Dell PR01X Docking Station

Docking stations... does anyone really use them? Did they ever? Well according to Amazon, they're dirt cheap, but the Dell PR01X is more or less well liked with a 4.3 star rating. And some electronics store took time to make a youtube review of it. So, I guess some people have used them. Though in my case, I was lucky enough that the previous owner wasn't too attached and allowed me to cannibalize it... FOR SCIENCE!

LG VX5500 Flip Phone

     Well friends, its time for a bit of nostalgia. Today I took apart the trusty rusty flip phone I used for at least 2 years, back in high school. Apparently, even in the age of smart phone domination, the ol' 5500 continues to be used a fair amount. My coworker even continues to use one - they're built to last I guess. But they're also rather interesting inside. 

Fujitsu Hard Drive from Vaio Laptop

I promised my roommate I would either erase the data on this HD with a stereo magnet, or take it apart making it useless. Needless to say, I opted for option 2. Its s a fujitsu HD model # MHW2120BH - a 120GB drive discontinued according to Newegg. I've always heard hard drives are fun to take apart, but this was my first opportunity. It did not disappoint.

Panasonic Optical Disc Drive

     As promised, this is the take apart of the disc drive found in the Vaio laptop - my favorite piece/section from that night. A disclaimer: there was a much greater number of interconnected pieces in here than the laptop, and I couldn't (or more accurately wouldn't attempt to) document each little step when I removed something. I encourage you to look intimately at the more detailed pictures and make inferences as to what went where and how the pieces interacted. I'll offer help in the notes as best I can, but another disclaimer: I an no engineer (though I was trained in product design), and many of the technical terms and precise design techniques are lost on me as well. For what its worth, take a look here for some info on how optical disc drives work. Fascinating stuff. Anyway, ONWARD!