iMac late 2012 - service unfriendly, all traps!

Hey guys,

I know that iFixit has taken one apart in a ghetto way, and I now present you the official way. This is a write up of my run through.

The new iMac has a fused LCD+glass unit, this allow them to build it very thin. Therefore, as many would have expected, taking it out is a painful task. That is not quite true on the previous gen as the glass is held by magnets; this time, they use a new adhesive called Very High Bond tape (VHB for short).

The official way to take a part is to use a specialized plastic non-conductive cutter (provided by Apple), roll it along the gap between the glass and the body, and the cutter will cut through the tape, thus removing it. Apple tells me that I have to roll it multiple times in small sections to ensure a proper "deep" cut; any force will crack the screen so patient is the key. Once the tapes are cut through, I use the nylon probe to lightly pry it open. Apple then incorporate antennae on the right side, and prying on the right side will most likely destroy the antennae.

After the screen comes off, I will need to remove all the VHS on the body and the screen. Furthermore, there are mylar adhesives on the edges as EMI/heat and I need to be careful not to remove them, or risk whole screen replacement. Finally , new tapes will need to be applied before reassembly.

I am done! No heatgun required as per iFixit. Thank you Apple for making me buying more of their tools... :-D

Philip