So Apple starts talking about a Screwdriver and now evvvvveryone wants to know what it is. Well, Apple has decided that you should not be opening your iPhone 4 anymore. How?New iPhones being shipped out no longer can be opened with a traditional Phillips or torx screwdriver.
You now need a pentalobe screwdriver.
“But I don’t have a pentalobe screwdriver – I don’t even know what one is!” you may exclaim.
Exactly – That’s why Apple is using it in the first place.
The Pentalobe screwdriver head looks a bit like a flower with five petals and was first developed by Apple for the 2009 MacBook Pro battery. It has one purpose – to keep YOU out.
It’s widely known that Apple has always discouraged individual modifications for its products, however iFixit.com – a website dedicated to helping users fix their Mac products on their own – has already been selling the pentalobe screwdriver.
Apple has yet to comment on the matter.
Does the inability to modify your iPhone 4 affect your decision to buy it? Are you against Apple for making the changes in the first place?
Comments
AC
January 21st, 2011 - 12:11:56 PM
Try "Torx Plus Tamper Resistant" and/or "Torx Plus TR" on google. Wiha makes/sells the bits. So do other companies. Also, maybe try "5-star bits" on Amazon.
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Tiffany
January 21st, 2011 - 2:52:48 PM
Thanks AC! Have you used this yourself?
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Omnia
January 21st, 2011 - 6:37:14 PM
Thanks for the information AC...I'll try to find it on Amazon
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Pat
January 22nd, 2011 - 9:11:47 AM
The entire Apple "repair kit" including the pentalobe driver is available on ebay for less than $10.
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David
January 22nd, 2011 - 9:24:35 AM
"Does the inability to modify your iPhone 4 affect your decision to buy it? Are you against Apple for making the changes in the first place?" This whole posting makes no sense. There is no inability to modify it. You even say in your post that you can buy the screw driver to open it....
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Oranges
January 22nd, 2011 - 11:09:34 AM
I have no problem with Apple discouraging people from opening their products, they should just place a disclaimer that if anyone opens their iphone, all warranties will be void.
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AC
January 22nd, 2011 - 12:29:02 PM
I haven't tried it myself. I have the Wiha Torx Plus TR bits (for another *ahem* "project"), but not an iPhone with the new screws. The iFixit kit may be a better choice if you only want to mod your iPhone - since it's less expensive than the Wiha bit set. But, if you want the bits for other things as well, you can get them if you want to.
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AC
January 22nd, 2011 - 12:31:22 PM
The Wiha part number is 79450 for the IPR bit set, btw.
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Johnny
January 26th, 2011 - 6:20:34 PM
This place lists several sources for a pentalobe screwdriver http://www.pentalobular-screwdriver.com/
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