Prototype Laptop Left in Coffee Shop

From LVL1
Jump to navigation Jump to search

FOUND

Recently an unknown developer left a prototype laptop at a local coffee shop. The laptop was acquired by LVL1 for a teardown analysis. What follows is a photographic record of the teardown. It is hoped that the multi-billion dollar corporation developing this prototype will present LVL1 with a finder's fee.

Tms-psp-front-closed.jpg Tms-psp-front-open.jpg

Tms-psp-back-closed.jpg Tms-psp-left.jpg Tms-psp-right.jpg

Initial Analysis

A sharp eyed member of the teardown team noticed the word "PLAYSKOOL" on the front. The blatant misspelling of "school" leads our researchers to believe that this is an imported prototype. The use of a Greek Pi symbol may indicate the beginnings of a high tech industry in the acropolis. The transparent back confirms the prototype nature of the device and reveals a graphis of a possible pineapple or bunch of grapes. This is obviously targeted to the "green" crowd.

From the front, the main front power switch and a SD Card slot are visible. A front panel folds down to reveal a monitor, keyboard and USB mouse port. Just above them, a camera lens. The left side provides a USB, HDMI, RJ-45 and power connectors. The right side has a headphone jack, an I/O socket and a power with volume panel, likely to be audio because of its proximity to the headphone jack.

Back Removal

Tms-psp-back-open.jpg

With the back removed and the wires brushed aside, it is obvious that this laptop is powered by a Raspberry Pi.

Tms-psp-wire-peel-10.jpg

The Pi is a model B.

Tms-psp-iso-pi.jpg

While unplugging the many wires to the Raspberry Pi, a number of wiring cables were also removed.

Tms-psp-iso-power-harness-5v.jpg

A 5 volt power harness for supplying power to the Raspberry Pi, USB Hub and audio amplifier module.

Tms-psp-iso-ethernet-cable.jpg

Ethernet cable connecting the Raspberry Pi to the case RJ-45 connector.

Tms-psp-iso-usb-hub-cable.jpg

USB Cable for connecting Raspberry Pi USB port to USB hub master.

Tms-psp-iso-audio-bypass-cable.jpg

A headphone bypass assembly connected the Raspberry Pi analog audio output to the audio amplifier input with unamplified bypass to case headphone jack.

Tms-psp-iso-monitor-cable.jpg

A cable from the built in monitor had several connections. One was for the composite video port on the Raspberry Pi which required a gender-changer and a separate power cable connected to the cases 12 volt power supply.

Tms-psp-iso-sd-card-extender.jpg

Connected to the Raspberry Pi's SD Card slot is an extender cable which allows the SD Card to be inserted from the front of the case.

Tms-psp-iso-camera-cable.jpg

And finally, a ribbon cable connecting the Raspberry Pi to a camera.

More Up Top

Along with wiring in the bottom of the case, the top of the case held a powered USB hub.

Tms-psp-back-upper.jpg

Tms-psp-iso-usb-wifi.jpg

Among the USB hub connections is Wi-Pi US B WiFi dongle. Also connected are two pass-thru cables to the case's USB ports. One cable goes to the left side of the case while the other goes to the USB port near the keyboard behind the flap intended for a mouse. The built in keyboard is also connected to the hub.

Tms-psp-iso-usb-hub.jpg

The USB hub mounting plate comes out of the case.

But Wait There Is More

Tms-psp-back-deep.jpg

Beneath the USB hub plate is a second clear plate. This plate has the power screw terminal strip for the device.

Tms-psp-back-deepest-upper.jpg

When that plate is removed, the power switch, camera board and SD card extender connections are visible along with two speakers.

Tms-psp-iso-speakers.jpg

These speakers are wired to the audio amplifier output.

Gutted

With most of the insides removed, a few final elements are visible.

Tms-psp-iso-monitor.jpg

Built in monitor is mounted behind the front flap. Above it the front exterior power switch and SD card extender are visible.

Tms-psp-iso-case-power-port.jpg

Case power port is visible.

Tms-psp-iso-audio-amplifier.jpg

Audio Amplifier is seen here.

Back Together Again

As a test of robustness, the laptop was reassembled.

Tms-psp-back-lower-reassembled.jpg

It should be noted that our reassemble created a neater wire jungle in the back then we found it.

Tms-psp-working.jpg

Incase You Like Wiring

Playskool-pi-wiring.jpg