I think Apple should give up the whole idea with the clips. They are dumb and pointless. Most people can't open the case without damaging the plastic.
I see the solution as pretty simple. Put a hinge above the fan slots and have 2-4 screws on the bottom. Then the lid would just flip right over and be extremely easy to both open and set back into place. If they want to discourage average users getting into it then use those screws that need allen keys like they use on other Mac products.
I don't know about the manufacturing cost but wouldn't having some screws be cheaper than making all those moulded clips?
What I find odd is that my powerbook has screws all over it. Is there a reason for this? Do Apple assume that powerbook owners are more likely to be able to service their own machines?
The bottom line is that most Mac hardware problems will be sorted by Mac service centres and by making the machines awkward to open, it will affect them most.
I'll paint a picture of a service rep installing RAM:
Current design:
turn mini over and carefully wedge special tool into the small gap.
use some force to get the clips to open but not break and raise innards out completely.
install RAM
try to position the lid over the components and drop it into place, then clipping it down.
New design:
flip Mini, remove 2-4 screws, flip lid, install ram, flip lid back, screw back in.
The hinge means no more messing about trying to fit the lid into place.
I see the solution as pretty simple. Put a hinge above the fan slots and have 2-4 screws on the bottom. Then the lid would just flip right over and be extremely easy to both open and set back into place. If they want to discourage average users getting into it then use those screws that need allen keys like they use on other Mac products.
I don't know about the manufacturing cost but wouldn't having some screws be cheaper than making all those moulded clips?
What I find odd is that my powerbook has screws all over it. Is there a reason for this? Do Apple assume that powerbook owners are more likely to be able to service their own machines?
The bottom line is that most Mac hardware problems will be sorted by Mac service centres and by making the machines awkward to open, it will affect them most.
I'll paint a picture of a service rep installing RAM:
Current design:
turn mini over and carefully wedge special tool into the small gap.
use some force to get the clips to open but not break and raise innards out completely.
install RAM
try to position the lid over the components and drop it into place, then clipping it down.
New design:
flip Mini, remove 2-4 screws, flip lid, install ram, flip lid back, screw back in.
The hinge means no more messing about trying to fit the lid into place.
)
