

There are magnets on the ipad2?

So all day long are you constantly removing paperclips, thumb tacks, small screws etc from the thing?

[CynicalDriver]

There are magnets on the ipad2?

So all day long are you constantly removing paperclips, thumb tacks, small screws etc from the thing?

That was my first thought, then credit cards, then portable hard-drives!

Nothing's good, that can come of this.


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[steve-z17]

Obviously it's magnets. Looks like iFixit have Sherlok on their team.

Lol!

Funny that awhile back magnets would ruin a screen, but now they're being built into it. Shows how far technology has come, awesome

[romeo_herman]

I have a smart cover for mine, Silver Poly. Black is best, but I'm not paying $70. The cover itself is pretty slick, I like not having to press the power button and slide to unlock.

Yeaah, you got the Polyurethane one???for $39.00...