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Why Torx screws!? (UPDATE: Not Torx Screws!)
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I don't care how cheap it looks but I don't think it looks cheap anyway. I've striped phillips screws but never Torx ones. Also, if the screw driver is magnetised, Torx screws are easier to handle than others, they don't fall to one side and go in crooked.
The prototype iPhone they broke apart had phillips head screws like the current gen.
Correct. Just saw it in the HD stream. Checked Apple's site and their current photos show the 5-vertex TX head screws. Late design change I guess.
Sounds like the screwdriver was hardened but not tempered, makes the steel almost crystalline.
I love torx/hex screws, and I think torx looks elegant as well as the phillips screws used on my macbook pro. If you really hate the torx screws on the iPhone, just sharpie over it 
They are probably about to become easier to find. I predict they'll be all over eBay if there is any demand for opening these up.
Used in other Apple stuff?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but similar ones were used in PowerBooks? My old G4 15" had these I think! Definitely prefer them to Phillips screws!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but similar ones were used in PowerBooks? My old G4 15" had these I think! Definitely prefer them to Phillips screws!
I wonder if the use of torx screws solves a number of issues. Easier for automated manufacturing, and also stops the casual user from deciding to opening it up. Plus it is also harder to strip - provided you use the right size
Exactly. I always thought that using non-common household screw types was why Apple used these in their products.
Hi there
on a german page, i found some bits: http://www.welt-der-werkzeuge.de/ha...it-set-14-auf-steckschien-9-tlg-cv-ts-ip.html
They are may be a bit to big for the iphone, but it gives the correct description for further research in case someone needs a opener ;-) .
Other guys mention screws like this as Torx Plus. Hard to find.
on a german page, i found some bits: http://www.welt-der-werkzeuge.de/ha...it-set-14-auf-steckschien-9-tlg-cv-ts-ip.html
They are may be a bit to big for the iphone, but it gives the correct description for further research in case someone needs a opener ;-) .
Other guys mention screws like this as Torx Plus. Hard to find.
Not sure if this Tamper Proof Bit Set is small enough. I guess we won't know until the reviews come in from iFixit.
Here's the Search for Tamper Proof Bits on Amazon.
Here's the Search for Tamper Proof Bits on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
directly on ifixits website there is a complete kit: http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/26-Piece-Bit-Driver-Kit/IF145-028
and on this little list (enlarge the pic) on the box the second bit looks like something. But we will see....
and on this little list (enlarge the pic) on the box the second bit looks like something. But we will see....
I think satin, machined hex head would have looked elegant also, but that or a torx type screw seems nicer to me than conventional flat head or Phillips.
There's a company in FL, Microtech, that makes very high quality automatic knives, they developed their own type of screw head specifically to reduce the occurance of people dissassembling the knife, screwing it up, then, much like iphoners tend to do, shipping the non functional knife in for warrantee repair.
So a few years back they started using a screw of their own design, where a flat, round head had 3 holes in it in a triangular pattern, so it required a pretty unique bit to open, of course in a few months people had made some and they became available for purchase.
There's a company in FL, Microtech, that makes very high quality automatic knives, they developed their own type of screw head specifically to reduce the occurance of people dissassembling the knife, screwing it up, then, much like iphoners tend to do, shipping the non functional knife in for warrantee repair.
So a few years back they started using a screw of their own design, where a flat, round head had 3 holes in it in a triangular pattern, so it required a pretty unique bit to open, of course in a few months people had made some and they became available for purchase.
Well, I was using the term "pocket knives" because this is less threatening, lest our beloved Mac community gets freaked out about knives! You're right though, my spyderco's have machined pins...benchmade's torx. And although similar, a torx isn't quite the same as a hex...where as a torx is like a star and hex is like a, well I don't know, a six sided shape? Lol. Your Böker must be hex. It's so hard to see cause they are freakin tiny! I love Böker's designs, btw
Odd thing, though. I had a Gemini police model that a friend gave to me because someone else had given it to him for compensation and he thought it was too big. I had it for a few years and lost it. Found a replacement online for ~37% less than retail, so I got it. It's the same exact knife, but doesn't say police model on it anymore.
For sizes this small only a few companies sell drivers for the screw (Wiha, Camcar) and you need a license to get them.
A similiar but larger screw is used in the new MBP for the battery and you can find the driver on the internet, but I'd say it will be a bit before this one does as well.
A similiar but larger screw is used in the new MBP for the battery and you can find the driver on the internet, but I'd say it will be a bit before this one does as well.
I've just been doing some research, and this is very true. These 5-Point TX screws are tamper resistant...and they get their tamper resistance from the fact that they are patented and licensed only under the strictest conditions. You have to be an OEM or a licensed service provider to buy drivers for these screws, which are sold only by the manufacturers.
I'm sure that their use on the iPhone will make it worth it worth someone's while to manufacture these drivers illegally, though.
Yeah some don't like a large blade for EDC use. I don't mind it if it's slim enough in my pocket. At least you found a replacement if you like it, though.
About the torx or tx or whatever...apple should have made up their own screw heads, like nintendo with their ds, they could have made a smiley face or something. Good luck opening that iFixit! Haha
I'd say by the end of the year, IMO. There's always going to be some seedy manufacturer in China that will make knockoff bits to open these up, licensed head, custom head, or whatever else Apple decided to go with.
However, anything is better than phillips.