Wii U disassembly reveals unusual innards
Facilitates do-it-yourself fixing
Nintendo launched Wii U Stateside this past Sunday and while some users have complained of slow performance and freezing issues - something the firm has since addressed - teardown reports suggest potential hardware breakages should be relatively cheap to repair.
The heatgun and screwdriver equipped iFixit team cracked open the Wii U to discover Flash memory chips made by Samsung and an HDMI controller from Panasonic. It also concludes the components are larger than they expected, including an oversized optical drive.
On a positive note, as the Wii U and its GamePad use little in the way of adhesive, so they're both easy to disassemble and subsequently patch up. Well, Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata did say the company was trying to make the thing as cheaply as possible.
Source: iFixit
Of course, that will invalidate the warranty, but those confident of DIY console repair will be pleased to know the process is straightforward.
Meanwhile, Nintendo has responded to console owners who experience slow performance and freezing through its Wii U troubleshooting page.
"We are aware that users are experiencing load times when they launch or switch between applications. We are exploring ways to enhance features for consumers' overall experience," it promised.
While frozen consoles are apparently very rare, Nintendo offers two - obvious - solutions should you be one of the few folk affected. Reset the console by unplugging it from the wall for ten seconds. Make sure the system remains current with any new system updates. Ta-da.
Nintendo Wii U is out in the UK on 30 November 2012, by which time we'll have an in-depth review for you all. ®
COMMENTS
Ah yes. Shopping on the internet.
You order it, about 2 weeks later a delivery driver throws it over your 6 foot fence or leaves a note asking you to collect it from the depot which is an unsigned warehouse 60 miles away and only opens between 2.42 and 2.45pm on a 3rd tuesday of months with an A in the name.
Safer to send the missus when shes at the shops anyway buying pot noodles and beer.
I'm guessing you've had a delivery from Yodel in the past then? :)
I will be sending my Wife to the shops on the 30th, yes she has a broken foot but if I have to fund the console for her and the kids she will just have to suffer, like my wallet has.
ZombieU looks good, so I might play on it myself :-)
Re: i'll take a pass @Danny 5
This is probably news to you, but almost EVERYTHING is now made as cheaply as possible. Phones, cars, houses, consoles. It's the way of the world. BUT, that doesn't necessarily mean it's crap.
As to the Wii being crap. Well, I think your'e crap too Mr Mulligan. Your statement is nonsense. It's obviously NOT crap, as shown by the multi millions of satisfied customised. I've had one for years, the children still love it, and it's never gone wrong.
I've a suggestion to you - you don't like Nintendo stuff- don't buy any, and if you don't buy any, feel free to not comment about it.
Good point - and I hope she enjoys her favourite not poodle and beer when she gets them. She sounds like quality lass.
:-)
