The gang over at Chipworks have torn down the iPad 2 and stripped it of its main components. While investigating the innards, they got a close look at the iPad 2's 512MB of RAM and touchscreen controls, which are the same as its last-generation predecessor, and they discovered that the 3G version of the iPad 2 also uses the same chipset as the Verizon iPhone launched last month.
But here's what is really fascinating: the dual-core A5 processor under a microscope. It contains nine metal layers, eight of those made of copper and one of aluminum. When you zoom in, you can also see the transistors (where the electronic circuits pass through) and the way that they connect together. Technophiles will appreciate this: it's a truly fascinating look at the internal architecture of a mobile processor.
freshyseth
March 15, 2011 at 2:55pm
This is much like my first kid's sonogram. Very interesting and exciting, but I have no idea what I'm looking at. Anyone care to explain what's being shown here? And don't tell me to look at Chipworks website as that would take me away from MacLife.com; which is unacceptable.
Fion
March 15, 2011 at 4:04pm
You're looking at the transistors, which are actually the electronic circuits that the data passes through. It's got more than the A4.
